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Medical Rehab

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) will host a call on May 5, 2022, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm that will focus on and discuss post-COVID conditions (PCC), specifically cognitive symptoms or “brain fog” following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) has recently published a Multi-Disciplinary Collaborative Consensus Guidance Statement on the Assessment and Treatment of Cognitive Symptoms in PCC that provides practical guidance to clinicians in the assessment and treatment of individuals with cognitive symptoms and a history consistent with PCC.

To participate, use the provided Zoom link. The passcode is: 828356.
Or dial 699-254-5252. Webinar ID: 160 331 6732. The call will be recorded and will be available on the COCA Call web page a few hours after the live event ends. Registration is not required to participate.

The slide set will be available on the day of the call on the COCA Call web page under Call Materials. Free Continuing Education (CE) will be offered for this COCA Call.

RCPA is pleased to support and celebrate Pennsylvania’s participation in the #WeHealUS national campaign during Mental Health Awareness Month.

#WeHealUS is a grassroots campaign that honors May as Mental Health Awareness Month by amplifying the hard work of individuals, organizations, and local/state governments building resilience and healing. Nationwide, more states and municipalities are embracing trauma-informed and healing-centered policies and practices because resilience grows through healthy and informed relationships.

#WeHealUS was the brain child of stakeholders in Illinois and Pennsylvania — pioneering states that have become “healing-centered” with public and private partnerships working outside the box to promote trauma awareness. The Illinois Light Initiative has launched an Illinois Healing Capacity Building Center to unify trauma education, training, and programming. HEAL PA is an innovative mix of state agency representatives and community stakeholders tasked with implementing the Trauma-Informed PA Plan across the commonwealth. #WeHealUS is further supported by the national Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP).

Take a look at the Pennsylvania calendar of #WeHealUS activities as well as the #WeHealUS campaign toolkit for this month. We encourage everyone to share this information widely with your networks, as the events are open for all to attend! Sample social media posts are included in the toolkit.

RCPA remains an active member of the Heal PA trauma-informed initiative. You can contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp with any questions or comments regarding this initiative.

2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference
An Everyday Life in a Changing World: A Focus on Wellness and Resilience

The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs invites you to register for the 2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference! The Everyday Lives Conference seeks to provide valuable information to individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism, their families, and support professionals to help empower individuals to live their ideal everyday lives.

Registration
The conference is free for individuals and families and $50 for professionals. Registration allows access to all virtual conference sessions. To register online, go to the Everyday Lives website and visit the Registration tab.

Conference Lineup
The conference lineup, including presenters and presentation topics, is now available to view under the Schedule tab.

Conference Dates and Tracks

May 17, 2022
Communication and Connection

May 24–25, 2022
Community of Practice for Supporting Families
Regional Collaborative Summit

June 1, 2022
Supportive Technology

June 8–9, 2022
Dual Diagnosis

June 16, 2022
Employment

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a virtual training program for both inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs). The virtual IRF training program will review the updated guidance for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility – Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI) 4.0 and the LTCH Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation (CARE) Data Set (LCDS) 5.0 for providers in the IRF and LTCH settings. This training is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure IRF and LTCH providers have access to the education necessary to understand and comply with changes in reporting requirements associated with the IRF and LTCH Quality Reporting Programs (QRPs) that go into effect on October 1, 2022. A major focus of this training will be on the cross-setting implementation of the standardized patient assessment data elements being introduced in 2022 to ensure more consistent reporting and evaluation across post-acute care settings.

The training program consists of two parts:

  • Part 1: Beginning May 9, 2022: Access will be provided to recorded training session videos that deliver foundational knowledge necessary to understanding the new items and guidance. These videos are intended to be reviewed in advance of the live event.
  • Part 2: June 15–16, 2022: Live, virtual workshop sessions will provide coding practice on the items covered in the Part 1 videos. These live sessions will take place each day from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

To participate in the training program, registration is required. If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk and IRF QRP Help Desk

RCPA will be hosting our 2022 Capitol Day on Tuesday, May 24. We will have a press conference and rally on the steps of the Capitol outside the Main Rotunda between 12:30 pm–1:30 pm. Please register here to indicate you will be attending the event.

State government impacts every RCPA member’s business and services; therefore, RCPA encourages all members to schedule as many appointments as possible with their Senate and House legislators to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations. During legislative meetings, members should highlight how the state budget, legislation, and regulations affect the day-to-day operations of your business and how government overreach affects services you provide to consumers. Please notify Jack Phillips of the appointments you have scheduled. RCPA staff will be available on-site to assist.

