OMHSAS and ODP Invitation to Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting
ODP
Reminder: ODP Rate Assumption Survey — Due Sept. 20
A message from Rick Smith of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):
Dear Providers of ODP Waiver or Base Funded Services:
ODP is currently in the process of refreshing data for Fee Schedule services. The data gathered by this survey will help inform ODP rate assumptions.
By September 20, providers are asked to answer the following questions for ODP waiver or base funded services only; which includes Consolidated, Community Living, P/FDS, Adult Autism waivers and Base. Do not include ICF/ID data in your agency’s response. Please provide only one survey response per organization (MPI). If the data is not available, please skip that question and move to the next question.
ODP Rate Assumption Survey link
Sincerely,
Rick Smith
Director of Fiscal Operations
ODP Rate Assumption Survey — Due Sept. 20
A message from Rick Smith of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):
Dear Providers of ODP Waiver or Base Funded Services:
ODP is currently in the process of refreshing data for Fee Schedule services. The data gathered by this survey will help inform ODP rate assumptions.
By September 20, providers are asked to answer the following questions for ODP waiver or base funded services only; which includes Consolidated, Community Living, P/FDS, Adult Autism waivers and Base. Do not include ICF/ID data in your agency’s response. Please provide only one survey response per organization (MPI). If the data is not available, please skip that question and move to the next question.
ODP Rate Assumption Survey link
Sincerely,
Rick Smith
Director of Fiscal Operations
ODP September Training and Event Calendar
ODP has released their schedule for trainings and events for the month of September 2021.
ODP: Updated Quality Assessment & Improvement (QA&I) Process Document for Interim Year 2
Message from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):
Good Morning:
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay the Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) activities associated to Cycle 2, Year 1 until July 1, 2022. For FY 2021–2022, ODP will be conducting a second interim review process with several temporarily modified QA&I activities of Administrative Entities (AE), Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO), and Providers; which includes Agency with Choice (AWC) Financial Management Services (FMS) Providers.
The QA&I Interim Year 2 review process is used to demonstrate outcomes in the following areas: CMS Performance Measures, Information Sharing Advisory Committee (ISAC) recommendations, health and welfare, and ODP priorities. It also serves to validate an entity’s adherence with federal and state requirements.
During Interim Year 2, AEs, SCOs and Providers identified in the sample will not receive a traditional onsite review as all activities will occur remotely to include a virtual conference and virtual follow-up meetings if necessary.
Attached please find the updated QA&I Interim Year 2 Review Process Document that includes the changes highlighted in yellow. This document will provide important information for stakeholders to complete the process successfully.
ODP recognizes the many ongoing challenges providers, SCOs, and AEs are managing related to the COVID-19 pandemic; thank you for your continued commitment to supporting individuals with and intellectual disability and autism.
Information Request: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Vaccination Rate Survey
Message from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):
Dear Intermediate Care Facility for Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IDs) and Community Home Provider:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has a critical need for updated vaccine uptake information as a result of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and recent news related to boosters. We need your help to gather this important information. Please complete this brief survey by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
This survey is part of a larger effort to obtain a point-in-time view of the vaccination rate of staff and residents in all facilities licensed by DHS. For the number of staff, please use the count for those currently employed and who work within the licensed residential setting(s) operated by your agency (even if they might not come into direct contact with individuals receiving services).
We realize that you have provided this information in the past; you will note that this survey is much shorter than previous versions (Residential Providers complete for agency, not by licensed home) and should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
For any questions regarding this survey, please contact ODP.
Thank you for your support in our ongoing fight against COVID-19.
A Reminder from ODP: Vaccine Access Survey
A Message from Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens:
To: Licensed Residential Providers
Hello,
We thank those who have taken the time to complete this survey. For those that have yet to do so, we ask you complete by close of business this Friday. The survey will only take a few minutes. This information will be critical to assist DHS in helping promote vaccination and ensure that all facilities have the provider partners they need to do so. Thanks for all the work you do.
Thank you again for all your support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As PA DOH and DHS prepare for the potential for updated vaccine guidance from the CDC, we request that all Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs), Congregate Care Facilities and Residential Providers fill out the below one-time survey discussing each facility or community home’s vaccine access plan. The survey consists of only a few questions and should take no more than 3 minutes of your time.
