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Policy Areas

0 1208

Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 1:00 pm ET
Cost: FREE
Duration: 1 hour
Jasleen Chhatwal, MBBS, MD, FAPA
Chief Medical Officer, Sierra Tucson Tucson, Arizona
Offered by the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Learning Network
Register here

Toxic stress during childhood can harm the most basic levels of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, and such exposures can even alter the physical structure of DNA (epigenetic effects). Childhood maltreatment has been linked to various changes in brain structure and function and stress-responsive neurobiological systems with negative downstream impacts on health, emotional well-being, and longevity.

In this presentation, we will explore the mechanisms by which adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) exert their negative impacts. In understanding the effects on the brain, body, and behavior, we will look to solutions that can move us toward improved health outcomes.

Upon completion of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

  • Identify Adverse Childhood Experiences
  • Explain the mechanisms by which ACEs exert longer-term negative impacts
  • List 3 solutions to reduce the morbidity of ACEs Addiction Professionals

This course has been approved by NACCME, LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #182840. NACCME is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

As you may know, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has issued three temporary regulatory suspensions under authority granted by the Governor’s declaration of a disaster emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic. Based on flexibilities granted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), DDAP’s goal with these suspensions was to respond to the extraordinary circumstances of the last year by allowing entities regulated by DDAP to continue operating throughout the uncertainty of the pandemic.

On June 10, 2021, the General Assembly passed House Resolution 106, which terminated the Disaster Declaration in whole, effective immediately. However, Governor Wolf signed Act 21 of 2021 on June 11, 2021 to ensure regulatory and statutory suspensions enacted under the Disaster Declaration would continue. Act 21 extends all of the regulatory and statutory suspensions authorized under the Disaster Declaration until September 30, 2021. More information on Act 21 is outlined in this press release from the Governor.

In the table below, you will find the three regulations in which DDAP suspended utilizing the Disaster Declaration. DDAP would like to reiterate that these suspended regulations will continue to be in place until September 30, 2021.

 

Statute/Regulation Statute/Regulation Purpose Waiver benefit/explanation
28 Pa. Code § 715.16(e)

 

Prohibits narcotic treatment programs (NTPs — methadone clinics) from permitting a patient to receive more than a 2-week take-home supply of medication. In response to COVID-19, SAMHSA is allowing up to 28 days of take-home medications for patients on stable dosages, if the physician deems appropriate.

 

28 Pa. Code § 715.9(a)(4) Requires NTPs to make a face-to-face determination before admission to treatment, for those clients who will receive buprenorphine treatment. In response to COVID-19, SAMHSA is allowing initial evaluations for a patient who will be treated with buprenorphine to be completed via telehealth.
28 Pa. Code § 715.6(d) Requires NTPs to have narcotic treatment physician services onsite. In response to COVID-19, SAMHSA is allowing initial evaluations for a patient who will be treated with buprenorphine to be completed via telehealth.

 

In the coming weeks, DDAP will continue to work with SAMHSA and solicit feedback on the best way to move forward with these suspended regulations to ensure that the drug and alcohol treatment field is able to provide necessary services to patients in the safest, most effective way possible.

Thank you all for your continued work to help better the lives of Pennsylvanians with substance use disorder. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Bureau of Program Licensure, Division of Licensing Inspection at (717) 783-8675 or via email.

From ANCOR:

Hello ANCOR members!
New guidance on the PRF reporting requirements has just been released.

View in browser | Distributed by Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS)

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is releasing revised reporting requirements for recipients of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments. This announcement includes expanding the amount of time providers will have to report information, aims to reduce burdens on smaller providers, and extends key deadlines for expending PRF payments for recipients who received payments after June 30, 2020. The revised reporting requirements will be applicable to providers who received one or more payments exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000 during a single Payment Received Period from the PRF General Distributions, Targeted Distributions, and/or Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home Infection Control Distributions.

“From the beginning of this pandemic, health care providers have gone above and beyond to care for their patients in extremely difficult circumstances that caused significant financial hardship,” said HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa. “These updated requirements reflect our focus on giving providers equitable amounts of time for use of these funds, maintaining effective safeguards for taxpayer dollars, and incorporating feedback from providers requesting more flexibility and clarity about PRF reporting.”

HHS began issuing notices on post-payment reporting requirements in July 2020. On January 15, 2021, HHS issued updated requirements to reflect language in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and opened registration for the reporting portal. Since then, HHS has carefully weighed the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic and its impact on health care providers and other stakeholders, which is reflected in the revised notice issued today.

The revised reporting requirements supplanting the January 15th requirements can be found here – PDF.

Key Updates:

  • The period of availability of funds is based on the date the payment is received (rather than requiring all payments be used by June 30, 2021, regardless of when they were received).
  • Recipients are required to report for each Payment Received Period in which they received one or more payments exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000 (rather than $10,000 cumulatively across all PRF payments).
  • Recipients will have a 90-day period to complete reporting (rather than a 30-day reporting period).
  • The reporting requirements are now applicable to recipients of the Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution in addition to General and other Targeted Distributions.
  • The PRF Reporting Portal will open for providers to start submitting information on July 1, 2021.

Summary of Reporting Requirements

  Payment Received Period (Payments Exceeding $10,000 in Aggregate Received) Deadline to Use Funds Reporting Time Period
Period 1 From April 10, 2020 to June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 July 1 to September 30, 2021
Period 2 From July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 December 31, 2021 January 1 to March 31, 2022
Period 3 From January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 June 30, 2022 July 1 to September 30, 2022
Period 4 From July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 January 1 to March 31, 2023

These reporting requirements do not apply to the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing Program nor the two claims reimbursements programs: the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program and the HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund. HRSA continues to encourage providers to establish their PRF Reporting Portal accounts now by registering here. Registration will also allow providers to receive updates closer to the official opening of the portal for their reporting submissions.

For more information, read the materials below:

Please contact your RCPA Policy Director for more information.

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced the availability of $7 million in funding for entities to provide pregnancy support services or make referrals to address the needs of pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder (SUD).

“We are deeply committed to the health and well-being of mothers and children across the commonwealth,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “Meeting the needs of this vulnerable population requires a collaborative approach across the health care system, and this funding will help assure that they are directly connected with services to help them and their newborn or soon-to-be newborn thrive.”

All applications are to be submitted electronically no later than noon on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

More information is available here.

The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) is continuing to offer virtual Mandated Reporter Training at no cost to mandated reporters in Pennsylvania. This three-hour virtual training is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (and includes Act 126 for school employees). It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).

Please register for your preferred training date and time by clicking one of the session links below. Each person must log in through separate devices using the unique access link emailed to them after registration to receive credit. For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA. Please feel free to share this opportunity with others!

Sat. June 12 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Mon. June 14 1:00 pm–4:00 pm

Tues. June 15 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Wed. June 16 9:00 am–12:00 pm Wed. June 16 1:00 pm–4:00 pm

Thurs. June 17 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Fri. June 18 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Sat. June 19 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Mon. June 21 12:00 pm–3:00 pm

Tues. June 22 9:00 am–12:00 pm Tues. June 22 1:00 pm–4:00 pm

Wed. June 23 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Thurs. June 24 9:00 am–12:00 pm Thurs. June 24 1:00 pm–4:00 pm

Fri. June 25 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Tues. June 29 9:00 am–12:00 pm Tues. June 29 1:00 pm–4:00 pm

Wed. June 30 9:00 am–12:00 pm