​

General Colorado Government Resources & Webpages:

• BOH Recruitment Info (05.03.22)

• EXTENDED: Use of Code for Free Training extended through April 24th: National COVID-Ready  (4.20.20)

  • ​COCOVIDCERT (enter at checkout)

• Colorado COVID-19 Broadband Resources and Updates (3.27.20)

• Statewide Stay at Home Order Effective 3.26.20 at 6am (3.25.20)

• • Read the FAQ here.

  • Amended Statewide Public Health Order

• The following counties have issued stay at home orders as of 3.25.20. Thanks for this info CLS! (3.26.20)

  • Adams County

  • Arapahoe County

  • Archuleta County

  • Boulder County

  • Denver County

  • Douglas County

  • Jefferson County

  • La Plata County

  • Larimer County

  • Pitkin County

  • San Miguel County

• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment COVID-19 Webpage

  • Colorado COVID-19 Data Webpage

  • CDPHE COVID Memos

• Colorado Health Care Policy & Financing (Medicaid) COVID-19 Webpage

• Colorado Department of Human Services: Early Intervention Colorado COVID-19 Resources

• Local Health Agencies (Contact for masks/PPE)

​

CO IDD Provider Resources:

• HCPF Guidance and Announcements:

  • HCPF's COVID-19 Newsletters for case managers, and county and eligibility partners (6.22.20)​

  • May 15 COVID-19 Newsletters for case managers, and county and eligibility partners (5.18.20)

  • COVID-19 Newsletter for case managers, and county and eligibility partners from 5.1.20​

  • HCPF COVID-19 Updates April 24, 2020

  • HCPF COVID-19 Updates April 17, 2020

  • The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing is working with our partners at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to determine how we can best support providers in recruiting and hiring direct care workers to meet immediate needs related to COVID-19. We request your participation in a brief survey: 
     Direct Care Worker Recruitment Survey
    The survey will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. (4.15.20)

  • HCPF's COVID-19 Updates April 10, 2020​

  • Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and Oxygen Supplies During the COVID-19 State of Emergency (4.9.20)

  • Updated Case Management Operational Changes in Response to COVID-19 (4.7.20)​

  • COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions For HCBS Providers (Please note these questions are embedded in the HCPF COVID Webpage and will be frequently updates.) Updated April 2, 2020​ (posted 4.02.20)​

  • "Critical Business Self-Certification Form". The use of the form is voluntary and is not required. Click here to download a copy of the form. (3.27.20)

  • Appendix K approval letter (03.27.20)

  • CO's Appendix K waiver amendment request (03.27.20)

  • COVID-19 Emergency Waiver Overview (03.27.20)

  • HCPF Info for Providers & Case Managers Webpage (All COVID provider guidance to date, webinar recordings & info)

  • HCPF/CDPHE Contacts for Agency Closures (3.18.20)

    • If you are temporarily closing, per operational guidance, please email HCPF_HCBS_Questions@state.co.us

    • If you are temporarily closing per operational guidance for a CDPHE licensed facility, please email cdphe.healthfacilities@state.co.us.

    • Other closure contacts: HCPF: bonnie.silva@state.co.us /CDPHE licensing: kara.johnson-hufford@state.co.us (3.18.20)

  • Upcoming Webinars: Submit questions HERE

    • 4.10.20 HCPF Webinars Announced: Disability Community and ALL HCBS and PACE Providers and Case Management Agencies (4.8.20)​

    • Disability Community 3.27.20 @ 10:30am AND 4.3.20 @ 10:30am https://cohcpf.adobeconnect.com/r3b9fqgetn6z/

    • HCBS Residential Providers 3.27.20 @ 12:45am AND 4.3.20 @ 11:45am https://cohcpf.adobeconnect.com/rfjznsuoinn7/

    • HCBS non-residential 3.27.20 @1pm AND 4.3.20 @ 1pm https://cohcpf.adobeconnect.com/r4lt3q6a5pgb/

    • CCBs/SEPs Case Management- 3.27.20 @ 4pm AND 4.3.20 @ 4pm https://cohcpf.adobeconnect.com/r3rv7me4vhh9/

    • Past Webinars: https://www.colorado.gov/hcpf/covid-19-provider-information

  • HCPF Memos for Providers: ​​

    • Operational Memo - Updated: Operational Changes to the HCBS Non-Medical Transportation Benefit for COVID-19 (6.24.20)

    • Operational Memo - Operational Memo for Provider-Owned Residential Settings Regarding the Handling of Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Payments (May 13, 2020) (5.18.20)

    • Informational Memo - Informational Memo for Nursing Facilities (SNFs/NFs) Regarding CMP Usage for Communication Devices (May 14, 2020) (5.18.20)

