By Liz Carey

A majority of the $10 billion in funding will come from the American Rescue Plan.
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Telehealth.HHS.gov has added a new best practice guide to help mental health providers navigate changes to telehealth policy due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This official website from HHS includes resources for getting started, developing a strategy, billing, preparing patients, and more.

The House and Senate are in recess for their annual Spring recess. Before departing, the Senate passed H.R. 1868 which included continued Medicare sequestration relief through the end of the year and a technical correction to the RHC provisions in the December COVID-19 relief package. The package is anticipated to be signed when they return the week of April 12th.

HHS announced additional measures to encourage vaccinations and increase vaccine confidence as part of the next phase of its COVID-19 public education campaign. The Administration is launching the COVID-19 Community Corps – a nationwide, grassroots network of local voices people know and trust to encourage Americans to get vaccinated. The Community Corps will be comprised of trusted voices in communities across the country and the Administration will regularly share updated public health information and resources for them to use with their communities to help get friends, family, and followers vaccinated. You can read the HHS press release here and campaign resources here.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced today the availability of $2.7 million in funding for Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) to expand or enhance recovery support services to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.

“Community is one of the four dimensions that support and sustain life in recovery,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “By providing communities with appropriate support services, we can help individuals and their loved ones be better suited for their recovery journey and ultimately live happy, healthy lives.”

The grants are part of $55 million in federal funding awarded to Pennsylvania through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program COVID-19 Supplemental Awards. The funding spending plan submitted by DDAP is currently pending approval by SAMHSA. More information will be shared about this funding and supporting projects as it becomes available.

Eligible applicants can find the grant application and project summary on the DDAP website here. Three to five grants will be awarded up to $700,000 to RCOs for a wide variety of eligible items, including:

• delivery of recovery coaching through Certified Recovery Specialists,
• telephonic supports,
• the provision of education and employment supports,
• engagement in GED services,
• additional life-skills support groups and delivery of substance-free social activities.

All applications must be submitted via email to RA-DAGrantsMgmt@pa.gov by 12:00PM on Monday, May 3, 2021. Applications will be competitively reviewed and scored based upon the applicant’s adherence to the funding announcement guidelines, and a timely submission to DDAP. Additionally, awarding of the funds is contingent upon plan approval by SAMHSA.

Questions regarding the grants and the application process should be forwarded to RA-DAGrantsMgmt@pa.gov.

Throughout the Wolf Administration’s second term, DDAP is placing a heavy focus on reducing stigma associated with substance use disorder, intensifying primary prevention efforts, strengthening treatment systems, and empowering sustained recovery. The aim of these efforts, laid out in DDAP’s 2019-2022 State Plan, will be to positively influence the knowledge and behavior around the topic of addiction.

For more information about the work the Wolf Administration is doing to combat the opioid crisis, visit pa.gov/opoioids.

As Pennsylvania continues to accelerate vaccine eligibility and availability and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Governor Tom Wolf’s Administration said that all Pennsylvanians should take continued steps to ensure a safe workspace for employees and customers alike.

“We are making tremendous progress vaccinating Pennsylvanians and are now able to accelerate our state vaccine plan,” Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam said. “As we move forward, we are reminding Pennsylvanians that it is still imperative that they follow current personal mitigation efforts such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and following gathering and occupancy guidelines so we can protect public health while we jump-start our economy.”

“The COVID-19 virus is still present in our communities,” Beam added. “We encourage anyone who feels they need, or wants, a COVID-19 test to take advantage of hundreds of testing locations if they feel they have been exposed to COVID-19. Testing remains the best way to determine your exposure to and to ultimately stop the spread of COVID-19.”

“We’ve made significant progress in our battle against COVID-19, so we must continue abiding by all guidelines and orders, including masking and social distancing when out and about,” said Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Sec. Dennis Davin. “The best way to support our local businesses is to create a safe environment for everyone so that we can combat the virus’ spread, which will help position us to bounce back easier and faster long term.”

