On February 20, 2024, Governor Shapiro signed the proclamation to signify March 2024 as Brain Injury Awareness month. Members are encouraged to share this proclamation or post it within their organizations so clients and families can be aware of this event.
The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has informed us that they are preparing to release the proposed Performance-Based Contracting Waiver for public comment within the next two months, with adoption of the system in January 2025 for all residential service providers. Prior to January, all providers will be evaluated, determining which providers are considered primary, select, or meet the clinically enhanced standards.
RCPA is assessing the extent to which IDD providers are prepared to meet these new expectations. This survey will help inform our advocacy efforts with ODP to ease the transition to this new service model, and assure the welfare of the individuals being served in these programs.
We need your help with completing this survey that will help assess our readiness. A PDF copy of the survey can be accessed here, so that you can preview the questions and gather any information you believe will be helpful in completing the survey. When you are ready to complete the survey, you can access the survey online.
We have extended the deadline in order to allow for additional provider participation. Please complete the survey by COB on Thursday February 29, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact either Dr. Scott Spreat (via email or 215-750-4015) or Carol Ferenz (via email or 717-364-3282).
Thank you for your participation.
Richard S. Edley
President and CEO
RCPA
The RCPA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee invites you to join us in a multi-media celebration of Black History Month! Each week during the month of February, the DEI Committee will distribute recommendations for interactive ways to learn about and commemorate Black History. Join us as we celebrate and enjoy the contributions of Black Americans!
Week 4: Books
It’s chilly out there, which makes it the perfect time to curl up with a great story and learn something new about Black American history and culture. You can read something on your own or organize an impromptu book club with a friend, colleague, or partner! There are many choices for getting started; here are a few suggestions:
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN: 24-023. This announces a newly created newsletter released jointly by the Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and the Office of Developmental Programs. Please view the announcement for information on how to access the newsletter.
Advocate for yourselves and others by meeting with legislators directly! Take the opportunity to join RCPA as we hold our annual Capitol Day this year on Tuesday, March 19. We will hold a press conference in the Main Rotunda between 10:30 am – 11:30 am, which will tentatively include speakers such as:
You can register for our Capitol Day press conference by contacting Allison Brognia directly. Please let us know if additional staff or colleagues within your organization are planning to attend Capitol Day with you. RCPA requests that members schedule appointments with their Senate and House legislators directly to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations after our press conference.
We ask that you please use RCPA’s legislative priorities one-pager during your legislative visits. As an additional resource, members can visit the Pennsylvania Capitol website to locate parking and view maps of the building. If you have questions regarding our 2024 Capitol Day, please contact Jack Phillips.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared that the mailbox for submitting claims for special handling was incorrectly listed on page 4 of the reissue of ODP Announcement 21-046. This has been corrected in this version. Claims may be submitted using the request form.
The Department of Aging has released the second draft of Aging Our Way, PA, the department’s name for Pennsylvania’s 10-year strategic plan to support improvement in infrastructure and services for older adults. This second draft is open for a 30-day comment period until March 20. Visit here for details and instructions on submitting comments, and please consider providing feedback on the plan.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Fady Sahhar.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the communication, ODPANN 21:046 Reissue: Process for 180-Day and 365 Day Timely Filing Edits: Exception and Special Handling Requests and its accompanying attachment. This UPDATED communication is intended to instruct providers on how to proceed when a claim denial is received for Error Status Codes (ESC) 545 and 512. Please review the announcement for additional guidance and information.
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