AUCP Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients

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For the second year, Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy offered two $1,000 scholarships to Pennsylvania graduating seniors. The 2020 recipients have been announced by their schools and we are pleased to introduce them to you: Emily P. Sherry from Central Cambria HS and Brandon Augustine from South Western HS.

Both students have plans to go into nursing and we know how important it is to support our current and future front-line workers. Thank you, Emily and Brandon, for choosing to make a lifetime commitment of ensuring the health of your community. We wish you the best of luck in all that you do.

AUCP also thanks all of our generous donors for making it possible to present these two $1,000 scholarships to Brandon and Emily. You are helping us make an impact on the future for these young adults.

If you would like to help us continue providing scholarships for future graduating high school students, you can do so by making a donation towards our Community Fund, learn more here.

Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy chosen as a Care Coordination Agency to join Community Care HUB

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Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy is honored to have been chosen to be part of the Community Care HUB in Somerset and Cambria counties.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent impact on particularly vulnerable populations requires a comprehensive, community-based approach to health now more than ever. The 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health is implementing the nationally-recognized Pathways Community HUB (HUB) model to enhance community-based care coordination and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) intervention efforts to impact the health outcomes of our most vulnerable residents.

A HUB is an organized, outcome focused, network of Care Coordination Agencies (CCAs) who hire and train community health workers (CHWs) to reach out to those at greatest risk. The HUB helps to coordinate community resources to reduce the medical, behavioral and social barriers to care, such as employment, housing and transportation, for individuals with complex health needs.

The initial priority population eligible for a HUB referral will include pregnant women living in the City of Johnstown eligible for or receiving medical assistance; and all pregnant women living in Cambria or Somerset counties who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.”

Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy provides in-home services for individuals with physical disabilities, CEO Tammy Rhoades said. “For us, this was a great opportunity to expand and to learn about the community health workers,” she said. “We are an organization with social workers, so it fits right into our work.”

Click here to read the full press release and to learn more about the Community Care HUB.

Virtually Together – A COVID-19 Update

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Since the Coronavirus outbreak, Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy has quickly adapted to the changes that came along with it. We continue to follow guidelines set by our government and affiliate agencies to ensure the health and safety of our participants and employees.

As of May 1st, our staff continues to work from their homes with limited staff rotating office days, as needed. Our Service Coordinators were already working from home the majority of the time and were prepared to continue doing so. All other staff have been provided resources and equipment to work from home with little to no disruption in their day-to-day jobs.

As you may have noticed, we have increased our weekly phone calls in effort to ensure that each participant has a backup plan for emergencies and to ensure health and safety. To meet the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Managed Care Organizations (MCO) required calls, the agency hired a few temporary Intake Specialists to assist with completing calls.

Although our day-to-day may look different, our mission does not change; to assist our participants in meeting their basic needs, enhancing their quality of life, and promoting their independence. Our participants’ health and safety is our main focus and as an agency we take pride and seeing this happen. The MCO’s have provided positive feedback about the way we are handling the new guidelines set in place. We are very proud of the hard work our staff does at all times, but especially in our current circumstances.

As an agency we are prepared to face whatever the future holds. We continue to monitor incoming news, learn how to best respond, and implement changes that will best support our participants and employees. Should you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you reach out to your Service Coordinator or by call the main office at 1-844-819-4455 to speak to a Programs Coordinator.

For state updates regarding COVID-19, go to www.health.pa.gov.

A Letter to Our Participants | Covid-19

To our participants,

As you are aware there have been many restrictions placed on society to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. We as an agency are continuing to do business, but in a modified way.

Our Service Coordinators are working remotely and have cell phones should you need to contact them. If you are unable to contact your Service Coordinator, please call our Toll-Free number at 1-844-819-4455. Staff are receiving a large volume of calls so you may need to leave a message, but it is our goal to give you a call back within 24 hours. Should there be an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

Additionally, staff will be calling you on a weekly basis to check in to be sure that you are doing okay and that your needs are being met.

Backup Plan – per the waiver you are required to have a plan in place with an informal support to assist you if an attendant is unable to cover your hours. Your Service Coordinator will ask you this question and work with you if you do not currently have a plan in place.  We ask that you be prepared.

If you should happen to be quarantined due to the virus it is imperative that you reach out to let your Coordinator know as this needs to be reported and, of course, we want to make sure that you have what you need.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Service Coordinator or by calling the main office (1-844-819-4455) to speak to a Programs Coordinator.

