*Six similar comments were received 2 A public information and campaign for participants and family The Department agrees that more information should be made members is needed. The Outreach and Engagement section in available for participants and family members. The Department is each transition plan is a good start. Plain and person-first language currently working on documents that will provide an overview of should be used. Communications should be accessible. Providing the CMS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule information to the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee is not that will be made publicly available. ODP is also working on enough. Email lists, Supports Coordinator visits, local meetings, webinars that will provide general information on the CMS HCBS work groups, webinars, advisories, and letters are also needed. Final Rule to Administrative Entities, Supports Coordination The Department should involve self-advocates. Peer training Organizations, and Supports Coordination Agencies. While these should be funded, especially for those in segregated settings, to are examples of some initial projects the Department is engaged in, complement the Departments own obligations to educate. the Department is committed to ongoing engagement and education of all stakeholders impacted by any changes made. *One other similar comment was received 3 The action description is engagement highlighting The ODP agrees for the need to training to all stakeholders, “On-going updates and revisions to Pennsylvania's regulations, policies, and including the individuals we serve and their families, and the procedures; training on compliance to the Home and transition plans have been revised accordingly. The ODP is Services (HCBS) Final Rule and transitioning activities for currently developing a training that will provide an overview of the service coordinators, providers, and staff.” The people most CMS Final Rule. This is the first training in an ongoing series as ODP impacted by changes in the system are people with disabilities and begins to move through the transition plan. families. They should have ready access to the same training about the rules, regulations and changing business practices as professionals. We recommend this be amended in all transition to add people with disabilities and families. This action step and description should be revised to read: Training” with the description “Stakeholder “On-going engagement highlighting updates and revisions to Pennsylvania's regulations, policies, and procedures; training on compliance to the HCBS Final Rule and transitioning activities for people with disabilities, families, service coordinators, providers, and staff.” *One other similar comment was received
*Six similar comments were received 2 A public information and campaign for participants and family members is needed. The Outreach and Engagement section in each transition plan is a good start. Plain and person-first language should be used. Communications should be accessible. Providing information to the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee is not enough. Email lists, Supports Coordinator visits, local meetings, work groups, webinars, advisories, and letters are also needed. The Department should involve self-advocates. Peer training should be funded, especially for those in segregated settings, to complement the Departments own obligations to educate. *One other similar comment was received The Department agrees that more information should be made available for participants and family members. The Department is currently working on documents that will provide an overview of the CMS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule that will be made publicly available. ODP is also working on webinars that will provide general information on the CMS HCBS Final Rule to Administrative Entities, Supports Coordination Organizations, and Supports Coordination Agencies. While these are examples of some initial projects the Department is engaged in, the Department is committed to ongoing engagement and education of all stakeholders impacted by any changes made. 3 The action description is “On-going engagement highlighting updates and revisions to Pennsylvania's regulations, policies, and procedures; training on compliance to the Home and Services (HCBS) Final Rule and transitioning activities for service coordinators, providers, and staff.” The people most impacted by changes in the system are people with disabilities and families. They should have ready access to the same training about the rules, regulations and changing business practices as professionals. We recommend this be amended in all transition to add people with disabilities and families. This action step and description should be revised to read: “Stakeholder Training” with the description “On-going engagement highlighting updates and revisions to Pennsylvania's regulations, policies, and procedures; training on compliance to the HCBS Final Rule and transitioning activities for people with disabilities, families, service coordinators, providers, and staff.” *One other similar comment was received The ODP agrees for the need to training to all stakeholders, including the individuals we serve and their families, and the transition plans have been revised accordingly. The ODP is currently developing a training that will provide an overview of the CMS Final Rule. This is the first training in an ongoing series as ODP begins to move through the transition plan.
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