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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 15, 2021 

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers that the pause in administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine will be extended until April 24 or until updated guidance is provided from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Earlier this week, the department recommended a pause in administering Johnson & Johnson vaccine until April 20 to give the CDC and FDA time to review six incidents of rare blood clots that occurred within two weeks of receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices held an emergency meeting yesterday that ended without taking a vote to change the current recommendation to pause administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Another meeting is expected within 10 days.

During the meeting, the CDC acknowledged that one of the six cases being studied involves a 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman who recovered after treatment at a New Jersey hospital. The CDC is not releasing personal information in the case. These six cases occurred in women between 18 and 48 who were among the 6.8 million Americans who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Out of the more than 6.6 million vaccine doses that have been administered in Pennsylvania, only 247,063 doses have been Johnson & Johnson.

This announcement shows that the federal oversight process of a vaccine’s safety and effectiveness is working, and all steps are being taken to protect Americans. “The safety procedures built into the vaccination process are working and should instill confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the available COVID-19 vaccines,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “I urge individuals who have appointments scheduled to receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccination to keep those appointments.”

People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of their vaccination should contact their health care provider. For more information, please see the CDC/FDA guidance.

The department also has sent communications to stakeholder groups and others who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as a part of a special vaccination initiative.

While vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient. To keep Pennsylvanians informed about vaccination efforts:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
  • Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “COVID alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

MEDIA CONTACT:  Barry Ciccocioppo

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RCPA will be holding the Annual Membership meeting webinar on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 10:00 am. Please register here to participate in the meeting webcast. This year’s agenda and the 2020 Annual Meeting minutes are available for review.

This year’s Annual Meeting highlights guest speakers Meg Snead and Andrew Barnes. Ms. Snead was recently nominated to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Human Services. Mr. Barnes is the Department of Human Services’ Executive Deputy Secretary. We look forward to their presentation on critical issues facing the Commonwealth and human services, as well as thoughts regarding their new roles within the administration and a discussion of issues that face providers.

In addition, the RCPA Nominating Committee has nominated RCPA member CEOs/Directors to serve as directors and officers of the RCPA Board of Directors. Please VOTE HERE in advance of the Annual Meeting for the election of RCPA Board of Directors and Officers.

We look forward to your registration and participation.

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This just released from the U.S. DOL:

Guidance seeks to help protect an estimated $9.3T in assets.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced new guidance for plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record keepers and plan participants on best practices for maintaining cybersecurity, including tips on how to protect the retirement benefits of America’s workers. This is the first time the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has issued cybersecurity guidance. This guidance is directed at plan sponsors and fiduciaries regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and plan participants and beneficiaries.

As of 2018, EBSA estimates that there are thirty-four million defined benefit plan participants in private pension plans and 106 million defined contribution plan participants covering estimated assets of $9.3 trillion. Without sufficient protections, these participants and assets may be at risk from both internal and external cybersecurity threats. ERISA requires plan fiduciaries to take appropriate precautions to mitigate these risks.

Today’s guidance comes in three forms:

  • Tips for Hiring a Service Provider: Helps plan sponsors and fiduciaries prudently select a service provider with strong cybersecurity practices and monitor their activities, as ERISA requires.
  • Cybersecurity Program Best Practices: Assists plan fiduciaries and record-keepers in their responsibilities to manage cybersecurity risks.
  • Online Security Tips: Offers plan participants and beneficiaries who check their retirement accounts online basic rules to reduce the risk of fraud and loss.

“The cybersecurity guidance we issued today is an important step towards helping plan sponsors, fiduciaries and participants to safeguard retirement benefits and personal information,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Ali Khawar. “This much-needed guidance emphasizes the importance that plan sponsors and fiduciaries must place on combatting cybercrime and gives important tips to participants and beneficiaries on remaining vigilant against emerging cyber threats.”

The guidance announced today complements EBSA’s regulations on electronic records and disclosures to plan participants and beneficiaries. These include provisions on ensuring that electronic recordkeeping systems have reasonable controls, adequate records management practices are in place, and that electronic disclosure systems include measures calculated to protect Personally Identifiable Information.

Learn more about the department’s work.

April 14, 2021
Release Number
21-358-NAT
Contact: Michael Trupo
Phone Number 202-693-6588
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Donna Martin
American Network of Community Options and Resources
Alexandria VA
(401) 965-9411
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The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking input on ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities.

Share your ideas, review community input, and comment on others’ ideas. Your feedback will be used by the department to identify solutions for overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, communities, and identities. It will also inform future programs and funding opportunities that equitably deliver vital employment services and supports to all. Submissions will be accepted through April 26, 2021. You can submit ideas, comments, and votes here.

