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Policy Areas

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) are pleased to announce that the latest edition of the Positive Approaches Journal is now available!

Understanding Trauma: Expressive Therapies

In this issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, we see that there have been important strides in identifying the prevalence of trauma and the complex consequences of trauma from multiple sources, including social adversity, abuse, and neglect. The focus is on the importance of taking this into consideration on every level, from systems collaboration, to how we assess, diagnose, treat, and offer restorative environmental supports to individuals with intellectual disability and autism (ID/A).

This issue of Positive Approaches Journal is in digital form, available for viewing online or for downloading at MyODP. To print a copy of the PDF, online journal, or a specific article, you will find these options within your left navigation bar on any Positive Approaches Journal page. A new window will open with your selected document. In your browser, you may click the Print button in the top left corner of the page, or by using the Print capability within your browser.

Please submit feedback regarding your experience with the Positive Approaches Journal on MyODP.

The Positive Approaches Journal is published quarterly. For additional information, please contact ODP Training’s inbox.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 22-091. This communication announces the release of the ISP Manual that includes changes needed to implement rates that become effective in Fiscal Year 2024/25.

As outlined in ODP Bulletin 00-22-05, updates to Attachment 1 (the ISP Manual) and Attachment 8 (Summary of Major Changes Made to ISP Requirements or Processes) are being announced through this communication. These documents include changes needed to implement rates that become effective in Fiscal Year 2024/25. Attachments 1 and 8 should be used effective immediately.

Please view the announcement for information and details.

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Join the CDS/CES Administrator User Group Meeting!

TOPIC
(National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals)
NADSP Badges
Open Forum

Thursday, October 17, 2024
Thursday, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Virtual via Zoom

PRESENTER
Leigh Evans
Elsevier

HOST
Raquel Mangual
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University

REGISTER HERE

Please come with your questions to discuss during this User Group or submit them via email to Temple University before the meeting.

Register in advance of meeting date. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Email
215-204-1356 (voice). 215-204-1805 (TTY)
Website

DirectCourse is a collaboration between Elsevier and the University of Minnesota’s Research and Training Center on Community Living and is funded through the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs, Department of Human Services and administered by the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.

The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA) and the Value-Based Care Work Group have created a value-based survey that is being distributed across the US to seek insights into the current state of value-based care, identify existing gaps, and explore opportunities for better alignment between payment models and clinical practice.

The target audience includes health systems, quality and administration professionals, primary and specialist care providers, and funding sources such as payers, policymakers, foundations, and grants.

The results of the 5-minute survey, which you can view here, will be shared with members as accompanying review is completed. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and MH Policy Director Jim Sharp.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) issued Licensing Alert 07-2024 today to grant statewide exceptions to narcotic treatment programs (NTP) to expand access to medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder in alignment with the federal government’s Final Rule on 42 CFR Part 8.

The statewide exceptions to DDAP regulations that are being granted will enable:

  • People with less than one year of physical dependence on opioids to be treated at an NTP;
  • Verbal consent to treatment;
  • A wider range of dosages based on physician discretion;
  • Eight drug screens per year instead of 12;
  • An increase in take-home medication; and
  • Clinicians to determine counseling requirements unique to each person’s needs instead of mandatory minimums.

DDAP granted the statewide exceptions using 28 Pa. Code § 701.11, which gives it the authority to do so. Through Licensing Alert 07-2024, DDAP is granting these exceptions if the NTPs comply with the rules in 42 CFR Part 8. There is no need for NTPs to submit exception requests or to inform DDAP they are using these exceptions.

DDAP plans to include the changes to the federal rules when it updates its own state rules.

You can email DDAP with questions about this licensing alert.

The agenda for the October 2, 2024 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting has been released. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and will be held via webinar.

To participate in the meeting, please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you plan to participate via phone, the dial-in number is: 562-247-8422; Access Code: 681 281 984#.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared communication ODPANN 24-090. This bulletin announces an RFI to gather input and information concerning the administration of the Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), a voluntary managed care model that delivers physical health, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports to adults with autism spectrum disorder. The RFI can be found here.

Responses must be submitted electronically to this email account, with “ODP ACAP RFI” in the email subject line. All responses to this RFI must be submitted by 12:00 pm on October 21, 2024.