FAQs

The Request for Approval (RFA) should be inputted and submitted in our BCDAC. Inc. Redcap Database when the contracted provider is requesting approval for a Level of Care Assessment (LOCA), treatment, Vivitrol injection or Sublocade injection for uninsured or underinsured individuals who live in Bucks County. The RFA form should also be completed If the individual loses his or her original funding source (Magellan HealthChoices, Private/Commercial Insurance) and continued stay requests. A new RFA needs to be completed for each request. There may be exceptions to this; please contact our office for more information.

Please keep in mind: if any information submitted in the BCDAC, Inc. REDCap Database is missing or incorrect, BCDAC, Inc. will not approve the request.  It will need to be corrected and resubmitted.

Contact BCDAC, Inc. Approval of Care Department at 215-444-2730 or email AOC@buckscounty.org to get a username and password.

• Demographics and Request for Approval (RFA)
• AOC 13 Consent - can be completed electronically in REDCap or a paper copy can be signed by the individual and uploaded to REDCap
• AOC 14 Consent - can be completed electronically in REDCap or a paper copy can be signed by the individual and uploaded to REDCap

All other required BCDAC, Inc. (Bucks SCA) paperwork must be completed and remain in the individual’s chart at the contracted provider.  Click here to view a full list of all the required BCDAC, Inc. (Bucks SCA) paperwork.

To be considered a credentialed assessor through BCDAC, Inc. you must complete the following:

1. Attendance at the BCDAC, Inc. Annual Assessor Training
2. DDAP Core trainings must be completed within 365 days of hire

If you are not credentialed, you will need to have a supervisor who is credentialed with BCDAC, Inc. sign off on LOCA and ASAM Summary Sheet until you have completed all Core Trainings. In order to be credentialed with BCDAC, Inc., an individual must meet the minimum education and training requirements established by the State-Civil Service Commission.

The SCA is required to ensure that those persons providing case management functions and their supervisors complete all required and applicable DDAP-approved case management core trainings within 365 days of hire. This includes any staff who complete Continued Stay ASAMs and/or utilization reviews.

DDAP Core Trainings Include:

• Addictions 101 (Exemption eligible)
• Substance Use Confidentiality –Online Module
• Case Management Series (Required for staff who did not complete the previous Case Part V – Case Management CMCS Manual July 2020 V.15 Management Overview curriculum). The online Case Management Overview training must be completed before the Case Management Skills training.
  • Case Management Overview* – Online Module(exemption eligible) and
  • Case Management Skills Training – In-person or Virtual 
• Screening and Assessment (Exemption eligible)
• Motivational Interviewing (required for staff hired on or after July 1, 2020)
• The ASAM Criteria, 2013 – Online Module

If the Core Trainings are not completed within 365 days, the staff members will not be able to complete county assessments until all trainings are complete and LOCA completed after the 365 are subject to non-payment.

Exemptions may be made at the discretion of the SCA Administrator for both SCA staff and provider staff for the Case Management Overview, Addictions 101, and Screening and Assessment courses, provided that comparable training and educational requirements have been met. Click here to submit an exemption request to our office.

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) defines the following individuals as Priority Population:

• Pregnant Women Who Inject Drugs- Preferential treatment is given to pregnant women
• Pregnant Women Who Use Substances- Preferential treatment is given to pregnant women
• Persons Who Inject Drugs (PWID)
• Overdose Survivors - DDAP defines an overdose as a situation in which an individual is in a state requiring emergency medical intervention as a result of the use of drugs or alcohol
• Veterans - Regardless of the veteran’s eligibility status for Veterans’ Affairs

All individuals in these DDAP priority populations must have a level of care assessment (LOCA) and be offered admission into the recommended level of care.  If admission to the level of care is not immediate, the individual must be offered case management services as well as admission to another level of care.

BCDAC, Inc. also considers the following populations as a priority for our office:

• Adolescents - for SCA funding, adolescents are considered to be age 18 and under, except if they are still in high school, in which case it is up to the age of 21.
• Individuals who are unhoused (Homeless)
• Individuals referred by the Bucks Police Assisting in Recovery (BPAIR) program
• Individuals who lose funding (Private/Commercial, Medicare, and/or Medicaid benefits terms) while in treatment

A UCN is the Unique Client Number that is given to the individual seeking treatment. Providers should use the UCN created in the PA WITS system.

