Addiction Recovery Homes Cutting Off Services as State Implements Regulations
DDAP
Wolf Admin Recognizes Family Caregiver Month
Wolf Administration Highlights Resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren During Family Caregivers Month
The Pennsylvania Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Human Services (DHS), and Aging (PDA) are highlighting available resources for grandparents who are raising grandchildren and demonstrating the need for additional supports for these grandparents because of the overdose crisis.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2016, there were more than seven million grandparents living with their grandchildren, and over two million were responsible for their grandchildren’s basic needs. In Pennsylvania, it is estimated that nearly 260,000 children live in households headed by grandparents or other relatives.
DCED Accepting Comments on Recovery Housing Program Annual Performance Report
Last March, the Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Community & Economic Development (DCED) announced the availability of more than $1 million in grant funding for recovery houses to provide safe housing for individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD). The grants, funded through the $1.2 million awarded to Pennsylvania through the SUPPORT Act from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are designed to assist existing recovery house facilities with physical upgrades to comply with all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, including the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, which is needed to receive a recovery house license through DDAP.
The federal government requires DCED to annually report on the performance of the state’s Recovery Housing Program. The annual report can be found on the DDAP website.
Comments on the Recovery Housing Program Annual Performance Report may be emailed to David Grey, Chief of Compliance, Center for Community and Housing Development. Comments will also be accepted by telephone by calling 717-787-5327 or through written comments submitted to:
David Grey
Center for Community and Housing Development, Department of Community and Economic Development
400 North Street, 4th Floor, Commonwealth Keystone Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
All comments must be received by 12:00 pm October 30, 2022.
For more information about this comment period, email David Grey or call 717-787-5327. For more information on this funding opportunity and to apply visit Funding Opportunities.
Recovery Housing Grace Period Ends Jan. 1, 2023: SCAs May Only Fund Licensed Homes
Act 59 of 2017 gave the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) the power and duty to license drug and alcohol recovery houses that receive referrals from state agencies or state-funded facilities or federal or state funding and to impose fines on unlicensed recovery houses that receive funds from federal, state, or county agencies. On December 11, 2021, DDAP published recovery house licensure regulations in 28 Pa. Code Ch. 717. The regulations took effect immediately upon publication, except for 28 Pa. Code § 717.14, regarding fines for unlicensed recovery houses, which took effect on June 9, 2022. On June 9, DDAP gave notice that, effective July 1, 2022, to minimize disruption to residents during the application and licensure process, single county authorities (SCAs) could continue to act on existing contracts with recovery houses that were making timely and good faith efforts to obtain licensure. DDAP also expressed its position that it would not penalize recovery houses while they were actively working through the licensure process.
Beginning January 1, 2023, SCAs may only fund recovery houses that have obtained licenses from DDAP. SCAs should plan to transition individuals who remain in unlicensed recovery houses to another licensed recovery home or arrange for other suitable housing as of January 1, 2023.
The SCAs are subject to the provisions of all requirements as outlined in the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement. Any state or federal funding used to make payments to unlicensed recovery homes is a violation of Act 59 of 2017 and the terms outlined in Appendix D Program Specific Provisions, Paragraph VI Compliance/Termination/Reduction of the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement.
In addition, as of January 1, 2023, DDAP will exercise its enforcement authority to impose fines of up to $1,000 per day on persons who have not obtained licenses but who operate recovery houses that receive funds from a federal, state, or county agency, in accordance with the requirements of Act 59 of 2017 and 28 Pa. Code § 717.14. Recovery house operators who have started but not completed the licensure process must either obtain their license or stop accepting federal, state, and county funds by January 1, 2023 in order to avoid this fine.
Act 59 of 2017, 71 P.S. § 613.16(a), relating to Violations, provides:
(a) Penalties — A person operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that is funded, in whole or in part, by the department or a Federal, other State, or county agency, that has failed to attain or maintain licensure or certification of a drug and alcohol recovery house and has not been licensed or certified by the department, shall pay a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation.
28 Pa. Code § 717.14(b), relating to Fines, provides, “Each day of operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that requires a license without a current license shall constitute a separate violation.”
Please submit all questions regarding this communication to the Bureau of Program Licensure.
DDAP Issues Licensing Alert for Mobile Narcotic Treatment Programs
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today issued Licensing Alert 02-22, which details the process for establishing mobile narcotic treatment programs (NTPs). In 2021, the Drug Enforcement Agency issued a final rule authorizing NTPs to add mobile components for dispensing controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment without obtaining a separate registration.
Read the full DDAP Licensing Alert.
DDAP Joins Recovery Community, Lawmakers, Advocates for Recovery Advocacy Day at State Capitol
Today, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) joined the Pennsylvania Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators, members of Pennsylvania’s recovery community, state lawmakers, and advocates for a rally to spread a message of hope that people can and do recover from the disease of addiction.
This Eighth Annual Recovery Advocacy Day aims to raise awareness of substance use disorders, celebrate individuals in recovery, and acknowledge the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services in honor of National Recovery Month.
“People can and do recover from the disease of addiction. September is a time to celebrate the gift of recovery and to remind people in recovery, and those who support them, that no one is alone in their journey,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “The Wolf Administration’s efforts go far beyond this month, as we work each and every day to promote recovery and to help all Pennsylvanians live happy, healthy lives. At the crux of our efforts is eliminating stigma and clearing a path for someone to take that first step on their road to recovery.”
View a full calendar of National Recovery Month events.
DDAP Announces Updated SUD Confidentiality Training
DDAP Secretary to Attend Sept. 27 RCPA D&A Committee in Person
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.
