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Physical Disabilities & Aging

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Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash

“Homeward Bound: Exploring Issues Faced by Justice-Involved Persons”

The 30th Annual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, brought to us by Drexel University, will be presented this year with a spectacular online educational program addressing clinical, policy, and environmental issues that impact persons involved with the criminal justice system. RCPA highly recommends this engaging experience, and members can see further details, including registration, in the conference brochure.

The plenary sessions will address implicit bias, false confessions, Megan’s Law, and an overview of the pardons process. The workshops will offer skill-building sessions to use in your own settings. All sessions will be recorded, which will allow you to earn additional continuing education credits by viewing sessions at your convenience. The conference will be available to registrants until December 31, 2022, and you will be able to see all of the workshop offerings.

For more information contact Drexel via email or call 215-831-4055. If you have additional questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp or Carol Ferenz.

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RCPA members will now receive a discount on services from Streamline. Streamline Healthcare Solutions is a trusted EHR and MCO solution partner in building innovative technology solutions for the human services and health care delivery marketspace. Developed specifically for this market, their cloud-based, single platform and intelligent technology is unlike any other. From value-based care to evidence-based practices to population health management, human services is changing, and the Streamline SmartCare Platform’s open architecture and sophisticated data integration & analytics enable human services organizations to meet tomorrow’s needs today.

For further information, please contact Streamline’s PA Regional Sales Manager Matt Mercer via email or 313-283-9456.

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City & State PA is a premier multi-media news firm that dedicates its coverage to Pennsylvania’s state and local government, political, and advocacy news. City & State PA annually cite among their Power 100 rankings those in the nonprofit field for their achievements and contributions. This year, several RCPA members and stakeholder partners have been recognized for their efforts in their field and those they serve. Included in the list are:

  • Jill Bowen, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services;
  • Colleen McNichol, President and CEO, Child Guidance Resource Center;
  • Marco Giordano, CEO, Resources for Human Development;
  • Mike Smith, President and CEO, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania;
  • Gordon May, President and CEO, CONCERN 4 Kids;
  • Sherri Landis , Executive Director The Arc of Pa; and
  • Representative Frank Ferry Pa House of Representative 142nd Districts.

RCPA congratulates these members and partners for their recognition in this year’s Power 100 Nonprofit Leaders. You can view the full article here.

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Message from Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF):

As we celebrate Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Month, Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation would like to take this opportunity to amplify the message that AT can help people with disabilities live with more independence, safety, productivity, and with an improved quality of life.

We are committed to helping people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians with information and assistance, financial education, and financing opportunities so they can acquire the AT devices and resources they need.

We are proud and grateful to receive Governor Tom Wolf’s proclamation declaring November Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. The Governor’s proclamation states:

“Whereas, Pennsylvanians with disabilities of all ages may need assistive technology devices and services to live independently and productively, as well as to participate fully in affairs of their communities…and assistive technology devices and services allow people to work, attend school, play, and live in the community of their choice…”

“Whereas, Pennsylvania is a leader in the development and implementation of assistive technology programs for its citizens with disabilities and older residents, through assistance from organizations such as the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, providing valuable information and assistance, financial education, and the financing for the purchase of assistive technology and services.”

“Therefore, I, Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim November 2022, as Assistive Technology Awareness Month. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to become aware of the many ways in which assistive technologies contribute to the health, happiness, and independence of our family, friends, and neighbors.”

Our CEO Ben Laudermilch shares the proclamation was created thanks to steadfast advocacy: “For decades, PATF has pushed for bipartisan support at the state level for funding to help people with disabilities and older adults live independent lives. The Governor’s proclamation recognizes the efforts of disability advocates and raises awareness about life-changing assistive technologies and services,” says Ben.

Funding Resources for AT

Last year, we celebrated the proclamation by hosting an AT Photo Contest: Show Us Your Tech. This year, we’ve published our new, third edition of Funding Your Assistive Technology.

Assistive technology empowers people with disabilities to do the things they want to do. However, one of the leading obstacles for obtaining AT is finding the money to pay for it.

We have compiled a collection of 70 funding options for assistive technology devices and services called Funding Your Assistive Technology.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

Top 5 Funding Resources for AT for Kids With Disabilities

When someone contacts us for help funding their assistive technology (AT), one of the first things we ask is whether or not they are enrolled in a Home and Community-Based (HCBS) waiver.

For many people with disabilities, waivers are a major source of funding for AT.

Read the full blog.

How to Access Funding for Sports Equipment

All people, including people with disabilities, should have the opportunity, if they choose, to play sports.

We describe assistive technology (AT) as any device that helps a person with a disability do the things they want to do. This includes adaptive sports equipment that helps you play sports safely with more freedom.

But how do you access adaptive sports equipment to play sports when you have a disability?

We recently talked to Keith Newerla, a wheelchair user who runs the adaptive sports program at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia.

Click the link to read the full blog.

PATF can help you get the adaptive sports equipment you want by extending a no-interest loan through our Mini-Loan program.

We also offer low-interest loans that can cover the cost of assistive technology for things like home modifications, adapted vehicles, eye-gaze systems, and more!

APPLY FOR A LOAN

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Long-Term Care Quality Investment Pilot, which will distribute approximately $11.7 million in federal funds to long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), personal care homes (PCHs), assisted living facilities (ALFs), and intermediate care facilities (ICFs) for the purpose of building resilience. These funds are designed to be invested in key areas such as workforce development and retention, infection prevention control, emergency preparedness, and improvements to facility infrastructure.

