Pennsylvania Code Title 55 - HUMAN SERVICES
Here’s a refined overview of Pennsylvania Code – Title 55: Human Services, current as of March 29, 2025 (pacodeandbulletin.gov):
📁 Structure of Title 55
Part I – Department of Human Services
Subpart A – General Provisions
Chapter 1 – Statements of Policy: Core mission and administrative framework(pacodeandbulletin.gov).
Chapter 9 – Regulatory Document Information System: Procedures for managing DHS regulations(pacodeandbulletin.gov).
Subpart B – Rights
Chapters concerning fiscal advocacy (11), use of restraints (13), and abuse of residents (14)(pacodeandbulletin.gov).
Subpart C – Licensing / Approval
Chapter 20: Licenses for facilities like childcare, group homes, and care agencies(pacodeandbulletin.gov).
Subpart D – Hearings & Appeals
Chapter 41: Appeals process for Medical Assistance providers(pacodeandbulletin.gov).
Subpart E – Home & Community‑Based Services
Chapter 52: Standards for long-term living and in-home services(pacodeandbulletin.gov).
Part II – Public Assistance Manual
Subpart A – Assistance Policies & Procedures
Chapters include: policy (100), intake (121), audits (109), nondiscrimination (107), and quality control (111)(pacodeandbulletin.gov).
Parts III–VIII – Service Manuals
Part III – Medical Assistance Manual (Chapters 1101–1251)
Part IV – Adult Services Manual
Part V – Children, Youth & Families Manual
Part VI – Mental Health/ID/Autism Manual
Part VII – Mental Health Manual
Part VIII – ID & Autism Manual(law.cornell.edu).
🔍 Key Highlights
Child Care Licensing (Part I, Subpart C)
Chapter 20 covers licensure of child care facilities: centers, group homes, and family homes. Updated in December 2020 (Chapters 3270, 3280, 3290)(pa.gov).
Chapter 3270: Applies to facilities caring for seven or more children; outlines definitions, physical site, staff qualifications(law.cornell.edu).
Chapter 3280: Applies to group homes serving 7–15 children; defines space, staff roles, indoor activity space (< 40 sq ft per child).
Providers must complete health and safety training, including pediatric CPR/first aid, per September 2016 update(pa.gov).
Personal Care Homes (Part IV – Adult Services Manual)
Chapter 2600 specifies management of reportable incidents (e.g., abuse, medical errors), confidentiality, and waiver procedures(ehsf.org).
Sleep supervision is required for 16+ residents; incident reporting must occur within 24 hours.
Children’s Staffing Ratios (Part V)
§ 3800.55: One worker per eight school-age children when awake; one per sixteen during sleep; ratios are more protective for younger children(casemine.com).
✅ Summary
Title 55 sets comprehensive standards for:
Licensing and operation of childcare and personal care facilities.
Rights protection, incident reporting, staffing ratios, and facility administration.
Supplemental guidelines for public assistance, adult services, and mental health programs.
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