    • Operational Memo - Clarification for HCBS Community Connector and Supported Community Connections Providers Related to COVID-19 (May 18, 2020) (5.18.20)

    • Informational Memo - Incident Management and Prevention Strategies Training (May 13, 2020)​

    • Operational Memo 20-057: Day Program Service Operations Under COVID-19 Safer at Home Order (5.13.20)​

    • Operational Memo OM -20-056: Informs Transition Coordination Agencies (TCA) of temporary changes to transition coordination activities during COVID-19 pandemic (5.11.20)

    • Informational Memo - State Cross-Agency Guidance on Flexibility in Hiring and Training Staff for Healthcare Providers (May 7, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Options Counseling Expectations COVID-19 (May 7, 2020)

    • Operational Memo OM 20-052 - Informs Case Management Agencies (CMAs) and providers of temporary operational changes to the Level of Care Assessment requirements for certain programs based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (5.6.20)

    • Operational Memo - Temporary Provider Rate Increases for Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities (5.1.20)​

    • Operational Memo - Critical Incident Reporting for COVID-19 (April 23, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Eligibility and Notice of Action Changes in Response to COVID-19 for Case Management Agencies (April 23, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Updated: Changes to Benefits and Services in Response to COVID-19 (April 23, 2020) 

    • Operational Memo - COVID-19 Communication for Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) Participants Regarding Sick Time (April 23, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Updated: Changes to Benefits and Services Rates in Response to COVID-19 (April 23, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Updated Case Management Additional Operational Changes in Response to COVID-19 - Professional Medical Information Page (PMIP) (April 23, 2020)

    • Operational Memo OM 20-043: Inform Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) stakeholders of temporary changes to the PASRR process (4.22.20)

    • Operational Memo- Updated HCBS Provider Retainer Payments and Case Management Action Required for Closures Related to COVID-19 (4.10.20)

    • Operational Memo - Operational Information for HCBS Residential Services Pertaining to COVID-19 (April 7, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - COVID-19 Communication for Suspending In-Person Inspections for HCBS Home Modification and Individual Residential Support Services-Host Home Settings (April 8, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Community Centered Boards and Single Entry Points Operational Changes in Response to COVID-19 (April 8, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Temporary Training and Certification of Nurse Aides (April 8, 2020)

    • Operational Memo: Information for HCBS Residential Services Pertaining to COVID-19 (4.8.20)

    • Operational Memo - Updated Case Management Operational Changes in response to COVID-19 (April 6, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Changes to Signature Requirements for Member Paperwork in Response to COVID-19 for Case Management agencies (March 31, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - PASRR COVID-19 Update 2 (April 1, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Operational Changes to the Non-Medical Transportation Benefit for COVID-19 (April 1, 2020)

    • Operational Memo - Telemedicine in Nursing Facilities, Alternative Care Facilities, and Intermediate Care Facilities for COVID-19 (April 1, 2020)

    • Operational Memo: Changes to Signature Requirements for Member Paperwork in Response to COVID-19 for Case Management Agencies (3.31.20)

    • Operational Memo: Changes to Benefits and Services in Response to COVID-19 (3.24.20)

    • Operational Memo: COVID-19 Communication for Supervision Requirements for Class B Licensed HCBS Providers (3.24.20)

    • Operational Memo: Critical Incident Reporting for COVID-19 (3.19.20)

    • HCPF COVID-19 Memo Archive  Prior to 3.17.20

• CDPHE Guidance and Announcements:

  • CDPHE Holiday Guidance (12.22.20)

  • HAN Advisory - COVID-19 Changes to Quarantine Guidance - 10 Day Guidance (12.2.20)

  • CDPHE guidance requiring testing for staff and residents at group homes and ICFs. (11.12.20)

  • Updated Guidance from CDPHE re: EMResruce (Resources/PPE) Reporting (8.3.20)

  • CDC Webinar Series for ICF/Group Home Providers (6.29.20)

  • CDPHE Residential Facility Outdoor Visitation Guidance (6.24.20)

  • CDPHE Portal Message on Outdoor Visitation Guidance (6.24.20)

  • COVID-19 prevention and response plan: Public Health Order 20-20 required all Colorado licensed or certified skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and assisted living residences to submit a COVID-19 Prevention and Response Plan to CDPHE by May 1, 2020. View the prevention and response plans

    • Letter from CDPHE re: Posting Isolation plans. (06.08.20)

  • ICF/Group Home COVID Prevention and Rapid Response Checklist for Long-Term Care Facilities  (5.18.20)

  • Safer at Home: Nursing Homes and Congregate Care Facilities; CDPHE (5.14.20)​

  • CDPHE’s COVID testing webpage: The Colorado State Public Health Lab will continue to prioritize the analysis of COVID-19 samples based on a three-tiered criteria adapted from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services testing priorities and availability of tests. (5.7.20)