According to the DDAP Treatment Manual, Interim Services must be provided for all pregnant and/or person who inject drugs, if unable to be placed into treatment immediately following the assessment. Interim Services are defined as:

• Services to reduce adverse health effects of substance abuse
• To promote the health of the individual
• Reduce the risk of transmission of a disease until the individual is admitted to a treatment program
• Must be made available within 48 hours of the assessment along with Recovery Support Services and admission must occur no later than 120 days after assessment

At a minimum, Interim Services include:

• Counseling and education about HIV and Tuberculosis (TB)
• Counseling and education about the risks of needle sharing
• Counseling and education about the risks of transmission to sexual partners and infants
• Counseling and education about the steps that can be taken to ensure that HIV and TB transmission does not occur
• A referral for HIV and TB treatment services if necessary
• For pregnant women, Interim Services shall also include counseling on the effects of alcohol and drug use on the fetus, as well as referral for prenatal care
• All agencies are required to have procedures in place indicating how and who will provide Interim Services
• Documentation of Interim Services, whether provided internally by the agency and/or through an interagency agreement arrangement, remains the responsibility of the assessment agency

Interim Services can be provided on site or through referral. Please click here to download the Resource List for Interim Services for Pregnant Women and Persons Who Inject Drugs (PWID).

Recovery Support Services (RSS) are non-clinical services that assist individuals and families to recover from substance use disorders. These services complement the focus of treatment, outreach, engagement and other strategies and interventions to assist people in recovery in gaining the skills and resources needed to initiate, maintain, and sustain long-term recovery. RSS are not a substitute for necessary clinical services. Recovery Support Services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mentoring Programs, in which individuals newer to recovery are paired with Certified Recovery Specialists, to obtain support and advice on an individual basis and to assist with issues potentially impacting recovery (these mentors are not the same as 12-step sponsors)
• Training and Education utilizing a structured curriculum relating to addiction and recovery, life skills, job skills, health and wellness that is conducted in a group setting
• Family Programs utilizing a structured curriculum that provides resources and information needed to help families and significant others who are impacted by an individual’s addiction
• Telephonic Recovery Support (recovery check-ups) designed for individuals who can benefit from a weekly call to keep them engaged in the recovery process and to help them maintain their commitment to their recovery
• Recovery Planning to assist an individual in managing their recovery
• Support Groups for recovering individuals that are population focused (i.e. HIV/AIDS, veterans, youth, bereavement, etc.)
• Recovery Housing (for parameters in funding this RSS, please see Section 6.04 in DDAP Treatment Manual)
• Recovery Centers where recovery support services are designed, tailored, and delivered by individuals from local recovery communities

Recovery Support Services can be provided on site or through referral. Please click here to download the Recovery Support Services Resource List.

No, there are no limits to the number of assessments an individual can have. An individual cannot be charged a fee for a county funded assessment.

An assessment will be valid for six months.

1. This time frame does not pertain to active individuals. This applies to individuals who have never engaged in treatment after being assessed or who have been discharged and are seeking to reinitiate services.
2. An exception to this timeline may be made for individuals who were incarcerated during this six-month time period. Specifically, time prior to being in the controlled environment may be considered.
3. If an individual requests to reinitiate services prior to the end of the six-month period, the assessor should update the most recent assessment in lieu of completing a new assessment; however, a new ASAM Criteria must be completed. Partial Assessments are to be conducted within the six-month period and billed accordingly.

In an effort to address the opioid epidemic, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has mandated that all individuals entering a hospital (ED or other medical unit) following an opioid overdose be connected to a warm handoff program and provided with treatment options. In 2017, Bucks County implemented the BCARES (Bucks County Connect. Assess. Refer. Engage. Support.) warm handoff process.  BCARES is a collaboration between the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. (BCDAC, Inc.), the six Bucks County hospitals and Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) employed through Gaudenzia Lower Bucks, St. Luke’s/Penn Foundation and The Council of Southeast PA. 

