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pa department of health

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The Department of Health’s (DOH) Bureau of Family Health issued a flyer about planned events across the state related to Pennsylvania’s Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant. This grant serves to improve the health and well-being of the nation’s mothers, infants, children, and youth, including children and youth with special health care needs and their families.

Parents and caregivers, families with special needs, birthing people and their partners, and youth are all welcome and invited to participate in these events. Maternal and child health care, and other professionals and organizations serving this population in Pennsylvania, are also welcome to share their thoughts! Attendees are invited to help identify the seven to ten priorities that will drive Pennsylvania’s Title V programs.

Please refer to the flyer for additional information, including the dates, times, and locations of the upcoming events.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). This plan represents a multi-year strategic plan developed in collaboration with a diverse public partnership of stakeholders across the Commonwealth. It is a data-driven, comprehensive process and a primary, expert resource for establishing and maintaining public health programs and policies.

The SHIP identifies Pennsylvania health priorities and includes goals, objectives, and strategies for improving those priorities. For each priority area, a work group with goal and strategy teams meets to implement the strategies and reassess, as necessary, to improve the health of Pennsylvanians.

RCPA has participated in the plan development process, and if members have feedback that may impact implementation of the plan, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) provides guidance in 2020-PAHAN-541 for responding to signs and symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination in health-care personnel (HCP). Strategies are needed for health-care facilities to appropriately evaluate and manage post-vaccination signs and symptoms among health-care personnel (HCP) in order to minimize staffing disruptions and the transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Key points in the advisory include:

  1. Signs and symptoms – such as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, and arthralgia – can typically occur following COVID-19 vaccination. They usually occur within the first three days of vaccination.
  2. Presence of signs and symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection that are not typical for post-vaccination signs and symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, rhinorrhea, sore throat, loss of taste or smell) should not be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine.
  3. Positive viral (nucleic acid or antigen) tests for SARS-CoV-2, if performed, should not be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine since vaccination does not influence the results of these tests.

A figure is provided to outline the steps health-care facilities should take in response to HCP who develop symptoms within the three days following vaccination for COVID-19. If you have questions about this guidance, please contact DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1- 877-724-3258) or your local health department.

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Many of our members have been in contact with RCPA staff, with questions regarding concerns about COVID-19 and operating programs serving individuals with IDD and autism in the community. The concern for the health and safety of individuals and staff is of utmost importance and may require providers to make adaptations in their program’s normal operating procedures. We have been in touch with leadership at the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and have posed these questions to them for consideration.

Deputy Secretary Ahrens has advised us that they have been in communication with CMS this week to discuss PA’s emergency response and are expected to share additional guidance by the end of this week. Until then, providers should follow guidance from the Department of Health (DOH), as they are the lead in communication for PA on this issue.

ODP Medical Director Dr. Greg Cherpes has agreed to spend some time with our members next Wednesday, March 18, during our IDD Committee meeting. If you have any specific questions you would like for him to address, please submit those to Carol Ferenz by close of business on Monday, March 16.

As soon as RCPA receives any additional guidance from ODP, we will send an Alert to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.

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Medical marijuana buds in spilling out of prescription bottle with branded cap on black background

The Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) have issued an updated Medical Assistance Bulletin. The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify the storage, use, and administration of medical marijuana in facilities licensed by the Pennsylvania DOH and Pennsylvania DHS in accordance with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act.

This bulletin updates MA Bulletin 01-19-45, titled “Medical Marijuana and State Licensure of Facilities and Agencies” issued July 17, 2019, to add two additional licensed facilities, Assisted Living Residences and Personal Care Homes. The previously issued bulletin is obsolete with the issuance of this bulletin.

The responses contained within the bulletin relate only to the state statutes and regulations enforced by the Departments. The Departments cannot make any representations or guarantees about the position of any other state or federal law enforcement or regulatory entity. The Departments strongly recommend that providers consult with their legal counsel with any questions or concerns related to state or federal medical marijuana requirements not specifically addressed in this document.

This bulletin applies to all Facilities Regulated by the following:

  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 (relating to Personal Care Homes)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2800 (relating to Assisted Living Residences)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3270 (relating to Child Day Care Centers)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3280 (relating to Group Child Day Care Homes)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3290 (relating to Family Child Day Care Homes)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3800 (relating to Child Residential and Day Treatment Facilities)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5310 (relating to Community Residential Rehabilitation Services for the Mentally Ill)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6400 (relating to Community Homes for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability)
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6600 (relating to Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability)
  • 28 Pa. Code Part IV (relating to Health Facilities)

COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
Department of Human Services Office of Policy Development
PO Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2675
General Office Number 717-265-8347

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), will be hosting eight regional Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Summits this fall. The purpose of these summits is to promote awareness of MAT options for opioid use disorder and to increase the number of practitioners using the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in an office-based setting.

