Direct Support Staff Documentation:

Service Delivery Logs, Behavioral Progress, Incidents/Injuries, Med Errors, & More

(HCS/TxHmL)

Date: Jan. 25th, 2022                                       

Time:  10 am –  Noon

Cost: $55/person

For:  Direct Support Staff in the Group Home (RSS/SL Services), HH/CC (Host Home/Companion Care) Providers, CFC (Community First Choice) Providers, DH (Day Habilitation) staff, and more….. 

Presenter:  Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant 

You will receive a confirmation email and handout as well as a link to register with “Gotowebinar” to attend the session, once we receive payment.  Please click on your registration link right away to receive reminders for the session!

Please join us for this wonderful training session on important documentation required by your direct support staff.  We hope you and your staff will find it very informative and beneficial. We highly recommend this for new hires and/or as a refresher.  We do have discounted rates for groups over 5 persons.  Please ask Meghan Jones about our options when you register.  This session will be recorded and you will receive a registration link to view the recording in the future.  You should receive the copy within 48hrs after the session on 1/25/21 via email.

Topics:

-Why Is My Documentation Important?

– Who Sees My Documentation?

-What is The Service Delivery Log and How Do I Complete This Documentation?

 “Updating Infection Control Policies: Review of Current Guidance Updates For COVID-19 Mitigation-ICF”

Date: February 4th, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM-12:00PM

Cost: $35

For:  Program Managers, Administrators, Case Managers/Care Coordinators, Nursing Staff

Presenter:  Julie Blacklock

You will receive a confirmation email and handout as well as a link to register with “Gotowebinar” to attend the session, once we receive payment.  Please click on your registration link right away to receive reminders for the session!

Copy of Rules

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ICF-IID-COVID-19-Response-Emergency-Rule.pdf

HHSC has issued enhanced COVID-19 emergency rules. The rules require additional actions by the ICF program providers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We will be discussing each of these changes and ways to address them in your facility if you have not done so already.  Don’t forget, if you need help with your infection control policies we would be glad to help.  You can contact us at:  info@twogetherconsulting.com

Topics (Concerning COVID-19):

-Screening Requirements for COVID-19 -(updates, new signs and symptoms)

-Omicron Variant (What is it? When did it get here?  What are the differences in signs and symptoms?…)

–Reporting Requirements for Positive Cases of COVID-19 (including monthly reports required now)

–When to Notify the LAR?  What to Tell the LAR?

For More Info, Click HERE

 “Updating Infection Control Policies: Review of Current Guidance Updates For COVID-19 Mitigation-HCS”

Date: February 0th, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM-12:00PM

Cost: $35

For:  Program Managers, Administrators, Case Managers/Care Coordinators, Nursing Staff

Presenter:  Julie Blacklock

You will receive a confirmation email and handout as well as a link to register with “Gotowebinar” to attend the session, once we receive payment.  Please click on your registration link right away to receive reminders for the session!

Copy of Rules

http://hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/doing-business-with-hhs/providers/long-term-care/hcs/hcs-covid-19-emergency-rules.pdf

HHSC has issued enhanced COVID-19 emergency rules. The rules require additional actions by the ICF program providers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We will be discussing each of these changes and ways to address them in your facility if you have not done so already.  Don’t forget, if you need help with your infection control policies we would be glad to help.  You can contact us at:  info@twogetherconsulting.com

Topics (Concerning COVID-19):

-Screening Requirements for COVID-19 -(updates, new signs and symptoms)

-Omicron Variant (What is it? When did it get here?  What are the differences in signs and symptoms?…)

–Reporting Requirements for Positive Cases of COVID-19 (including monthly reports required now)

–When to Notify the LAR?  What to Tell the LAR?

