Jan 29, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Justice announced the White House task force on missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Native held its first meeting. Describes how the task force will work with tribal governments, develop protocols, and increase awareness to address the high rates of violence towards Native community members.

Jan 30, 2020 — The Government Accountability Office is requesting nominations for the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee, which will provide feedback on physician payment models to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. Nominations are due February 28, 2020.

During his remarks at the National Rural Health Policy Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan announced President Trump’s new rural health plan’s four main areas of focus: preventing diseases, creating sustainable financing, using technology to improve access, and laying the groundwork for a stronger workforce. Also, the new program will attempt to tackle maternal health and opioid issues. Deputy Secretary Hargan has signaled more details to come explaining the intricacies of the plan.

During the week of February 10, 2020, the Office of the President released its federal budget proposal for the FY2021. The annual release of the President’s budget is a non-binding document that is not expected to be adopted. The President’s budget provides a roadmap of programs and initiatives being prioritized by the administration in office. Here is a breakdown of proposed Health and Human Services program spending.

During the week of February 10, 2020, Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) announced the introduction of the Save Rural Communities Act (H.R. 5808). This legislation seeks to grant rural hospitals more flexibility in the services they provide. Specifically, it allows them to convert to an outpatient only, 24-hour emergency care center. The proposed change would allow hospitals to tailor their business model and balance their budgets, while also meeting the health care needs of their community.

Harrisburg, PA – In February 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) released a bulletin with guidance and requirements for providers that wish to become a specialized child residential setting under the Family First Prevention Services Act.

“The Wolf Administration remains committed to protecting vulnerable populations across Pennsylvania, and the Family First Prevention Services Act will help strengthen Pennsylvania’s child welfare system in line with this goal,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “We want to be sure that every service we provide offers the necessary supports to meet children and families’ needs and help them on a path to safe, healthy lives. This certification process will help DHS ensure that specialized settings for children will be available, safe, and suitable.”

The Family First Prevention Services Act is a federal law that prioritizes keeping children with their families. It allows states to use federal payments for trauma-informed evidence-based prevention services to allow children who would otherwise be placed in foster care to stay with their parents or relatives. The implementation of this law, scheduled for October 1, 2020, aligns with the Wolf Administration’s goals of serving children safely with their families or family-like settings when necessary.

In the event placement outside the home becomes necessary, the law directs federal funding towards family-like settings or other specialized settings that are best suited to a child’s individual needs. Specialized settings are trauma-informed child residential facilities or supervised independent living programs specializing in providing care and treatment for children and youth with special circumstances, including:

• Pregnant, expecting, and parenting youth;
• Youth who are transitioning to adulthood; or
• Youth who are, or at risk of becoming, sex trafficking victims.

Specialized settings should offer programming for participants and training for staff tailored to the needs of children and youth with these special circumstances. Public and private children and youth social service agencies, providers and stakeholders that provide services to these populations are encouraged to request certification as a specialized setting.

The specialized settings emphasize a trauma-informed approach to care. This approach integrates knowledge and effects of trauma into policies, procedures, and practices while actively seeking to avoid re-traumatization. Trauma-informed care is informed by six principles: organizational safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and reciprocal relationships, empowerment among and between staff and participants, and cultural sensitivity. Standards of trauma-informed care are in line with recommendations made by the Council on Reform established by Governor Wolf’s Vulnerable Populations Executive Order and the Wolf Administration’s effort to make Pennsylvania a trauma-informed state.

More information, the bulletin, and the certification approval process can be found here. Applications to be considered a specialized setting must be submitted by March 15, 2020.

DHS’ Office of Children, Youth, and Families is hosting webinars to review the bulletin and application process for child residential facilities or supervised independent living programs providing or planning to provide services to the above identified populations. Session opportunities are 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on February 25 and 28. To register, email cwtpreg@pitt.edu.

Visit www.dhs.pa.gov or email ra-PWFamilyFirst@pa.gov for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Erin James – 717-425-7606