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Policy Areas

The team at Greenspace Health are hosting a timely and insightful panel to explore the evolving role of Measurement-Based Care (MBC) in accreditation and clinical practice. The session, Measurement-Based Care & CARF Accreditation: Driving Quality Through Measurable Outcomes, brings together an exceptional group of experts to discuss how organizations can leverage MBC to improve outcomes, align with accreditation standards, and elevate care quality across their services. The webinar will be held May 15 at 1:00 pm EDT. Register here.

Speakers include:

  • Michael Johnson, Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health at CARF;
  • Dr. Kimberly Gordon-Achebe, Medical Director of Mobile Response and Stabilization Services at iMind Behavioral Health, a CARF accredited organization leveraging MBC;
  • Dr. James Boswell, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training at the University at Albany; and
  • Host: Jeremy Weisz, CEO and Co-Founder at Greenspace Health.

Whether you’re preparing for CARF accreditation, already using MBC, or exploring how to integrate it into your practice, this webinar will offer actionable insights, real-world strategies, and guidance on meeting CARF’s updated 2025 standards which now require ongoing progress measurement.

If you are unable to participate live, you can still register to receive the recording and resources after the session.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

UPMC has issued a message to providers of personal care services regarding electronic visit verification (EVV) procedures. Effective May 1, 2025, all manual adjustments to EVV timesheets will require the participant’s signature and date of service. The full UPMC announcement can be viewed here.

If you have any questions, contact Fady Sahhar, Director, PD&A Division.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-040. This communication clarifies which regulatory requirements in Chapters 2380 and 2390 will and will not be monitored during licensing inspections when applied to individuals who reside in Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID) settings and attend facility-based day services. This announcement replaces Info Packet 136-11 issued in 2011.

Effective immediately, the following regulatory requirements are considered fulfilled by the ICF/ID Interdisciplinary Team process and will not be measured during licensing inspections:

  • 2380.181(b) / §2390.151(b): Program Specialist Recommendation to Revise Service/Outcome in Individual Support Plan (ISP)
  • 2380.181(f) / §2390.151(f): Assessment Submission to Plan Lead 30 Days Prior to ISP Meeting
  • 2380.182 / §2390.152: Development, Annual Update, and Revision of ISP
  • 2380.183 / §2390.153: (Previously related to ISP content; now refers to team membership)
  • 2380.184 / §2390.154: (Previously related to team members; now refers to ISP process)
  • 2380.185 / §2390.155: (Previously referred to implementation of ISP; now refers to plan content)
  • 2380.186 / §2390.156: (Now addresses plan implementation; former subsections repealed)
  • 2380.188(c) / §2390.158(c): Requirement to Provide Services as Specified in ISP
  • 2380.173(7)-(9): Removed
  • 2390.124(12): Removed

Please note that §2380.173(5) and §2390.124(8), which refer to invitation/signature documents for ISP meetings, continue to be considered not applicable to individuals residing in ICF/ID settings.

Please contact your ODP Regional Licensing Office with questions about the application of these requirements or this announcement.

The Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) Division of Policy has published their quarterly Post on Policy newsletter, highlighting policy updates, work group activities, staff contacts, upcoming changes, and special events. This newsletter was designed to inform and update on all things policy in the Office of Children, Youth, and Families Bureau of Programs, Policy and Operations/Division of Policy. Read the newsletter here.

Please contact Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions or concerns.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an important announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding an expanded recall on the SmartDrive Speed Control Dial by Max Mobility/Permobil due to the motor being unresponsive to the user.

Summary:

  • Max Mobility/Permobil has expanded the recall of the Speed Control Dial, a wired control option for the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device, due to safety and performance concerns.
  • This frame-mounted Speed Control Dial can be easily mounted to a wheelchair to allow for close access and easy pressing.
  • The recall was originally initiated on December 20, 2024, and has been expanded to address recalled products that may have been inadvertently comingled with redesigned product and shipped after December 20, 2024.
  • Those impacted by the expansion of the recall will be contacted with additional instructions.
  • This recall, as expanded, impacts all Speed Control Dials manufactured and distributed between the dates of August 17, 2023, through March 10, 2025.
  • As of March 27, 2025, Max Mobility/Permobil has received 781 complaints associated with the Speed Control Dial. As of March 27, 2025, five (5) serious injuries have been reported for this issue.
  • The reported serious injuries include a fractured hip, fractured tibia, fractured malleolus bone, broken ribs, and a concussion.

Background:

Max Mobility/Permobil Brand – (model number: MX2-3DCK/MX2-3DC): The frame-mounted Speed Control is easily mounted to a wheelchair to allow for close access and easy pressing. The Speed Control Dial can be used to deactivate the SmartDrive motor, as well as provide a means of actively powering the motor.

Recommendations:

To reduce the likelihood of a hazardous situation, discontinue use of the Speed Control Dial and utilize an alternate wired controller (Switch Control buttons or Switch Control with mono jack and mechanical switch) or wearable controller (compatible Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS app).

If you have purchased a Speed Control Dial(s) with the above model numbers, you will need to request replacement Speed Control Dial units.

Refer to the FDA Original Press Release for instructions on requesting a replacement and additional information.