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Welcome to PEI Provider News! Our weekly e-newsletter to providers combines provider resources, stories of interest, exclusive educational opportunities and grant information.
Coronavirus Guidance from DSHS and the Governor is available online for all Texans as we respond to the pandemic. Information changes weekly; it's a good idea to bookmark this page for the most up-to-date, accurate information on current response efforts.
Help and Hope COVID-19 resource page: Visit HelpAndHope.org to find updated resources for providers and the general public.
Coronavirus Resources for PEI Providers: Information on the COVID-19 virus for providers.
The U.S. Census Bureau is ending all counting efforts for the 2020 census on Sept. 30, a month sooner than previously announced. This includes critical door-knocking efforts and collecting responses online, over the phone and by mail.
As of July 21, Texas response rate was 57%, lower than the National response rate. PEI encourages all providers to promote participation in the Census within their community.
Visit the United States Census 2020 website and be counted!
The CARES Act provided for stimulus payments of up to $1200 per adult and $500 per dependent child. The IRS recently announced that, starting August 10, its taxpayer advocate service will assist with taxpayers who fall into one of five categories of people who did not receive their payments, or did not receive the entire payment to which they were entitled.
The five categories eligible for assistance are taxpayers who did not receive stimulus payments for the following reasons:
- Received payments for adults but not for the dependents in the family
- People who filed an IRS form 8379 to avoid having their half of an economic impact payment withheld because of a spouse’s non-payment of child support
- Individuals whose economic impact payment was reduced by incorrect math on a 2018 or 2019 tax return
- Victims of identity theft who did not receive an economic impact payment, or who received the wrong amount
- Surviving spouses or spouses of incarcerated individuals.
Individuals who did not receive their payment, and who fall into one of the five categories below, can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778 for assistance, starting on August 10.
 Join us from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time each Tuesday as we explore current, relevant topics based on state trends, featuring PEI speakers and guest experts.
Aug. 11: Communications and COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has changed how we interact and share messages with the public, both in-person and virtually. Prevention and Early Intervention Communications staff will provide participants with a review of PEI's own initial responses during the early stages of the pandemic, how that messaging is shifting as we move from crisis communications to a long-term plan and ways to prepare for a post-pandemic model of communications and public relations.
COVID-19 Webinars in English and Spanish
Be Strong Families is hosting a series of COVID-19 related webinars in English (12:00 p.m.) and Spanish (1:30 p.m.) daily. Check out their website for topics including grieving experiences and expectations, family storytelling workshop, self-care for caregivers, financial resilience and candid experiences of COVID-19.
Equality and Diversity in the Workplace
The best companies know that an inclusive environment inspires creativity and innovation. Different kinds of people, from different kinds of places, with diverse backgrounds all working together. In a work environment that honors individuality, human dignity and equality – people want to be themselves and are empowered to do the best work of their lives.
To take the course: Type or paste the course names above into the search bar on the PEI Learning Hub.
• Click on the course and select “request.”
• On your transcript select “launch” to begin.
• When the video is complete, go to "completed" courses in your transcript.
• Select "evaluate" to provide feedback.
For questions, contact PEITraining@dfps.state.tx.us.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission is seeking provider input through their Provider Survey to Identify Substance Use Screening and Referral Practices for Pregnant and Postpartum Women. Feedback will be used to develop better training and communication around SUD identification, existing treatment benefits and referral and intervention processes for pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, CHIP Perinatal and the Healthy Texas Women Program.
This survey is available until Aug. 31, 2020. Email Elizabeth Conville with questions.
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