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Policy Areas

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) announced that the department will be releasing the CHC and OBRA Waivers Amendments, as well as the proposed Rate Refresh Study details, in early June. In light of this information, the PD&A meeting currently scheduled for May 29 will be rescheduled. A new date and time will be sent to members as soon as the dates of these releases are available.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a revised edition of ODPANN 21-073. The purpose of this announcement is to continue promoting awareness of pressure injuries as part of ongoing efforts to assure participant health and safety. ODP is working in conjunction with the state’s Health Care Quality Units (HCQU) and Support Coordinators (SC) to implement a Skin Integrity Initiative.

The goals of this pressure injury initiative are to raise awareness about pressure injury occurrences, to assist in the identification of resources, and to identify appropriate preventive measures that will reduce associated health risks and death. See the announcement for implementation, data collection, and reporting methods that will be used going forward in this initiative.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-044 and the accompanying instructions. The purpose of this announcement is to outline criteria and provide instructions for requesting a SIS-A 2nd Edition reassessment for individuals who receive residential services and whose 2023 SIS-A assessment resulted in a Needs Group (NG) decrease of two or more levels.

Please view the announcement and accompanying instructions for information and details.

A new bulletin addressing revisions to the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) has been released by the Commonwealth Court. This bulletin specifically focuses on clarifying the legal standing of certain provisions, notably the “lifetime employment ban” for individuals with criminal convictions. Enacted in 1987, OAPSA aimed to protect Pennsylvania’s older population from exploitation, neglect, and abuse, establishing a program for their safeguarding, including those in mental health inpatient and residential facilities. However, subsequent amendments in 1996 introduced a permanent employment ban for individuals convicted of certain crimes. Despite this, a 2015 ruling by the Commonwealth Court found this provision unconstitutional, citing violations of due process guarantees under the PA constitution.

The full bulletin, titled “Bulletin OMHSAS-24-03 Employment Bans in OAPSA,” can be accessed here. Further inquiries regarding OMHSAS-24-03 can be directed to OMHSAS via email. You can also contact RCPA Policy Director and COO, Jim Sharp, with any additional questions.

The Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families Summit will be held virtually this year. The Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families connect diverse individuals, families, and community partners to identify what people and families need to be supported, to develop and implement strategies to meet these needs through local collaboration and partnerships, and to participate in the conversation to improve systems. This objective allows all people to best nurture and support their loved ones in having full, meaningful everyday lives in their communities. This year’s summit will bring together Regional Collaboratives from across the Commonwealth, sharing experience and knowledge and developing strategies with a focus on Family Matters! What does it mean to support families?

What is the Regional Collaborative Summit? Watch the video to learn more!

Join the summit this August to learn from peers and professionals about how to bolster your Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families. Registration information is to follow.