The Wolf Administration offers guidance online through the administration’s guidance for businesses and guidance for businesses in the restaurant industry.

The Open & Certified Pennsylvania process is still open for restaurants that are interested in self-certifying to increase indoor capacity. There is no cost to self-certify and restaurants can access the online self-certification form here. Self-certified restaurants can promote their status with provided branded signage and consumers can search the Open & Certified database to confirm what businesses near them have self-certified. Business owners with additional questions about the self-certification program can contact covidselfcert@pa.gov and view Frequently Asked Questions as a reference for restaurant owners and the public.

Newly updated orders and guidance, which take place Sunday, April 4, are available online: Governor’s Order, as amended. Secretary of Health Order, as amended. Frequently Asked Questions. Also starting Sunday, April 4, telework for businesses will be highly encouraged; previously, telework was to be used unless it was not possible to do so.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that the department has purchased an additional $12.9 million worth of U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Pennsylvania to provide critical support and food to food banks in all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

These supplemental federal funds, provided as part of the recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 in response to increased needs driven by COVID-19, have been used to purchase more than 7.9 million pounds of food, which will be delivered between June and December 2021.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the department distributed, on average, approximately 23 million pounds of USDA Foods through TEFAP every federal fiscal year. In federal fiscal year 2020, which ran from October 2019 through September 2020, the department distributed nearly 70 million pounds of food through TEFAP. And, in federal fiscal year 2021, with the addition of this food, the department is once again on track to distribute an estimated 70 million pounds of USDA Foods.

“While we’re actively getting Pennsylvanians back to work as the pandemic slows, many are still recovering from severe economic stress which has in turn stressed our charitable food system,” said Redding. “These federal funds are allowing us to increase the flow of food to food banks across the commonwealth as they work to continue meeting unprecedented demand.”

The department will push $3.2 million in TEFAP money directly to the food banks to cover administrative costs associated with storage, transportation, and distribution of the USDA Foods. In addition to this direct funding, the department has purchased 7.9 million pounds of USDA Foods – including meats, vegetables, canned goods, cheese and more – to the state’s food banks to distribute through their network of local food pantries and other distribution agencies. The food will be disbursed statewide to individuals in need of assistance in all 67 counties.

“We’re proud of all that Pennsylvanians have done to get us to this point, to mitigate against loss and bring us to a new year with new hope and a vaccine,” added Redding. “I encourage anyone who is still experiencing a financial strain to take advantage of these foods through your local food pantry. Better days are ahead, but for now, take a hand up.”

Pennsylvanians looking for help to put food on the table are eligible for state and federal food assistance found at Pennsylvania’s food banks and pantries. Additional support can be found through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

For more about the Wolf Administration’s efforts to address food insecurity in Pennsylvania, visit agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.

Starting April 5, 2021, Pennsylvanians in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan are now eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment to become protected against the virus. Phase 1B eligible Pennsylvanians include:

• People in congregate settings not otherwise specified as long-term care facilities, and persons receiving home and community-based services
• U.S. Postal Service workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Clergy and other essential support for houses of worship
• Public transit workers
• Education workers

Teachers and school staff for pre-K through 12 were vaccinated under a special initiative that concluded April 2 and that resulted in more than 112,500 vaccinations. Vaccinations continue for child care workers who are also part of that special initiative. All other education workers, including those in higher education, are now eligible for vaccination as part of 1B.  Last week, Acting Secretary Alison Beam also announced that targeted frontline industries were eligible March 31.

“Our revised vaccination eligibility plan means more Pennsylvanians now have access to the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine as vaccine supply increases and providers and counties establish easier access to appointments,” Gov. Wolf said.

The remainder of the accelerated plan includes eligibility as follows:

• April 12 all residents in Phase 1C will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.
• April 19, all residents will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.

Pennsylvania’s vaccination plan can be found here.

