Pandemic
ODP Update: Clarification of Staff Reporting of COVID-19
ODP Announcement 20-099 provides further updated instructions on the use of the Health Risk Screening (HRS) web portal in staff reporting cases of COVID-19 and provides a reminder that timely reporting is essential to ensure system responsiveness to COVID-19 outbreak.
Requirements for First Aid, Heimlich Techniques, and CPR Training in ODP Licensed Facilities
ODP Announcement 22-028 is to notify licensees that trainings in First Aid, Heimlich techniques, and/or CPR provided to staff and caregivers in ODP-licensed settings on or after April 1, 2022, must have an in-person component.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ODP permitted online-only courses with no in-person component, as many hospitals and health care organizations were not offering in-person classes. Hospitals and health care organizations have since resumed in-person instruction with necessary COVID precautions in place. As such, any training in First Aid, Heimlich techniques, and/or CPR provided to staff and caregivers in ODP-licensed settings on or after April 1, 2022, must have an in-person component.
In a Lopsided Battle for Labor, Nonprofits Struggle to Staff Up Amid Increased Demand for Services: RCPA Members Pressley Ridge and Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, Inc. Quoted
Last Chance to Register for the 2022 NADSP Advocacy Symposium
2022 NADSP Advocacy Symposium: Amplifying The Voices Of Direct Support Professionals
March 9–10, 2022
Register Now!
Over 300 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), self-advocates, and family members from almost every state in the country are set to embark on NADSP’s first ever national advocacy event next week on March 9 and 10. The purpose of this virtual event is to bring the DSP perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges.
The NADSP recognizes the previous absence and critical importance of lifting the voices of DSPs to federal policy-makers so that public policy can be informed by the people who are on the frontlines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community. This 1.5-day virtual symposium will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2022.
Registration will close TONIGHT, March 2, 2022, at 8:00 pm EST.
White House Unveils New Plan to Move America Past COVID Crisis
COVID-19 Isn’t Going Away, But Health Officials Say Pa. is Ready to Transition to the Next Phase
Funding Update: Round 4 of Federal Provider Relief Fund Payments
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is making more than $560 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments to more than 4,100 providers across the country this week. Providers will receive an email notification by Thursday, February 24 if their application was among those processed in this latest batch. HRSA is working to review all remaining applications as quickly as possible.
With today’s announcement, a total of nearly $11.5 billion in PRF Phase 4 payments has now been distributed to more than 78,000 providers in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and five territories. This is in addition to HRSA’s distribution of American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments, totaling nearly $7.5 billion in funding to more than 44,000 providers since November 2021.
Learn More
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a press release on February 24 and an updated state-by-state table detailing all Phase 4 payments made to date.
- As individual providers agree to the terms and conditions of Phase 4 payments, it will be reflected on the public dataset.
If you have any further questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
CDC to Loosen Coronavirus Mask Guidelines As Soon As Friday
ODP Fee Schedule Rates Published
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is providing final notice of the Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees for services funded through the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers as well as the Community Intellectual Disability Base-Funded Program.
The Fee Schedule Rates are effective January 1, 2022, with the exception of the rates for Agency With Choice Financial Management Services (AWC FMS) and direct Community Participation Support services. The Fee Schedule Rates for AWC-FMS will be effective on March 1, 2022. The Fee Schedule Rates for direct Community Participation Support services will be effective six months after the expiration of the federal novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, and the temporary increases to the Fee Schedule Rates that are currently in place will end. The Department-Established Fees are effective July 1, 2022.
The full announcement with the specific rates can be found here.
These rates will be in effect for the next three years. Providers have the right to appeal these rates to the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals. Any provider who wishes to appeal must do so within 30 days of the notice, and those who do not appeal within that period will lose the right to challenge rates before the Bureau.
RCPA is hosting a “How to File a Rate Appeal” webinar on March 7, 2022, from 1:00 pm–2:00 pm. Otherwise, you should consult an attorney with experience filing such appeals.
Contact Carol Ferenz with any questions.
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