HR Committee: November 6 Meeting Follow-Up
DHS
Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series Presents “Living the D.R.E.A.M” December 4
Living the D.R.E.A.M! Creating a Culture of Health and Wellness for All
December 4, 2024
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have announced the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference “Living the D.R.E.A.M.” During this session, SPIN will provide an historical overview of how they created a culture of health and wellness by engaging all stakeholders in living a healthy lifestyle. Presenters will showcase SPIN’s mission of inclusive and holistic meaningful activities in the community and SPIN Community & Fitness, a gathering and welcoming place for the whole community. The D.R.E.A.M team model, including the vision and purpose, elements of “Living the D.R.E.A.M,” and lessons learned for successful incorporation into everyday lives, will be featured.
See the announcement for a full session description, presenter biographies, and how to register.
Email with any questions.
Maternal Health Roundtable Listening Session to Be Held December 6
Message from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL):
The Commonwealth is working collaboratively — Governor Shapiro’s office and the health hub agencies (Health, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Insurance) — to develop a statewide maternal health strategic plan. We need your help to make it a robust, comprehensive, collaborative, living, and most importantly, active plan.
As you are likely aware, Pennsylvania, like the nation, is experiencing a maternal health crisis.
According to the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee report, in 2020, Pennsylvania residents experienced a pregnancy-associated mortality ratio of 83 deaths per 100,000 live births with large disparities identified. In total, 107 individuals lost their lives during pregnancy, delivery, or up to one year postpartum.
Those numbers are far worse for Black women, where the rate was twice as high at 163 deaths per 100,000.
We also know that women and birthing people with disabilities experience unique challenges and needs on their health journey, so we are inviting you to join us for a 90-minute Zoom listening session where members of the Commonwealth’s health agencies and members of the statewide maternal health strategic plan can engage with you to learn what specific needs you have and how you feel the Commonwealth should address those needs.
We want our strategic plan to address all Pennsylvania women and birthing people, and sharing your voice at this listening session will help inform our plan.
The Zoom listening session is scheduled from 10:00 am – 11:30 am, on Friday, December 6, 2024. Please RSVP electronically by December 1 if you plan to attend. We will send the Zoom link by end of day December 4 to those who RSVP.
Thank you for considering spending 90 minutes with the disability community and state health team members to share your thoughts and needs around maternal health.
PA Tech Accelerator Second Series Announced
ODP Publishes Corrected IDD Waiver Fee Schedule Rates
Today the Department of Human Services (Department) published final notice of Fee Schedule Rates for services funded through the Consolidated, Community Living, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), and Adult Autism Waivers and the Department-established fees for base-funded services as a correction to the rates previously published August 1, 2024.
Due to a calculation error, the Department has made corrections to the Fee Schedule Rates for the following services funded through the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers and base-funding:
- Community Participation Support, effective July 1, 2024; and
- Life Sharing Without Day 1-person needs group 3 and 4, effective October 1, 2024.
Additionally, due to a mistake in aligning the procedure code with the correct Statewide fee, the Department is republishing the Fee Schedule Rates for the following services funded through the Adult Autism Waiver effective July 1, 2024:
- Residential Habilitation
- Specialized Skill Development
- Supported Employment
- Career Planning
- Therapies
- Day Unit Respite
- 15-Minute Unit Respite
- Supports Coordination
- Transportation — Trip
This publication presents an opportunity for providers to appeal these specific rates. The deadline for filing an appeal for these rates is December 2, 2024.
For further information, view ODPANN 24-107 or contact Carol Ferenz, IDD Division Director.
November 6 LTSS Subcommittee Agenda Released
The agenda for the November 6, 2024, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting has been released by the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL). The meeting will be held from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Honors Suite, 1st floor, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126. Attendees have the option to attend in person or via webcast. The links and call information are below:
Conference line: Bridge Number: 1-415-655-0060 PIN: 789-496-398#
Webinar Link
Remote Streaming Link
Comments and questions may be sent via email.
The mission of the LTSS Subcommittee is to be a resource to the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC), enabling the committee to advise the Department of Human Services on issues regarding access to service and quality of service.
PA Interagency Coordinating Council Seeks Ad Hoc Committee Members
The Pennsylvania State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) is seeking interested family members, caregivers, and professionals to serve on ad hoc subcommittees. The PA SICC is a Governor-appointed council that advises and assists the Departments of Health, Education, and Human Services to ensure that a comprehensive delivery system of integrated Early Intervention programs and services is available to all eligible infants, toddlers, and young children as well as their families.
Individuals are needed to serve on one or more of the following committees:
- Mental health committee;
- Workforce development committee;
- Outreach and communication committee; and
- Access and inclusion committee.
The deadline to apply is Monday, October 28. All applicants will be notified about the decision of their application by early January via email.
Please share this information with professionals and families within your network. For more information about the committees and to apply, view the application here. Please send any questions electronically.
Pennsylvania Developing Statewide Maternal Health Strategic Plan
To address Pennsylvania’s high maternal mortality rate, the Commonwealth, through a partnership with Governor Shapiro’s office and the Departments of Health, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Insurance, is developing a statewide Maternal Health Strategic Plan. Interested stakeholders are invited to share their opinion through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Maternal Health Strategic Plan survey, which will remain open through November 4.
The vision for Pennsylvania’s Maternal Health Strategic Plan is a Pennsylvania where every pregnant and birthing person has easy access to high-quality perinatal, birth, and postpartum care that is person-centered, comprehensive, equitable, and affordable and that results in healthy outcomes and long-term good health and well-being.
DHS Announces AAC Essentials Training
PennWATCH: Resources Available to Help Eligible Pennsylvanians With Disabilities Vote