Since its inception, BCARES has expanded to serve any individual with any substance use disorder who presents to a Bucks County hospital. Serving opioid overdose survivors remains our priority. The BCARES CRS works with individuals and families to provide support, education, recovery resources, and treatment options.  For overdose survivors, the goal is to provide treatment directly from the hospital to a D&A facility if the individual agrees.

In order ensure a direct admission for individuals who survived an opioid overdose and to facilitate the admission process during the evenings, weekends and holidays, the following protocol remains in effect for BCDAC, Inc. contracted providers:

• Individuals who survive an opioid overdose are a priority population.
  
  
• BCDAC, Inc. is committed to funding the first three days of treatment at a contracted provider for any individual who survived an opioid overdose and was seen by a BCARES CRS at a Bucks County hospital.  This funding ensures a timely admission and provides the admitting facility an opportunity to explore funding for the remainder of the individual’s stay. This funding applies to any opioid overdose survivor seen by BCARES, regardless of their county or state of residence or their insurance status.
  
  
• The BCARES CRS will complete and submit initial paperwork to BCDAC, Inc., identifying a BCARES referral who survived an opioid overdose. It is the responsibility of the treating contracted provider to contact the BCDAC, Inc. Approval of Care Department (215-444-2730) the next business day. BCDAC, Inc. Approval of Care staff will work with the treating contracted provider to ensure all SCA paperwork is completed, and all required items are inputted into PA WITS including the Admission ASAM.

Please ensure that your agency’s prescreen/assessment and other relevant staff are aware of this funding and that opioid overdose survivors must be admitted immediately.  If you have any questions regarding this process, please call Approval of Care Clinical Supervisor Cindy LaBar at 215-444-2730.

Bucks County Police Assisting In Recovery (BPAIR) is a program aimed towards getting help for individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment by connecting them with resources, support and services. Participating Police Departments are here to help and support adult residents of Bucks County who are looking for help or struggling with substance use disorder.

The first step for the individual seeking treatment is to visit one of the BPAIR Police Departments. The Police Department will then pair the individual with a volunteer who will accompany him or her to an assessment site. Click here to view the list of participating BPAIR Police Departments.

1. Demographics and Request for Approval (RFA)
2. AOC 13 Consent - can be completed electronically in REDCap or a paper copy can be signed by the individual and uploaded to REDCap
3. AOC 14 Consent - can be completed electronically in REDCap or a paper copy can be signed by the individual and uploaded to REDCap

Please keep in mind: if any information submitted in the BCDAC, Inc. REDCap Database is missing or incorrect, BCDAC, Inc. will not approve the request.  It will need to be corrected and resubmitted.

The ASAM must be inputted into PA WITS. This includes admission and continues stay ASAMs. Our office will confirm The ASAM was inputted into PA WITS before approving any request.

Staff providing assessment/case management services and their supervisors are required to complete all DDAP Core Training within 365 days of hire. This includes any staff who complete Continued Stay ASAMs and/or utilization reviews.

Training requires DDAP Certificate or exemption. DDAP Core Trainings include:

If the Core Trainings are not completed within 365 days, the staff members will not be able to complete county assessments until all trainings are complete and LOCA completed after the 365 are subject to non-payment.

Pregnant women, women with dependent children and women who are seeking custody of their children.

The SCA shall ensure that contracted providers who deliver services to pregnant women, women with dependent children, and women who are seeking custody of their children treat the family as a unit, when appropriate, and provide or arrange for the provision of the following services:

• Primary medical care for women, including a referral for prenatal care, as well as childcare while the women are receiving medical care.
  
  
• Primary pediatric care, including immunization, for their children; Part III - Special Populations CMCS Manual July 2020 III.5
  
  
• Gender-specific substance use treatment and other therapeutic interventions for women which may address issues of relationships, sexual and physical abuse, and parenting, as well as childcare while the women are receiving these services.
  
  
• Family therapy, nutrition education, and education to GED level.
  
  
• Therapeutic interventions for the children in the custody of the women receiving treatment services which may address, among other things, the children’s developmental needs, issues of sexual and physical abuse, and neglect.
  
  
• Case management and transportation to ensure those women and their children have

Our office maintains a current resource list that identifies, by address, phone number, and if applicable, website, a provider for each service listed above. Please click here to download the Resource List for Required Services for Pregnant Women, Women With Dependent Children, Women Who Are Seeking Custody of Their Children.

