COVID-19 Update
December 15, 2020

NYSDOH COVID-19 Informed Consent Form and Fact Sheet
On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. The EUA clears the way for distribution and administration of the vaccine. You can read the full FDA news release here. 
 
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) issued a "COVID-19 Immunization Screening and Consent Form. "The consent form is accompanied by an information sheet that addresses the 8 screening questions. 

A fact sheet that informs the consent provider and vaccine recipient must be included with the standardized informed consent form. The FDA published a  fact sheet for vaccine recipients and caregivers, and a similar fact sheet for healthcare providers administering the vaccination. 

As mentioned by OPWDD in their emergency call with providers on Friday, it is critical that use of the vaccine is encouraged, and that all parties are informed on the facts of the vaccine and the vaccination program. We encourage all Chapters to familiarize themselves with the screening forms and fact sheets. This will help expedite the informed consent process for those who are presented with the Pfizer vaccine as an option. 
 
OPWDD Amendments to Reimbursement Regulations for Day Service Mealtimes
Following significant advocacy by The Arc New York, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) published emergency amendments to Title 14, Part 635-10.5 regulations. These regulations address the reimbursement of waiver services. The change is to the section on mealtimes. Chapters may deliver services during mealtime and count the duration of mealtime in the total program service duration for group and supplemental day habilitation and site-based pevocational services through the duration of the public health emergency. 
 
This and all related updates will be cataloged on The Arc New York COVID-19 Resource Page for future reference. Please contact us if you have questions regarding any of this information. 
 
CONTACT: 
Josh Christiana, Associate Executive Director for Quality, Compliance & Chapter Relations

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