FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for Children 5 to 11
![Vaccine Word Photo](https://paproviders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vaccine-Word-Photo-2-700x467.jpg)
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Message from ANCOR:
The White House just released its framework for the Build Back Better Agenda this morning. The framework includes $150 billion for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services. There is still no legislative text available for the budget reconciliation bill, which is how Congress will move forward this framework. Negotiations are still ongoing. We will continue to update you as we know more.
We are encouraged that reports indicate that HCBS funding will be included in the final bill. But we want to make sure we don’t let up on our advocacy in this final stretch!
Please join us TODAY as we participate in a Day of Action along with our coalition partners from disability, aging, and labor groups.
Here are some sample tweets you can use:
You are also encouraged to tweet your own stories. Below are additional hashtags to use:
We also wanted to make sure we shared with you ANCOR’s letter sent to Congressional leadership yesterday in a final push to support increased funding for HCBS.
Thanks for all of your hard work and please keep it going!
Here are the resources from the White House:
MICROSITE
The Build Back Better Framework: President Biden’s Plan to Rebuild the Middle Class
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Elise Aguilar
Director of Advocacy
ANCOR
Alexandria, VA
(703) 535-7850
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Donna Martin
Director for State Partnerships and Special Projects
ANCOR
1101 King Street, Suite 380
Alexandria, VA 22314
Office: 703.535.7850 x116
Direct Line: 571.781.0456
This three-hour virtual training is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (to include Act 126 for school employees). It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).
Please register for your preferred training date and time by clicking one of the session links below. Each person must log in through separate devices, using the unique access link emailed to them after registration to receive credit.
For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA.
Monday, Nov. 1, 9:00 am–12:00pm
Monday, Nov. 1, 1:00 pm–4:00pm
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 9:00 am–12:00pm
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 4, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 4, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 4, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Friday, Nov. 5, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Friday, Nov. 5, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Saturday, Nov. 6, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 8, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 8, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 11, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 11, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Friday, Nov. 12, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Friday, Nov. 12, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 15, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 15, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 15, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 18, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 18, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 18 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Friday, Nov. 19, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Saturday, Nov. 20, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 22, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 22, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 24, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Nov. 29, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Time is running out to catch the recorded sessions on the Showcare Platform! Game prize winners will also be announced on Friday, October 29 at 11:00am, and we will award prizes to some lucky attendees who log in for this closing session.
In addition, it’s not too late to catch the vendors in Connections Hall that you may have missed and earn game points while you visit! Don’t miss out on earning as many points as possible before the deadline!
You can also continue to view sessions you didn’t get a chance to see or review sessions that you really enjoyed. You are able to watch each session as many times as you wish, and all documents are accessible on the sessions’ main pages. To view the sessions, log in to your account, then either:
Lastly, as a reminder, please be sure to send in your request for continuing education or certificates of attendance by November 1 to RCPA.
Thank you once again!
EEOC Issues Updated COVID-19 Technical Assistance
Provides Additional Information on Equal Employment Opportunity Laws and Religious Objections to Workplace Vaccine Requirements
Press Release from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today posted updated and expanded technical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing questions about religious objections to employer COVID-19 vaccine requirements and how they interact with federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws.
The expanded technical assistance provides new information about how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies when an applicant or employee requests an exception from an employer’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
“This update provides employers, employees, and applicants with important assistance when navigating vaccine-related religious accommodation requests,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. “Title VII requires employers to accommodate employees’ sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, and observances absent undue hardship. This update will help safeguard that fundamental right as employers seek to protect workers and the public from the unique threat of COVID-19.”
The key updates to the technical assistance are summarized below:
The EEOC is providing this information to the public as many employers are requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment.
This technical assistance answers COVID-19 questions only from the perspective of the EEO laws. Other federal, state, and local laws come into play regarding the COVID-19 pandemic for employers, employees, and applicants. As new developments occur, the EEOC will consider any impact they may have on EEOC’s COVID-19 technical assistance and will provide additional updates and assistance to the public as needed.
More information about the civil rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic is available in the record of the EEOC’s April 28, 2021 hearing on that topic.
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information about the EEOC’s work generally can be found at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to EEOC’s email updates.
The House Human Services Committee passed three key bills today.
House Bills 1561 and 1563 were passed unanimously out of committee. Both bills will align Pennsylvania’s confidentiality laws with federal laws. HB 1563 will effectively eliminate 4 Pa. Code § 255.5. The full House is scheduled to consider both bills tomorrow. RCPA supports both bills.
In addition, House Bill 1995 passed out of committee on a 15-10 party-line vote in which no Democrats voted for the bill. The bill would require the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to promulgate regulations in instances where DDAP is implementing new or additional licensing requirements for drug and alcohol providers; new or additional drug and alcohol staff credentialing requirements; new or additional drug and alcohol counselor staffing ratios; and new or major programmatic changes and requirements imposed on drug and alcohol facilities. HB 1995 was drafted in response to requirements that go well beyond ASAM Criteria and are being implemented by DDAP as part of its transition to the ASAM Criteria.
RCPA supports the commonwealth’s transition to ASAM Criteria but does not support the overreaching Pennsylvania-specific mandates. RCPA today issued a press release supporting HB 1995.
In a related matter, on Thursday, October 28, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania will hear the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania’s (DASPOP’s) lawsuit against DDAP and the Department of Human Service in its bid to stop the ASAM transition.
Contact Jason Snyder, Director of RCPA’s Drug and Alcohol Division, with any questions.