For state updates regarding COVID-19, go to www.health.pa.gov

Best Regards,
Kala Penrose
Director of Programs

AUCP Continues to grow

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UCP Connections to Independence has made the tough decision to no longer provide Service Coordination services to the central part of the state. They have given AUCP the opportunity to merge this portion of their agency services with ours, allowing AUCP to employ their staff and continue participant services. It is with great pride that we will be onboarding 10 of their former service coordinators and about 350 of their former participants.

We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to grow our agency and we look forward to offering our quality services to more participants throughout the state. Current AUCP participants should not expect any changes in their services due to the growth of our agency.

AUCP AmeriHealth Training

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Our AUCP AmeriHealth team participated in a two-day training at AmeriHealth Caritas Pittsburgh Headquarters earlier this week. The team was provided with intensive training and had the opportunity to do team building with AmeriHealth Caritas and other contracted Service Coordination entity staff. The broad training refreshed our team’s memory on many of the processes set in place as well as exploring new areas to better equip them in providing quality care and services to our participants who have AmeriHealth Caritas as their MCO provider under Community Health Choices.

 

Pictured from left to right: Hollie Orris, Nursing Home Coordinator; Kay Freedman, Service Coordinator; Linda Freidhoff, SC Supervisor; and Lauren Pennewill Service Coordinator.

Employment First

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Pennsylvania recently created the Employment First objective so participants receiving long-term services and supports have the option to work. If you are eager to work, but are not sure where to start, call your service coordinator or our office at 814.619.3398 to see what options are available to you.

Community Health Choices

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Community HealthChoices (CHC) coordinates your health care coverage to improve the quality of your health care experience — every participant has the opportunity to choose one of three Managed Care Organizations (MCO) including:

Each MCO uses a group of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers to meet your health care needs.

Change can be frightening, especially when it comes to your health. We can offer you the assurance that you are under great care when you are with AUCP.

Deciding which Managed Care Organization (MCO) will be the right fit for you is your next step, here is some insight from our supervisors:

“What makes PA Health and Wellness stand out is their Medicare program, Allwell. This is for dual eligible participants and offers comprehensive health care and prescription coverage.”

– Gwen Msolomba, PA Health and Wellness Supervisor

“AmeriHealth Caritas is dedicated to assisting their participants on getting care, staying well and building healthy communities with the focus on person centered planning when accessing services for each participant.”

– Linda Freidhoff, AmeriHealth Supervisor

“UPMC offers comprehensive services and supports available to participants. They also have value-added benefits, such as smart phones and smoking cessation programs… ”

– Jessica Pulliam Petrunak, UPMC Supervisor

CHC rolled out in the Philadelphia region this January and will be rolling out in the rest of the state January 2020. For more information call 1-833-735-4416 or visit www.HealthChoicesPA.com.

 

UPDATE: 1/28/19 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

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Harrisburg, PA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today warned Pennsylvanians about misinformation regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the partial federal government shutdown.

“Misinformation is being spread to try to take advantage of the confusion surrounding the partial federal government shutdown,” said Secretary Miller. “If you receive SNAP benefits, these benefits do not expire at the end of January and will be available as long as you do not spend the entire benefit.”

February benefits for SNAP were dispersed to Pennsylvanian recipients on January 16 and 17. These benefits will be available through February as long as recipients have a remaining balance. SNAP funds do not expire at the end of each month and are able to be spent for a calendar year.

DHS has received calls from SNAP recipients who believe that benefits must be spent by January 31 or they will expire. This is untrue, and any information being circulated suggesting otherwise is false. The early February payment will be available beyond this month as long as funds are not fully spent, and SNAP recipients must remember that this payment needs to last for all of February.

“It is imperative that SNAP recipients budget their benefits,” said Secretary Miller. “Planning meals ahead of time, looking for coupons in-store circulars or online, and signing up for a store’s discount or bonus card can help your benefit go further. If SNAP recipients find themselves in a difficult situation, many charitable food organizations are preparing to meet this need if the partial federal government shutdown continues.”

On January 8, 2019, DHS received notice from the USDA that February SNAP benefits will be fully funded, but that these benefits needed to be issued by January 20. DHS worked closely with its vendors and were able to issue the February benefits to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards by January 18. This early issuance is for SNAP recipients’ February benefit and will be the only benefit issuance SNAP recipients will receive for the month of February. Clients will not receive a SNAP benefit on their regularly scheduled February issuance date. DHS sent a letter to SNAP recipients last week to notify them of this change.

