RCPA ICWC/CCBHC Meeting Highlights
Public Comment
Webinar Recording Now Available: Public Comment on ODP Heightened Scrutiny Service Locations
ODP Announcement 22-121 reports that the recording of the presentation provided by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) staff during the webinar on December 1, 2022, which was to provide an overview of the heightened scrutiny process and to listen to public comments, is now posted on MyODP.
Public comments are being accepted until 11:59 pm on December 19, 2022. Please review ODP Announcement 22-117: Open for Public Comment: Proposed Heightened Scrutiny Service Locations to be Submitted To CMS. This announcement gives a background description of Heightened Scrutiny, the documents available for public comment, and how to provide public comment
Questions about this communication should be directed via email.
Open for Public Comment: Proposed Heightened Scrutiny Service Locations to Be Submitted to CMS
ODP Announcement 22-117 serves to announce a 30-day public comment period on the Residential and Community Participation Support (CPS) service locations that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) proposes to submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for Heightened Scrutiny. Public comment on each service location will be accepted until 11:59 pm on December 19, 2022.
A summary of ODP’s findings for each Residential and CPS service location that ODP has determined meets one or more of these criteria is available at MyODP and DHS. A description of the process ODP used to identify service locations, complete reviews, and make determinations is also available on both websites.
Proposed Amendment to CHC Waiver Released for Public Comment
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) published the proposed amendment to the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for November 12, 2022.
DHS and OLTL are proposing to amend the CHC Waiver by adding Agency with Choice as a Financial Management Services (FMS) model for the participant-directed services of Personal Assistance Services (PAS) and Respite. This would modify Service Coordinator and Service Coordinator Supervisor qualifications to align with the CHC Agreement and to amend the service definitions for the following CHC waiver services:
- Benefits Counseling;
- Nursing Services;
- Physical Therapy Services;
- Occupational Therapy Services; and
- Speech and Language Therapy Services.
Also proposed is a technical change to the waiver by revising performance measures.
The proposed CHC waiver amendment and summary of all revisions are available for review on the OLTL Waiver Amendments, Renewals, and Accompanying HCBS Transition Plans web page under Additional Resources.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed waiver amendment to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy Development and Communications Management, Attention: CHC 2023 Waiver Amendment, P.O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025. Comments may also be submitted to the Department via email. Use ”CHC 2023 Waiver Amendment” as the subject line. Comments received within 30 days of publication of this notice will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the proposed waiver amendment.
The proposed amendment will be effective April 1, 2023.
DDAP Accepting Public Comment On Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is accepting public comment on the Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) application submission. This submission will occur in three parts: The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Assessment and Plan, or Mini-Application, which is currently available in draft and available for review; the SAPT Report, which will be posted in November; and the Annual Synar Report, which will be made available in December.
These documents can be accessed here utilizing “citizenpa” as your login and “citizen” as your password.
To review the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Plan Mini-Application:
- From the “Welcome to WebBGAS” page, click on “View an Existing Application.”
- On the next page, select “2023 SABG Only Application/Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan.” (The status of this application is shown as “In Progress.”)
- On the next page, click “View Application.”
- All of the links on the following page — “Pennsylvania – FY 2022-2023 SABG Only Application/Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan Submitted” — comprise the Mini-Application now open to public comment. Some components may read as “In progress” at this point, because they are still incomplete or may not be completed if they are not required.
Please submit all comments electronically by Friday, September 30.
Open for Public Comment: PA’s Statewide Transition Plan for HCBS
ODP Announcement 22-092 announces that the Department of Human Services (Department) is accepting comments on Pennsylvania’s Final Statewide Transition Plan (STP) for Home and Community-Based Services, which can be accessed here. Comments received by 11:59 pm on September 22, 2022, will be reviewed and considered for revisions to Pennsylvania’s Final STP that will be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
A webinar specific to STP Information for the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be held on September 8, 2022, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Please register for the webinar.
Stakeholders may provide public comment through one of the following methods:
- Electronic comments submitted via email. Stakeholders are asked to use the subject header “PA Final STP” when submitting comments.
- Written comments submitted via mail: Department of Human Services, Office of the Secretary, P. O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675.
- Verbal and written comments during public comment webinars.
Open for Public Comment — Additional ARPA Initiatives in ODP
ODP Announcement 22-088 reports that ODP is seeking public comment on the proposed initiatives specific to programs and services for individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism (ID/A) for which ARPA funds will be used.
ARPA provides a temporary 10% increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid expenditures for home and community-based services (HCBS). The funding must be used to enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS beyond what is available under Medicaid programs, including ODP’s waivers.
ODP is proposing additional initiatives in the following areas:
- Data Management Enhancements;
- Targeted Program Recovery; and
- Expansion Supplemental Payments.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed ODP ARPA initiatives. Comments should be addressed to: Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, Division of Provider Assistance and Rate Setting, 4th Floor, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Comments may also be submitted to the Department via email using the subject header “ODP ARPA Initiatives.” Comments received by 11:59 pm on August 19, 2022, will be reviewed and considered for final implementation.
Open for Public Comment: Proposed Amendment to the AAW Effective July 1, 2022
ODP Announcement 22-030 shares that the proposed amendment to the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) is available for public review and comment. There is a 30-day public comment period that starts on March 12, 2022, and ends on April 11, 2022.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is seeking your valuable feedback and comments. Information regarding the proposed waiver amendment changes, including how to provide comments, can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, Volume 52, Number 11, which was published on Saturday, March 12, 2022. The waiver amendment and the record of change document are available here.
ACCSES Update — February 18, 2022
PA L&I Soliciting Public Comment on the PA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
[51 Pa.B. 7805]
[Saturday, December 11, 2021]
Some disability areas for possible commentary include:
- OVR: District Offices, Pre Employment Transition, Services, under/un served populations (specific disabilities of groups; ESL issues (Spanish, Chinese, Russian languages, etc.), collaboration with other state agencies (PA DHS for OLTL, OMHSAS and ODP populations; PDE-Bureau of Special Education);
- PA Career Links (including physical & programmatic accessibility, which are required under the Federal WIOA passed in 2014 with 2016 regulations put forth);
- Home or vehicle modifications (policies, process, and waiting lists);
- Deaf Blind Services (SSP), which are state funds only at this time (no federal funding); and
- Movement away from sheltered workshops and segregated employment settings towards competitive employment per Federal guidance put forth earlier this year.
You can also see more from the Federal Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) on what they are looking for from states.
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