If you have questions or need assistance regarding our 2022 Capitol Day, please contact Jack Phillips. We look forward to seeing you there!

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the next Hospital/Quality Initiative open door forum has been scheduled for April 26, 2022, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Agenda topics that will be covered during this open door forum include:

  • Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Inpatient/Long-Term Care Prospective Payment System (IPPS/LTC PPS) Proposed Rule
    • Hospital Quality Updates:
      • Background/Context on Health Equity and Maternal Health
      • Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program
        • Equity and Maternal Health Measures
        • Other IQR Measures and eCQM Reporting Requirements
        • Hospital Designation on Maternal Care
        • Requests for Information (RFIs) Re: Health Equity and Maternal Health
      • Measure Suppressions Due to the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
      • Promoting Interoperability Program and Advancing Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) RFI
      • Hospitals and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Conditions of Participation (CoPs) – Required COVID-19 Reporting Until December 2024, and Reporting in Future Public Health Emergencies (PHEs)
    • IPPS and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Update
    • RFI on Resource Costs for N95 Masks
  • IPPS Wage Index Timeline Update

There will also be an open question and answer (Q&A) session included during the hour. This call will be a conference call only.

To participate by phone:
Dial: 888-455-1397 & Reference Conference Passcode: 5109694
Instant Replay: 866-416-1185, Conference ID: No Passcode Needed

Instant Replay is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 866-416-1185 beginning 1 hour after the call has ended. The recording expires after April 28, 2022.

PA ABLE Turns 5!

Please join PATF in celebrating the fifth anniversary of the PA ABLE Savings Program.

PA ABLE helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families save safely.

Since the first PA ABLE accounts opened five years ago, Pennsylvanians have saved nearly $72 million for current and future expenses, including assistive technology, education, housing, transportation, health care, financial management, and more.

The program provides a tax-free way to save without affecting eligibility for critical means-tested benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (up to $100,000) or Medical Assistance.

Learn how to set up an ABLE account here.


“Having the ability to save through the ABLE program provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to escape the cycle of poverty that is so often their reality. The ABLE program can make it possible for people with disabilities to be empowered to have greater control over their financial future.”
– Susan Tachau, PATF CEO

This month, our CEO, Susan Tachau, joined PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Sherri Landis of The ARC of PA, and other disability advocates in Harrisburg to mark PA ABLE’s fifth anniversary. Read the full News Release.


PATF’s Financial Capability Resources

April is Financial Capability Month so now is a great time to check out our interactive and accessible financial education website. The website is a companion to our book, Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management. Explore our financial education resources.

Financial education is the key for living independently and access to this information is crucial. With these financial capability tools, people have a solid foundation for success.

In recognition of our financial education work, we were awarded the Non-Profit Organization of the Year 2021 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award.


Planning for the Future

PATF’s Board of Directors adopted a three-year Strategic Plan Framework, placing equal focus on our four programs: financial loans, information and assistance, financial education, and advocacy.

Additionally, PATF is working on succession planning as CEO Susan Tachau will be transitioning to a new role as Innovations Officer at PATF in September.

PATF has also launched a DEI+A initiative, which includes an internal audit, recommendations for individual and organizational growth, and learning sessions on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.


Smart Homes Made Simple Webinar Draws International Attention

In 2021, we published Smart Homes Made Simple: Your Guide to Smart Home Technology and launched Smart Homes Made Simple to help the disability community learn about mainstream smart home devices and how they can be financed. In March of this year, PATF hosted a smart home webinar, Real Life Stories: Using Smart Home Technology for Independence, with more than 500 attendees from around the world!


Upcoming Events

The Center for Independent Living of Central PA is hosting a free Youth-Adult Wheelchair Basketball Clinic on Saturday, May 14. PATF’s Outreach Director, Wendy Davis, will be there and can talk more about how PATF can help people with purchasing adapted sports equipment. Learn more about this event.

Disability Pride PA kicks off Disability Pride Philadelphia Week with a flag-raising at City Hall on Monday, June 6 at 3:00 pm. The parade takes place on Saturday, June 11. Get more details.

The Technology Enhancing Capabilities Virtual Conference will be held on Wednesday, June 22. PATF CEO Susan Tachau will be joined by Michael Anderson, Alexa Brill, and George Russo, as they discuss how they use smart home technology to live safer and with greater independence. Additional information.