Gov.-Elect Josh Shapiro Nominates Secretaries of Human Services, Health, D&A Programs, Aging, and Insurance Commissioner
DOH
Long-Term Care Facility/Task Force Crisis Staffing Support Ending
A message from the Department of Health:
We are writing to inform you that the Pennsylvania Department of Health will no longer be able to provide short-term crisis staffing support or staffing support for test swabbing missions as of January 14, 2023. This decision has been made due to the exhaustion of funds designated for this purpose. We want to assure you that we will do our best to assist with a smooth transition.
The Department remains committed to providing opportunities to build long-term resilience into long-term care facilities that includes bolstering Pennsylvania’s long‑term care workforce development and retention.
We strongly encourage you to engage with your local LTC RISE partner. LTC RISE will continue to provide COVID-19 outbreak response consultative support. LTC RISE will also continue to support quality improvement project opportunities, including projects focused on workforce development and retention.
We also remind you that the Long-Term Care Quality Investment Pilot (QIP) is another opportunity which can benefit skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes, assisted living facilities, and intermediate care facilities. We urge facilities to apply for funds to invest in key areas that include staff development and retention. Applications for QIP are due Saturday, December 31, 2022, by 1:30 pm.
Thank you for your continued efforts protecting Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents and for your understanding and cooperation during this time.
ODP Health Alert: Ongoing Measles Outbreak in Columbus, Ohio
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) has reported that currently there is an ongoing measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio. The first case was identified October 22, 2022, and as of December 20, there are over 80 confirmed cases. There is concern that there will be cases spreading into neighboring states, including Pennsylvania.
The measles outbreak in Ohio, combined with the predicted seasonal increase in internationally-imported measles cases, is of special concern. In the United States, most cases of measles occur in people who have travelled abroad and import measles into the United States. Typically, the number of these cases increases from midwinter through spring.
Read the Health Alert to learn more.
RFA Released for Long-Term Care Quality Investment Pilot
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.
TBI Advisory Board Public Meeting Scheduled for November 4
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board, established under section 1252 of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C.A. § 300d-52), will hold a public meeting on November 4, 2022, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Giant Food Store, 3301 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011, in the large conference room of the community center, located on the 2nd floor.
Meeting materials will be sent out before the meeting, and the agenda will also be available on the Board’s website and at the meeting location. Questions regarding the meeting should be directed to Nicole Johnson.
The Department of Health’s (DOH) Head Injury Program (HIP) strives to ensure that eligible individuals who have a TBI receive high-quality rehabilitative services aimed at reducing functional limitations and improving quality of life. The TBI Advisory Board assists DOH in understanding and meeting the needs of persons living with TBI and their families. This quarterly meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics, including the number of people served by HIP. In addition, meeting participants will discuss budgetary and programmatic issues, community programs relating to traumatic brain injury, and available advocacy opportunities.
For additional information or for persons with a disability who wish to attend the meeting and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation to do so, contact Nicole Johnson, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, (717) 772-2763. For speech and/or hearing-impaired persons, contact V/TT (717) 783-6514 or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984.
Senate Resolution Directs Study of How DHS Determines Funding Allocations, Rates for D&A System
Sen. Brooks will introduce a resolution today that directs the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to study and issue a report on the specific data, calculations, and mechanisms that the Department of Human Services uses to determine the amount of Medical Assistance capitation funding ultimately paid to drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers within the Commonwealth.
The complete resolution, which includes a detailed listing of requirements of what the JSGC must analyze and report, can be viewed here.
“Monkeypox: What You Need To Know” Webcast Recording Now Available
On August 4, 2022, the Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency. Since then, every state and Washington, D.C. has recorded cases of the virus. As of September 20, 2022, the CDC reported 24,203 total confirmed monkeypox cases in the United States. Of those cases, 3 percent, or 708 total, were reported in Pennsylvania.
To raise awareness of the epidemic, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services approached the Jewish Healthcare Foundation’s Aging Team, which operates the State’s Learning Network, who coordinated just-in-time learning for all long-term care and community programs across Commonwealth. The PA Department of Human Services and PA Department of Health presented “Monkeypox: What You Need to Know” on August 31.
Opportunity Announced for Additional Support With Infection Prevention & Control for Personal Care Homes
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) recently released an announcement to personal care homes (PCH) regarding an opportunity to pursue additional support with infection prevention and control, COVID-19 response readiness, and other infectious disease preparedness at no cost.
DOH, in partnership with APIC Consulting Services, has developed a specially-tailored Infection Control and Response (ICAR) tool to assist a limited number of Personal Care Homes through an on-site assessment and consultation, development of improvement action plans, and numerous options for follow-up support.
Please see the announcement for details about pursuing this opportunity. Funding for the program is limited, and access to these services will be on a first come, first served basis. This program is not available to Assisted Living Residences or Personal Care Homes in Philadelphia County.
Questions can be sent electronically.
Monkeypox: What You Need to Know — Webinar August 31
Learn the facts about the symptoms, prevention, and what to do if you or someone where you work gets sick. This webinar will include presentations by leaders and clinicians from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Health (DOH), as well provide an opportunity for Q&A.
Please forward the webinar invitation along to any other relevant stakeholders in your network. For those unable to attend live, a recording of the session will be made available.
Visit HERE to register for this webinar scheduled for Wednesday, August 31 at 1:00 pm. When registering for the event, you must fill out the registration information by clicking “Register” on the left side of your screen as shown below.
ODP Health Alert: Monkeypox Virus Facts
On August 4, 2022, the Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency due to rising cases across the United States. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created this Health Alert based on information available from the PA Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help create awareness about monkeypox.
Prev