Yes! Our office covers all to these services for SCA funded individuals. Our expectation is each individual is offered these services at the time of the Level of Care Assessment, throughout treatment and as part of aftercare/discharge planning.  Please click below for more information about each program.

Screening is the first activity provided to an individual who seeks to access services. Screening evaluates the need for emergent care services including withdrawal management, prenatal, and psychiatric services. Screening must be completed by utilizing the Intake and Screening Tool in PA Web Infrastructure for Treatment Services (PA WITS).

The purposes of the screening include:

• To obtain information to determine the need for emergent care in the following areas: a) Withdrawal Management, b) Prenatal Care, and/or c) Psychiatric Care.
• To motivate and refer, if necessary, for a Level of Care (LOC) assessment or other services
• To identify individuals being referred by an emergency room or urgent care facility following an overdose.

Screening must be provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BCDAC, Inc. contracts with specific screening and assessment sites to provide this screening during business and non-business hours. After-hours screening does not require the ability to schedule a level of care assessment. Screening can be conducted by telephone or in person, when possible, be completed with the individual who may be in need of services. Contracted providers must document on the screening tool the person to whom they are speaking at time of screening. They must make all attempts to speak with the person in need of services.

Contracted providers may conduct screening in the following three ways:

1. Option 1: Individuals conducting screening are skilled medical or human service professionals (e.g. ED triage nurse, crisis intervention caseworker, SCA case manager, counselor) proficient in identifying the need for a referral for emergent care services through a combination of education, training, and experience; or
   
   
2. Option 2: Support staff conduct screening in conjunction with skilled medical or human service professionals. And if needed, transfer the individual to a skilled professional to determine emergent care services; or
   
   
3. Option 3: Support staff conduct screening if the SCA is able to demonstrate, through documentation provided during the onsite monitoring visit or upon DDAP request, that the individual determining the need for a referral for emergent care services has a combination of education, training, and experience in the following areas:

1. 1. Psychiatric (identification of suicide and homicide risk factors)
   2. Prenatal (identification of alcohol and other substance use effects on the fetus)
   3. Withdrawal Management (pharmacology, basic addiction, identification of drug interactions)

Any contracted provider completing Level of Care Assessment services must assess the individual to determine whether the individual would be considered high risk for communicable diseases. The individual must be screened for Tuberculous (TB), Hepatitis C & Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Contracted providers can make services available on-site or through a referral and should document in an individual’s chart their acceptance or rejection of the referral. A breakdown of testing guidelines for each communicable disease is below.

Tuberculous (TB)

The following questions must be asked at the time of the LOCA, and the responses documented, prior to admission to treatment. Any individual that responds with a “yes” to any of these questions is considered high risk for TB and should be referred to the Bucks County Department of Health:

1. Have you traveled extensively (more than 4 weeks) outside the U.S. in the last five years to high TB-incidence areas (Asia, Africa, South America, Central America)?
2. Are you an immigrant from a high TB-risk foreign country (includes countries in Asia, Africa, South America, and Central America)?
3. Have you resided in any of these facilities in the past year: jails, prisons, shelters, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities such as rehabilitation centers? (If an individual was a resident of any of these facilities and tested within the past three months, they do not need to be reassessed.)
4. Have you had any close contact with someone diagnosed with TB?
5. Have you been homeless within the past year?
6. Have you ever injected drugs?
7. Do you or anyone in your household currently have the following symptoms, such as a sustained cough for two or more weeks, coughing up blood, fever/chills, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, night sweats?
8. Do you currently have or anticipate having any condition that would decrease your immune system? (Examples: HIV infection, organ transplant recipient, treatment with TNF-alpha antagonist (e.g. infliximab, etanercept, others), steroids (equivalent dose of Prednisone 15mg/day for one month or longer) or any other immunosuppressive medications)

Hepatitis C

In 2020, the CDC hepatitis C testing guidelines were updated to include a recommendation that all adults, 18 and older, be tested for hepatitis C at least once in a lifetime. The SCA and its contracted providers must ensure that hepatitis C testing is available on-site or through a referral to improve access to hepatitis C services for all clients. Additionally, the CDC recommends routine testing for the following groups with persistent risk factors and individuals considered high risk should be referred to the Bucks County Department of Health for testing and linkage to care:

