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Last week, Governor Shapiro presented his proposed budget for 2024/2025. The PowerPoint with the Human Services Spending Overview outlines the priorities, and the recording is available on the DHS YouTube channel.
RCPA staff will continue to advocate for appropriate levels of funding for our members’ services in the community. We will keep you updated with information as the process continues. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
ADvancing States has announced the release of a new issue brief “Person-Centered Approaches: Connecting Individuals to Services and Benefits.” Developed with support from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), this brief describes person-centered approaches, which are practices and techniques used by human services professionals to learn about an individual’s goals, needs, and preferences to live the life they desire and value. In aging and disability networks, person-centered conversations aid in the understanding of an individual’s long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs and preferences, resulting in improved access to services and benefits. Community-based organizations, including Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and Benefit Enrollment Centers, can strengthen their connections and engagement with LTSS access systems through person-centered approaches and state efforts, such as No Wrong Door Systems. Additionally, the issue brief highlights states that have implemented promising person-centered approaches.
If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.
ADvancing States announced the release of a new issue brief “No Wrong Door (NWD) Systems: A Guide to Fundamentals and Engagement for Community Organizations.” Developed with support from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), this brief describes the fundamentals of the NWD System initiative in developing a one-stop resource hub and access point for long-term services and supports (LTSS) and benefits in states and territories, and the important roles community-based organizations (CBO) can serve in a NWD System. Additionally, the history of NWD and significant milestones, key elements of a coordinated NWD System, as well as CBO engagement in NWD Systems to facilitate access to services and benefits, are explained. As identified in the issue brief, states provide a range of opportunities for CBOs to connect with NWD Systems, from the inclusion of a CBO’s services in a NWD’s database to partnering with aging and disabilities network agencies and public outreach. The issue brief highlights NWD System development and state approaches to CBO partnerships in several states.
If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) just announced that, due to reaching capacity in the February 9 meeting, they are adding a second session at 1:30 pm on the same day. If you are already registered for the morning session, do not register for the afternoon session so that they can keep enough space for all who are interested. Both sessions will be recorded and posted publicly to YouTube, and content will be roughly similar within the two sessions. DHS will share Question and Answer (Q&A) sessions from both, and a follow-up Q&A document will be shared next week.
Visit here to register for the afternoon session.
(If the registration link above does not work, please try copying this link directly into your browser: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/9f3d9e64-6d38-45a7-84eb-b0ae2b1aafd9@418e2841-0128-4dd5-9b6c-47fc5a9a1bde)
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is hosting a post-award forum regarding the federal Section 1115 Demonstration, which includes Medicaid coverage for out-of-state former foster care youth and substance use disorder (SUD) services. It will take place at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm on Friday, March 8, 2024, via WebEx. The forum aims to gather public feedback on the progress of these initiatives, both of which were approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Former Foster Care Youth (FFCY) component allows Medicaid coverage for individuals under 26 who were in foster care in another state upon turning 18. The SUD component provides funding for essential SUD services, including residential care.
Register for the forum here. Written comments are also acceptable until the same date. For inquiries, contact Shivani Patel. Further details and the announcement can be found here. Please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp for any further questions.
Today, Governor Josh Shapiro gave his second budget address to members of the General Assembly. The Governor outlined an agenda that included new spending for direct service providers, minimum wage, education, health care, law enforcement, and a number of other initiatives. The below budget initiatives come from information from the Governor and his team, which has been made available to stakeholders. The budget proposals include:
Investing in Competitive Pay and Reimbursement of Services for Home & Community-Based Care
Making Pennsylvania a Leader in Economic Development, Job Creation, and Innovation
Building on Historic Education Investments & Making Progress to Support Every Pennsylvania Child
Delivering a New Blueprint for Higher Education Grounded in Access & Affordability
The above are highlights of the Governor’s proposed budget. RCPA will be examining the budget spreadsheets over the next few days, will be attending the DHS Budget Overview this Friday afternoon, and will update members with any new information as it becomes available during the budget season.
If you have any questions, please contact Jack Phillips.