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The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) is currently accepting applications for the PA-SUN Request for Applications (RFA). Hospitals and Health Systems, on behalf of their ED(s), are invited to apply to the Department in accordance with RFA # 67-166.

The Department is interested in funding applications addressing building and implementing health system-wide clinical capacity to screen, diagnose, and support longitudinal care for opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder (StUD) as well as support recovery for adults and adolescents.

The overall goal of this funding is to promote and support ED linkage to care via multidisciplinary teams utilizing navigators, to include strategies like focused connections during care for conditions that may represent sequelae of substance use and enhanced universal screening for substance use disorder (SUD) among patients presenting for other reasons to EDs to identify new opportunities to engage in and link to care.

All questions regarding this RFA must be directed via email, no later than 12:00 pm on December 4, 2023. All questions must include the specific section of the RFA about which the potential applicant is requesting clarification. Answers to all questions will be posted on PA eMarketplace. To review the responses to posed questions, select ‘Solicitations’ and search for RFA #67-166. Applications must be received no later than 1:30 pm on January 16, 2024.

An additional update regarding the educational modules: By end of year 2023, the PA-SUN team intends to release asynchronous (self-study) education modules to aid EDs in increasing knowledge on topics such as harm reduction, buprenorphine initiation, linkage to care, and stigma.  For updates regarding the education modules please visit the PA-SUN website.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has released updated influenza resources.

As a reminder, the Influenza Awareness Act of 2016 requires that Long-Term Care Facilities, including Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences, post DOH’s Influenza poster. You will find the updated poster for the 2023-2024 season here, as well as an updated Influenza toolkit. This information is also available under the “provider resources’ section of PCH/ALR Home web page.

Additional information can be located by visiting DOH’s Influenza Resources for Long-Term Care Facilities website.

The Secretaries of the Department of Human Services, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Health, and Department of Aging have written a letter to human services organizations about the budget impasse and an estimated $5.9 billion in planned state and federal funding that cannot be disbursed without a signed budget. The letter details specific funds that cannot be distributed through each department.

For Gov. Shapiro to sign HB 611, the General Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2023/24, which was passed by both the House and Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward must first deliver a signed physical copy of the bill to him. Sen. Ward is the only person with the power to call the Senate into session to complete this procedural step. Ward has adjourned the Senate until Sept. 18, 2023.

Read the full letter here.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-056: COVID-19 Outbreak Identification and Reporting Updates. The purpose of this announcement is to:

  1. Draw attention to the updated guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) describing how to identify and report COVID-19 outbreaks originating within the healthcare facility.
  2. Provide updated guidance to providers of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) home and community-based services (HCBS) and Private ICF/IDs regarding which facilities may appropriately be considered healthcare settings.

Please review the announcement for additional information.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shares ODPANN 23-046: Infection Control Procedures and Mitigating the Spread of Infectious Diseases with an NICC Team Consulting Flyer and Mission Statement. This announcement has two purposes:

  • First, to draw attention to the revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) describing how to determine if a facility should be considered a healthcare or a non-healthcare congregate setting.
  • The second purpose is to provide updated guidance to providers of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) home and community-based services (HCBS) and Private Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IDs) for development of policies related to infection control procedures.

Please review the announcement and attachments for further information and detail.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued Health Alert – PAHAN – 702-06-07-ADV, Air Quality Alert — Wildfire Smoke. Wildfires in Canada and current weather conditions are bringing wildfire smoke into our region. Health effects from wildfire smoke, or PM2.5 exposure, include respiratory symptoms and effects, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and cardiovascular effects.

Poor air quality may increase visits and calls to doctor’s offices as well as visits to emergency departments, urgent care centers, and hospitalizations.

Please review the Pennsylvania Department of Health Alert for more detailed information. The website AirNow and the AirNow mobile app can provide additional information.

The COVID-19 Mitigation Unit is currently evaluating devices that can eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, and other pathogens from air and surfaces simultaneously. The devices could be stand-alone or wall mounted, utilize a standard outlet for power, and would come with 2 years of supplies that may be needed to run the device.

If funding is approved, the Department of Health (DOH) would purchase and distribute the devices free of charge to small businesses, nonprofit entities, healthcare providers, and other facilities throughout the Commonwealth to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, flu, and other diseases. If you are interested in receiving a device that could greatly reduce viruses, bacteria, mold, and other pathogens in your facility, please complete this application. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2023.

Currently, the application is being used to gauge interest in receiving a device, and those who complete the application are not guaranteed a device; however, the application must be accurately completed in order to be considered when and if funding becomes available. At that point, DOH would reach out to the facilities chosen to receive devices to confirm delivery details and provide an approval notice. Devices will be awarded based on the amount of funding available and on a first come first served basis. DOH will also consider factors such as foot traffic versus square footage and COVID-19 risk in the community served, prioritizing underserved communities.

If you are interested, please complete this application. Feel free to email with any questions.