Please note the following:

  • Facilities must be enrolled in the LTC RISE program’s quality improvement projects in order to be considered eligible for funding.
  • Facilities in Philadelphia are not eligible for this funding.

DOH encourages facilities to apply for this opportunity. The application deadline is 1:30 pm on December 31, 2022. Additional details and information can be found by here.

Questions about this funding opportunity should be addressed by submitting questions through the formal procurement process, which is detailed in the RFA.

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The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has awarded a five-year grant totaling over $6 million to establish a national center to expand and strengthen the direct care workforce across the country. This initiative will provide technical assistance to states and service providers and facilitate collaboration with stakeholders to improve recruitment, retention, training, and professional development of the direct care workers who provide the critical services that enable people with disabilities and older adults to live in their own homes and communities.

Long-standing workforce shortages have reached crisis levels during the COVID-19 pandemic; today, more than three-quarters of service providers are not accepting new clients and more than half have cut services as a result of the direct care workforce shortage. The high turnover of staff has also meant that individuals who are able to receive services often experience service disruptions and receive inconsistent care. As a result, increasing numbers of people are left with no option but to move to nursing homes and other institutions, people who want to leave these facilities cannot, and the health and safety of those who live in the community are at risk.

The national Direct Care Workforce Capacity Building Center will serve as a hub, providing tools, resources, and training to assist state systems and service providers and to support the development and coordination of policies and programs that contribute to a stable, robust direct care workforce. The center’s website will share resources from the federal government, highlight state and local model policies and best practices that can be replicated or adapted, and share training and technical assistance materials. In addition, the center will facilitate peer-to-peer sharing of lessons learned and promising practices through learning collaboratives and support collaboration between state systems, including Medicaid, aging, disability, and workforce agencies; service providers; and aging, disability, and labor stakeholders. Additional information is available on the ACL website.

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The Public Health Emergency (PHE) is a federal declaration made by the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services that was put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If it is not renewed every 90 days, it ends.

While the PHE is in place, Pennsylvania is allowed to keep Medical Assistance (MA) open for most people, even if they stopped meeting eligibility criteria or did not return a renewal for their MA. This is known as the continuous eligibility option, and people covered by MA could only have their benefits closed during the PHE if they passed away, moved out of state, or asked DHS to close their coverage.

So, what does this mean for MA recipients in Pennsylvania? Here are five important things to know as we approach a possible end to the federal PHE:

  1. When will the PHE end?

On October 13, 2022, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was once again extending the PHE due to COVID-19.

This means that the earliest that the PHE will expire is January 11, 2023. DHS is continuing to monitor the status of the PHE and will let MA recipients know once an expiration date has been announced or if the PHE will be extended past January.

  1. MA recipients will need to complete a renewal to make sure they are still eligible for benefits

When the PHE ends, states will have to complete renewals for everyone covered by MA to determine eligibility. Coverage will not automatically end, but when a renewal is received it must be completed. If a renewal is not submitted to DHS or the individual is no longer eligible when they complete their renewal, they will be disenrolled and referred to Pennie or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for additional coverage options.

Renewal Packets

Not all renewals will be mailed to MA recipients at the same time when the PHE ends. DHS will be mailing renewal packets to individuals currently covered by MA the month before their renewal is due. If an individual is signed up to receive text messages from DHS, they will receive a text notification when their renewal packet is mailed. ​A due date will be listed on the renewal packet. If help is needed with completing the renewal or getting the needed verification documents by the due date, MA recipients can contact their local county assistance office or call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 or 215-560-7226 in Philadelphia.

Completing Your Renewal

Renewals can be submitted using one of these three methods:

    • Online: Use the COMPASS website at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS. Verification documents can be submitted electronically using this method or by using the myCOMPASS PA mobile app.
    • Phone: Call 866-550-4355, Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm; a representative will help you through the process and submit your renewal for review.
    • In Person: Complete the forms received in the renewal packet and drop them off at any local county assistance office.

If you have questions regarding completing your renewal, please view the PHE FAQ.

Keep your contact information up-to-date

One of the most important things you can do before the end of the PHE is make sure your phone number, email, and mailing address are up to date with DHS.

You can easily update your information anytime by using your My COMPASS account or the myCOMPASS PA mobile app (available from Apple or Google) . If you do not have a myCOMPASS account or the mobile app, you can call the Statewide Customer Service Center to update your contact information at 877-395-8930 or 215-560-7226 in Philadelphia, which are available Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm.

  1. If found ineligible, you still have options

If a renewal shows that a recipient is no longer eligible for MA, options are available to stay covered.

    • Age 19 or older — DHS will send the individual’s information to Pennie, Pennsylvania’s state-based health and dental insurance marketplace. Pennie can help review the individual’s coverage options and help learn about financial assistance that may be available to help pay for coverage.
    • Children under age 19 — Individuals will be directly connected to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and parents will learn more about coverage.
    • Reconsiderations — If an individual’s benefits closed because they didn’t send in the renewal or needed proof to go along with it, they can submit the renewal or any associated paperwork up to 90 days after they are closed for the renewal to be reevaluated without the need to submit a new application.
    • Appeals — If an individual believes a mistake was made when conducting their renewal, they can appeal that decision. Directions for how to appeal are on the notice you get from DHS.
  1. Resources are available to help in the PHE transition
  1. Help get the word out about the PHE

You and/or your organization can help DHS spread information about the end of the PHE by using your existing communications channels, such as social media and newsletters, to get trusted messages to your neighbors and community members. Simply sign up to be a Helper and you will receive information — key dates, print materials, toolkits, and more — via email that will support you in this effort.

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