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Policy Areas

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-055: Updates to Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation Attachments. This communication announces the release of updated attachments to Bulletin 00-22-03, Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation, to align with waiver changes approved in January 2023.

Please review the announcement, including attachments contained within, for further information and detail.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared the following list of July workshops offered by the PA Family Network. July starts a new series on Participant Directed Services. Join the team of Family Advisors to get your questions answered about Participant Directed Services and how you can choose to direct your own services under the Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Waivers. These workshops are created by family members and self-advocates FOR family members and self-advocates! View the full listing below:

The agenda for the July 6, 2023, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting has been released. The meeting will held in person at the PA Department of Education Building’s Honors Suite, 1st floor, 333 Market Street in Harrisburg, or via webinar. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

To participate in the meeting via webinar, please register here. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Note that if you have trouble accessing the webinar registration through the Internet Explorer or Safari web browsers, please try accessing it through a different web browser, such as Chrome or Edge.

Dial In Number: (562) 247-8422
Access Code: 599513519#

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) have put a survey together to try to gain an understanding of the insurance market for both foster care and childcare providers. Both agencies have heard about difficulties experienced by these providers in finding insurance coverage, coupled with the rising cost of insurance for foster care and childcare. You can also read the letter from Acting DHS Secretary Valerie Arkoosh as well as Acting Commissioner of the PA Insurance Department Michael Humphrey, which outlines the importance of completing the survey. Complete the survey here.

Please share this survey where you feel appropriate, and reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. This survey will close Monday, July 31, 2023. Feel free to contact PID’s Caolinn Martin or DHS’ Jameekia Barnett with questions regarding the survey. If you have any additional questions, please contact RCPA MH Policy Director Jim Sharp.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-054: Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Provider Applicants Update. The announcement communicates the process for Administrative Entities (AEs) to validate that new Provider Applicants have satisfied all Waiver Provider Qualification requirements effective May 1, 2023.

Please review the announcement for further information on the Provider Applicant Process. You can also download the following templates:

The ID/A Associations are continuing our advocacy for increases to the IDD budget in PA. Join us at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday, June 28 to advocate for the preservation of desperately needed services for individuals with Intellectual Disability and Autism. People with disabilities, families, and advocates will be going to legislative offices in Harrisburg, dropping off information, and asking legislators to increase funding for ID/A services.

We will begin by meeting at the East Wing entrance to the capitol at 11:00 am. From there, we will be distributing handouts for participants to deliver to various offices. Staff from all the associations will be on hand to provide guidance as needed. After visits and a break for lunch, we will gather at 1:00 pm in the rotunda for a press conference, hearing from families who are in need of supports and services for their family member(s).

This effort is imperative, as there is no longer a risk of the system collapsing. The intellectual disability system is collapsing. Thousands of people are losing services, and more will soon be added to that list due to a proposed budget reduction and a lack of investment into rates. Inaction by the legislature will only further exacerbate this crisis and leave thousands more individuals and families without services. If nothing is done to address the inadequate rates now, more families in Pennsylvania will suffer.

The budget negotiations are ongoing, and we need YOU and everyone you know to help our advocacy efforts. As the Governor and legislature continue to negotiate funding for the budget, they need to hear from constituents about the importance of the ID/A system and why investing into the rates is the only way to ensure that providers can pay their staff higher wages and attract new staff to serve more people.

If you would prefer to visit your local legislative offices, we can provide the handouts to you via email to distribute to your legislators.

Contact Carol Ferenz or Cathy Barrick to register or if you have any questions.