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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared communication ODPANN 24-084, which informs stakeholders that rates for services rendered through ODP have been published as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

There is a 30-day public comment period. Comments may be sent to the Department via email using subject header ”PN Fee Schedule.” Written comments can also be sent within 30 days to the Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, Division of Provider Assistance and Rate Setting, 4th Floor, Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

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Tablet on a desk - Newsletter

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released bulletin ODPANN 24-083. This communication is to announce the release of the latest issue of the CI Spotlight, which can be found on the Certified Investigator Program Home Page. This edition of the CI Program Spotlight includes articles on interviewing people who don’t communicate in universally understood ways, Temple University’s CI Peer Reviews, and more.

If you have a suggestion for a future Spotlight article, please visit here to submit your suggestion.

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Photo by Alena Shekhovtcova from Pexels

The FDA has approved and authorized for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) that include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. These vaccines were updated to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by circulating variants. Two vaccines are available for use in the United States: 2024–2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. There is no preference for one vaccine over the other when more than one vaccine is recommended for an age group

Who should get the vaccine?

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine before and people who have had COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

It is especially important to get your 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine if you are:

  • Ages 65 and older,
  • At high risk for severe COVID-19
  • Have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Are living in a long-term care facility
  • Are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future.
  • Want to lower your risk of getting Long COVID

People who recently had COVID-19:

  • People who recently had COVID-19 may delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine for 3 months.
  • The risk of getting COVID-19 is less likely in the weeks to months following a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Certain factors could be reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later, such as:

  • Personal risk of severe COVID-19
  • Risk of COVID-19 in a family or household member or other close contact
  • local levels of COVID-19 illness

Keep in mind‎:

  • Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an informational bulletin, as well as a slide presentation, that are related to continuity of coverage for individuals receiving home and community-based services (HCBS). The purpose of the bulletin is to highlight the federal renewal requirements and available flexibilities to promote continuity of coverage.

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ANCOR is working in partnership with the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Project of National Significance at the University of Kansas to evaluate promising practices and strategies to enhance technology use by people with I/DD across the US and the landscape of access resulting from flexibilities provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is essential that ANCOR drives a high response rate to ensure they capture a full picture of what providers are doing and experiencing in the field. Please help them not only get the word out, but also encourage your members to participate! Take the survey here.

But wait! There’s more… ANCOR will also be offering a sneak peek at the results during their upcoming Tech Summit on October 29! After that, the full report will be released by the University of Kansas, which they will share, as well.

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The Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) met today and discussed several items of interest. Deputy Secretary Ahrens provided an update on the budget and Performance-Based Contracting, including changes made to the program based on public comment. The Deputy Secretary reported that more than 95% of current residential providers have signed a new contract, and a small number have submitted their data to be evaluated for a tier assignment in the first submission period. The majority of providers appear to be waiting until February 2025 to submit data for tier assignments.

UPDATE: The PowerPoint presentation is now available and can be viewed here.

ODP is still in the procurement process of finding a Performance Analysis Service (PAS) provider.  Madeline Wagner has joined the ODP staff as the PBC Measure Coordinator and began in July. The Supports Coordinator Strategic Thinking Group is planning to reconvene on September 11, 2024.

ODP staff provided updates on the strategies that are being utilized to work toward ISAC recommendations. Recommendation #2, Promote Self-Direction, Choice & Control, and Recommendation #14, Racial Equity were reviewed.

Recommendation #1, Assure Effective Communication, and also Recommendation #8, Simplify the System, were also discussed.

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