OMHSAS: Updated Guidance on ARP Funding Attestations, Allocations, and Distribution
Home Policy Areas
ODP Revises ODPANN 22-007: Preparation for the Upcoming Rate Increases
A message from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):
Due to an extended time frame for approving and loading rates into the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS), ODP is notifying stakeholders that several dates contained in Announcement 22-007 are no longer effective. The date for the rate load will occur after February 15, 2022.
ODP anticipates re-releasing this Announcement with updated time frames and encourages providers, Supports Coordination Organizations, and Administrative Entities to be familiar with its technical content in preparation for the pending rate load.
$225M in Federal COVID-19 Relief Slated for Pa. Health Care Workers
ICF/ID Updates and Task Force Meeting
From Kevin Dressler, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):
Updated HANs dealing with Work Restrictions and Return to Work Guidance for Healthcare Workers With COVID-19 Exposure:
This guidance replaces PA-HAN-616. Information has been added to clarify the recommendations in consultation with CDC as well as to incorporate changes that have been made by CDC on January 21, 2022. Language has changed from using the term “boosted” in PA-HAN-616 to instead describe persons as being “up-to-date” with vaccine doses. This guidance pertains only to the healthcare personnel and their need for work restriction. For guidance on isolation and quarantine in the community, please refer to PA-HAN-615 or its successor.
This update includes clarification that:
- Being up-to-date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses includes persons who have completed a primary vaccine series at least 2 weeks prior but are not yet eligible for a booster shot per current CDC guidelines.
- A person is considered up-to-date immediately after receipt of the booster dose; there is no waiting period following a booster.
- In general, asymptomatic Healthcare Personnel (HCP) who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 90 days do not require work restriction following a higher-risk exposure; however, it should be considered in certain circumstances.
If you have additional questions about this guidance, please contact DOH at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258) or your local health department.
Due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, this guidance is being updated to enhance protection for healthcare personnel (HCP), patients, and visitors, and to address concerns about potential impacts on the healthcare system given a surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections. These updates will be refined as additional information becomes available to inform recommended actions.
Updates include:
- Antigen testing is preferred if testing symptomatic HCP who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 90 days. If tests are in short supply, they should be prioritized to diagnose infection.
- Added additional information to strategies to mitigate healthcare personnel staffing shortages.
If you have additional questions about this guidance or would benefit from discussion to support infection prevention and control decisions in your facility, please contact DOH at 877-PA- HEALTH (877-724- 3258) or your local health department.
ICF Taskforce Meeting
Date/Time: 2-24-22 from 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Meeting Registration Link
After registration, you will receive another link via email that will be used the day of the meeting. Also, from the registration link, you will be able to add an event to your calendar that will contain the meeting link for that day.
As always, if you have any topics that you would like to discuss, please pass them along to me.
Kevin Dressler | Bureau Director
Department of Human Services
Office of Developmental Programs
Bureau of State Operated Facilities
Room 508 Health & Welfare Bldg | Harrisburg, PA 17120
Office Phone: 717-425-5686
National Council Advocacy Alert: Support the Federal Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act
Moving Beyond the Carve-out/Carve-in Debate: Presentation Follow-Up
RCPA would like to thank Charles G. Curie, Principal, The Curie Group, LLC; Jennifer Black, Vice President of Business Development, Beacon Health Options; Michael Quinn, CEO, Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services; and Doyle Forrestal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, for presenting in Discussing Moving Beyond the Carve-out/Carve-in Debate webinar offered today. The materials from the presentation can be found here.
As a follow-up, RCPA will make available questions asked during the session along with corresponding answers/comments. Please submit any additional follow-up questions to Tina Miletic.
We thank you for your participation. Additional correspondence will be issued in the following week.
ARPA One-Time Supplemental Payment Reminder from ODP
The Office of Developmental Programs reminds providers and Supports Coordination Organizations that in accordance with Announcement 21-086: American Rescue Plan Act: One-Time Supplemental Payment to Address Recruitment, Retention, and COVID-19 Related Staff Expenses, the deadline to request a supplemental payment is January 31, 2022.
You can find the Provider Attestation Form for One-Time Supplemental Payment here.
PA Family Network Announces Event Dates
The following is a list of PA Family Network Event dates for workshops, the monthly Family Forum: Updates, as well as the Sibling Good Life Group Meeting. You can find below the flyers that contain event descriptions and details. All events are virtual through Zoom, with links in the flyers.
NOTE: All Workshop and Family Forum events use the same Zoom Link. The Sibling Group uses a different Zoom link.
Waiver Basics (101) Part 2 Workshop
February 1, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Safety in the Community Workshops
February 3, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
February 8, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Sibling Good Life Group
February 7, 2022 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Advanced Waiver Workshop Part 1 for SIBLINGS
February 9, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Advanced Waiver Workshop Part 2 for SIBLINGS
February 10, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Healthy Relationships Workshop
February 15, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Family Forum: Updates
February 16, 2022 6:30 pm–7:30 pm
PLANEANDO A LARGO PLAZO Workshop (Long-Term Planning in Spanish)
February 21, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Waiver Basics (101) Part 1 Workshop
February 22, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Waiver Basics (101) Part 2 Workshop
February 22, 2022 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Advanced Waiver Workshop Part 1
February 24, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Advanced Waiver Workshop Part 2
February 24, 2022 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
ODP Announces Preparation for the Upcoming Rate Increases
ODP Announcement 22-007 informs providers that the new Fee Schedule Rates and Department-established fees are anticipated to be visible on Individual Support Plans (ISPs) in HCSIS on February 14, 2022.
The anticipated effective date for the increased Fee Schedule Rates is January 1, 2022; however, the effective date in the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) will be February 15, 2022. The anticipated effective date for the Department-established fees for residential ineligible services is July 1, 2022, and HCSIS will reflect the same effective date. Both the Fee Schedule Rates and Department-established fees for residential ineligible services will be visible in HCSIS on February 14, 2022.
Of note, on January 6, 2022, the P/FDS cap was increased to $41,000, and the Community Living Waiver cap was increased to $85,000.
This communication provides guidance and addresses Individual Support Plan (ISP) related impacts.
ACRE Training Now Available in March 2022
The Arc of PA is adding additional ACRE Certification training opportunities in early and late March. This training will qualify providers for supported employment and community participation support services.
You can find more information regarding each training, including registration information and costs, below:
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