PAR Mail 2018-083 | May 11, 2018
News YOU Can USE
PAR
1. PAR Mail 2018-080 : CMS Says No to Medicaid Lifetime Caps
2. PAR Mail 2018-081 : Medicaid Turns to Electronic Visit Verification
3. PAR Mail 2018-082 : Nominations for PAR Board of Directors

Office of Developmental Programs
5. ODP Communication 045-18 : College of Direct Support Informational Webinar: Administrative Overview Refresher - May 23
6. ODP Communication 046-18 : College of Employment Services ACRE Supplement Update
7. ODP Communication 047-18 : Webinar Recording Available Regarding Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Provider Self-Assessment
8. ODP Bulletin 00-18-02 : Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Eligibility/Ineligibility/Change Form (PA 1768) and Instructions
10. July 9 & 10: Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) Webinars

Office of Child Development and Early Learning
12. Early Intervention Technical Assistance Mobile App Now Available

Department of Human Services

ANCOR

Other
18. May 15: DRP Will Have a Hotline for Election Day
19. June 7: Save the Date - Access for Multilingual Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
21. July 17-18: Save the Date - IM4Q Annual Statewide Training
PAR

1. PAR Mail 2018-080 : CMS Says No to Medicaid Lifetime Caps
Trump officials reject Medicaid lifetime limits in Kansas. PAR Mail 2017-104 highlights PAR's advocacy against cuts or caps to Medicaid.

2. PAR Mail 2018-081 : Medicaid Turns to Electronic Visit Verification
In a discussion earlier this week with Deputy Secretary Nancy Thaler, she noted that the department does not want to define the required services any broader than the statute requires. Nancy noted that the department "is working aggressively through our associations and directly with CMS to get definitive guidance.

3. PAR Mail 2018-082 : Nominations for PAR Board of Directors
PAR member organizations are cordially invited to submit nominations for PAR's Board of Directors and Officers for this coming year.

Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller visited PAR Member Resources for Human Development, one of seven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) in the commonwealth that are jointly licensed by DHS and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Office of Developmental Programs

5. ODP Communication 045-18 : College of Direct Support Informational Webinar: Administrative Overview Refresher - May 23
This communication from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announced a webinar providing an overview and refresher for using the College of Direct Supports (CDS). This webinar will be held on May 23 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

6. ODP Communication 046-18 : College of Employment Services ACRE Supplement Update
This communication from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announced a change in the contact for Part 2: of the College of Employment Services (CES) Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) Supplement and an increase in the cost for Part 2 of the CES ACRE Basic Employment Certification Course.

7. ODP Communication 047-18 : Webinar Recording Available Regarding Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Provider Self-Assessment
This announcement from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) informs providers of the availability of a webinar recording and accompanying PowerPoint regarding the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Provider Self-Assessment.

8. ODP Bulletin 00-18-02 : Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Eligibility/Ineligibility/Change Form (PA 1768) and Instructions
The purpose of this bulletin is to disseminate an updated PA 1768, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Eligibility/Ineligibility/Change Form , and to provide guidance for completion of the form. The updated PA 1768 improves communication between the County Assistance Office (CAO) and the designated ODP entities that must inform the CAO of an individual’s eligibility, ineligibility or other changes that affect the individual who receives services funded by a waiver.

Click to view the Office of Developmental Program's May newsletter . Featured in this issue are Summer Fun is for Everyone, New ISAC Hub Announced, Secretary Miller Visits Spectrum Friends, Volunteers Highlighted and more.

10. July 9 & 10: Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) Webinars
These webinars will cover the basics of the CESP, including the upcoming changes to the test delivery to be given in a computer-based format. While information will be presented on the OLTL requirements on certification/credentialing and the impact the requirements have on the certification of organizations and staff, these webinars should provide helpful information to ODP Stakeholders as well. Click the links below to register.
Office of Child Development and Early Learning

PA Promise, in partnership with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), released more information on Home Visiting Programs and resources that can help parents with young children. Click here to view the infographic .

12. Early Intervention Technical Assistance Mobile App Now Available
The Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) launched a mobile app for families involved in early intervention. The app contains multiple resources that families can find useful. The EITA Portal also contains these resources. Search "EITA Mobile" in the App Store to download the app.
Department of Human Services

Learn more about how to include people with disabilities in every stage of disaster preparedness and recovery, including as experts and resource providers. This summit will be held on June 13 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in Camp Hill, PA and features June Isaacson Kailes, a noted disability policy consultant. Click for more information .

The Department of Corrections (DOC) has partnered with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) to streamline the process for applying for medical assistance (MA) coverage for inmates returning to the community within the state.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced changes to the cost of child abuse clearances. Click for more information .
ANCOR

Click to read ANCOR's weekly publication containing congressional news, administration and judicial news, state news and more!

During this live webinar, the emergency planning experts of  Connect Consulting Services  will discuss how ANCOR members can become compliant with the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Preparedness Requirements for ICFs by breaking down each of the rule components; providing steps, tools, strategies to meet each component; and how to pass a CMS pass audit. All registrants will receive a CMS Emergency Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool to determine your CMS compliance gaps. If you missed it, this webinar is available to purchase . PAR members can purchase the webinar for a discounted price as they are full ANCOR members through their PAR membership.
Other

18. May 15: DRP Will Have a Hotline for Election Day
Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) will have an Election Day Hotline and email on May 15, 2018. Individuals with disabilities who need information or encounter problems at their polling place on Election Day can contact Disability Rights Pennsylvania's hotline at: 717-839-5227 or electionday@disabilityrightspa.org.

If you cannot reach DRP on Election Day, you can also call the Election Protection Hotline at: 1-866-687-8683.

19. June 7: Save the Date - Access for Multilingual Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Join the Nationalities Service Center for an initial stakeholder engagement session to discuss access for multilingual individuals with developmental disabilities. For more information, contact Christine Kubica at ckubica@nscphila.org.

Join members of Governor Wolf's Cabinet, including Secretary Miller, to talk about issues that are important to you and your region. This event will be held at Penn State University in Harrisburg, PA on Friday, June 8 at 11:00 am. Click for more information .

21. July 17-18: Save the Date - IM4Q Annual Statewide Training
Save the date for the Independent Monitoring For Quality Training annual statewide training located in Harrisburg, PA. More information will be released soon.

The White House will ask Congress to cut $15 billion in spending. Half of this, about $7 billion, will come from the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Click for more information .