';
CLOSE
Policy Areas

0 3260

ODP Announcement 23-014 provides new guidance to SCOs on Supports Coordinators’ (SC) participation in the SIS-A™ and PA Supplement assessments, as well as clarification and new guidance on virtual assessments. This announcement obsoletes ODP Announcement 22-090. Read the full announcement for details. Highlights include:

Criteria for SC Participation and Virtual Assessments:

  • SC participation is required for all first assessments.
  • SCs are welcome but no longer required to participate in 5-year reassessments. If the SC does not attend the 5-year reassessment, it is ODP’s expectation that the SC review the finalized family-friendly report, update the Individual Service Plan (ISP) to reflect any changes in support needs, and conduct follow-up activities as needed.
  • SC participation is required for all Significant Life Change assessments. A Significant Life Change is any major change in an individual’s life that has a lasting impact on support needs that may cause the individual’s support needs to increase or decrease.

Virtual assessments are permitted during inclement weather and when an individual or respondent is ill and able to participate virtually. Additionally, SCs now have the authority to decide whether an assessment should be scheduled virtually based on what is best for the individual and other valid respondents. It is ODP’s expectation that all valid respondents and observers who participate in a virtual assessment must have both audio and video on for the duration of the assessment.

ODP appreciates your commitment to the individuals and families we serve. Please contact your Regional Program Office (RPO) if you need more information or have questions about the SIS process.

0 1495

ODP Announcement 23-013 informs all interested parties of the submission of Pennsylvania’s Heightened Scrutiny locations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The information submitted is available on the Department of Human Services’ (Department) website.

On February 1, 2023, the department submitted all locations identified as requiring a Heightened Scrutiny review by CMS. The information submitted may be viewed at the bottom of this web page. CMS will make final heightened scrutiny review determinations available online. Questions about Heightened Scrutiny or this communication should be sent electronically.

0 1709

Temple University Harrisburg is offering free online training sessions that are approved to meet the Personal Care Home (PCH) and Assisted Living Residence (ALR) Administrator annual training requirements.

The training sessions are entitled:

You need only to register for one session for each topic. Please read the training announcements in full before registering to ensure you can meet the participation requirements. Please only register for these sessions if you are sure you will be able to complete them.

Participation is limited for each course. If you register and later discover you are unable to participate, please cancel your registration to create space for other participants.

You can email Temple University any questions you have about these trainings or if you require assistance with registration. If you would like information about additional trainings available for PCH and ALR administrators, please contact the Bureau of Human Services Licensing Operator Support Hotline.

0 1915

Join Lydia Dawson, Erin Drummond, Marco Giordano, and Toni Pergolin as they present the Employee Engagement Symposium, moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm EST
Virtual Event
Register Here

Description:

How do you promote workplace practices and cultures that lead to satisfied employees and improved business outcomes in the health and human services sectors? How do you draw on employees’ knowledge and ideas to improve and grow services? Our panelists will address these questions and share their best strategies for successful employee engagement. This symposium is moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of RCPA member Woods Services.

Thriving Through Transformation Symposia Series:

This symposium is the second in a series of four symposia that stem from key themes in the newly released book Thriving Through Transformation: A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector by Woods Services. For more about the book and the series, see below.

Visit here to purchase a paperback copy of the book.
Visit here to download the free digital version.

Learn more about the speakers, agenda, and registration details here.

0 3655

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today announced almost $9 million in grant funding awarded to four Single County Authorities (SCAs) to establish or expand crisis stabilization services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (SUD). The funding is part of the more than $17 million allocated last year to DDAP by the General Assembly from Pennsylvania’s share of a total opioid settlement of $1.2 billion reached with three distributors and manufacturer Johnson & Johnson.

Crisis stabilization services include assessment and stabilization of acute physical and psychiatric symptoms, which may include medical management and behavioral interventions, induction on medications for opioid use disorder, level of care assessments, short-term stays, and connections to supportive services.

Grants up to $3 million each will be awarded to the following four SCAs, serving residents throughout seven counties:

  • Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services;
  • Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission;
  • Delaware County Department of Human Services; and
  • Blair County Drug and Alcohol Program.

The funding can be applied toward a range of activities, including construction and building infrastructure, staffing, and programming. DDAP’s goal in offering this funding opportunity is to provide an additional mechanism for counties to invest in infrastructure, staffing, programming, and other necessary components to establish or expand crisis stabilization services.

Eligible grantees were chosen based on information presented in their applications demonstrating their capacity to recognize and manage individuals presenting with a wide range of SUD-related symptoms, mental health disorders, and developmental disabilities.

0 3571
Image by ekavesh from Pixabay

Introduction: The Purpose of the Celebration
Black History month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S history. It is also an opportunity to educate the public about the rich history and culture of Black people, and to acknowledge and address the ongoing struggles for equality and justice.

Raising Awareness of Unintended Trauma
Black people in America are bombarded with the traumatic events of yesterday and today. Each tweet, news segment, video, and conversation can potentially reopen wounds caused by an innumerable number of current and historical events. These events can serve as vehicles for trauma, both direct and vicarious. Racial Trauma or Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBST) is an important topic to explore. Research indicates that generational and historical trauma have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of Black Americans. The real impact of constant exposure to trauma must be recognized.

Black History Month is an opportunity to highlight the exceptional, the uplifting, the positive in African American culture. Focusing on the positive allows members of the Black community to celebrate without the heavy work of wading through the issues that still exist. Raising awareness around possible unintended trauma caused by sharing race-related content is essential. Things to consider:

  1. Think critically before sharing content of racial violence and consider the potential impact on members of the Black community.
  2. Become educated about why the effects of racial violence, racial inequities, and trauma can be triggering. Understand that it is not just about being sensitive but about considering the impact on others.
  3. Reflect on the context and consequences of sharing specific content; consider the purpose or intention of sharing.
  4. Use trigger warnings when sharing content about racial violence and provide resources for people who may be affected. Employ the principles of trauma-informed communication.
  5. Encourage dialogue and provide support for people affected by racial violence, racial inequities, and trauma.

Acknowledge Adversity, Celebrate Achievements
The historical and current achievements and contributions of Black Americans are profound — despite facing overwhelming adversity. Acknowledgement of difficult circumstances can serve to highlight the accomplishments made in spite of existing hardships. In doing so, it is crucial to remember that the end goal is the celebration.

Ways to Commemorate Black History Month in a Positive Way

  1. Visit museums that showcase Black history, culture, and contributions.
  2. Share online resources.
  3. Support Black owned businesses and restaurants.
  4. Attend local Black History Month events.
  5. Follow Black content creators and artists; purchase their art.
  6. Read works by Black authors.
  7. Acknowledge achievements year-round, in real-time as they occur. #beyond28

Dig Deeper — Learn More Through These Resources

Suggested Search Terms

  • Black Joy
  • Race-Based Traumatic Stress
  • Positive Ways to Celebrate Black History Month
  • Trauma-Free Blackness
Prev1...326327328...476Next Page 327 of 476
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association