News

CCAP SUPPORTS COMCARE'S CAMPAIGN FOR HEALTHCHOICES CONTINUED SUCCESS
 
CCAP has supported the Campaign for Behavioral HealthChoices Continued Success, currently spearheaded by COMCARE. The campaign is in response to recent legislation. Both Senate Bill 268 and House Bill 335 which propose to eliminate the Behavioral HealthChoices Program and move, or "carve-in", mental health and drug and alcohol related services to the physical health system, which means all services would be through the physical health MCOs. The Coalition to Preserve Behavioral HealthChoices has sent letters to all members of the General Assembly stating opposition to these identical bills. The rationale for opposing the bills is that there is no reason to move from our current county based systems that has consistently meet or exceed national quality and access standards for individuals with behavioral health concerns and demonstrates effective integrated care while providing cost containment. Such a move would create sweeping disruptive change fraught with uncertainties and the potential for unintended consequences that could ultimately put the people now served at risk.
 
 
PREPARE PROVIDERS FOR NEW MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ENROLLMENT UPDATE
 
The Office of Medical Assistance Programs released Bulletin 99-18-11 , Service Location Enrollment Deadline. It was issued on December 19, 2018, which means many individuals may have missed it due to the year end and holiday activities. This bulletin requires providers to enroll each individual service location prior to July 1, 2019. If PROMISe is unable to link the provider to an enrolled service location, the claim will be denied. Counties are encouraged to remind providers paid through PROMISe to enroll each service location as quickly as possible to assure continuity of payments and avoid any backlog created by a high volume of submissions to the department.
 
 
EARLY INTERVENTION FAMILY SURVEY AND PROFESSIONAL FORUMS
 
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning is conducting their first online Family Survey. In addition, Early Intervention administrative staff, service coordinators, therapists, teachers and families are being invited to participate in one of the sessions. The session details are online . The dates and times to join one of the sessions are:
 
March 11 at 9:00 -10:00 a.m. OR 5:00-6:00 p.m. OR 6:30-7:30 p.m.
March 13 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. OR 12:00-1:00 p.m. OR 4:00-5:00 p.m.
March 14 at 12:00-1:00 p.m.
 
 
GOVERNOR SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROMOTE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
 
On February 19, Governor Tom Wolf signed an  executive order 2019-02 establishing the Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center . Legislators, advocates, and members of the cabinet were present to express support. The Center is designed to address workforce issues by convening a public-private partnership in order to:
 
  • Target collectively the available and necessary public programs and resources
  • Address Pennsylvania's workforce shortage and talent need,
  • Recommend action to reduce or eliminate impediments to employment
  • Better align Commonwealth resources and private sector needs
  • Position Pennsylvania as the keystone for a skilled workforce and competitive business climate
 
DHS RELEASES MEDICAID DASHBOARD
 
The Department of Human Services released a Medicaid Data Dashboard. The dashboard highlights overall enrollment, impact of expansion, access to prevention, screening and substance abuse services. Expect this dashboard to expand with increased focus on data informed approaches.
 
 
LEGISLATION PROPOSED TO END SUB-MINIMUM WAGE AND INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE
 
U.S. Senators Casey (D-PA) and Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced Senate Bill 260, the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act. The act proposes a six year phase out of Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which in effect sunsets the subminimum wage payments to people with disability. The Raise the Wage Act, introduced in both the House (H.R. 582) and Senate (S. 150) goes even further by proposing an increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 over five years with annual indexed adjustments after 2024.
 
 
EMERGENCY PLANNING TOOLKIT RELEASED
 
The Administration for Community Living has released Toolkit for including Aging & Disability Networks in Emergency Planning.Organizations that are new to emergency planning can use this toolkit as an orientation. Where emergency preparedness programs exist, the toolkit can serve as a resource to enhance their capabilities. The toolkit is a robust tool designed with input from the National Association of County & City Health Officials and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and the Administration for Community Living.
 
