Governor Wolf: Request for Major Disaster Declaration Approved
URGENT: Surgical Masks Available, Responses Needed by 1:00 pm Today
RCPA has been contacted about the potential opportunity to order surgical masks (3-ply disposable mask with ear loop) for use in residential programs, homes, and outpatient settings. These are NOT N-95 masks which are used for inpatient settings. To understand the difference, view this flyer.
There are 220 masks in a box, available for $220/box, which includes shipping and are shipped directly to the provider. Delivery is expected within 15–20 days from the date the order is placed. You may request as many boxes as you need; however, we cannot guarantee the full order until all orders are received.
Please use this link to complete your request with the information we need. This is extremely time sensitive, so we are asking that each organization coordinate their order and submit by 1:00 pm TODAY.
US HHS Accelerates Clinical Trials, Prepares for Manufacturing of COVID-19 Vaccines
Understanding the CHC Waiver Program Webinar Recording and Slides Now Available
Pennsylvania DOH COVID-19 Guidance on PPE
President Approves Pennsylvania Disaster Declaration
State Receives Waiver to Facilitate Greater Flexibility in Medicaid, CHIP Programs During COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts
Reminder – Annual Review Process in HCSIS
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) recently issued a reminder to Service Coordination Entities (SCEs) regarding the Annual Review process in HCSIS for the Act 150 program and OBRA Waiver. They included procedures and instructions (see below) for entering these service plans in HCSIS beginning April 1, 2020. Please note that there are some additional updated reminders included in this year’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021 Annual Review instructions for HCSIS.
- OLTL Fiscal Year 2020–2021 Annual Review Instructions for HCSIS
- OLTL Annual Review Tip Sheet
- Waiver Transfer Tip Sheet
If members have any additional questions or wish to receive the attached forms
Gov. Wolf and Sec. of Health Expand ‘Stay at Home’ Order to Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin and Schuylkill Counties, Extend School Closures Indefinitely
PPE Request Form for PA
The disability community is seeing an issue come up across the country: the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for people living in nursing homes, institutions, and group homes.
In NYC, group homes for people with disabilities were told that they were not a priority to receive NYC’s Office of Emergency Management’s supply of PPE. When they attempted to purchase it themselves from a manufacturer, they were told they lacked the FDA license to do so. Now they are crowdfunding to get donated masks, sterile gloves, gowns, and goggles.
A second issue is that when residents in the group home become sick, the lack of PPE can jeopardize the safety of direct service providers (DSPs) and residents once that person is discharged from the hospital. If DSPs feel unsafe serving the people in the group homes, they will not go to work. And that will leave seniors and people with disabilities without the care that they need.
If you know of nursing facilities or group homes that need personal protective equipment, please have them complete Section I & II of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Resource Request Form. The resource request process direction provided by DHS and PEMA is for providers to contact their county emergency management agency (EMA) and submit a resource request. If the county cannot fill the resource request it will be forwarded to PEMA by the county EMA. Attached is the list of county EMC contacts provided by PEMA and directions to submit a resource request. In the directions is a link to a fillable resource request form to submit. Providers should contact their county EMA for assistance in submitting the resource request.
For Philadelphia providers:
Please send your completed form to this email. Thanks to Koert Wehberg, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, for his advocacy and assistance with getting this form. For the Philadelphia Public Health hotline, call 800-722-7112.
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