';
Tags Posts tagged with "ARPA"

ARPA

ODP Announcement 22-043 provides information regarding the part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) ARPA plan wherein providers can receive a one-time supplemental payment for technology-related activities that strengthen and enhance home and community-based services (HCBS). The following activities would be supported by this initiative:

  • Purchase of assistive and/or remote support technology;
  • Purchase and implementation of new software or technology for electronic health records;
  • Technology associated with improving quality or risk management functions;
  • Technology professional credentialing identified in ODP provider qualifications; and
  • Purchase of consultation services to enhance technological capabilities.

This initiative is designed to enhance HCBS by:

  • Replacing staff functions with the use of technology, allowing staff time to be directed to other care activities;
  • Providing individuals greater independence and choice using technology; and
  • Improving quality of care through implementation of solutions like electronic health records and integrated data solutions.

Supports Coordination Organizations: As part of the ODP ARPA plan, SCOs can receive a one-time supplemental payment for technology-related activities that enhance HCBS by:

  • Improving capacity to conduct remote monitoring of individuals;
  • Improving efficiency of Supports Coordinators, including maximizing time in the field;
  • Obtaining or enhancing secure inter-office communications; and
  • Implementing technology-dependent quality improvement strategies.

This announcement includes the Application for Providers and Application for Supports Coordination Organizations.

Tablet on a desk - Questions and Answers

ODP Announcement 22-040 shares that the questions and answers from the webinar the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) recently held to discuss the one-time supplemental payment available to address staff training, credentialing, and business associate programs for employment have been combined into a document for stakeholders.

The Q&A document includes all questions that were asked and answered during the webinar on April 4, 2022. Answers provide detail on what types of programs will be considered for ARPA funds. The document will be updated with any future questions and answers that are relevant to the distribution of funds through ARPA.

Stakeholders may email any questions not addressed.

On April 4, 2022, the Office of Developmental Programs presented a question and answer (Q&A) session on the use of ARPA funding in helping to increase staff qualifications, pay, and recruiting.

The recording of the session is now available. Also available are materials presented during the webinar and a transcription of the questions asked and answered.

Please note: No credit hours or certificates of attendance are being offered for viewing the recording.

Questions may be directed via email.

This announcement is to inform stakeholders of ARPA funds that are available to AEs to disperse in order to meet Respite and/or the Family Driven Support Services (FDSS) needs of individuals on the waiting list who do not currently receive waiver funded services. This communication is intended to:

  • Describe eligibility criteria for the use of these funds;
  • Describe eligible expenditures;
  • Describe responsibilities of counties in allocating funding; and
  • Describe reporting requirements.

An FAQ is included to address common questions about this program as well as a Family Support Funds tracker for reporting use of the funds.

ARPA Funds and Credentialing Information
April 4, 2022, 1:00 pm–1:30 pm
Audience: Providers
Join Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens and Bureau Director of Policy & Quality Management Jeremy Yale to discuss the recent announcement about the ODP American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) One-Time Supplemental Payment to Address Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment.
Format: ODP GoTo

Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Updates
April 11, 2022, 10:00 am–11:30 am
Audience: All Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) AAW Providers and Support Coordinators
The purpose of the meeting is to provide updates on the Adult Autism Waiver, answer questions, and provide technical assistance and support. These meetings are held for all ODP providers and Support Coordinators providing AAW services. The Virtual Office Hours (VOH) starts with an overview of any new ODP Announcements and also includes a) highlights of new practices, b) a review of topics and questions sent in advance, and c) a discussion of any concerns that have come up in the past few weeks. Providers will be able to ask questions directly of AAW Regional Office (RO) Representatives.
Format: Columbus GoTo

Statewide Positive Practice Seminar
April 14, 2022, 9:00 am–3:00 pm
Audience: All Stakeholders
You are invited to participate in the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting.
TOPIC: Embracing Behavioral Supports and Meaningful Applications — Positive behavioral support is a process that combines evidence-based practices to address behavioral challenges and improve independence, participation, and overall quality of life of individuals living and learning in complex community environments. This session will engage participants to take an active role in behavioral interventions and expand one’s knowledge with principles and practices for dual diagnosed individuals and trauma.
Session #1 — Hard to Tell: What Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Need Us to Know about Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
Dr. Caren Roser-Morris, Licensed Psychologist, OMHSAS.
Session #2 — The Importance of Quality of Life and Lifestyle Interventions in Behavioral Support
Jordan Hollander, Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations Session
Session #3 — The Power of Collaboration Through Behavioral Assessment and Treatment
Lindy Mishler, Behavior Specialist, Bureau of Support for Autism and Special Populations Stacey Keilman, CEO, Torrance State Hospital.
Format: Columbus GoTo

Charting the Lifecourse Applying Principles and Using Tools to Support a Good Life for Individuals and Families
April 27, 2022, 9:00 am–1:00 pm
Audience: Individuals & Families
“Charting the LifeCourse” was created to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live.
Participants in this training will:

  • Learn About the National Charting the LifeCourse Community of Practice;
  • Apply LifeCourse Principles and LifeCourse Framework; and
  • Practice Using LifeCourse Tools.

Format: Columbus Zoom

Message from the Provider Relief Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA):

HRSA is making more than $413 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments to more than 3,600 providers across the country this week.

Providers received an email notification Monday, March 21 if their application was among those processed in this latest batch. HRSA is working to review all remaining applications as quickly as possible.

With this announcement, a total of nearly $12 billion in PRF Phase 4 payments has now been distributed to more than 82,000 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

  • HHS updated the 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.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): Supplemental Payment to Address Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment Q&A
WEBINAR RESCHEDULED
Monday, April 4, 2022
1:00 pm–1:30 pm
REGISTER

The webinar previously scheduled for March 31 at 2:00 pm will now take place on Monday, April 4 from 1:00 pm–2:00 pm. If you have previously registered for this webinar, you do not need to re-register.

Join the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens and Bureau Director of Policy & Quality Management Jeremy Yale to discuss the recent announcement about the ODP American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) One-Time Supplemental Payment to Address Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment.

ODP Announcement 22-031 provides guidance about the process for providers and Supports Coordination Organizations to request one-time payments to address staff training, credentialing, and business associates programs for employment.

As part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) strategy to strengthen Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), providers can receive a one-time supplemental payment. The following activities would be supported by this funding:

  • Agency adoption of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) core competency training for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs);
  • DSP National Association for Dual Diagnosis certifications;
  • Agency completion of National Association for Dual Diagnosis Accreditation; and
  • Lifecourse Ambassador Series for individuals or agency hosting of the series.
    • Providers are encouraged to be creative in their proposals with an eye towards the development of creating or enhancing career ladders for DSPs, portability, and expansion of a well-qualified workforce and employing the principles of Lifecourse.

Providers interested in applying will need to complete and submit the attached Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment Supplemental Payment Application and submit via email to Rick Smith. Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2022. Funding may be requested up to 1% of ODP eligible service revenue from Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/2020, FY 2020/2021, or $100,000, whichever is greater.

Please see the announcement for full details of this program.