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Policy Areas

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is developing a series of interactive webinars about innovative services and supports for transition age youth and young adults. These webinars will raise awareness of the needs of youth and young adults, highlight best practices, and promote dialogue about supports and services at the local, regional, and state levels. The first in this series of webinars will focus on psychiatric rehabilitation services and supports for transition age young adults. Presenters will include:

  • Scott Heller, Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
  • Heidi Eastman, Dickinson Center, Inc.
  • Angel Rogalinski, The ReDCo Group

The presentation and webcast will be held on Thursday, July 30, 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Registration is not required. In-person participation will be held at the Clothestree Building on the grounds of the Department of General Services Annex in Harrisburg.

Online via telephone and internet connection instructions:
1. Use this link
2. If requested, enter your name and email address
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: Doris##1
4. Click “Join”

To join the audio conference only:
To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the meeting, or call the number below and enter the access code.
Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-877-668-4493
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-650-479-3208

Meeting Number: 642 324 254. Meeting Password: Doris##1

For additional information, please contact OMHSAS Transition Specialist Doris Arena.

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ODP Updates
The Office of Developmental Programs has released the following information:

  • Informational Memo 048-15: Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers Proposed Department Established Fees for Waiver Eligible Services, Residential Ineligible Services and Targeted Services Management.
  • Informational Packet #047-15: Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent Financial Management Services Wage and Benefit Ranges for Specific Participant Directed Services, Effective July 1.

Psychiatric Rehab Webinar

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The Department of Human Services Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) has released a draft Regulatory Compliance Guide (RCG) for Chapter 3800, relating to child residential and day treatment facilities. The RCG provides guidance about how the Department of Human Services will interpret and apply the chapter’s regulatory requirements during licensing inspections and investigations.

BHSL is inviting the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association to work with members to review and comment on this draft guide. Please review the draft document and send your comments, suggestion and recommendations to Connell O’Brien. RCPA will collect provider input and share that information with the leadership of BHSL. Comments are due to RCPA by July 10 for submission to BHSL by July 17. The leadership of BHSL has communicated their clear interest in provider input and plans to take all comments into consideration prior to issuing a final RCG later this summer.

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Nancy Thaler will be the new Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) beginning June 29. Thaler recently served as the executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, assisting 50 state agencies in policy and program development, where she was involved in strategic planning, managing the operating budget, and directing the association’s activities. She also previously served as the director of quality improvement for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Deputy Secretary of ODP for both Republican and Democratic administrations.

H. Patrick “Pat” Clancy will be joining the Department of Human Services (DHS) as the special advisor to the secretary, focusing on employment issues and the federal Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act. Clancy has a strong background in developing and managing career and workforce development programs. He recently served as the director of workforce initiatives at Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County. He will join the department on July 13.

Steve Suroviec will become the special advisor to the secretary, focusing on employment issues for people with disabilities, where he will bring the impressive leadership skills he demonstrated as deputy secretary at ODP. Before joining DHS, Steve served admirably as the executive director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. He will share his counsel and expertise in this crucial area beginning June 29.

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SCO Issues

  • ISP Checklist
    At the IDD Committee on June 11, ODP’s Patty McCool reported on the Futures Planning Work Groups and an issue specific to Work Group #5, Simplifying the System, related to the ISP Checklist. RCPA is asking its SCO members to share what works with the current ISP Checklist, what doesn’t work, and recommendations for changes. Please submit your recommendations to Linda Drummond by June 23, which will then be shared with ODP.
  • Cycle 5 Monitoring: ODP’s Sonya Hipple was asked about the timeframe for released of the Cycle 5 SCO monitoring sample; it will be released in either late June or early July on the SCO Docushare website.

ODP Update
The Office of Developmental Programs has released the following information:

  • Informational Packet #046-15: Agency with Choice Financial Management Services Wage Ranges and Benefit Allowance and Corresponding Department Established Fees for Specific Participant Direct Services Effective July 1.

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Governor Tom Wolf has announced that fees for child abuse clearances and criminal background checks required by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) will be waived for volunteers working with children. Beginning July 1, volunteers are required to obtain background checks, including the Child Abuse History Clearance, issued by the Department of Human Services (DHS); and the Criminal History Record Check, issued by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).

Additionally, DHS and the PSP will be reducing the cost of both the child abuse and criminal history record checks from $10 to $8 for all other applicants. Individuals seeking employment for work with children, and others required under the law, will still be assessed fees for the clearances, but at a reduced cost of $8 each. FBI clearances are also required for all employees and volunteers who have not been continuous residents of the commonwealth for the last ten years, but because these are administered by the federal government, current costs will continue to apply. These changes will take effect July 25.

More information about clearances required under the CPSL can be found here. Individuals seeking clearances can create an individual account and apply online.

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ADA Anniversary
In recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, the US Census Bureau is releasing “Facts for Features,” providing demographic information about institutionalization, transportation, employment, and accessibility.

LEAD Webinar
On June 24 at 3:00 pm, LEAD Center will hold its third webinar in the four-part series, “WIOA from a Disability Perspective.” This month’s webinar, “Understanding Changes Regarding Youth Services,” addresses cross-system collaboration and WIOA opportunities for career counseling, skills training, and job exploration.

DHS Home Modification
The state Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a discussion document on a proposed model for improving efforts to provide home modifications for those served by the Home and Community-Based Service waivers (OLTL and ODP). Comments are requested by July 2. Please share your comments with RCPA Policy Specialist Linda Drummond as well.

DHS: The Impact
In keeping with Governor Wolf’s commitment to transparency, DHS distributes regular updates to keep Pennsylvanians abreast of the good work happening at DHS and how it impacts the Commonwealth. The June 5 edition addressed “Managed Long-Term Supports and Services,” which are under discussion. This initiative is geared toward improving the health and welfare of older Pennsylvanians, and individuals with physical disabilities, by implementing a system that breaks down barriers and fills the gaps that currently exist.

Public hearings are being held across the state and comments are due by July 15. Further details can be found on the DHS website. The service systems being considered are the Aging and Office of Long Term Living waivers. ODP waivers are not being considered at this time. See press release here.

WIOA Comments Due
The April 28 IDD Update provided links to the proposed changes in the Federal Register and the five Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, regarding the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Comments are due by June 15 to www.regulations.gov. Please share your comments with RCPA Policy Specialist Linda Drummond.

ODP Update
The Office of Developmental Programs has released the following information:

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