';
CLOSE
Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

2216 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

0 17
Image by Shotkitimages from Pixabay

ODP Announcement 22-091 informs all interested parties that the new Medication Administration platform is now available for trainers and primary contacts. This announcement contains instructions for logging in with an existing account, creating a new account, accessing the “Train the Trainer” course, submitting payment, and registering for the Face-to-Face class.

A recording and PowerPoint for the Medication Administration Platform Overview webinar held on August 10, 2022, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am is included. Further development of the platform is continuing with trainers able to administer new classes and student registration becoming available on September 6, 2022.

The new Medication Administration platform is now available here.

0 348

ODP Announcement 22-089 reports that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has developed two brief surveys for Community Participation Support providers to collect information on current system capacity. The first survey is meant to collect current data from Community Participation Services (CPS) providers on CPS capacity across the ODP service system. The second survey is meant to collect current data on individuals who are authorized to receive CPS across the ODP service system but are not receiving the service.

ODP will send each provider a list of MCIs with less than 5% CPS utilization, if there are any associated with their MPI, to assist with information gathering.

Important note to all CPS Providers: Providers must contact individuals and families, or the assigned SC, when the reason for less than 5% utilization is unknown.

The first survey regarding system capacity will be available Monday, August 8, 2022, and will close Monday, August 22, 2022.

The second survey to collect individual-specific information will be available Monday, August 15, 2022, and will close Thursday, September 15, 2022.

ODP will release these surveys no more than once per quarter.

Attachment 1 — ODP CPS Survey 1: Service System Capacity Questions
Attachment 2 — ODP CPS Survey 2: Authorized Services Questions

Any questions regarding the surveys should be directed to the appropriate regional CPS lead.

0 363

ODP Bulletin 00-22-05, dated August 9, 2022, is to provide the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) requirements and standardized processes for preparing, completing, documenting, implementing, and monitoring Individual Support Plans (ISPs) to ensure they are:

  • Developed to meet the needs of the individual;
  • Developed and implemented using the core values of Everyday Lives: Values in Action, LifeCourse Principles, Positive Approaches, and Practices and Self Determination to result in an enhanced quality of life for every individual; and
  • Compliant with the approved Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers and Medical Assistance (MA) State Plan as it pertains to Targeted Support Management (TSM).

A summary of major changes made to information in the attachments is included as attachment 8.

ATTACHMENTS:

  • Attachment 1: ISP Manual for Individuals Receiving Targeted Support Management, Base-Funded Services, Consolidated, Community Living or P/FDS Waiver Services or Who Reside in an ICF/ID
  • Attachment 2: ODP Role Expectations and Required Timeline for ISP Activities
  • Attachment 3: DP 1032 Individual Support Plan Signature Form (Spanish form: DP 1032-S)
  • Attachment 4: Annotated Individual Support Plan
  • Attachment 5: The Basics of the LifeCourse Framework to Guide the Development of the ISP
  • Attachment 6: Questions to Help Facilitate the Development of the ISP
  • Attachment 7: DP 1022 Waiver Service Request Form
  • Attachment 8: Summary of Major Changes Made to ISP Requirements or Processes

OBSOLETE DOCUMENTS:

  • Bulletin 00-20-02, Individual Support Plans for Individuals Receiving Targeted Support Management, Base-Funded Services, Consolidated, Community Living or P/FDS Waiver Services, or Who Reside in an ICF/ID

0 161
Photo by MChe Lee on Unsplash

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, in partnership with three Intermediate Units across Pennsylvania, cordially invites you to attend our regional School Safety Conferences, focusing on “Averting Targeted Violence at Schools Through Mental Health Supports & Building a Culture of Belonging.”

We are honored to have keynote speaker Mr. Eric Garner from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, who graciously agreed to share his experience on the mass shooting that took place at his high school on February 14, 2018. Additionally, presenters from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Capital Area Intermediate Unit round out the day-long program with timely and resourceful presentations.

