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Upcoming NADSP Webinar

Direct support professionals have been on the front lines supporting people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccines are now here and becoming widely available. While this is good news, we also know that there is some confusion and worry about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. In this webinar, the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) in partnership with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) will address vaccine concerns. Please join Rick Rader, MD as he shares up-to-date and research-based information on the COVID-19 vaccines.

This webinar is now available on the NADSP website and can be viewed here.

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Hello and Happy New Year from StationMD!

We know there are a lot of questions and concerns relating to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, especially as it relates to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their circle of support. StationMD has prepared a brief informational webinar to discuss the latest data and resources on the vaccines, including how they work, the vaccination schedule and process, side effects, and medical concerns for individuals with IDD.

We are offering this FREE webinar on four different dates to answer questions and help attendees navigate the next few months.

  • Thursday, January 7, 2021 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) REGISTER HERE
  • Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST REGISTER HERE
  • Friday, January 15, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am EST REGISTER HERE
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am EST REGISTER HERE

For further information, contact Carol Ferenz, Director of IDD Division.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has submitted, through bulk entry, all intermediate care facility (ICF) and ODP residential providers who have not applied for vaccinations through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership (FPP) previously. As a result, residential providers do not need to apply using the forms linked below that were included in the recent announcement regarding on-going support offered through the Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCAT), a new, more limited version of the Regional Response Health Collaborative (RRHC) program. From December 31, 2020 through February 28, 2021, other ODP programs will need to apply through the link if not already enrolled.

COVID Vaccine

  • Facilities will be contacted directly by CVS or Walgreens if enrolled in the Federal Pharmacy Partnership.
  • If not enrolled in the pharmacy program, please complete this form – PA Long-Term Care Facility State COVID-19 Vaccination Partnership – or reach out to this contact.

Consent for the Vaccine

For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) served in residential settings, the provider is able to give consent for vaccination when there is no other decision-maker as they would be acting as the health-care representatives under Act 169. Information regarding this consent can be found in this regulatory citation.

Health-care representative details can be included in the individualized service plan (ISP).

Free Webinar

StationMD is offering a free webinar to help address questions and concerns relating to the COVID-19 vaccination, especially as it relates to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their circle of support. This informational webinar will cover the latest data and resources on the vaccines, including how they work, the vaccination schedule and process, side effects, and medical concerns for individuals with IDD. The webinar is offered on the following dates:

  • Thursday, January 7, 2021 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) REGISTER HERE
  • Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST REGISTER HERE
  • Friday, January 15, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am EST  REGISTER HERE
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am EST REGISTER HERE

For further information, contact Carol Ferenz, Director of IDD Division.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

On May 29, 2020, Pennsylvania’s State Legislature appropriated $175 million dollars from the federal CARES Act to protect residents and staff in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). With this funding, and in partnership with select health systems, Pennsylvania’s Long-Term Care Task Force (LTC-TF) developed the Regional Response Health Collaborative (RRHC) program. Federal funding for the RRHC program ended on December 30, 2020.

Due to federal dollars no longer being available and a constrained state budget, the Wolf Administration has prioritized the allocation of limited funds to continue providing facilities with support during COVID-19 facility outbreaks. This state-funded effort will leverage the expertise of the health systems through the Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCAT), a new, more limited version of the RRHC. Starting on December 31, 2020 and lasting through February 28, 2021, the RCAT will provide COVID-19 outbreak support to facilities. Those facilities who were eligible for the RRHC program will also be eligible for the RCAT.

  • Continued supports that will be offered to the RCAT-eligible facilities are:
    • Call centers currently utilized under the RRHC program will remain available to engage health systems for infection control/prevention services and education in the event of COVID-19 outbreaks. (Facilities located in Carbon, Pike, Monroe, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties, please refer to the chart below for updated call center information).
    • Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided by existing and new vendors. Refer to the chart below to request assistance.
    • Staffing assistance will continue to be provided by existing and new contracted agencies as well as the PA National Guard, but it will be more limited.
    • Testing assistance is available as resources permit through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s (DOH’s) vendors. Facilities experiencing a current outbreak or support from a RRHC or DOH vendor will be enrolled in testing support first, and then the program will expand based on the availability of resources.
    • Tomorrow’s Healthcare portal will still be accessible; webinars will be scheduled as needed.

