Your Input Is Needed for the Long-Term Care Commission!

Friends –

The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Commission is currently studying and evaluating the long-term care services and supports system for persons with disabilities and older persons.  The Commission is holding hearings and accepting public comments to help identify issues and trends.  The Commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to Governor Corbett by December 31, 2014.  Click here to read more about the Commission.

How Can You Be Involved?

Testify at a public hearing.  Public hearings have already been held in Harrisburg, Mercer, and Allison Park.  More public hearings will be held:

Friday, May 30, 2014; 9:00 am – 12:00 noon; Pennsylvania College of Technology, 1 College Avenue, Williamsport

Friday, June 6, 2014; 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm; Montgomery County Community College; Central Blue Bell Campus, 340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell

Friday, June 20, 2014; 9:00 am – 12:00 noon; Pike County Training Center, 135 Pike County Boulevard, Lords Valley

If you want to testify at a hearing, you must register with the Commission at least two business days before the hearing.  Click here to register.  You may also register by calling 717-425-5719 or 1-800-654-5984 (TDD).

Each person’s testimony will be limited to five minutes.  Those who testify are asked to provide a written copy of their comments to the Commission at the hearing or by mail or email (addresses below).

You can attend any of the hearings even if you do not wish to testify.  It is recommended that you register to ensure that there are enough seats.

Submit written comments even if you do not testify.  The Commission is accepting written comments through Friday, June 27.  Written comments must be submitted to:

Department of Public Welfare
P.O. Box 8025
Attn:  OLTL Policy
Harrisburg, PA  17105

or

ra-LTCCommission@pa.gov (email)

Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD) or 1-800-654-5988 (voice).

What Topics Are Important?

You can testify and submit comments on any issues or problems concerning the long-term care services and supports system.  The Commission states that it is particularly interested in the following topics: prevention and caregiver support, accessibility of services and supports, provision of services and supports, and quality outcomes and measurement.  The Disability Rights Network suggests the following as examples of topics:  shifting services from institutional settings to home and community-based settings, timeliness of intake and service provision, access to residential services, services for children and for youth transitioning to adult systems, participant direction, and person-centeredness.

Who Do I Contact?

For more information about the Commission, or for questions about registering for a hearing or submitting public comments, contact the Commission at:

717-425-5719 (voice)
1-800-654-5984 (TDD)
ra-LTCCommission@pa.gov (email)

Thank you,
Chava Kintisch, Staff Attorney
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
ckintisch@drnpa.org