For More Info, Click HERE

Jan 17, 2022

HHSC has published ICF and HCS Emergency Staffing Requests – Jan. 10 HHSC has published ICF and HCS Emergency Staffing Requests (Provider Letter 2022-02). This letter provides information for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICFs) or Related Conditions and Home and Community-based Services (HCS) program providers facing staffing shortages related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Jan 17, 2022

Status of HCS Rates as of January 17th, 2022 HCS and TxHmL Day Habilitation Rates, Respite Rates and Other Concerns The Public Health Emergency (PHE) was renewed until April 16, 2022, and Clarification:  The HCS & TxHmL rates posted on HHSC's webpage listed as Effective March 1, 2022 to Current. are a bit confusing The Public Health Emergency (PHE):  https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PHE/Pages/COVID19-14Jan2022.aspx HCS Day Habilitation (DH) & Respite Rates:  Some members have inquired about...

Jan 14, 2022

January 14th, 2022 ICF/IID and HCS Surveys:  HHSC has responded to questions providers have asked regarding the current backlog of surveys and what time period will be reviewed/surveyed when a provider finally receives its survey. Should you have further questions, please email HHSC at:  LTCRPolicy@hhs.texas.gov In regards to ICF surveys, the facility needs to be able to show compliance at all times.  Some areas of compliance require (at least) annual updates (i.e. Individual program plans),...

Jan 14, 2022

January 14th, 2022 Twogether Consulting has been informed that it is very important HCS and ICF/IID providers attend the webinar from HHSC on 1/19/22. The webinar is being held in response to recent discussions between the 3 IDD associations and HHSC regarding the increase in COVID cases, ongoing staff (direct care and nurse) shortages (which have now been exacerbated because of COVID), limited to no access to PPE and testing resources and inconsistent (and at times unclear) rules and policies...

Jan 14, 2022

January 14th, 2022 Vaccine Mandates: Earlier today the Supreme Court issued its rulings on the CMS and OSHA Vaccine Mandates. The Supreme Court stayed the OSHA mandate and permitted the CMS mandate.  As a reminder, the CMS mandate applies to ICFs/IID.  For further details, go to:  https://www.supremecourt.gov/ December 1st, 2021 Judge Doughty, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, blocked enforcement of the CMS Interim Final Rule (which among other LTC programs, applies to...

Jan 14, 2022

January 14th, 2022 HHSC LTCR Individualized Skills and Socialization Services Webinar HHSC invites Home and Community-based Services, Texas Home Living, Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities, Home and Community Support Services Agency, and other providers to attend the Long-term Care Regulation Individualized Skills and Socialization Services Webinar. Those using Internet Explorer may have difficulties registering for the webinar. If so, try using another browser, such as Google Chrome or...

Jan 10, 2022

January 10th, 2022 Update From Twogether Consulting! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!  The New Year is here, and we hope 2022 will be a good year for Long-Term Care providers and the individuals they serve.  It will definitely be a year of change!   Please contact us directly for your care coordination, QIDP, and nursing needs at info@twogetherconsulting.com or you may contact our assistant Meghan Jones at meghanjones.tx@gmail.com. We are happy to say that we can still continue to...

Jan 10, 2022

Check Out These Resources For Persons With Disabilities From The              Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott https://gov.texas.gov/organization/disabilities/coronavirus Government COVID 19 Information and Resources https://tcdd.texas.gov/resources/covid-19-information/government/ Other Texas Organizations There are a number of disability-related organizations in Texas that are sharing information and resources related to COVID-19. Below you’ll find links to their COVID-19 webpages and...

Jan 10, 2022

January 10th, 2022 When was Omicron Variant First Found in Texas and What is This Variant of COVID-19?  (Please see article below) Texas Identifies Case of COVID-19 Omicron Variant News Release Dec. 6, 2021 The first known Texas case of the COVID-19 B.1.1.529 variant has been identified in a resident of Harris County. The adult female resident was recently diagnosed with COVID-19. Results of genetic sequencing this week showed that the infection was caused by the Omicron variant strain. The...

Jan 10, 2022

Our free webinar session recordings previously recorded are currently posted on our "Gotostage" page. https://www.gotostage.com/channel/3b0bd3b1a47c4e80be974f4bcfa54d7b Free Webinars!! January 2021 Free Webinar  “1099 Contractor Concerns” Presented by ADP Payroll & HR" Twogether Consulting is happy to have ADP Payroll & HR Services again as a resource for IDD providers in our free webinar series for the month of January 2022! Free Webinar Series Hosted By: Twogether Consulting...

