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RCPA has been collaborating with the Pennsylvania Association for Nonprofit Organization (PANO) on a few issues over the past several weeks. One of those issues is how unemployment compensation is affecting RCPA members and other nonprofits. The Federal Government has legislation that will help alleviate nonprofit organizations’ concerns around the unemployment compensation issue. PANO has sent out the following alert to its nonprofit members; RCPA is passing along the alert because we know some of our members are affected by this issue.
The bipartisan Protecting Nonprofits from Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act (S. 4001) solves half of the problems nonprofits are facing with the enormous costs of reimbursing their states for benefits paid to laid off or furloughed employees. Specifically, the bill would correct the Labor Department’s interpretation that reimbursing employers must pay 100% of unemployment claims up front and then wait to get repaid 50% later. The bill currently has 16 cosponsors, evenly split between the political parties.
ACTION ITEM: Reach out to Senator Casey (D) and Senator Toomey (R) and urge them to co-sponsor S. 4001 and demand a vote this week before the Senate leaves for its July 4 break. It’s only half the unemployment insurance (UI) challenge for reimbursing employers, but it’s the most time-sensitive. Contacting your Senators is easy. Simply email or tweet this message to each: “@[SenatorTwitterHandle], #nonprofits in our state must have immediate relief from catastrophic cash flow strains caused by flawed Labor Department guidance. Cosponsor and insist on Senate passage this week of the bipartisan S.4001. #Relief4Charities” |
For more information, read this article in today’s Nonprofit Quarterly: Act Now to Protect Nonprofits from Government-Induced Cash-Flow Strain.
Questions, please contact Jack Phillips.
In a recent communication to RCPA and the stakeholder community, OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Kristen Houser was pleased to share the current framework for the provider Alternative Pay Arrangements (APA) that will be extended until September 30, 2020. Deputy Secretary Houser outlined the expectations that included:
Deputy Secretary Houser stated “We understand the importance of maintaining regional agreements and oversight to allow for flexibility to meet a range of needs across the Commonwealth but also recognize that setting a statewide expectation that is consistently communicated across regions, providers and associations will help reduce confusion and subsequent questions. OMHSAS is sharing this information with provider associations and stakeholders to help alleviate any misunderstanding/miscommunication going forward, and we ask that this information be posted on BH-MCO and Primary Contractor or appropriate county websites in a location that is easy to reference. This will ensure that anyone with questions about the duration or expectations of notification of an end date will find the same information there.”
If you have additional questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
A SAMHSA sponsored webinar presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Council for Behavioral Health, will take place Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time called “Improving Access to Care through Medicaid 1115 Waivers.”
Webinar Link: https://nasmhpd.adobeconnect.com/waivers_reg/event/event_info.html
(Please either right click on the link or copy and paste the link into a new tab.)
Description: Millions of people in the U.S. each year are affected by mental illness, substance use disorders, and other chronic conditions, yet too many are unable to get both their mental and physical health needs met, leading to higher costs and worse outcomes.
The rate of co-occurring illness is high. People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. People with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions. With the demand for mental health and addiction services higher than ever before, coordinating care is important as we face a new health care landscape.
As the nation’s largest payer of mental health and substance use disorder services, Medicaid is uniquely situated to help states support the health of their communities. Through the use of federal waivers – called section 1115 waivers – states can improve access to care by testing new ideas like integrating mental health and substance use disorder services in primary care settings that help people receive the right care at the right time.
Join speakers from NAMI and CNS Healthcare on this webinar as they talk about the case for using Medicaid 1115 waivers to support integrated care, reduce costs, and improve outcomes from both the individual and provider perspective.
Presenters
When in the seminar room, the Adobe Connect Log-in screen appears, select “Enter as a Guest,” enter the name and state of the participant in the “Name” field (Ex. Jane Doe-AK) and click on “Enter Room.” For attendees, this is a “listen only” webinar. Should they need to dial in, the instructions are on the note pad in the seminar room.
If you dial in, please ensure that your computer speakers are turned off so that there is no audio feedback.
Note: If you are only able to join the audio portion, then you will not be able to see the webinar presentation.
We highly recommend that you test your connection to Adobe Connect in advance of the webinar to ensure access. You may need to work with your state’s IT Department to resolve any firewall issues. To test your connection, please go to: http://nasmhpd.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm. You may be prompted to install ActiveX control, Adobe Flash Player, and Adobe Connect add-ins. If you encounter any difficulty testing your connection or logging into the webinar, please contact Technical Support by calling 1-800-459-5680.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Kelle Masten via email at [email protected].
Thank you!
**We do not offer CEU credits however letters of attendance are offered upon request.
***Closed-captioning is available for this webinar.
Across the country, community-based organizations are responding to the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities by expanding options for virtual programming and service delivery. Virtual offerings can promote service continuity in lieu of in-person interactions, as well as foster social connectedness.
Join ACL and other national stakeholders for a webinar highlighting programs, best practices, and tips for creating communities of learning and engagement via technology. Presenters will address marketing/outreach, barriers to virtual participation, strategies for holding interactive and inclusive conversations, and more.
This webinar will be recorded and posted on ACL’s COVID-19 web page.
Presenters: Ryan Elza, AARP Foundation; Stephen Ewell, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation; Thomas Kamber, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS); Susan Stiles, National Council on Aging
Contact Kristie Kulinski with registration questions.
On Monday, June 15, a group of 30 bipartisan senators sent a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), requesting that recent expansions and flexibilities made for telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic be made permanent.
RCPA is asking for members to contact Senator Casey and Senator Toomey and ask them to sign onto the bipartisan letter. It is important to continue the expansion of telehealth; this is your opportunity to have your voices heard. Questions, please contact Jack Phillips.