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Home My WebLink AboutEI Provider Meeting Minutes 7-15-16Early Intervention Provider Meeting Friday, July 15, 2016 EI Provider Meeting 1 7/15/16 Staff Present: Trish Elliott, Ashley McCartney, Dan Rhodes Providers Present: Holly Whiteside and Matt Yingling (Service Access & Management, Inc.), Elida Murray (Keystone Autism Services), Phillip Miracle (Pediatric Therapy Specialists of South Central PA), Stephanie White and Lauren Everetts (Fulton County Medical Center), Jenn Hawbecker (UCP of South Central PA) Providers Present by Phone: Faith Blee (Invo HealthCare Associates), Megan Lesko (Building Blocks Therapy), Adam Rowland (Advanta Therapy) Providers Absent: Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12, BOPIC, Inc., Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11 MEETING MINUTES 1. Welcome & Introductions Everyone introduced themselves and their agency affiliation. 2. Fiscal Update Ashley discussed the current state of finances including FY 16-17 contracts and outstanding issues from FY 15-16:  All EI Provider contracts for FY 16-17 have been completed and approved. Ashley asked providers if they had any feedback or questions about the contracts including the Subrecipient Monitoring requirements outlined in Appendix G; no issues or concerns were reported at this time. When the County begins to pay invoices with federal monies it will eventually be indicated on the checks as “federal fund payments.” This part may not begin with the first July payment as the process has yet to be fully explained.  Any remaining FY 15-16 County billing must be submitted by July 22, 2016. Several providers are still experiencing an unresolved billing issue due to a child’s MCI# mismatch in the system. The child did not have MA when he originally started services but then applied for MA with a different last name. Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) instructed Trish to void all invoices for this child on June 1. Trish had sent e-mail confirmation of the voids to OCDEL on June 16 but it was not received. Providers should submit any claims pertaining to the child to Ashley by July 22 and she will determine final payment by September 15.  The template has changed for the billing and projection spreadsheet. To avoid confusion, the projection column will be left blank and providers will assess each month. Ashley will send the new template to providers along with a schedule of County check runs for at least the next six (6) months. Providers should contact Ashley directly if they have any Fiscal related questions or concerns. Fiscal is still adjusting to Subrecipient Monitoring as this new process continues to change. Ashley will continue to address changes as they occur and communicate pertinent information to providers during the transition. Ultimately, Fiscal must adhere to guidelines that are established by Uniform Guidance. Early Intervention Provider Meeting Friday, July 15, 2016 EI Provider Meeting 2 7/15/16 3. PA Learning Standards Packets Trish discussed the PA Learning Standards packets and EITA (Early Intervention Technical Assistance) Portal:  Trish had developed a plan with the State in April 2015 to increase awareness of the newly revised Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood. This plan called for purchasing a bulk order of the Infant/Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten Standards packets for distribution to all agencies and therapists. After a backlog following resolution 15-16 state budget impasse, the order was finally received last month. The packets are available for distribution after today’s meeting or individual therapists may arrange to pick them up at the MH/ID/EI office.  Trish highlighted the EITA Portal (http://www.eita-pa.org/) as a valuable resource. There are numerous trainings and links to external websites and documents pertaining to EI (procedural safeguards, EI orientation for new families, coaching, social-emotional development etc.). Trish encouraged agencies and therapists to utilize the Portal but will not require submission of training certificates. Individuals who have questions about content or need guidance using the EITA Portal should contact Beth Fairchild.  Trish provided a brief overview of the Standards packets and circulated copies for all meeting participants to examine. The packets are divided into nine (9) color-coded “Key Learning Areas.” Each area consists of standards for infant, young toddler, and older toddler. Each standard is displayed in table form with its associated “Concepts and Competencies” and “Supportive Practices.” The EITA Portal also has content related to the Learning Standards which can be shared with families. Trish encouraged all agencies and therapists to familiarize themselves with these materials because she believes the State will eventually require that all outcomes be tied to specific standards. Please see attached PowerPoint slides and outline notes for additional information. Standard packets are also available online in PDF form at: https://www.pakeys.org/pages/get.aspx?page=career_standards 4. Service Support Plans Holly (SAM, Inc.) informed providers that they will no longer be required to complete Service Support Plans. These plans had been used to develop strategies and describe measurable goals/outcomes but are now completely optional. It was noted that OCDEL has not required the plans for several years. 5. Miscellaneous  Trish thanked everyone for supporting the Early Intervention calendar project; 1,500 calendars were purchased for Fulton County with funds donated by providers, community organizations, and local businesses and 500 calendars were purchased for Franklin County with LICC funds. SCs will distribute the calendars to families. The calendars will also be distributed at Child Find events, upcoming Health/Wellness fairs, and at the next Fulton Early Intervention Provider Meeting Friday, July 15, 2016 EI Provider Meeting 3 7/15/16 LICC meeting on September 6, 2016 at the Medical Center. The project was a sustained, collaborative effort that was completed over the course of an entire fiscal year. The goal is to pursue other fundraising projects for the next several years such as the purchasing inclusive/adaptive playground equipment in Fulton County.  Lauren (Fulton County Medical Center) provided updates on the Disability Awareness Program which had targeted kindergarten and first grade classroom in Central Fulton School District. A story featuring characters with disabilities was read to students who then used provided equipment to develop inclusion strategies for disabled peers. The current goal is to expand this program to other school districts in Fulton County (possibly Franklin too), adapt to older age groups, and include a diversity theme. Overall, the program has proven highly successful. A Fulton County Abilities Fair, in cooperation with the Special Olympics, is being planned with date and location still to be determined. Possible activities would include talent show, face painting and a wheelchair maze. There will be outreach for Franklin County involvement.  Holly (SAM, Inc.) has received very positive feedback from parent surveys on coaching therapy techniques. Trish confirmed that the Coaching Grant for FY 16-17 was just approved. Videotaping sessions of coaching therapy is currently being explored so that families that are new to the EI program would have a visual aid.  Jenn (UCP of South Central PA) encouraged all therapists and SCs to regularly attend Community of Practice Meetings. At these meetings, therapists have an opportunity to request a coach for mentoring. Tammy Jo Lauffer and Tammy Boyce currently lead the meetings and fulfill the coach mentoring roles. Trish stated that future meetings will include speakers on topics such as Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) services, Child and Adolescent Service Systems Program (CASSP), and Managed Care’s involvement with social-emotional issues and functional behavioral assessments (FBA). These meetings are useful tools. Therapists can benefit from networking and by receiving training hours and stipends for their attendance. Next Meeting: Friday, October 14, 2016 starting at 10:00 a.m. Located at the Human Services Building (425 Franklin Farm Lane) Minutes by Dan Rhodes