SNAP benefits beyond February will be determined based on the availability of USDA funds. The department is awaiting information from the USDA on plans for March benefits should the partial federal government shutdown continue.

DHS continues to process applications for all benefits during the shutdown. Recipients should continue to report changes and submit any semi-annual reviews or renewals they receive during this period to not risk an interruption of their benefits in the future.

Clients with questions about their benefits can contact their local County Assistance Office or can call the statewide customer service center at 1-877-395-8930. Clients who reside in Philadelphia should call 1-215-560-7226.

7 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Cold Weather

As cold weather approaches, there are several things you can do around the house to make sure you and your family stay warm and safe all winter. These seven steps can ensure your house will be in top shape for whatever winter brings.

  1. Protect Your Pipes: We all know water expands as it freezes. If water inside your pipes freezes, it will expand, too, which can cause your pipes to crack and burst. Pipes also can burst when pressure builds up behind a chunk of ice, which is why it’s a good idea to leave faucets dripping in very cold weather. Take a few steps to winterize your pipes and avoid a potentially catastrophic claim.
    • Drain water from outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems to keep those pipes from freezing.
    • Disconnect and store outdoor hoses; cover outdoor faucets with foam insulators.
    • Protect water pipes that run through unheated areas of your home with insulation.
  2. Check the Heat: The time to be sure you’re going to stay warm all winter is before the weather gets too cold. Check your furnace by turning on the heat and the blower to be sure they’re operating as they should.
    • Change your furnace filter at the start of the season and then every two to four months.
    • Consider installing a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one.
  3. Prevent Ice Dams: Ice dams form when heat escapes through the roof and melts snow that’s settled there. That snowmelt flows to your roof’s edge and refreezes, usually at the eaves. Those pretty icicles can signal an ugly ice dam underneath. The problem with an ice dam is that snow that later melts can’t properly drain, so it has to go somewhere… and that might be through a leak in your roof, causing water damage in your home.
    • Clogged gutters and downspouts are the No. 1 cause of ice dams. Clean them out to keep water flowing during the winter.
    • Seal places that may allow warm air to leak from your home to your attic.
    • Be sure soffit vents, which are along the eaves of the house and allow air to flow into the attic, are clear.
    • If you’ve had problems with ice dams before or have reason to suspect you might this year, you can take these additional steps:
      • Install snow and ice slides to prevent ice and snow from “bonding” to your roof.
      • Install a rubberized ice and water shield beneath the roof shingles, going 3 to 6 feet back from the eaves.
      • Hire a roofer to install heat cable along the eaves to melt ice.
      • Add additional insulation to your attic floor.
  4. Clean and Store Lawn Equipment: After a summer of yard work, gas-powered equipment such as mowers, trimmers, tillers, and chippers can all benefit from service before being stored for the winter.
    • Empty all of the fuel. Gas can degrade all the time, and the ethanol in E10 gas can damage fuel lines and other components while sitting unused.
    • Clean the machine of oil and yard debris, and sharpen the blades.
    • Store them for winter in a basement, garage, or covered storage shed where they’re safe from the weather.
  5. Inspect the Fireplace and Chimney: There’s nothing like the glow of a fire to warm up a winter evening. But before you light up that first log, make sure your fireplace and chimney are clean and critter-free.
  6. Seal Windows and Doors: Gaps around windows and doors can make it tough to keep your house warm in winter. Caulk around windows and install weather stripping around doors as needed. This minor and inexpensive task can help you save on heating costs. Another option is to add storm windows and doors. Remove, wash and store screens for the spring before you have them installed.
  7. Stock Up on Cold-weather Essentials: When winter storms hit, they often come with power outages. To ensure you and your family are prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you this winter, you will want to have an emergency kit ready. Consider having these cold-weather specific items on hand:
    • A working, fully charged fire extinguisher.
    • An alternative heat source such as a generator, wood-burning stove, or fireplace.
    • Sand, ice melt, and a shovel if where you live is prone to ice and snow (avoid using kitty litter, as it doesn’t provide good traction and can make a mess).
    • You should also develop a plan for communicating or meeting up with family in case you aren’t together when a winter storm hits.

*AUCP does not own the rights to this document. Adapted from articles posted by Liberty Mutual.