Survey: https://form.jotform.com/212066323150139
Long Term Care and Congregate Care Facilities are asked to share the following information about vaccine access in their facilities:
- Plan for accessing COVID-19 vaccine doses for residents
- Who will administer the COVID-19 vaccine at the facility
Please respond to this survey no later than Tuesday, August 17th.
Please notify PA DOH if you have any questions about the survey or how to access the COVID-19 vaccines with the subject of the email “Long Term Care Facility Survey Questions.”
Survey: https://form.jotform.com/212066323150139
Thank you for all of the work you’ve done to vaccinate residents and community members during this pandemic.
Kristin Ahrens | Deputy Secretary
PA Department of Human Services | Office of Developmental Programs
ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Update
The ISAC Committee met today and the Deputy Secretary and Dr. Cherpes provided an update.
Deputy Secretary Ahrens shared that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) budget request items were in fact included in the state budget. This includes an initiative to address the waiting list through the addition of 732 Community Living Waiver and 100 Consolidated Waiver placements for emergencies.
The incentive program for providers to transition individuals from group homes to Lifesharing or Supported Living is also included. ODP is working on developing the details of this initiative, which is expected to be implemented in January 2022.
The plan for the American Rescue Plan funds is still being developed by the Department of Human Services (DHS). They have been in discussions with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine the parameters.
The temporarily increased rates for CPS and Transportation Trip will continue to be in effect. Individuals may exceed their waiver caps, and no one should lose a single unit of service through the pandemic. This is approved by CMS in Appendix K.
Appendix K is approved based upon the federal public health emergency (PHE), which has recently been extended and is likely to be extended again. Appendix K can be in place for 6 months after the PHE has ended. Therefore, Appendix K will be in effect at least until March of 2022, likely though to June.
ODP shared the results of the recent CPS survey that was completed. Providers should keep in mind that individuals cannot be denied services due to their inability or unwillingness to wear a mask. This would be considered an ADA accommodation.
Julie Mochon provided an update on the Home and Community-Based Settings rule and Pennsylvania’s plan to meet the expectations from CMS.
Leah Sheffield presented an update about ISAC Recommendation #1 — Assure Effective Communication and shared that ODP intends to make changes to this service definition in the new waiver renewals. Ron Melusky also provided information on Self Direction in services.
ODP Residential Providers: Recruiting Certified Nurses Assistants (CNAs)
A message from ODP to Residential Providers:
ODP has recently learned that residential providers need additional support and access when recruiting Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Recruitment of CNAs for residential facilities which have a medical focus could be a valuable staffing resource. ODP can assist providers to overcome obstacles in order to achieve appropriate staffing.
The PA Department of Health’s (DOH) Long-Term Care Facility division oversees the CNA registry program. ODP outreached to DOH to get clarification on the requirements, and the DOH explained that PA does not certify nurses’ aides, but the CNA Registry is utilized to meet the CMS mandate for the long-term care facilities. A common challenge, “community homes,” are not listed as qualified facilities, which is required for a CNA to maintain inclusion on the CNA Registry. Despite this challenge, providers may request to be added to the registry, especially in cases where the homes have a medical focus.
How to get enrolled?
To be added to the CNA Registry, providers can send requests directly to DOH, Stephanie Kirkpatrick. The following information must be included with requests to be considered:
- Name of the provider
- Contact information
- Copy of the CNA Job Description
- Description of the nursing oversight as required by DOH
If approved, the provider will be notified and will be added to the CNA Registry. Providers who have a medical focus and nursing oversight are encouraged to apply for inclusion in this registry.
Thank you for your continued efforts.
ODP Listening Session for Upcoming Waiver Renewal
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held a listening session today, August 6, 2021 to hear public comments regarding future waiver programs in Pa. The Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Waivers are due for renewal in June 2022, and ODP is also looking to align dates of the Community Living Waiver renewal with the others. The slides from the webinar are available here. There are several additional sessions scheduled in August. You may also still submit any comments by the close of business August 31, 2021 using email or paper mail.
Email
Physical Address:
Julie Mochon, Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs
625 Forster Street, Room 510
Harrisburg, PA 17120
ODP will review the information received during this time period to consider when developing the draft waiver amendments. There will be another public comment period when the draft documents are published.
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