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Policy Areas

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Registration is now open for the 32nd Annual PA Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, titled “What We Know: Myths or Facts.” Sponsored by Drexel University’s Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education, College of Medicine, the virtual conference will be held December 4 and 5 with both live and pre-recorded presentations addressing topics such as trauma-informed care; working with victims of trafficking and partner violence; neuro and gender diversity; and identifying methods to enhance belonging and inclusion.

The conference brochure includes the schedule, workshop descriptions, plenary bios, and registration information. CE credits will be available.

For more information, email Drexel or visit the BHE conferences website.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST;
10:00 am – 11:00 am MST; 9:00 am – 10:00 am PST
Register Here

Kelsey Titgen, PT, DPT
Rachel Stanley, OTR/L

Presenter Bios:
Kelsey Titgen, PT, DPT

Kelsey earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Emory University in 2018. Since graduating, she has worked in the acute care rehabilitation departments at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston and Arthur M. Blank hospitals. In her tenure at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, she has treated patients in all inpatient units of the hospital, including PICU, multi-trauma, brain injury, oncology, and technology-dependent ICU. Over the past three years, Kelsey has taken on a primary and co-lead role in the cardiac intensive care unit and step-down unit, focusing on mobilizing patients on ECMO, various types of ventricular assist devices, and those recovering from open-heart surgery. She most enjoys her work supporting pediatric patients with congenital heart defects.

Rachel Stanley, OTR/L

Rachel graduated from Brenau University in 2020 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. After receiving her degree, she joined the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta acute care rehabilitation team. Rachel primarily treats patients in the PICU and serves as an OT representative on the ICU Liberation Committee, a multi-disciplinary hospital committee focused on minimizing the effects of pain, agitation/sedation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disruption. Rachel is passionate about working with patients in the intensive care unit, including those on ECMO, and is dedicated to advancing the ICU Liberation program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Describe three benefits of early mobilization of a pediatric ventilated patient;
  • Identify two examples of therapeutic activities that can be performed at each level of mobility; and
  • Understand varying levels of respiratory support and the implications of each during early mobility of a pediatric ventilated patient.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) met with stakeholders today, October 30, 2024, to discuss waiver amendments and to provide an overview of Performance-Based Contracting.

Waiver Amendments included:

Waiver Capacity:

  • When an individual is in an acute care hospital and receiving waiver services, ODP will not need to reserve (hold) the individual’s waiver. They will maintain enrollment in the waiver.
  • Language was updated for waiver capacity for high school graduates in the P/FDS waiver. AEs can reserve the waiver capacity for 180 days prior to when services are needed. Students can remain in service until their 22nd birthday.

Assistive Technology:

  • Updated language to explain when an independent evaluation is required and when it is optional:
    • REQUIRED: A device will cost $750 or more.
    • OPTIONAL: A device will cost less than $750.
  • An independent evaluation can be done if the team decides it would be beneficial.
  • Evaluations are included in the $10,000 lifetime limit.

Community Participation Support:

  • The Community Participation Support provider must complete and update an analysis of the following at least yearly to support individuals to experience meaningful community inclusion:
    • Strongest interests and personal preferences for community activities;
    • Skills, strengths, and other contributions likely to be valuable to employers or the community; and
    • Conditions necessary for successful community inclusion and/or competitive integrated employment.

American Sign Language (ASL) – English Interpreter Service:

  • English Interpreter service will be added to ODP’s waivers effective January 1, 2025.

Music, Art, & Equine Assisted Therapy:

  • The cumulative maximum limit of any combination of Music Therapy, Art Therapy, or Equine Assisted Therapy has increased from 26 to 52 hours per fiscal year.

STAT Overview:

  • The Specialty Telehealth and Assessment Team service was implemented in March 2024. This service may also be delivered to the participant during temporary travel, per ODP’s travel policy.

Waiver Corrections:
Life Sharing:

  • The following may not be authorized for participants who receive Life Sharing services: Residential Habilitation; Supported Living; Respite (15-minute or Day) (has been removed).

Supported Living Corrections:

  • The following services may not be authorized for participants who receive Supported Living services: Life Sharing; Residential Habilitation; Respite (15-minute or Day); Homemaker/Chore; In-Home and Community Supports; Behavioral Supports; Therapies; Shift Nursing; Consultative Nutritional Services; Communication Specialist and Specialize.

Benefits Counseling:

  • New billable indirect activities are added. The limit has increased from 15 hours per fiscal year to 24 hours per fiscal year.

The Performance-Based Contracting Review Included:

  • Effective January 1, 2025, Performance-Based Contracting will be implemented for the following services funded through the Consolidated and Community Living Waivers:
    •  Residential Habilitation;
    •  Life Sharing; and
    •  Supported Living.
  • Changes to Enrollment of New Providers.
  • What are Performance Standards?
  • What are Provider Tiers?
  • What Do These Changes Mean to Individuals and Families?

All performance-based contracting questions can be sent electronically.

Please see the distributed PowerPoint for additional information.

Two dates available (same content in both sessions):

  • Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Registration links will be released in the coming weeks.

Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is designed to present learners with an overview of the CtLC Person-Centered Framework. It will provide a general awareness of the guiding principles and tools presented by a Certified CtLC Presenter. This training is designed for anyone who is interested in learning about the CtLC Framework and will be led by Lisa Meyer and David Forbes.

After the CtLC training, participants will be able to:

  • Define the core belief of the CtLC Framework.
  • Identify how CtLC principles and tools can enhance decision making, problem solving, and self-advocacy in individuals.
  • Describe ways CtLC is applied.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an update to ODPANN-22-083. The purpose of this communication is to provide updated information about ARPA grant fund reimbursement. Updates are in red. The final deadline for a reimbursement request submission is May 31, 2025. The survey closes on May 31, 2025, and no additional requests for reimbursement will be reviewed after this date. All expenses need to be incurred on or before March 31, 2025. Please view the communication for information and instructions.