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Policy Areas

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A Message from Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens:

To: Licensed Residential Providers
Hello,

We thank those who have taken the time to complete this survey. For those that have yet to do so, we ask you complete by close of business this Friday. The survey will only take a few minutes. This information will be critical to assist DHS in helping promote vaccination and ensure that all facilities have the provider partners they need to do so. Thanks for all the work you do.

Thank you again for all your support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As PA DOH and DHS prepare for the potential for updated vaccine guidance from the CDC, we request that all Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs), Congregate Care Facilities and Residential Providers fill out the below one-time survey discussing each facility or community home’s vaccine access plan. The survey consists of only a few questions and should take no more than 3 minutes of your time.

Survey: https://form.jotform.com/212066323150139

Long Term Care and Congregate Care Facilities are asked to share the following information about vaccine access in their facilities:

  • Plan for accessing COVID-19 vaccine doses for residents
  • Who will administer the COVID-19 vaccine at the facility

Please respond to this survey no later than Tuesday, August 17th.

Please notify PA DOH if you have any questions about the survey or how to access the COVID-19 vaccines with the subject of the email “Long Term Care Facility Survey Questions.”

Survey: https://form.jotform.com/212066323150139

Thank you for all of the work you’ve done to vaccinate residents and community members during this pandemic.

Kristin Ahrens | Deputy Secretary
PA Department of Human Services | Office of Developmental Programs

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The 29th Virtual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference is scheduled for December 1–2, 2021.

At this time, Drexel University’s Behavioral Healthcare Education is now seeking presentation proposals for the conference. Applicants are invited to submit an abstract for a 60-minute workshop consisting of 50 minutes of presentation and 10 minutes for Q&A. 

Presentation proposals are encouraged to illustrate this year’s theme: The Power of Opportunity – Creating Growth Through Effective Mental Health Supports.

To submit a proposal, please download this call for presentations document and fill in all information. Please note, the deadline to submit proposals is August 31, 2021. All proposals will be considered, but only a limited number can be selected. Notifications of proposal acceptance will be emailed September 27, 2021.

Please visit here for more details on the call for presentations. If you have further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The next Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting will take place via webinar on September 1, 2021 from 10:00 am–1:00 pm. To participate in the meeting via webinar, please register by visiting on the link below. Those participating via webinar are encouraged to register early. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Webinar Registration Link
(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
The dial-in number is: (415) 655-0060
Access Code: 512-693-809

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Pam Gilbert, Fiscal Manager at the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), has shared the following message:

It has come to my attention that there is a problem on FY 2020–2021 Form ID-46, Schedule 19-A with the formulas at the bottom not summarizing by cost center. Cost reporting forms were sent out on August 5; therefore, in order to correct the error:

  1. If you haven’t started preparing your cost reports, simply use the new file named ID-46 Form rev 07_2021a.xlsx, instead of the one without the ‘a’ which was emailed on 8/5.
  2. If you have started setting up your files and entering data, you will not have to repeat any work. Simply follow these steps:
    1. Open the ODP_ID-46FixMacro. (It does contain a macro so you may receive a warning.)
    2. Open the ID-46 file to be corrected.
    3. Click Enable Editing if yellow bar is visible at the top.
    4. Press Ctrl-Shift-F (Macro will run and make a correction on Sch 19-A, Sch 19-B, and return to Cert schedule).
    5. Save your ID-46 file.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact me.

Regards,
Pam

Pamela S. Gilbert | Fiscal Manager
PA Department of Human Services | Office of Developmental Programs
Bureau of Financial Management and Program Support

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The ISAC Committee met today and the Deputy Secretary and Dr. Cherpes provided an update.

Deputy Secretary Ahrens shared that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) budget request items were in fact included in the state budget. This includes an initiative to address the waiting list through the addition of 732 Community Living Waiver and 100 Consolidated Waiver placements for emergencies.

The incentive program for providers to transition individuals from group homes to Lifesharing or Supported Living is also included. ODP is working on developing the details of this initiative, which is expected to be implemented in January 2022.

The plan for the American Rescue Plan funds is still being developed by the Department of Human Services (DHS). They have been in discussions with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine the parameters.

The temporarily increased rates for CPS and Transportation Trip will continue to be in effect.  Individuals may exceed their waiver caps, and no one should lose a single unit of service through the pandemic. This is approved by CMS in Appendix K.

Appendix K is approved based upon the federal public health emergency (PHE), which has recently been extended and is likely to be extended again. Appendix K can be in place for 6 months after the PHE has ended. Therefore, Appendix K will be in effect at least until March of 2022, likely though to June.

ODP shared the results of the recent CPS survey that was completed. Providers should keep in mind that individuals cannot be denied services due to their inability or unwillingness to wear a mask.  This would be considered an ADA accommodation.

Julie Mochon provided an update on the Home and Community-Based Settings rule and Pennsylvania’s plan to meet the expectations from CMS.

Leah Sheffield presented an update about ISAC Recommendation #1 — Assure Effective Communication and shared that ODP intends to make changes to this service definition in the new waiver renewals. Ron Melusky also provided information on Self Direction in services.

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This 3-day training provides a comprehensive overview of Discovery (an alternative to traditional vocational assessments) and how to complete Discovery. For those seeking to become certified providers of Discovery through Marc Gold & Associates, it is the prerequisite training for certification. Individuals not seeking certification will gain valuable information and insight and may attend as auditors to the session.

When: Online Zoom meeting October 4–6, 2021 from 9:00 am–4:00 pm. Registrants must have a computer or laptop with a webcam. The training will use Zoom to host the conference. Registrants will not be able to join by phone.

Where: This training will be done completely online.

Who is this for: Job Coaches and Job Developers, Supports Coordinators, Parents and Families, Transition Coordinators and School Transition Teams

Please review the brochure for registration information and course system requirements. For questions, please email Jen Hipps.

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