';
Policy Areas

Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has released an updated Respiratory Virus Outbreak Toolkit for Long-Term Care Facilities, including Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences.

The updated toolkit was developed to provide recommendations for facilities before and during a respiratory virus outbreak. This toolkit covers many respiratory viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, adenovirus, and more. While this toolkit does include information about COVID-19, a more detailed toolkit for LTCFs specific to COVID-19 can be found here. This toolkit replaces the previous Influenza Outbreak Toolkit for Long-Term Care Facilities.

DOH is in the process of updating the poster required by the Influenza Awareness Act. In the meantime, providers are encouraged to continue to use the 2023-2024 Poster.

Questions about this communication should be sent electronically.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is welcoming public comments on the draft SAMHSA Now Accepting Public Comments on Draft Model Behavioral Health Crisis Services Definitions.

SAMHSA developed the draft Model Behavioral Health Crisis Services Definitions document for state, territory, Tribal, and local entities; crisis services providers; public and private payers; regulators; and help seekers and their supporters to clarify and distinguish the different types of crisis services for people across the nation.

Interested people are invited to submit written comments for these draft definitions from Thursday, November 21, 2024, through Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET.

For more information on the definitions and to submit comments, please visit the Model Behavioral Health Crisis Services Definitions web page on the Crisis Systems Response Training and Technical Assistance Center website at the link below.

Read More Here

All entities that complete investigations are required to conduct the Certified Investigator Peer Review (CIPR) process, as outlined in the CIPR Manual. New live case study sessions for Part 2 of the CIPR Course are now available. This course is offered as an opportunity to support entities to complete high-quality CI Peer Reviews that help mitigate risks to individuals receiving services.

Please view ODPANN 24-117 for information and details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released an update to the requirements for Tuberculosis Testing in Chapter 2380, 6400, and 6500. Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) is strongly recommended for staff and individuals in congregate care settings. Follow current CDC guidance for health care personnel, which generally requires two tests with negative results. However, for purposes of measuring compliance, the department requires that at least one test with negative results be obtained. For additional details, see updates in red for communication ODPANN 24-094.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued a third extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications, through December 31, 2025.

In 2023, in response to a set of proposed telemedicine rules, DEA received more than 38,000 comments and held two days of public listening sessions. In light of that feedback and discussion, and to give DEA time to consider a new path forward for telemedicine, DEA and HHS extended current telemedicine flexibilities through the end of 2024.

DEA and HHS continue to carefully consider the input received and are working to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations. However, with the end of 2024 quickly approaching, DEA, jointly with HHS, has extended current telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2025. RCPA has remained active in our advocacy to make permanent the telehealth flexibility across the behavioral health landscape both federally and in Pennsylvania. Please follow this link to view the ruling.

If you have additional questions, please contact RCPA SUD Treatment Services Director Jason Snyder or COO / Mental Health Services Director Jim Sharp.

Join fellow members of the ANCOR community, April 7–9, 2025 in sunny San Diego, California! RCPA members get an additional discount on top of the member rate by using the coupon code 100STATE. This discount will get RCPA members $80 off their full conference registration. (Be sure to use coupon code at the time of registration. ANCOR cannot retroactively apply the code.)

ANCOR Connect ’25: Oceans of Opportunity invites you to imagine new and limitless opportunities for the work we do as a community of providers. As the signature national gathering of community providers that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), ANCOR Connect ’25 will enable you to:

  • Connect with peers and partners across the country and across the globe;
  • Leverage cutting-edge technology and industry-leading innovations; and
  • Glean ideas for solutions that will advance our national quest to make truly inclusive communities a reality for all.

Together, we’ll explore new ways to navigate currents of change and the vast opportunities that lie before us. Because when we come together, the opportunities are limitless.

Note: If you are registering on behalf of a group rather than for yourself, this functionality is currently unavailable due to an internal program bug. We anticipate this group registration function will be available soon!

Pre-Conference Sessions
Pre-Conference Sessions take place on Monday, April 7 and offer deep dives into timely and relevant topics. There are four workshops total, spanning two two-hour time blocks. This means that you can participate in more than one Pre-Conference Session!

ANCOR is thrilled to offer the following workshops to jumpstart the learning at Connect ’25:

  • Taming the Management Monster: A Leadership Roadmap;
  • Innovative Solutions for Workforce and Housing: A Path to Stability;
  • Laying the Foundation: The DBT Model for Supportive Living; and
  • Beyond GPT: Using AI for Good in Disability Services.

Space is limited in each session and spots fill up fast — so secure your spot today by adding onto your conference registration!

Sponsoring & Exhibiting Opportunities
When it comes to getting your brand in front of the premier national gathering of the I/DD community, opportunity abounds! There is no shortage of reasons why sponsoring or exhibiting at ANCOR Connect ’25 should be part of your company’s 2025 business strategy. The event is teeming with opportunities to:

  • Secure brand placement in front of the largest national gathering of I/DD services professionals;
  • Build partnerships with ANCOR members by demonstrating the alignment of your values with their businesses; and
  • Glean insights into ANCOR’s role in the broader I/DD community and how you can deepen your engagement with ANCOR year-round.

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our 2025 Conference? Download the ANCOR Connect ’25 Sponsor & Exhibitor Prospectus to explore opportunities today.

Register Now!