News and Updates
VACHP Respite--IMPORTANT UPDATE:
We regret to inform you that due to recent contractual changes involving the Department of Health and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, respite care will be temporarily unavailable as of July 1, 2013. This will not affect the current quarter’s respite (ending June 30, 2013). We regret the timing of this since so many families use respite in the summer. We will re-instate the respite hours as soon as these contract changes are completed. The total respite budget will not change, so when we are able to resume respite hours, there will be extra hours available for the first few months.
Note: No respite can be paid by VACHP that is worked after June 30th. Also, any respite paperwork for June 2013 respite hours must be received in our office by Monday, July 15th 2013. We cannot make any exceptions!
IMPORTANT CHANGES AHEAD:
As you know, along with our new contract, we are restructuring the respite program. Although our July respite hours are temporarily on hold, we would like to get started with the new process now so that it can begin as soon as respite becomes available again.
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Although respite hours will still be available to families each quarter, the respite providers will no longer be credentialed or paid through VACHP and CHOP.
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The respite process will be handled by a sub-contractor, Pediatric Services of America (PSA).
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Families will still be able to use their current respite nurses. Please spread the word to them.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
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By now you should have received an important packet of information in the mail from VACHP regarding the respite changes.
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Please read all of the forms and follow the directions as stated. The sooner you return your Release of Information Form, the sooner we can begin the process of registering your family and nurses with PSA. By doing this as soon as possible, our hope is to have your nurses signed up by the time respite is reinstated--thus preventing further delays in you eligibility to use respite.
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Any family using respite must have an updated 485 plan in their home--but PSA will not collect them or make copies, and they will strictly be used by the respite nurses in the home.
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In case you've misplaced or didn't receive the packet by mail, we've included the information in the links below:
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This link to the Family Letter has all of the details that will assist us in making this a smooth transition for everyone.
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Pediatric Services of America (PSA) Registration--please make sure your nurses have this information and encourage them to contact the local PSA office to sign up.
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Release of Information--please complete this form as soon as possible, so that we may begin registering your family and nurses with PSA.
Philadelphia Office:
Ventilator Assisted Children's Home Program
Wanamaker Building, 9th Floor
One Hundred Penn Square East
Philadelphia, PA 19107
267-425-9400
267-425-9410 (FAX #)
Pittsburgh Office:
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Ventilator Assisted Children's Home Program
Faculty Pavilion Building, Suite 2000
4401 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
1-877-KID-VENT
FAX: 412-692-6657
VACHP Facebook Page
VACHP-Philadelphia
Family Day 2013
June 8
DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER
www.davincisciencecenter.org
3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, Allentown, PA 18103
10a-3p / FREE / Lunch Included
- Tickets include admission to all floor exhibits and the Grossology exhibit (does not include Gyrosphere or Hurricane Simulation, tickets for these activities can be purchased)
- Accessible facilities with changing space
- Free Parking
