';
CLOSE
Policy Areas

0 1532

As we reported at the end of August 2018, The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) organized a small work group to develop a “simplified rate structure” for the Community Participation Service. Kristin Ahrens and Rick Smith from ODP met with the representative providers who were invited to participate on this work group. The first item of business was to review the Proposed Rate Structure Chart that was originally developed by RCPA’s work group, which met in April and May of this year with the intention to make solid recommendations for improvement in the implementation of this service. The stakeholders that participated all agreed that this proposed structure would be a great improvement in the method utilized to properly bill for services, and to calculate community percentages. A few representatives of RCPA’s committee presented our proposal to ODP staff in June; we are very pleased that our recommendations have been considered for implementation.

At the RCPA IDD Division Meeting this month, Rick Smith reported to the committee that ODP is moving forward to the next stage of assigning appropriate rates to the proposed W-codes that we presented. As ODP works on restructuring the rates, the expectation is to have the new rate structure implemented in July 2019 for fiscal year 19/20. As we learn more about the progress of the work group, we will keep members up to date.

Attached please find the proposal that RCPA submitted to ODP that is now being adopted for the future rate structure.

Thank you to all who participated in the RCPA Community Participation Work Group meetings; it is rewarding to see that our efforts have made a positive impact in our system. For more information contact Carol Ferenz, RCPA IDD Division Director.

0 2325

Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Communication number 081-18 outlines draft requirements and best practice recommendations related to human rights and restrictive procedures. The guidance outline in the bulletin reflects regulator and contractual expectations for AEs and providers offering services to people in both licensed and unlicensed settings, and represents ODP’s mission, vision, and values around how we support people. The details contained in the bulletin are intended to support stakeholders in taking a consistent approach to ensure people’s health, safety, and rights. The Human Rights Team guidelines contained in the bulletin also apply to providers that render services through the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). The functions of the Human Rights Committees for participants enrolled in the AAW, however, are fulfilled through ODP’s Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) instead of AEs.

The Draft Bulletin defines Human Rights Team, Human Rights Committee (led by the AE), Modification of Rights, Physical Restraint, and Restrictive Procedure. It further describes the purpose, scope of work, membership, roles and responsibilities of members of the committee, meeting structure, confidentiality, and general guidelines.

This bulletin is in response to the renewal of the Consolidated and Person/Family-Directed Waivers and the creation of the Community Living Waiver, as well as the requirements written in the Administrative Entity (AE) Operating Agreement, and anticipating the adoption of the Chapter 6100 regulations.

Written or electronic comments will be accepted by October 5, 2018 at 11:59 pm. Electronic comments may be submitted via email. Written comments should be sent to Julie Mochon, Policy Director, Office of Developmental Programs, Room 510, Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

0 2091

The Community HealthChoices (CHC) Third Thursday webinar coming up on September 20, 2018 will include updates on CHC by Kevin Hancock, Deputy Secretary for Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL). The remainder of the webinar will focus on brain injury that includes a brain injury panel discussion facilitated by members of RCPA’s Brain Injury Committee, including: Dr. Drew Nagele, Jack Poplar, and Bridget Lowery.

Register using this link to participate in the webinar and support your colleagues. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Contact RCPA Rehabilitation Services Director Melissa Dehoff with questions.

0 2424

To more formally recognize the value of peers in the workforce, Pennsylvania is moving to a new full peer certification offered by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB). This new formal certification will be necessary to provide Medicaid billable peer support services.

To make this transition as easy as possible for current Pennsylvania Peer Specialists, there will be a time-limited grandparenting process for those who wish to obtain the new full certification during the grandparenting period.

The grandparenting period began March 1, 2018 and ends August 31, 2019.

The requirements for the grandparenting process must be met but no additional exam will be required.

The requirements to become grandparented are:

  • You must have completed the two-week peer specialist training from one of the recognized training vendors. Those two vendors are the Institute for Recovery and Community Integration and RI Consulting.
  • Complete the CPS Grandparenting Application and sign and date a Peer-specific code of ethical conduct.
  • Signed and notarized release form.

There is no initial cost to peers for obtaining the credential as the grandparenting fee is being underwritten by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS).

The new CPS certification will be valid for two years. To avoid a lapse in certification, recertification should occur before the end of the two-year certification period. Recertification requires obtaining 36 hours of CEUs every two years and a $50 two-year recertification fee.

This new formal certification through the PCB is designed to help strengthen the profession and give CPSs a stronger voice, while maintaining the essence of peer support in delivering recovery oriented services. We urge you to complete the process now, during the grandparenting period, to ensure you can continue to do the great work that you do.

REMEMBER: This new formal certification will be necessary to provide Medicaid billable peer support services.

The CPS Grandparenting Application can be found at the following link: www.pacertboard.org/cps

Requests for paper applications and/or questions should be addressed to:
Mail: PCB, 298 S. Progress Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109
Phone: 717-540-4455
Email: [email protected]

The following organizations participated in the development of the new certification process:
Pennsylvania Peer Specialist Workgroup
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association (PMHCA)
Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (PaPSC)
Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB)

0 2487

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the availability of 500 additional seats for the College of Employment Services (CES) Online Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) Basic Employment Certification Course.

This CES ACRE course consists of two parts: 11 self-directed online modules and a CES ACRE Supplement. To obtain the complete ACRE Basic Certification of Achievement, participants must complete both Part 1 and Part 2 of the CSE Certified Training. There is a discounted cost to complete the supplement portion at $170 until December 31, 2018. Effective January 1, 2019, this cost will increase to $225 per learner.

Individual providers and provider agencies are no longer limited to requesting CES access for 15 individual learners. Please be aware that participation in the training must be for individuals who are required to possess the ACRE Certificate of Achievement. Your organization must obtain administrative rights for the number of learners for which your organization is interested in registering for CES training.

  • If your organization is currently providing training to specific learners through CDS, and these same learners need CES training, the organization does not need to obtain additional administrative rights.
  • If your organization is new to CES, you will need to contact the Elsevier organization to purchase administrative rights based on the number of CES learners your organizations wishes to enroll.
  • If your organization is interested in both CDS and CES, your organization will need to contact the Elsevier organization to purchase administrative rights based on the number of learners your organization wishes to enroll.

For further information regarding the Elsevier organization and/or administrative costs, please contact Leigh Evans, Account Specialist, Elsevier Clinical Solutions, 404-799-4009.

Prev1...742743744...808Next Page 743 of 808
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association