Those eligible for an appointment can access the provider map available here. People without internet access can contact the Health Hotline by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).

As COVID-19 vaccines continue rolling out across the country, CMS is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers and keeping you updated on the latest COVID-19 resources from HHS, CDC and CMS.

With information coming from many different sources, CMS has up-to-date resources and materials to help you share important and relevant information on the COVID-19 vaccine with the people that you serve. You can find these and more resources on the COVID-19 Partner Resources Page and the HHS COVID Education Campaign page. We look forward to partnering with you to promote vaccine safety and encourage our beneficiaries to get vaccinated when they have the opportunity. For more information, visit the CMS COVID-19 Policies and Guidance page.

COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Many groups such as older adults and people with disabilities may have substantial challenges accessing COVID-19 vaccination services and warrant specific considerations to support equitable vaccine access. The CDC has provided guidance, tools and toolkits and other COVID-19 vaccine resources to support vulnerable populations who are a higher risk, to help them make decisions, protect their health, and communicate with their communities.

Toolkit for People with Disabilities – The CDC has created a toolkit to help people with disabilities and those who serve or care for them make decisions, protect their health, and communicate with their communities. This toolkit has several resources including:

• Guidance for Vaccinating Older Adults and People with Disabilities: Ensuring Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Access – This document summarizes what jurisdictions should consider when planning to vaccinate older adults and people with disabilities living in the community.
• Vaccine Considerations for People with Disabilities – This webpage provides information for people with disabilities or conditions and for their care providers.
• Guidance for Direct Service Providers for People with Disabilities – This webpage provides information for direct service providers who provide a wide variety of home and community-based, health-related services that support people with disabilities.

Vaccinating Homebound Persons With COVID-19 Vaccine – COVID-19 vaccination of homebound persons presents unique challenges to ensure safe and effective vaccination, This webpage provides guidance on management of vaccines and vaccination for persons vaccinated at home or in small group settings.

Toolkit for People Experiencing Homelessness – This webpage provides guidance and tools to help homeless service providers make decisions and protect and communicate with staff and with people who are experiencing homelessness.

COVID-19 vaccines for patients in dialysis clinics – The federal government is partnering with dialysis organizations, local and state jurisdictions to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for patients and healthcare personnel in outpatient dialysis clinics. This webpage provides information for dialysis partners and public health jurisdictions to ensure equitable and effective access to COVID-19 vaccines and increase availability of COVID-19 vaccines for patients in dialysis clinics.

Other Communications Resources

April is National Minority Health Month, and this year, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) is focusing on the impacts COVID-19 is having on racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native communities and underscoring the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated as more vaccines become available. The theme for National Minority Health Month is #VaccineReady.

Spread the word by accessing and sharing the resources in the National Minority Health Month Toolkit, which has resources, sample social media messages, and downloadable graphics.

To learn more about National Minority Health Month, visit our website (English | Spanish), sign up to receive email updates on news and activities, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

NEW COVID-19 Public Education Campaign – HHS just launched We Can Do This, a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures such as mask wearing and social distancing. Campaign resources and toolkits are available to reach diverse communities. More information can be found here.

Communication Resources Updates – The CDC recently updated it’s Communication Resources for COVID-19 Vaccines and the Social Media Toolkit: COVID-19 Vaccinations with the latest and most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine information.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

NEW Guidance for Providers: COVID-19 Vaccine Administration – No Out-of-Pocket Cost to Patients

NEW Resources for Medicare beneficiaries:

• Stay Protected from COVID-19 – Medicare Covers the Vaccine card
• Bring Your Medicare Card When You Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine card

For more information, please contact us at: Partnership@cms.hhs.gov

On March 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance interpreting the emergency preparedness requirements in the Burden Reduction Final Rule of 2019, which applies to all providers and suppliers.  In response to the public health emergency, the guidance also provides best practices, lessons learned, and planning considerations for emerging infectious diseases.