1. Persons who inject drugs and share needles, syringes, or other drug preparation equipment;
2. Persons with selected medical conditions, including persons who ever received maintenance hemodialysis;

HIV

Current CDC testing guidelines recommend all individuals ages 13 to 64 be offered screening for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. In addition to the initial HIV screening, the CDC guidelines indicate that persons at a higher risk for acquiring HIV should be screened for HIV at least annually. Since those with substance use disorders have been identified as being at higher risk for HIV, SCAs and LOCAs must offer annual opt-out screening as described above to clients who have not already been screened during the past year.  Contracted providers shall ensure that HIV testing is available on-site or through a referral to improve access to HIV services for all clients.

More frequent than annual repeat screening should be performed on the basis of clinical judgment. Factors associated with greater vulnerability to HIV include: 

1. unprotected sexual activities with persons living with HIV or unknown HIV status, or any individual who has multiple sex partners
2. Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug preparation equipment with persons living with HIV or unknown HIV status
3. Persons infected with, or recently treated for viral hepatitis or a STD such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or genital herpes

Individuals should be referred to the Bucks County Department of Health.  Please click here to visit their website to schedule for Screening and Testing at their STD/HIV Screening clinics located in Levittown & Doylestown. Services through the Bucks County Department of health are free. Contracted providers should document in the individual’s chart their acceptance or rejection of the referral.

Click here to download the BCPUSH Flyer which highlights referrals to the Bucks County Health Department as well as other organizations that offer communicable disease screening, testing, education, and treatment services.

Our office’s expectation is that providers should be educating and discussing MAT options with individuals at the level of care assessment and continuing that education and conversation throughout treatment.

The coordination of care between therapeutic and pharmaceutical interventions is critical.  Individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) who have a disorder for which there is an FDA-approved medication treatment must have access to those treatments based upon their individual needs and preferences.

Providers need to ensure medication and clinical therapeutic interventions are available in all levels of care, even if the SUD treatment provider is not the prescriber of the medication and must not exclude individuals on MAT from being admitted into services.

BCDAC, Inc. may use Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) funds only to pay for MAT using FDA-approved medications. BCDAC, Inc. may only use DDAP funds to pay for MAT, other than methadone, for individuals who either had a LOCA and are in the process of being placed into licensed SUD treatment, who are Enrolled in licensed SUD treatment or have successfully completed licensed substance use disorder treatment. BCDAC, Inc. may not place limits on a type of service or medication or restrict the length of service.

Our office approved funding for the following forms of MAT:

• Methadone (Opiate Use Disorder)
• Suboxone (Opiate Use Disorder)
• Subutex (Opiate Use Disorder)
• Vivitrol (Opiate and Alcohol Use Disorder)
  • *Brief pre-certification is required with our office before each injection
• Sublocade (Opiate Use Disorder)
  • Brief pre-certification is required with our office before each injection

Yes, we do. Our office had two recovery house funding opportunities. Please review the criteria for each program below to see if you qualify.

SCA Recovery House Funding:

SCA funding is available for first 4 weeks of rent for the following houses:

• Acceptance House
• A New Way
• Emile House
• New Found Freedom
• New Path

Individuals interested in applying for the program must complete an application and consents. The completed application should be sent to the Approval of Care department via fax or email. Individuals must be SCA funded or were at the time of placement in the LOCA.

Bucks County Recovery Residency Oversight Committee (BC-ROC):

Program to assist with funding up to 60 days of housing for individuals in need who are enrolled or eligible for Magellan/Health Choices of Bucks County. To be considered, the individual will need to complete the online application. Click here for the application and list of approved BC-ROC Recovery Houses.  Questions? Contact Brian Wilson, Recovery House Coordinator at 215-444-2711 or email at bwilson@buckscounty.org

SOR Housing

BCDAC, Inc. has opened the SOR Housing program as of March 1, 2023, for eligible participants.

Individuals to be considered for funding, at a minimum, must meet the following criteria:

• Current or history of Opioid and / or Stimulant Use Disorder.
• Must be homeless or at risk of homelessness defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Must be a resident of Bucks County, within the last three months.

