“Thriving With Down Syndrome” Free Webinar With Matthew Schwab on Sept. 10
ODP
Resource Guide Now Available for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the annual publication of the Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals. This guide offers resources in one central location for those who support or care for someone who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind and receives supports from ODP.
The Resource Guide is available here or on MyODP’s website under Topics > Special Population Services > Deaf Services. For questions, email ODP Deaf Services.
Registration for CI Initial Certification Course Now Open
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released ODPANN 24-075, which announces that registration for the September – December Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course cohorts is now open in MyODP. Please view the communication for details.
MyODP August News Online Now Available
FY 2024/25 Supports Broker Recertification Training Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-073, which announces that the Department-approved Supports Broker recertification training is available for the first seven months of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requires that Support Service Professionals/Supports Brokers under the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), and Community Living (CL) Waivers must successfully complete a Supports Broker Certification Program provided by ODP or its designee every three years following their initial certification. Please view the announcement for details.
ODP Provides PBC Updates at Provider Preparedness Summit 5
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) presented updates for residential providers on Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) this morning, July 29. The Deputy Secretary also reminded residential providers that ALL providers must submit a Residential Provider agreement to ODP by August 31, 2024. Those who have not yet submitted an agreement will be receiving a warning letter.
An overview of updates included revisions to proposed waiver submissions, an implementation plan, supporting documents, instructions for tier determination, and provider data submission. Additional information was also shared on the following:
- Adjusted Timeline: Residential providers with a signed and submitted Agreement for Provision of Residential Services may choose when to submit data and documentation to determine the PBC tier. Providers may submit information between August 1–31, 2024, or between February 15–March 15, 2025.
- Clarification on Staff Credentialing: ODP noted that the credentialing standard is the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) for Primary and Select tiers and NADSP and/or the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) for the Clinically Enhanced tier.
- Reduction of Measures: Measure changes were highlighted in red on the presentation.
- Pay for Performance and Use of ARPA Funds: ODP clarified that Pay for Performance is available for Select and Clinically Enhanced providers. Use of ARPA funds has been extended for the department through June 2026 and will be available for P4P.
- Preparedness Tools and Scoring: ODP will be using a scoring document for provider’s submitted data, which has composite scoring ability. If a provider falls short, they will have the opportunity to prove they met the measure.
View the full presentation here.
AAW Amendment Submitted to CMS
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared ODPANN 24-072. This communication is to inform all interested parties of the submission of a proposed amendment to the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The amendment includes all proposed changes as well as clarifications to the proposed new American Sign Language-English Interpreter service. The clarifications were added as a result of public comment.
Please view the announcement for details.
ODP Submits PBC Waiver Amendments, Shares PBC Resources
ODP Announcement 24-071 informs stakeholders of the submission of the Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) 1915(b)4 Waiver and 1915(c) Waiver amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has included with this announcement multiple documents and resources that are essential for understanding and implementing PBC. The documents are:
- PBC Residential Services Implementation Guide
- PBC Residential Services Provider Self-Assessment Toolkit, which includes:
- Residential Performance-Based Contracting Attestation (fillable form).
Submitted amendments for Consolidated and Community Living 1915(c) and 1915(b)(4) Selective Contracting Waiver for Residential Services are available online. All significant changes resulting from public comments can be found in the PBC Implementation Guide under Appendix A, titled, “Significant Changes to Performance-Based Contracting Proposal as a Result of Public Comment April 20-June 4, 2024.”
As a reminder, all residential providers must sign and return the Residential Provider Agreement to ODP by July 31, 2024. Please direct any questions about this information to ODP electronically.
ODP Publishes Performance-Based Standards and Documents for Residential Providers
ODP Bulletin 00-24-01 Performance-Based Standards for Residential Services has been published, providing detailed information regarding the standards that will be utilized to evaluate performance of residential providers in PA. An expected timeline for implementation of residential performance standards and tier assignment and the evaluation standards that will be used to assign tiers to providers have also been published.
ODP submitted waiver amendments for the 1915(c) waiver and the new 1915 (b)(4) waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 26, 2024. RCPA anticipates the fee schedule rates will be published in the PA Bulletin on August 31, 2024. Implementation of the new rates will happen October 1, 2024, with an effective date of July 1, 2024.
All non-residential services, including participant directed services, will receive an 8% increase. All residential services will receive a 6% increase. Implementation of PBC will include rate add-ons of:
- Select Providers: 3%
- Clinically Enhanced Providers: 5%
Pay for Performance will also be available.
ODP will hold a webinar on Monday, July 29, to provide an overview of these changes. You can register for the meeting here. Please direct any questions about this information to ODP electronically.
ODP Shares Updates Regarding Budget and Performance-Based Contracting at MAAC Meeting
Deputy Secretary Ahrens of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared a PowerPoint today, July 25, 2024, at the MAAC meeting. Highlights included ODP’s plan to publish several documents. ODP will be submitting waiver amendments for the 1915(c) waiver and the new 1915 (b)(4) waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 26, 2024. In addition, ODP Bulletin 00-24-01: Performance-Based Standards for Residential Services and an ODP announcement regarding the waiver submission, including an implementation guide and provider self-assessment, will be released tomorrow, July 26.
RCPA will share these documents with members as soon as they are available.
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