 
PREVENT SUICIDE PA AWARENESS MATERIALS AVAILABLE
 
The winners of the 2019 Prevent Suicide PA (PSA) contest for youth suicide prevention have been posted online . Posters and videos of the PSA contest are available for the public to use. The creators are all youth from various high schools throughout the state.
 
In addition, PSA has scheduled their Suicide Prevention at the Ballpark for 2019. Check out the Phillies on April 27 and the Pirates on May 4. Pricing and details are available on the PSA website.
 
 
AAIDD RELEASES NEW BOOK ON COMMUNITY LIVING AND PARTICIPATION
 
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities has posted for sale the book titled Community Living and Participation for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The book addresses the following topics: using person-centered and positive support practices, housing, employment, social inclusion and relationships, self-determination and self-advocacy, supported decision making, health and wellness, planning for healthy and engaged aging, practices that promote quality outcomes, and the direct support workforce.
The cost is $52.
 
 
CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM ANNUAL MEETING
 
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), in collaboration with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Centre County CIT, will hold the annual Statewide Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) meeting at the Days Inn Penn State, State College on March 26, 2019. The conference has informative sessions covering topics on officer wellness; CIT in Corrections; and a special session by Dr. Negola on post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and our veterans.  PCCD website has agenda, registration and hotel information. RSVP required by March 15.
https://www.pccd.pa.gov/training/Pages/2019-Statewide-CIT-Meeting.aspx
 
 
LIFESHARING CONFERENCE DATES ANNOUNCED
 
The Office of Developmental Programs has announces the 2019 Lifesharing Conference dates for 2019: October 21 and 22. The conference will be held at the Kalahari Resort in Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania.
 
 
2019 DISABILITY POLICY SEMINAR LATE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE
 
The Arc USA has late registration open for individuals who wish to participate in the 2019 Disability Policy Seminar scheduled for April 7 - April 10 at the Renaissance Downtown in Washington, DC. More information is available online.
 
 
SAMHSA ANNOUNCES TWO GRANTS FOCUSED ON CHILDREN
 
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced two funding opportunities regarding children's services. One is the   System of Care Expansion and Sustainability Grants available to expand or sustain comprehensive community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbances. The intent is to build upon progress made in developing comprehensive System of Care by focusing on financing, cross-agency collaboration, policy and infrastructure as well as implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed services and supports. Applications are due April 19, 2019.
 
Project LAUNCH  is to foster the healthy development and wellness of all young children (birth through age 8), preparing them to thrive in school and beyond. Project LAUNCH grants are designed to build the capacities of adult caregivers of young children to promote healthy social and emotional development; to prevent mental, emotional and behavioral disorders; and to identify and address behavioral concerns before they develop into serious emotional disturbances. . Applications are due April 19, 2019.
 
 
CMS GRANT AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN
 
Integrated Care for Kids will provide eight grants up to $16,000,000 to address priority health concerns for children, such as behavioral health challenges, including opioid and other substance abuse and the effects of opioid use on families. Applications are due July 10, 2019.
 
 
PCCD ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR PREVENTION
 
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will award grants for the prevention of mental illness, violence and addiction. Non-profits, governmental agencies and schools can apply for up to $200,000, over two years, to secure training, materials, and pay staff to implement a menu of 15 different evidence-based programs . All applications must be submitted no later than March 20, 2019. Download application information here . 
 
 
PEOPLE AND PLACES
 
Elaine Gilbert has been appointed as the MH/DD administrator for Schuylkill County. She is filling the position previously held by Dan McGrory who retired at the end of 2018.

Pam Seaman, formerly Pam D 'Antonio has been appointed to the position of Berks County MH/DD Deputy Administrator for Adult Services. She has assumed the duties of Mary Hennigh who retired 12/31/18.
 
Stacey Brookens has been appointed to the position of Franklin and Fulton County Administrator.
 
Lynn Orawiec is resigning from Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration as the Administrative Entity Director effective April 1, 2019.
 
"Works for Me" website is no longer affiliated with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Department of Labor and Industry or Department of Education.