Jan 9, 2022

Revised Guidance on Staff Work Restrictions and Return to Work HHSC has issued revised guidance for long-term care providers experiencing staffing shortages due to COVID-19. The requirement to contact LTCR before implementing CDC guidance on staff work restrictions and return-to-work has been removed. "Guidance and Protocol for Long-Term Care Facilities Experiencing Staffing Shortages due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. This checklist provides guidance for long-term care facilities...

Jan 9, 2022

January 9th, 2022 Please click on link below to take you to the "LTC Online Portal Basics" page with important information on usages for the portal,  e-learning training sessions, and pdfs of manuals needed for navigating the portal LTC Online Portal Basics page By Provider Training Services Published: Mar 5, 2021 Duration1h This interactive training provides a basic overview of the Long Term Care (LTC) Online Portal including an overview of the features of the blue navigational bar and the...

Jan 9, 2022

January 7th, 2022 ICF COVID-19 Response Plan and FAQ Updated – Jan. 7 Document   Version    Date    Change    Comments Version 3.5                1/5/2022     Changes to pages 6, 31, 38, 39, 40, 51, 72 71, and Changes made to reflect the most updated CDC guidance. Version 3.4               12/07/2021  Changes to pages 15, 16, 25, 26, 31, 35 Edited to include revised ICF COVID-19 Provider Response Mitigation Rules for ICFs/IID For changes made previous to 12/07/2021,  please read the Table of...

Jan 9, 2022

January 7th, 2022 HCS and TxHmL COVID-19 Response Plan Updated – Jan. 7th, 2022 HHSC has revised the HCS and TxHmL COVID-19 Response Plan in response to the most recent CDC guidance. September 23rd, 2022 HCS COVID-19 Mitigation & Expansion of Visitation Rules:  Revision Response Plan   COVID-19 Response Plan (PDF) in response to the revised HCS and TxHmL COVID-19 Mitigation and Visitation rules Update:   April 17th, 2021 HHSC Publishes HCS Expansion of Reopening Visitation Rules...

Jan 9, 2022

COVID-19 Resources January 9th, 2022 January 6, 2022 MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Information Session The audio from this session can be found here. Email us for transcript The presentation can be found here. Future meeting notices and information will continue to be shared on these sites, so please check back regularly. COVID-19 Provider Information COVID-19 Client Information For additional questions, please write to Medicaid_COVID_Questions@hhsc.state.tx.us.   December 30, 2021 COVID-19...

Jan 9, 2022

Please go to www.twogetherconsulting.com for more information and registration. Click on  "the calendar" of the Webinar you want to attend.  ********We also have pre-recorded webinars you can purchase for use at your facility.  Please contact Meghan Jones at: meghanjones.tx@gmail.com for more information, registration, and payment.       January 2022 Nursing Documentation & Billable Services Direct Support Staff Documentation: Service Delivery Logs, Behavioral Progress,...

Jan 9, 2022

January 9th, 2022 Register for HCS and TxHmL Webinars, Additional Training Resources Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership is hosting Long-term Care Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living Waiver Program webinars for program providers, Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities, and financial management services agencies that submit claims on behalf of Consumer Directed Services employers. Each webinar is composed of two sessions. Attendees can register for...

Jan 9, 2022

January 9th, 2022 Reminder: SB 809 / Rider 143 COVID-19 Reporting The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is posting the list of healthcare institutions, as identified by HHSC, who must submit reports in compliance with Senate Bill 809 or Rider 143. The list also identifies those providers who have not submitted a SB 809/Rider 143 Report. The list can be found on the Provider Finance website under SB 809/Rider 143 COVID-19 Reporting Healthcare Institution List. Note: this list is for...

Jan 8, 2022

January 8th, 2022 EVV Policy Handbook Revisions – Jan. 7th, 2022 HHSC revised parts of the Electronic Visit Verification Policy Handbook. These revisions are effective Jan. 7 and are listed in Revision Notice 22-1. The handbook’s policies include EVV standards and policy requirements for: Program providers. Financial Management Services Agencies. Consumer Directed Services employers. Payers, such as HHSC and managed care organizations. For questions, email HHSC EVV Operations. November 21st,...