Participants in the summits will include physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, as well as administrative and clinical support staff in their practices. Other industry stakeholders could also benefit and are welcome to attend.

A web page has been established on DDAP’s website which includes the summit dates, counties in each region, and Save the Date flyers for each summit. This web page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Attendance is free, and registration will open in early September. Another email will be sent when registration opens. Questions can be directed to this email.

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a memo is on the keyboard of a computer as a reminder: meeting

The Department of Health’s (DOH) 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 Friday, May 10, 2019, from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the large conference room of the Community Center, 2nd Floor, Giant Food Store, 2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Currently in Pennsylvania, nearly 250,000 individuals are living with brain injury. Every year, on average, 8,600 residents of this Commonwealth sustain long term disabilities from brain injury. The DOH’s 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 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, or for speech and/or hearing-impaired persons, contact V/TT 717-783-6514, or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800-654-5984.

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The Department of Health (DOH) published final-form sexual assault victim emergency services regulations January 26, 2008 and amended 28 Pa. Code Part IV, Subpart B (relating to general and special hospitals) to add specific requirements for hospitals relating to the provision of sexual assault emergency services.

Hospitals that decide they may not provide emergency contraception due to a stated religious or moral belief contrary to providing this medication are required to give notice to the DOH of the decision. Hospitals that refer all emergency patients to other hospitals after institution of essential life-saving measures and decide not to provide any sexual assault emergency services are required to give notice to the DOH of the decision, and the DOH must annually publish the lists of hospitals in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that have chosen not to provide emergency contraception under 28 Pa. Code § 117.57 or any sexual assault emergency services under 28 Pa. Code § 117.58. The following lists were published on Saturday, February 23, 2019 in accordance with those provisions and do not create any new obligations for hospitals or relieve hospitals of any existing obligations.

The following list of hospitals have provided notice to the DOH that the hospital may not provide emergency contraception due to a stated religious or moral belief:

Hospital Name City, Zip Code
Holy Spirit Hospital Camp Hill, 17011
Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Jersey Shore, 17740
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital Darby, 19023
Mercy Philadelphia Hospital Philadelphia, 19143
Suburban Community Hospital East Norriton, 19401
Millcreek Community Hospital Erie, 16509
Muncy Valley Hospital Muncy, 17756
Nazareth Hospital Philadelphia, 19152
Physicians Care Surgical Hospital Royersford, 19468
Regional Hospital of Scranton Scranton, 18501
Sacred Heart Hospital Allentown, 18102
St. Joseph Medical Center Reading, 19603
St. Mary Medical Center Langhorne, 19047
UPMC Mercy Pittsburgh, 15219
Williamsport Regional Medical Center Williamsport, 17701

 

The following list of hospitals have provided notice to the DOH that the hospital may not provide any sexual assault emergency services due to the limited services provided by the hospital:

Hospital Name City, Zip Code
Allied Services Institute of Rehabilitation—Scranton Scranton, 18501
John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine—
Wilkes-Barre		 Wilkes-Barre Township, 18702
Kindred Hospital South Philadelphia Philadelphia, 19145
OSS Health York, 17402
Physicians Care Surgical Hospital Royersford, 19468
Rothman Orthopedic Specialty Hospital Bensalem, 19020

 

Additional information regarding the sexual assault victim emergency services regulations and emergency contraception, and an up-to-date list of hospitals not providing emergency contraception under 28 Pa. Code § 117.57 or not providing any sexual assault emergency services under 28 Pa. Code § 117.58, is available on the Department’s website.

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Folders with the label Applications and Grants

The Community to Home Grant will improve the health of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) by assisting them, along with their families, to get the services and support required to thrive in the community and develop to their full potential. Through this RFA, the Department of Health is interested in funding a home visiting model for in-home care coordination provided by community health workers (CHW).

Community to Home will assist CYSHCN and their families to navigate systems and identify resources in order to receive services, while empowering them to become strong advocates and be self-reliant. The in-home services provided will deliver care coordination and education, allowing CYSHCN and their families to learn the skills necessary to succeed in living with their special health care needs. Through these strategies, the Department’s aim is to improve the physical, mental, and behavioral health of CYSHCN.

Questions regarding the grant and application should be directed to Brad Hartman or by phone at 717-772-2763 at the PA Department of Health.

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The Secretaries of the Departments of Human Services, Aging, Health, and Drug and Alcohol Programs sent a letter to the Senate and House Appropriations Committee Chairs and copied other committee chairs, expressing grave concerns about proposed funding cuts to human services programs in House budget bill HB 218.

RCPA strongly supports the Secretaries’ position. RCPA believes that these funding cuts will hurt our providers and those they serve; therefore, RCPA asks members to contact your state senator and representative and ask them to fully fund the line items that have been targeted for cuts. Questions, contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director, Government Affairs.

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