With the introduction of the RCAT, coverage remains the same as the RRHC program except for the Northeast Region. Engagement with LECOM, UPMC (including Allegheny Health Network, Excela, Penn Highlands, and St. Clair), Penn State, University of Pennsylvania (including Temple), and Thomas Jefferson (including Main Line Health) will remain the same. Geisinger will continue to provide coverage for the Northcentral region and has expanded to support Carbon, Monroe, and Pike Counties as well. The LTC-TF will backstop RCAT support across the commonwealth and ensure support for facilities located in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

Some services provided by the health systems have changed. Members are encouraged to refer to the updated contact list.

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Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

126 Skilled Nursing Facilities to Receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 30, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program has begun vaccinating residents and staff at 126 Pennsylvania skilled nursing facilities using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

“Vaccinating residents and staff at skilled nursing facilities is critical to protecting these vulnerable populations,” Dr. Levine said. “As our federal partners work to coordinate vaccinations for this critical population, we remind Pennsylvanians to remain calm and patient as we continue to roll out our phased distribution.”

Starting on Monday, December 28, CVS Pharmacy has been working to vaccinate residents and staff in 120 skilled nursing facilities; Walgreens has also been holding vaccine clinics at six skilled nursing facilities. Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the program provides end-to-end management of the COVID-19 vaccination process at no cost to the facilities. The distribution timeline of facilities was selected by CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Operation Warp Speed.

In the first weeks, the partnership will vaccinate skilled nursing facilities’ staff and residents. In Pennsylvania, these facilities are licensed by the Department of Health. All licensed skilled nursing facilities in Pennsylvania are eligible for the program. Of the eligible facilities, 603 have chosen the federal pharmacy partnership to complete vaccination, and 89 have opted out of the federal pharmacy partnership. The department will be working with those who have opted out to complete vaccinations. Pennsylvania submitted to the CDC a list of additional facility types for the CDC’s review and approval to participate in the federal partnership, including personal care homes, assisted living facilities, private intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities, community group homes, residential treatment facilities for adults, long-term structured residences, state veterans homes, state centers, private psychiatric hospitals, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). If the CDC approves these facility types, they will receive vaccination through the partnership after skilled nursing facilities.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is receiving its own allocations of vaccine from the federal government and is operating separately from the efforts of the department.

As of December 29, hospitals have vaccinated 96,045 health-care workers and will continue to vaccinate those in Group 1A. This week, 56 hospitals either have or will receive 47,775 Pfizer-BioNTech and 26,100 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses. They will be shipped directly to hospitals and health-care systems for continued vaccination of hospital staff and non-affiliated individuals through coordinated hospital partnerships.

Pennsylvania hospitals began receiving shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of December 14 and shipments of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of December 21.

A spreadsheet of facilities that have received the vaccine can be found here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
  • Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, and Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online.

MEDIA CONTACT:  April Hutcheson

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In December 2020, the federal government appropriated more than $16.7 million in funding to be used for projects like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in fiscal year (FY) 2021. Grant applications are now available and are due on February 5, 2021!

The Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) grants will help expand MHFA to more schools, first responders, veterans, and other communities so that more people will be able to identify, understand, and respond when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.

To apply, you must complete all four registration processes by February 5:

  1. Obtain a DUNS number by accessing the Dun and Bradstreet website
  2. Register with the System for Awards Management
  3. Register with Grants.gov
  4. Register with National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) eRA Commons (Please note that the eRA Commons process may take up to six weeks. If you have not already done so, be sure to complete the registration process immediately.)

Register for our Webinar!

Join us on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) for an informational webinar that will discuss:

  • An overview of Mental Health First Aid;
  • Using Mental Health First Aid in your funding opportunity application;
  • Mental Health First Aid training implementation options; and
  • Other curricula formats available for adults who work with youth, teens, first responders, older adults, higher education, veterans, and Spanish-speaking communities.

Learn more about the grants and who can apply here:

Please direct any questions related to Mental Health First Aid to the National Council.

Please direct any other questions related to the funding opportunity announcement to SAMHSA as instructed here.

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