Providers with eligible candidates should complete the attached referral form and release of information and forward it to the appropriate Center of Excellence for further screening and eligibility.

• Lower End County referrals are to be directed to Family Service Association.
• Central and Upper End County referrals are to be directed to St. Luke's Penn Foundation.

Specific SOR Housing related questions should be directed to the appropriate Center of Excellence.

Click here to download the SOR Housing Flyer and referral form.

Yes, we do approve and fund individuals for Halfway House level of care. Click here to view our Provider Directory to view a full listing of 3.1 Halfway house providers.

The Case Management Service Plan, which is referred to as a recovery plan in PA WITS, is an assessment of treatment-related needs that must be addressed at the time of LOCA and updated no less than every 60 days throughout an individual’s time in treatment. Contracted providers are to ensure each individual has a Case Management Service Plan that has been reviewed and updated while the individual is in treatment. Click here to download the DDAP Case Management Clinical Services Plan.

Yes, our office is happy to schedule one-on-one or group training for any provider. Please reach out to the Approval of Care Department to schedule. In addition, in the BCDAC, Inc. REDCap Database there are Project Bookmarks (Located on the menu on the left) which has links to our REDCap User Guide and REDCap Training videos.  

Contracted providers are required to complete the following components in PA WITS for every individual receiving case management services, including a LOCA. All items must be entered into PA WITS within 7 days of the date the service was delivered:

• Client Profile;
• Intake;
• Screening Tool;
• ASAM;
• Program Enrollment [for individuals receiving ongoing case management, other than screening & assessment, and for State Opioid Response (SOR)-funded case management];
• An encounter note to explain the reason an individual is discharged from case management services; (The case in WITS must be closed via the “Save & Close the Case” portion of the Intake page.)
• Documentation of interim services using miscellaneous notes, if applicable;
• SOR GPRA for individuals with an OUD or SUD (stimulants and Cocaine included), receiving SOR funded treatment or treatment-related services;
• Case Management Notes, including admission and discharge notes, to be completed utilizing the encounter notes. Notes must adequately describe the nature and extent of each contact to include the following:
  • Information gathered about the individual;
  • Analysis of the information to identify the individual’s treatment and treatment-related needs;
  • Action to be taken to meet the individual’s treatment and treatment-related needs; and
  • Case manager’s signature or initials and date.

Every provider has at least one multiple PA WITS agency administrator who can add and create usernames for staff and re-set passwords in PA WITS. Reach out to your agency administrator to receive a login. Connect with your supervisor if you are uncertain who is the identified agency administrator at your facility.

Yes, our office is happy to schedule one-on-one or group training for any provider. Please reach out to the Approval of Care Department to schedule. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) also has Treatment End User Guide and training videos for inputting required items into PA WITS. Click here to visit DDAP website to view the user guides and training videos.

Yes, our office is happy to schedule one-on-one or group training for any provider. Please reach out to the Approval of Care Department to schedule. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) also has an Agency Administrator User Guide and training videos. Click here to visit DDAP website to view the user guides and training videos.

Our office and contracted provider must use The ASAM Criteria, 2013 and offer the full range of SUD Treatment services described in the full continuum of care. Click here to view our provider network. Our provider network includes:

• Early Intervention (adult, adolescent);
• Outpatient (adult, adolescent);
• Intensive Outpatient (adult, adolescent);
• Partial Hospitalization (adult, adolescent);
• Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Services (e.g. Halfway House) (adult, adolescent);
• Withdrawal Management (adult);
• Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Services (adult);
• Clinically Managed Medium-Intensity Residential Services (adolescent);
• Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient Services (adult);
• Medically Monitored High-Intensity Inpatient Services (adolescent);
• Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Services (adult, adolescent)

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) is a survey that is to be completed when individuals are diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder and/or Stimulant Use Disorder and are using State Opioid Response (SOR) funding.  State Opioid Response (SOR) funding stream is used as the primary funding source for treatment, housing, recovery supports, and any other identified activity that uses SOR funds. The GPRA is to be completed after the individual has been admitted into treatment, discharge, and at the 6th month follow up period. GPRA input and administration is a function of case management.

