ARPA & DHS Act 2 Funds: Updated Guidance
Direct Care Works is on the Air!
Lawmakers are hearing from us.
Since the governor unveiled his 2022/23 budget proposal in February, more than 3,327 individuals have contacted their local state senators and representatives urging them to address the workforce crisis affecting Pennsylvania’s human services sectors.
Now we want them to see us, too.
Our new video is airing on television in select markets and getting shared widely across social media channels. VISIT HERE to watch the TV spot.
April is a critical month for us. With budget hearings finished, the House and Senate are in session for only a few weeks before they take a break again to campaign for the May 17 primary election.
Make sure they hear from you today.
If you haven’t done so already, please reach out and urge lawmakers to increase funding to support human services professionals so individuals and families in need get the support and care they deserve. Ask your networks to do the same.
And be sure to share our video on your social media pages, too.
It’s so important for us to share the story about how this workforce crisis is affecting individuals and families in need, as well as the providers and professionals who want to serve them.
To share the video, check out our Facebook and Twitter pages where we have the videos posted. Be sure to “like” it and share it with your followers. Don’t forget to tag @directcareworks and use the #DirectCarePA and #PABudget hashtags so we can ensure as many people as possible see it.
Most importantly, TAKE ACTION TODAY. Tell lawmakers to increase funding to address the workforce crisis facing Pennsylvania’s health and human services.
Thank you for your continued support.
RCPA 2022 Conference To Be Held In Person Only
RCPA invites you to sponsor, exhibit, and advertise for the in-person 2022 Conference: “Together!” Our event will focus on face-to-face sessions and networking, with a mobile app available for attendees to connect with vendors, sponsors, and exhibitors on-site. Please note that there will be no hybrid or virtual-only options. This event will be in-person only with no plans to change to virtual. We want to focus on being Together!
Lawmakers Must Support Mental Health Safety Net: Column by Ruthie Davis of RCPA Member Pennsylvania Counseling Services
PFSA to Host Free Spotlight Speaker Series: CEUs, CLEs, and Act 48 Credits Available
OMHSAS Combined Stakeholder Webinar — April 19
Reminder for Understanding Private Equity and Its Implications for Community Provider Organizations — April 20
ANCOR Capitol Correspondence: Congress Advances Priorities Ahead of April Recess
DDAP Issues Recovery Housing Bulletin & Letter to Stakeholders
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) released Information Bulletin 01-22 today. The purpose of the bulletin is to remind all recovery houses in Pennsylvania, as well as entities who refer individuals to recovery houses, of several requirements of the recovery house law (Act 59 of 2017). A letter from DDAP Secretary Jennifer Smith communicating details of the bulletin was issued today to all stakeholders, as well.
Updated Alternate EVV Technical Specifications Now Available
A message from the Department of Human Services (DHS):
Attention Personal Care Services (PCS) and Home Health Care Services (HHCS) Providers:
DHS would like to announce that the Alternate EVV Technical Specifications and updated Sandata Alternate EVV Error Handling Overview and Reference Guide are available online for your review prior to the upcoming Alternate EVV Town Hall on April 11, 2022, at 1:00 pm ET (visit here to register). There will be a second session held May 27, 2022, at 12:00 pm ET for any additional questions that may arise.
All Alternate EVV vendors will need to be certified following the new Alternate EVV Technical Specifications published March 30, 2022. Vendors are expected to review the technical specifications document in its entirety and submit any questions during your registration to the Alternate EVV Town Hall.
If a vendor is not certified (due to being new to EVV) or recertified, the EVV visits will not be accepted for any provider agency the vendor supports. For PCS, the claims or encounters will deny because visit data would not be accepted as a result of the vendor not being recertified.
DHS recommends providers work with their EVV vendor to complete system updates to allow for sufficient time to complete integration testing and the recertification process prior to the Sandata EVV Release. The deployment date is currently expected to be on June 15, 2022. Any changes to this date will be communicated in a future Listserv. The initial certification process can be lengthy, and vendors should prepare accordingly. The minimum recommended time is 7.5 business weeks.
Further contact information for recertification will be provided at the Alternate EVV Town Hall on April 11, 2022.
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