The 29th Virtual Forensic Rights & Treatment Conference — Call for Presentations
The 29th Virtual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference is scheduled for December 1–2, 2021.
At this time, Drexel University’s Behavioral Healthcare Education is now seeking presentation proposals for the conference. Applicants are invited to submit an abstract for a 60-minute workshop consisting of 50 minutes of presentation and 10 minutes for Q&A.
Presentation proposals are encouraged to illustrate this year’s theme: The Power of Opportunity – Creating Growth Through Effective Mental Health Supports.
To submit a proposal, please download this call for presentations document and fill in all information. Please note, the deadline to submit proposals is August 31, 2021. All proposals will be considered, but only a limited number can be selected. Notifications of proposal acceptance will be emailed September 27, 2021.
Please visit here for more details on the call for presentations. If you have further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
September 1, 2021 MLTSS Subcommittee Announced
The next Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting will take place via webinar on September 1, 2021 from 10:00 am–1:00 pm. To participate in the meeting via webinar, please register by visiting on the link below. Those participating via webinar are encouraged to register early. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Webinar Registration Link
(If you have trouble accessing the webinar registration through the Internet Explorer or Safari web browsers, please try accessing it through a different web browser, such as Chrome or Edge.)
Dial In Number
The dial-in number is: (415) 655-0060
Access Code: 512-693-809
PA Dept. of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program Connecting to Providers — Webinar on August 20, 2021
Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel Webinar Recording Available
On August 6, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s (DOH) Holly Simpson, Infection Preventionist in the Bureau of Epidemiology, conducted a webinar titled “PAHAN 569 Update: Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Exposure to COVID-19.” This webinar provided a lot of great information, and a recording of the webinar is now available to view.
Included in the presentation was a review of the information contained in PA HAN 569. This review included topics such as defining a “high-risk” exposure for healthcare personnel (HCP), how and when work exclusion for HCP should occur, testing strategy for HCP, and criteria for reducing work exclusion for HCP to mitigate staffing shortages.
PCCD Announcement: Mental Health Initiative Funds, Crisis Intervention, and Pretrial Diversion
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), in a collaboration with the Department of Human Services and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DHS/OMHSAS), announces the availability of $1,000,000 in funds for the implementation of crisis response or pretrial diversion strategies for justice-involved individuals with Mental Illness/Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders (MI/COD), Intellectual Disorders (ID), and/or autism spectrum disorders.
RCPA is recommending that members connect with their county courts and agencies to gauge interest and potential service provision opportunities. View the memorandum for further details, and please contact your respective Mental Health/Drug & Alcohol/IDD RCPA Policy Director with any questions.
PA Telehealth Status Update
As announced last week, the COVID-19 pandemic-related Department of Human Services (DHS) Regulatory Suspensions are set to expire on September 30, 2021. RCPA has fielded numerous inquiries as to the ongoing status of telehealth and the implications to the pending end of the regulatory suspensions. The following is a review of this status.
PA Perspective
In February 2020, DHS and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) released an updated Telehealth Bulletin in advance of the pandemic and updated it again in March 2020 with additional flexibilities and guidelines for the use of telehealth. That bulletin is separate and apart from the regulatory suspension standards with the exception of the following:
- The signatory responsibility for telehealth encounters;
- Audio/telephonic only telehealth for Outpatient Behavioral Health services; and
- Audio/telephonic only telehealth for Drug and Alcohol services.
There currently is no Pennsylvania State statute prohibiting the use of telehealth/telemedicine. However, the ending of the regulatory suspensions would specifically affect those three service operations mentioned above.
PA Telehealth Bulletin
Since June of 2020, a statewide Group of Stakeholders, including RCPA, has been engaged in the development of an updated PA DHS/OMHSAS Telehealth Bulletin. This group developed a set of recommendations for operating standards and practices for telehealth in PA.
In our ongoing work and partnership with OMHSAS, we expect the PA Telehealth Bulletin to be released in advance of the Regulatory Suspension end date of September 30, 2021. It is our further expectation that the bulletin will reflect the recommendations of the PA Telehealth Steering Committee and the many operating efficiencies and practices that have been implemented during the last 18 months, including a pathway for audio only communication allowances. This referenced bulletin will only be for OMHSAS-licensed agencies, and we have been informed that other DHS divisions will subsequently release their own telehealth guidelines.
PA Telehealth Legislation
Currently in the PA State House and Senate, there are also two compatible telehealth bills that have been drafted. RCPA has been working with the legislators on the impacts of House Bill 1573 and Senate Bill 705. The bills essentially address many of the current practices of telehealth, including audio-only, but many of the current flexibilities have not been adequately addressed. RCPA continues its work in both the House and Senate on language and practices that ensure parity, equity, and access should this legislation continue through its process.
Federal Telehealth
There are more than 100 telehealth-related bills that have been introduced in this 117th Congress, and many capture the needed flexibilities that ensure best practices and access to services for practitioners and consumers. The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) as well as the Office of Civil Rights and Compliance are reviewing these standards, including the use of audio/telephonic only telehealth delivery. RCPA continues to advocate through our State and Federal Legislators and the National Council of Wellbeing on any pending telehealth legislation.
If you have questions of feedback, please contact RCPA Children’s Director Jim Sharp or your RCPA Policy Director.
LTC, Congregate Care, & Residential Provider Vaccine Survey: Due by August 20
The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) issued the following time-sensitive information that includes links to very important surveys regarding COVID-19 vaccine access and vaccination rates. Please take a few minutes to complete these. Additional instructions are included in this handout.
COVID-19 cases are increasing around the country and in Pennsylvania due to the Delta Variant. In order to continue to support our long-term and congregate care facilities and keep residents and staff safe, the Departments of Health (DOH) and Human Services (DHS) need to understand current vaccination rates for people receiving care and staff in licensed residential setting as well as providers’ abilities to access vaccines for staff and residents.
Please complete both surveys linked below by Friday, August 20:
- DOH Vaccine Access Status
- If you have any questions about the survey or how to access COVID-19 vaccines, please email DOH with the subject of the email “Long-Term Care Facility Survey Questions.”
- DHS Vaccination Rate Survey (instructions here):
- Both surveys are brief and will provide the most up-to-date information of how your facilities access vaccines as well as current vaccination rates at your facilities.
Your response to these surveys will help us ensure that your staff and residents can get a COVID-19 vaccine if they have not yet received one or, if necessary, receive a booster if they are recommended. We know that unvaccinated individuals are most at-risk of infection and complications related to the Delta Variant. DOH, DHS, and our partners strongly urge that all people who are eligible protect themselves and all around them by getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Please continue to encourage your staff and residents who are not yet vaccinated to protect themselves and get their shot.
Thank you for your support in our fight against COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccine Additional Dose — MLN Connects
Pennsylvania Care Partnership & York County System of Care Forum Presentation — August 17
Black and Brown Mental Health vs. Criminal Justice & Policing
Tuesday, August 17, 2021, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Subject: Criminal Justice and Policing
Learning Objectives:
• Discuss the impact of Mental Health within the Criminal Justice System and Policing
• Discuss the current data as it relates to communities of color and these systems
• Learn what a community should know about how mental health needs are addressed within Criminal Justice and Policing
Handout: Black and Brown Mental Health vs Criminal Justice & Policing
Registration Link
For more information, contact System of Care Family Peer Support Specialist Lisa Kennedy. If you have further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
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