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Policy Areas

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Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash

The Intellectual Disability and Autism (ID/A) Services Coalition in Pennsylvania shared their concerns for people with intellectual disabilities and autism, with regard to the accessibility and prioritization for COVID-19 vaccines, in a letter to Governor Wolf, Secretary Beam, and Secretary Miller.

On March 5, 2021, Jefferson Health released an analysis from a national study confirming that those with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at greatest risk of death from COVID-19 after those of older age/elderly. This comprehensive study conducted by Jefferson Health demonstrates how people with IDD are at significantly higher risk of hospitalization and death when compared to the general population. “The results showed that those with intellectual disabilities were 2.5 times more likely to contract COVID-19, were about 2.7 times more likely to be admitted to the hospital and 5.9 times more likely to die from the infection than the general population.”

This study confirms the need for all people with IDD to be moved to 1A for vaccination priority.

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Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) has developed a COVID-19 Vaccine Resources website to address the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority and vulnerable populations. The website features federal resources organized by audience, such as health care professionals, patients, and consumers.

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Background: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved temporary changes to the OBRA and CHC 1915(c) waivers beginning March 6, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Approval of these changes is covered under Appendix K, Emergency Preparedness and Response, which states may use during emergency situations to request amendments to their approved waivers.  These changes addressed potential staffing shortages and the need for service provision not included in approved service descriptions to ensure participant health and safety needs could be accommodated for the duration of the COVID-19 statewide emergency. The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) extended the same flexibilities to the Act 150 Program. CMS approved an amendment to Appendix K which allowed some flexibilities to continue until March 5, 2021.

In January 2021, OLTL submitted another amendment to request extension of the Appendix K flexibilities until six months after the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). CMS has not yet approved the amendment; however, they recently instructed OLTL to assume that any previously approved flexibilities will continue to be approved in the interim.

Until further notice, the Appendix K flexibilities can continue in the CHC waiver, the OBRA waiver, and the Act 150 program.  For additional details on the flexibilities, please go to the OLTL COVID19 Provider Resources web page to view the guidance updated for the CHC waiver on January 4, 2021 and updated for the OBRA waiver and Act 150 Program on January 15, 2021.

Additional questions should be directed to the OLTL Provider Helpline at 1-800-932-0939.

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In order to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions of people with a developmental disability, Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, proclaims March 2021 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. We encourage all citizens to support Pennsylvanians with a developmental disability and their families in all aspects of Pennsylvania community life.

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Dates: April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2021

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET

Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities is hosting a four-part virtual webinar/conversation, Healthy Sexuality: Talking to your child, youth or adult about healthy sexuality. All are welcome to attend, but this conversation series is designed for parents, support coordinators, adults with disabilities, educators, and other professionals.

Conversation Leaders

  • Beverly L. Frantz, PhD, and Parris A. Boyd, LSW, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
  • Loretta A. Sachs, Behavioral Health Specialist, Milestone Centers Inc., Health Care Quality Unit West

Webinar Schedule

  • Session 1, Wednesday, April 7 – How to start a conversation about healthy sexuality, how to answer questions, and what topics to start with.
  • Session 2, Wednesday, April 14 – The Good-Hearted Living model will be explored. How to incorporate positive thinking and joy into our lives.
  • Session 3, Wednesday, April 21 – This session will explore the intersection between the Good-Hearted Living model and healthy sexuality.
  • Session 4, Wednesday, April 28 – How to achieve good boundaries and positive consent, especially virtually?

There are no fees for these events, but registration is required for each session. For more information, email parris.boyd@temple.edu.

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Date of Data Extraction: 03/10/2021

This report is produced using data on COVID-19 that is self-reported by ODP providers and Supports Coordinators. ODP began capturing this data in mid-March 2020.

COVID-19 Suspected means that a person has been tested for the COVID-19 virus and is awaiting the test results OR a test has been ordered by a health care practitioner, but the person has not been tested yet.

COVID-19 Confirmed means that a person was tested for the COVID-19 virus and test was positive OR was diagnosed with COVID-19 by a health care practitioner even if no test was completed.

Tested Negative means that a person was tested for the COVID-19 virus and test was negative.

Individuals
COVID-19 data for individuals with an intellectual disability or autism is captured using the Enterprise Incident Management (EIM) system. Data is captured for individuals who:

  • Reside in a private Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability;
  • Receive Home and Community-based (HCBS) Waiver services;
  • Receive base-funded services; or
  • Reside in ODP-licensed settings but do not receive HCBS Waiver or base-funded services, e.g. are private-pay or whose services are funded by another state.

Data for Pennsylvanians with an intellectual disability or autism who are not known to ODP (i.e. who do not fall into one of the above categories) is not captured.

Staff
COVID-19 data for staff persons who support the individuals identified above was captured using an email resource account maintained by ODP through June 10, 2020. From June 10 forward providers report staff COVID-19 data via a web-based form developed by ODP. “Staff” include any staff employed by the service provider. Supports Coordinators who have no physical contact with enrolled individuals since mid-March are not included.


Notes:

  • The amount of time between testing for COVID-19 and obtaining the test results may be as much as 7 days.
  • It takes 24 hours for data submitted through EIM or through the resource account to be available to ODP for aggregate, statewide reporting.
  • Data is not validated against Department of Health records.
  • Data on confirmed, tested negative and deaths is cumulative.
  • Effective June 10, 2020 ODP transitioned to a web-based tool for the reporting of Staff COVID-19 cases.

The graph below gives a visual of the week over week trend for COVID infections for both individuals and staff:

COVID-19 Data for ODP licensed residential settings and private ICFs by county can be found here.

COVID-19 Data for State Centers is updated daily and can be found here.

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