An intake/baseline GPRA needs to be completed by contracted providers when an individual is seeking treatment and after completing the Level of Care Assessment, and the individual has been diagnosed with and Opioid Use Disorder and/or Stimulant Use Disorder (Including Cocaine) or has a history of Opioid Use Disorder and/or Stimulant Use Disorder (Including Cocaine), and the individual has been admitted into treatment (except level 4 or 4WM).

The initial/baseline GPRA must be completed, face to face, and entered in the PA WITS within the following time frames:

• Residential/Inpatient – entered into PA-WITS or REDCap 3 days after admission and is assessment sites responsibility to complete.
• Ambulatory – entered into PA WITS or REDCap 4 days after admission and it the ambulatory providers responsibility to complete.

A GPRA Script for providers was created for Case Management/Assessment staff to help them introduce the GPRA Series to individuals when they are completing the intake GPRA. Please click here to download the script.

A GPRA Client Brochure was created to hand to the client at the time the intake GPRA is completed. The Client brochure reminds the individual the provider will be reaching out in 5 months to complete the Follow Up interview. Click here to download the GPRA Client Brochure. 

BCDAC. Inc. Approval of Care staff complete all GPRA 6 month follow up interviews. BCDAC, Inc. will provide a $30 electronic gift card for individuals who complete the GPRA Follow-Up interview. These additional SOR II case management funds are time-limited and only available until 9-29-2022 and SOR III case management funds are time-limited and only available until 9- 29-2023.

A GPRA Client Brochure was created to hand to the client at the time the intake GPRA is completed. The Client brochure reminds the individual that they will receive a $30 electronic gift card for completing the GPRA Follow-Up interview and that the BCDAC, Inc. Approval of Care Department will be reaching out via telephone in 5 months to complete the Follow Up interview. Click here to download the GPRA Client Brochure. 

The Discharge GPRA is to be completed by the current treatment provider. A discharge GPRA should be completed:

• When the individual has been discharged from the continuum of care
• The individual terminates treatment.

The Discharge GPRA should be completed in person or documented if the GPRA could not be completed in person and entered into PA WITS or REDCap.

Our office has received SOR III/Year 5 funds and will officially start applying the funds starting on March 1st, 2023.New Intake/Baseline GPRA interviews will need to be completed for any individuals being covered under SOR III for treatment services or the SOR Housing program. This includes:

• Any individuals that are continuing treatment at your agency on/after March 1st, 2023.
• Any new individuals that meet GPRA requirements on/after March 1st, 2023.

DDAP is working on adding the new GPRA tool to the PA WITS system. However, until the new tool is ready in PA WITS, contracted providers will not be able to input any GPRA interviews into PA WITS. Instead, contracted providers must input all GPRA interviews into the BCDAC. Inc. REDCap Database

Please click here to access the REDCap GPRA Interview link.

Yes! BCDAC, Inc. will provide a $30 electronic gift card for individuals who complete the GPRA Follow-Up interview. These additional SOR II case management funds are time-limited and only available until 9-29-2022 and SOR III case management funds are time-limited and only available until 9- 29-2023.

A GPRA Client Brochure was created to hand to the client at the time the intake GPRA is completed. The Client brochure reminds the individual that they will receive a $30 electronic gift card for completing the GPRA Follow-Up interview and that the BCDAC, Inc. Approval of Care Department will be reaching out via telephone in 5 months to complete the Follow Up interview. Click here to download the GPRA Client Brochure.

Yes! BCDAC, Inc. applied and was awarded a grant through Today, Inc. Foundation. The grant will reimburse the cost of the application and exam fee for the credentialing and licensing process with the Department of State (LPC, LMFT, LSW, LCSW) or Pennsylvania Certification Board certification (CAAC, CADC, CAADC) for any newly licensed staff members whose positions are counselor, assistance counselor, or case manager. Please click here to apply for the grant.

Some information to be aware of with the grant:

• Staff can only apply for reimbursement one time
• Need to submit proof of payment
• Does not apply if you were licensed/credentialed before 10/29/21.
• Need to discuss applying with your supervisor first
• Application is reviewed by our office and will notify staff of if the application is approved or denied

*Our office can’t guarantee providers or staff members reimbursement since we do not know how many applications we will receive and when funds will be depleted*