    • People who are part of a high-risk job category experiencing symptoms can call 303-692-2700 to be directed to a testing facility.High-risk job categories include:

      • Healthcare workers

      • Group housing workers

      • Jail workers

      • Long-term care facility workers

  • CDPHE In-Person Surveys for ICFs and Group Homes: The Governor’s Strike Force have requested unannounced surveys of nursing facilities, ICFs, and group homes. All surveyors have PPE and the most common deficiency is the misuse of PPE. The purposes of the surveys are:

    • Check on Public Health/Executive Order compliance

    • Observe procedures

    • Answer any questions

  • COVID Testing: CDPHE, in partnership with the National Guard, is now testing largest-sized nursing facilities that do not have outbreaks, they are testing all the staff, and residents that have been out of the building and returned. They want to get ahead of any large outbreaks.

    • The state will be referencing the CDPHE PPE survey, Isolation Plans, and COVID in-person surveys to measure the need for PPE, supplies, and testing. More to come on when ICFs and group homes will get tests. Right now, it is still hard to get tests and they are starting with larger facilities.

    • Alliance has been expressing concerns with HCPF and CDPHE about the need for testing in Group Homes and IDD facilities. We are told once the state has more tests they hope to be moving to smaller facilities, including IDD facilities.

  • Isolation Plans for ICFs and Group Homes:

    • As of @1pm 4/30/20 CDPHE has ONLY received plans from 1/21 ICF and 24/118 Group Homes. All group homes MUST USE the form.

    • You submit a PDF template for each facility.

    • In the form you CANNOT say “refer to policies” you must use the form to explain.

    • There is a team of survey reviewers for each category and they are working with experts and making a reference if the survey is “adequate” or “inadequate” for each practice. They are then giving an overall “adequate” or “inadequate” rating on each plan.

    • CDPHE will follow up with enforcement if the plan is not received by Friday, May 1, 2020.

  • State releases public health order requiring critical business employees to wear masks (4.23.20)

  • CDPHE is conducting a survey on IDD residential facilities. Please complete this survey by Monday, April 27 the at 5:00 p.m. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Each facility should only complete the survey once. Thank you for your assistance in attempting to slow the spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZS6FYL2

  • CDPHE Public Health Order, Facility Isolation Plans: By May 1, 2020, CDPHE will require Facility Isolation Plans from residential facilities, this includes ICFs and group homes. There is an enforcement clause in this order, so make sure you get your reports in to CDPHE by May 1, 2020!!! (4.21.20)

    • Amended Public Health Order 20-20: Restricting Visitors at All Colorado Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Residences, and Intermediate Care Facilities (PDF) Facilities will submit those plans to: COVID-19FacilityIsolationPlan@state.co.us To assist with plan development, a template has been developed and can be located here: Isolation Plan Template.

    • A new web page has also been created to provide direction and guidance for long term care and residential facilities. To view this page, which contains the public health order, facility guidance, and other resources visit https://covid19.colorado.gov/ltcf.

  • CDPHE: Face Coverings Infographic: Guidance for Effective Use (Spanish) (4.21.20)

  • The Long Term Care Facility Workgroup met on April 15th. During that meeting, a list of resources was collected. Please refer to the following websites for guidance to slow the spread of novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). (4.17.20)

  • CDPHE:  COVID-19 Preparation and Rapid Response: Checklist for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) (4.6.20)

    • Checklist for Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living residences (4.6.20)

  • This is a reminder from CDPHE for the CO IDD provider community with residential settings. In short, the same principles apply given the current public health orders, CDC, guidance. Please submit any questions HERE (3.24.20)

    • CDPHE Letter on Visitation Requirements

    • Guidance on what to do if you suspect a resident has COVID-19

  • Public Health Order - Authorized Business. IDD Providers please see "Critical Business" #8 (3.23.20)

  • PPE Update: Please contact either their local public health agency or county emergency manager, so the county emergency manager can put a detailed request into the EOC.  You need to submit a very detailed request: number of masks, etc. Please let Josh know if you run into any issues with this system. It is the only way to unlock state resources. If any of these health care organizations cross counties, there is an email they can send a request to for their entire system. That email is: CDPS_CHOPS@state.co.us.  The EOC prefers it come from counties so they can prioritize PPE on a county level, but realize it may not be possible.  (3.23.20)

  • CDPHE guidance to those with COVID-19 symptoms including when to call health care providers and 911 (3.21.20)

  • CDPHE Guidance on when to Isolate and Quarantine (3.20.20)

  • Guidance for APS Site Visits (3.18.20)

  • CDPHE re: masks and the statewide shortage of PPE. All healthcare providers should contact their local public health agencies for PPE requests: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/find-your-local-public-health-agency (3.17.20)

  • Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes (REVISED)​

  • Guidelines for Preventing & Control of COVID-19 in Program Approved Service Agencies- PASA (CDPHE 3/12/20)

• CDHS Guidance and Announcements:

  • Regional Centers (RCs)

    • The RCs have put some additional strategies in place around visitors and intakes. The RCs are still accepting referrals for admission and the Community Support Team, but are reviewing each admission on a case-by-case basis. Because of COVID, they will assess benefit/risk of bringing someone into the RC, and may may need to delay admission. Transitions out of RCs are effectively on-hold due to the number of in-person visits required in the transition process. Anything not requiring those visits will continue to move forward. (3.17.20)

  • Office of Early Childhood (OEC)

    • Early Intervention Colorado (EI)

      • • COVID EI Budget Reductions and Eligibility Changes (July 2020)

          • OEC's Overview on EI Eligibility Changes (7.7.20)

          • OEC's FAQ on Proposed EI Budget Reductions (7.7.20)

          • OEC's Town Hall Meeting Link (12pm on 7.7.20)- a recording will be posted after the meeting

          • July 10th 9am Medical Services Board Meeting Information (Emergency Rule to Reduce EI Eligibility)

            • The documents for the July Medical Services Board meeting have been posted on the Department’s web site. 

            • You can access the agenda and a draft copy of each rule here.

            • Alliance Letter to the Colorado Human Services Board Re: Emergency Rule to Curtail Eligibility for EI Services (7.8.20)

      • Proposed EI Budget Reductions by the Office of Early Childhood (CDHS) (6.29.20)

      • Early Intervention Virtual Visits Update (5.27.20)

      • In alignment with the Governor's Safer at Home order, the Early Intervention (EI) program has issued guidance to Community Centered Board (CCB) early intervention programs and direct service providers that all EI activities will continue through virtual means (telehealth, phone, etc.) until further notice. Learn more by reading Colorado's Early Intervention COVID-19 Guidance (5.1.20)

      • Governor Polis announced the next phase to protect Coloradans from COVID-19 called Safer at Home. As the state moves to incrementally reopen Colorado after April 26, 2020, EI Colorado will be taking steps to craft a plan for transitioning back to in-person visits in a thoughtful way that makes sense for the families we serve and our program. At this time all services and related activities provided by Early Intervention Colorado will remain as virtual visits only. Further clarification and guidance will be provided as it becomes available. (4.21.20)

      • EI is discontinuing in-person visits for children and families referred to, or enrolled in, early intervention services (3.18.20)

      • Guidance for CCBs/Early Intervention Providers (updated daily)

  • Adult Protected Services (APS)

    • APS continues to respond to reports and cases but will be managing those virtually to the extent possible. Reports that indicate an emergency situation will be managed through 911 or through a live contact by APS. APS will honor CMS' request to prohibit visitors into LTC facilities. APS may respond in person at state-run facilities in an emergency (3.23.20)

    • The CAPS Check Unit continues to process CAPS background checks. Current results are being returned next business day (3.23.20)

    • Guidance for APS Site Visits (3.18.20)

• CDLE Guidance and Announcements:

  • DVR Needs Your Help: Remote Best Practices Survey (5.27.20)

  • The Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) is looking to gather some information from CCBs and PASAs about how COVID has impacted your work and those that you serve. Please complete the following survey, which is anonymous and should take less than 10 minutes. To maintain confidentiality for your job seekers, please do not share their names or any identifying information: Link to Survey: https://forms.gle/xf7pKd3erwhG9Kt68 please send questions to Layla Mauldin, layla.mauldin@state.co.us (4.23.20)

  • CDLE COVID-19 Resource Page (03.30.20)​

  • Start an Unemployment Claim here

  • DVR COVID-19 Update (3.18.20)

  • Emergency Rule re: Paid Sick Leave (3.12.20)

  • CDLE Update to HELP Rules (3.26.20)

  • Colorado HELP Rules 7 CCR 1103-10

  • Colorado HELP Rules Justification

  • FAQs on Colorado HELP Rules

 

• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) or CO Eco Devo

  • ECO Eco Devo Support for Businesses

    • Small Businesses Disaster Preparedness Resources

    • COVID Economic Hotline: 303.860.5881

      • https://choosecolorado.com/covid19/

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Information:

    • Paycheck Protection Program updated Frequently Asked Questions (published 5/6/2020)​

    • PPP Information Sheet

    • PPP Made Easy PowerPoint! (3.2.20)

​​

• Arc Resources (4.17.20):

  • Plain language document explaining medical rationing and the state triage plan to self-advocates​ (Spanish version)

  • Helpful tips for medical professionals and first-responders on assisting persons with disabilities (Spanish version)

  • Center for Dignity in Health Care fact sheet on rights for people with disabilities

​