Regional Dates & Locations:

  • September 15 | Sheraton Station Square — Pittsburgh
  • October 20 | Hershey Lodge — Capital Area (Hershey)
  • November 16 | Normandy Farm Convention Center — Montgomery County

Audience:

  • School Administrators, Teachers, Support Staff
  • School Resource Officers
  • Mental Health and Social Health Experts
  • Law Enforcement
  • First Responders

0 340

ODP Announcement 22-090 is to announce that all Supports Intensity Scale-Adult (SIS-A TM) and PA Supplement Assessments will be conducted in person beginning September 1, 2022. This announcement obsoletes ODP Announcement 20-063 and any subsequent updates.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your SIS Regional Lead.

0 93

FEMA has approximately 30 million new/unused level 1 gowns in their warehouse in Manteca, California, and another 11 million new/unused Level 1 gowns (same type of gowns) in the warehouse in Springfield, Virginia. Visit here for details on the available gowns. Note that sizes range from small to 2XL. The majority of the gowns are a cotton/polyester blend.

0 155

The White House has launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to assist eligible households with their internet bills. ACP provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills. ACP-eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills and can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Households with a Medicaid eligible person generally qualify for $30 per month off their internet bills.

Visit here to apply for the ACP program.

0 161

Harrisburg, PA — For the first time since 1994, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) will reopen the order of selection (OOS) to significantly disabled (SD) and non-significantly disabled (NSD) individuals, terminating the waitlist for all SD and NSD applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services. The change goes into effect today, August 8.

L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) assists Pennsylvanians with disabilities in obtaining and retaining employment while keeping their independence. Since 2016, nearly 370,000 individuals have received services from OVR, including vocational counseling, evaluations, medical diagnostic services, medical restoration services, employment training, placement services, and career support services.

Under federal law, the OOS occurs when there are limited resources to provide vocational rehabilitation services. The OOS allows state vocational rehabilitation programs without adequate funding or staff to provide services to customers who qualify on a priority basis, by category. By law, the highest priority must be given to customers with the most significant disabilities.

“Every individual should have the opportunity to pursue their passion, earn a living wage and build wealth in Pennsylvania,” L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier said. “OVR makes this possible for individuals with disabilities by connecting them to employers who wisely recognize the value of employing people with different backgrounds and experiences — and who make their workplace open to all through reasonable accommodation.”

Due to the decrease in economic activity during the pandemic, OVR has a surplus of federal funding available to remove the waitlist and use those unspent resources to serve more Pennsylvanians.

The removal of the waitlist for services expands participation in OVR services, along with more in-demand services, such as counseling and training. Over the last year, almost 55,000 individuals benefitted from those services.

“Our goal with this process has always been to serve people with disabilities by giving them the tools they need to obtain and maintain employment,” said OVR Acting Executive Director Ryan Hyde. “Removing the OOS allows us to serve more Pennsylvanians with disabilities, aiding them on their journey to be successfully and gainfully employed.”

Individuals currently on the waitlist for groups SD and NSD will be notified by their vocational rehabilitation counselors that they will be able to access services as of August 8. New, eligible customers seeking services in groups SD and NSD will be able to receive services without waiting. This change is effective through June 30, 2023, when OVR will review the fiscal outlook and decide whether the services to all groups can remain open, without the waitlist, beyond this date. On July 1, 2021, OVR reopened the OOS for individuals with a Most Significant Disability (MSD), eliminating the waitlist for any MSD applicants.

Determination of MSD, SD, or NSD is by the following criteria:

  • An individual with a most significant disability has a disability that results in serious functional limitations in three or more functional capacity areas.
  • An individual with a significant disability has a disability that results in serious functional limitations in at least one functional capacity area.
  • An individual with a non-significant disability is determined eligible for the OVR program but does not meet the MSD or SD requirements.

For more information on OVR services, visit your local OVR office or apply for OVR services online via PA CareerLink®.

123...222Next Page 1 of 222
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association