This effort is co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Women’s Bureau.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash


Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, telework became part of the “new normal” for many employees in businesses of all sizes. Across the nation, it enabled people to continue to perform their duties from home or other approved worksites. It also prompted many employers to assess their telework policies and practices, with an eye toward the post-COVID-19 era.

Generally, telework is offered at an employer’s discretion, but for some employees, it may be considered a reasonable accommodation under disability nondiscrimination laws. Therefore, it’s advisable for employers to adopt an integrated telework policy applicable to all employees, including employees with disabilities, in order to prevent confusion and inefficiency.

To help employers establish such policies, the ODEP-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) recently published a policy brief, “Adopting an Integrated Telework Policy for Employees With and Without Disabilities.”

This brief clarifies the relationship between a general telework policy and a disability-specific telework policy and presents a framework for adopting policies related to telework as a reasonable accommodation. It also features links to relevant resources and checklists for employers to follow when developing or evaluating their telework policies for maximum effectiveness, now and in the years to come.

To learn more, download the brief or visit the EARN website.

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As part of their Get Out the Vaccine campaign, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is partnering with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals to present this webinar on COVID-19 vaccination for direct support professionals (DSPs). Hear from DSPs about how they made the decision to get vaccinated to keep themselves, their clients, and their families safe. You can register for the webinar here.

Speakers:

  • Donna Meltzer, NACDD, CEO
  • Joseph Macbeth, NADSP, President & CEO
  • Kelley Shepherd, Mainstay Life Services, Pittsburgh
  • Matthew Crowley, AHRC NYC, New York
  • Pat Ejenavi, Vita Community Living Services, Ontario

If you need accommodations, email NACDD and indicate “April 15th webinar” in the subject line.

NACDD is the national association for the 56 Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) across the United States and its territories. The DD Councils receive federal funding to support programs that promote self-determination, integration and inclusion for all people in the United States with developmental disabilities.

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We have been asked by ANCOR, who is partnering with the University of Colorado and ACCESS: Supports for Living, to gather data on the impact of the pandemic on the behavioral health of people with I/DD. The survey is targeting people with disabilities, not our staff. You can take the survey here.

The study Impact of the Pandemic on Behavioral Health of People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is being led by Jessica Solomon Sanders, MD (University of Colorado Departments of Developmental Pediatrics and Neurology) and Benjamin Margolis, MD (Access: Supports for Living). Among those affected by the COVID-19 crisis, there are groups of disproportionally affected individuals, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), where we are seeing not only increased morbidity and mortality but also decreased mental health. It is likely that many factors are contributing to decreased overall wellness, not only related to conditions resulting from infection, but also amongst those affected by downstream changes required by the pandemic. We hope to highlight these factors and changes leading to this impact through analysis of this survey.

To learn more, please email Dr. Sanders or Dr. Margolis. This study has been approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (COMIRB? #21–2546). You can also contact the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board at (303) 724-1055.

The survey takes about 10 minutes. Participation is voluntary and participants’ time and insights are greatly appreciated. All responses are anonymous. Results will only be available in aggregate.

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ODP Announcement 21-034 provides updated clarifications on annual training requirements in 55 Pa. Code Chapters 2380, 2390, 6100, 6400, and 6500. In addition, this communication announces the development of a Question and Answer (Q&A) document regarding regulatory orientation and annual training requirements. ODP has developed the first version of an orientation and annual training Q&A document based on questions submitted. The Q&A document will be continually updated and is available here.

Orientation and Annual Training Decision Trees ODP has developed a decision tree for orientation and a decision tree for annual training to assist providers and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs) in understanding which positions are required by 55 Pa. Code Chapters 2380, 2390, 6100, and/or 6400 to complete orientation and annual training. A link to these documents is also contained in the Q&A document.

Questions regarding this communication should be submitted here.

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As you may know from this announcement, nominations are open for a Region 3 Board representative to the National Council. This region includes Pennsylvania, and currently we have two representatives on the NatCon Board: me and Susan Blue, CEO of Community Services Group.

I did want to alert RCPA members of our strong relationship with the Maryland Association, Community Behavioral Health (CBH), as seen in their joining our upcoming Annual Conference. And this year, CBH has nominated and endorsed Arthur Ginsberg as the Region 3 representative for the National Council’s Board. Arthur brings well-rounded experience in the behavioral health field to the Board. He has leadership experience at organizations in both inpatient and outpatient settings in behavioral health, as well as deep experience in the field serving individuals with developmental disabilities.

Arthur’s professional experience includes robust participation in provider associations. He served on the Board of ANCOR and led the DC chapter. He has also served on CBH’s Board since 2018.

I would like to ask each of you to consider supporting Arthur for this nomination and Board seat. It would well serve our partnership with Maryland and allow for a continued strong voice at the NatCon Board level. Arthur’s CV is available here for your review.

Thank you,
Richard S. Edley, PhD
President/CEO
Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA)

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