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Policy Areas

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Overview of ODP’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Plan Webinar
Thursday, December 9, 2021
12:00 pm–12:45 pm
Register

Join Deputy Secretary Ahrens for a discussion with stakeholders to review the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) sections of the Department of Human Services’ ARPA Spending Plan, which received conditional approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on December 1, 2021.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has extended the deadline to apply for provider stabilization grant funding to Friday, December 17. The original deadline was today, December 8. The extension is to provide additional time for all interested providers to gather the required information.

DDAP is making $10 million in grant funding available for stabilization payments to substance use disorder treatment providers in order to assist with pandemic-related expenses. For more information, including how to apply, visit DDAP’s website.

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On December 6, 2021, the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) issued the following notice:

Pursuant to Act 73 of 2021, the suspensions of various regulatory provisions under the state disaster emergency declaration were extended until March 31, 2022, unless sooner reinstated by the Department. Effective December 6, 2021, the Department has reinstated a number of suspended regulations. A list of suspended regulations and their current status is available here.

Members are encouraged to review the list for the latest updates.

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The Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) has updated guidance as it relates to the completion of the Civil Rights Compliance Questionnaire. Hopefully this will answer some questions you have.

  • The Civil Rights Compliance Questionnaire (CRCQ) is required to be filed annually by the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) licensed providers.
  • This email is only for providers of service types that are regulated by the DHS and any Provider/Agency that receives a blue Certificate of Compliance issued by the DHS Licensing Administration to operate the type of service it provides. It does not apply to an Agency/Provider that is listed with or receives a license from the Department of Health (DOH). If your type of service is found in the DHS Provider Directory, you are included in this email.
  • The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) providers can be found here.
  • This new procedure applies to any CRCQ that must be submitted to the Bureau of Equal Opportunity (BEO) as of December 2, 2021. If you are ready to submit that form, this procedure should be followed.
  • If you currently have a Civil Rights Compliance approval letter or you have submitted the CRCQ prior to December 2, 2021, this procedure will be effective with your next renewal. You do not have to resubmit a CRCQ.
  • The DHS Licensing Administration will not forward any hard copies or any emailed copies of the CRCQ to the BEO. You must email or fax the CRCQ to your regional RA email or fax number for your regional BEO as noted below.
  • The Bureau of Equal Opportunity will not forward any license renewal application or license renewal application payment to the Licensing Administration, as they will not be accepting mail for the renewal process.
  • Instructions of where to send the licensing application, licensing application fee (if required), and the Civil Rights Compliance Questionnaire are detailed on the licensing renewal packet cover sheet (HS1230) that is sent via regular mail at the time of renewal.
  • Renewal packets will continue to be sent via regular mail 130 days prior to the expiration date of your Certificate of Compliance. The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) providers will continue to receive the renewal request via email and will continue to use HCSiS for your submissions.
  • If the deadline for submission of the licensing renewal application, licensing application fee (if required), and the Civil Rights Compliance Questionnaire cannot be met, for whatever reason, you do not have to call for an extension, but it MUST be received by Licensing Administration and the BEO, respectively, prior to the expiration date of your current Certificate of Compliance.
  • Any questions concerning the Civil Rights Compliance Questionnaire ONLY should be directed to the regional Bureau of Equal Opportunity as noted below. (The counties comprising the regions can be found on the map in CRCQ application packet):
    • DHS BEO Southeast Region: (717) 787-1127 | Email
    • DHS BEO Central/Northern Region: (717) 787-1127 | Email
    • DHS BEO Western Region: (412) 565-7607 | Email
  • Any questions concerning the blue license (Certificate of Compliance) or any fees related to it should be directed to the DHS Licensing Administration at (717) 705-0383.
  • Any questions concerning the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) should be directed to 1-800-222-2117.

If you have any questions or concerns with this process, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared that effective December 6, 2021, the Department has reinstated all of ODP’s suspended regulations. A list of the regulations that were previously suspended and the date they were reinstated is available here.

Pursuant to Act 73 of 2021, the suspensions of various regulatory provisions under the state disaster emergency declaration were extended until March 31, 2022, unless sooner reinstated by the Department.

Please note that the current version of the COVID-19 At-A-Glance Guide reads that “the suspension of various regulatory provisions under the state disaster emergency declaration that are currently in effect and which were set to expire on September 30, 2021, are now extended until further notice.” This guidance is no longer accurate; again, all of ODP’s suspended regulations have been reinstated. The At-A-Glance guide will be updated to reflect this change in the near future.

If this action is cause for concern for any RCPA member, please contact Carol Ferenz for assistance.

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CMS has released an official memorandum stating that it has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of this vaccine mandate rule pending future developments in the litigation.

Memorandum Summary             

Survey and Enforcement of the Vaccine Requirement for Health Care Staff in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified Providers and Suppliers Suspended While Court-Ordered Injunctions Are in Effect:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not enforce the new rule regarding vaccination of health care workers or requirements for policies and procedures in certified Medicare/Medicaid providers and suppliers (including nursing facilities, hospitals, dialysis facilities, and all other provider types covered by the rule) while there are court-ordered injunctions in place prohibiting enforcement of this provision.

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