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Save the Date - Introduction to Charting the Life Course Introductory Training

Two dates available (same content in both sessions):
  • Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Registration links will be released in the coming weeks.
Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is designed to present learners with an overview of the CtLC person-centered framework. It will provide a general awareness of the guiding principles and tools presented by a Certified CtLC Presenter. This training is designed for anyone who is interested in learning about the CtLC Framework and will be led by Lisa Meyer and David Forbes.
After the CtLC training, participants will be able to:
  • Define the core belief of the CtLC Framework.
  • Identify how CtLC principals and tools can enhance decision making, problem solving and self-advocacy in individuals.
  • Describe ways CtLC is applied.

ODPANN 22-083 Update Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Fund Reimbursement

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN-22-083 Update Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Fund Reimbursement. The purpose of this communication is to provide updated information about ARPA grant fund reimbursement. Updates are in red and bold font. The final deadline for reimbursement request submission is May 31, 2025. The survey closes on May 31, 2025 and no additional requests for reimbursement will be reviewed after this date.

Please review the attached communication for further information and instruction.

ivil Rights Compliance Updated Notice for clarification

Important Notice – Immediate Action Required for Regulatory Compliance – Please Read Carefully

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Bureau of Equal Opportunity (BEO) develops, implements, and monitors policies and programs for DHS as directed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Titles VI and VII, other federal and state anti-discrimination laws, regulations, and Commonwealth policies.

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Update: November Gross Adjustment Processing

Update: Due to delays in Individual Support Plan revisions and other factors impacting provider billing, ODP has extended the time period for providers to submit claims for services.

As indicated in ODP Announcement 24-084: Publication of Final Rates Effective Starting Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 and Operational Guidance, page 8 noted, “In November, ODP will process a gross adjustment for any fee schedule services billed during the 1st quarter of the fiscal year. This gross adjustment will compensate providers for the rate differential effective July 1, 2024.”

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November Gross Adjustment Processing

As indicated in ODP Announcement 24-084: Publication of Final Rates Effective Starting Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 and Operational Guidance, page 8 noted, “In November, ODP will process a gross adjustment for any fee schedule services billed during the 1st quarter of the fiscal year. This gross adjustment will compensate providers for the rate differential effective July 1, 2024.”

This is a reminder to all providers to bill for any services rendered from July 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024. ODP will be compensating providers, via gross adjustments, for the difference between the rate billed and the updated fee schedule rate for dates of service rendered during the period July 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024. ODP anticipates processing gross adjustments at the end of November 2024 to ensure all billing for dates of service July 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024 has been completed. Paid claims data in Remittance Advices between July 1, 2024 and November 4, 2024 will be used as the basis for the gross adjustment.

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ODPANN 24-105: Now Available: Revised Room and Board Residency Agreement § 6100.687 (DP 1077)

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-105: Now Available: Revised Room and Board Residency Agreement § 6100.687 (DP 1077) and the accompanying attachment. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of an updated Room and Board Residency Agreement.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.

Recording Available: Medication Administration System Upgrade Overview for Trainers

Medication Administration System Upgrade Overview for Trainers
A webinar was held on October 25th from 10:00am-11:00am for Med Admin Trainers to review how to create new student classes (including Practicum Observer classes), view grader reports of their students, and how to enter observation and remediation scores.
A Frequently Accessed Questions document related to the session will be developed and made available within the next two weeks.
You may also access the handouts from the presentation below:

ODPANN 24-103: Performance-Based Contracting: Residential Pay-for- Performance Details Now Available

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-103: Performance-Based Contracting: Residential Pay-for- Performance Details Now Available and its attachment: Residential Performance-Based Contracting – Pay-for-Performance (P4P) FY24-26. The purpose of this announcement is to provide details about the Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Pay-for-Performance (P4P) initiatives. 

Please review the announcement and its attachment for additional information and details.

October 2024 Technology Taskforce Newsletter

Linked is the latest edition of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Technology Taskforce Newsletter: Technology Today. Technology promotes inclusion, diversity, and participation and offers better support for individuals with disabilities, family members, and providers. We understand accessibility is key and strive to support individuals with disabilities, family members, and providers with resources, events, and other important updates in the assistive technology world. The hope is that you will learn something new and pass it along to others.

This tenth edition of ODP Tech Taskforce's newsletter includes some useful mobile application resources, exciting upcoming events in the supportive technology world, and even a personal story of an individual who serves as an example of how assistive technology can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities

ODPANN 24-102: Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Specialized Skill Development (SSD) Behavioral Specialist Service (BSS) Updates

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-102: Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Specialized Skill Development (SSD) Behavioral Specialist Service (BSS) Updates. This communication announces the resolution of a previous SSD: BSS billing issue and the release of new SSD: BSS Procedure Codes effective 11/01/2024.

Please review the announcement for further information and detail.

ODPANN 24-098 Update: Guidance on Requesting Death Certificates from Families

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing this communication update on ODPANN 24-098: Guidance on Requesting Death Certificates from Families. The purpose of this communication is to provide guidance when requesting death certificates from family members in relation to death incident reports and investigations. Updates are in red.

ODPANN 24-100: Registration Now Open for December Certified Investigator (CI) Forum & How to Access CI Forum Question & Answer (Q&A) Documents

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-100: Registration Now Open for December Certified Investigator (CI) Forum & How to Access CI Forum Question & Answer (Q&A) Documents. The purpose of this communication is to inform stakeholders of open registration for the December Certified Investigator Forum and to provide information on how to access Q&A documents from past forum sessions.

Please review the announcement for instructions on how to register and other relevant information.

ODPANN 24-064 Update: Medication Administration Notification of System Upgrade and Lock-out Period starting October 10, 2024 Completed

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-064 Update: Medication Administration Notification of System Upgrade and Lock-out Period starting October 10, 2024 Completed. The purpose of this communication is to notify Trainers and Learners that the system upgrade for the Medication Administration system is now live and can be accessed by Trainers and Learners.

A webinar reviewing the system changes will be available for Trainers on 10/25/2024 from 10:00am-11:00am.

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Adult Autism Waiver's (AAW) Supports & Services Directory (SSD) for October 2024

Please find linked below, the most recent version of the Adult Autism Waiver’s (AAW) Supports & Services Directory (SSD) for October 2024:

Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Supports and Services Directory (SSD) October 2024.

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AAC Essentials Training Now Available

Want to learn about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
Take a FREE online course to learn about AAC! Each course is designed to value your time and give you practical information. The lessons are short, and you can do them whenever you like. You can also choose individual lessons to meet your needs.
See the attached flyer or click this link to learn more!

24-099: Agency with Choice (AWC) Financial Management Service (FMS) Organization Listing

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication; ODPANN 24-099: Agency With Choice (AWC) Financial Management Services (FMS) Organization Listing. The purpose of this announcement is to provide a list of current AWC FMS organizations available to support participants and surrogates who have chosen to self-direct some or all of their Participant Directed Services (PDS) using the AWC FMS model under the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers.

Please review the announcement for additional details.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Press Release

Labor & Industry Creates InVEST Program to Help Individuals with Disabilities, Secure Good Jobs through Competitive, Integrated Employment
Sheetz, Inc. is the first PA employer to commit to the new program, which leverages millions of dollars in federal funding to help transition individuals with disabilities away from subminimum wage positions to competitive, fulfilling careers.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today announced the launch of a new program through its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), leveraging a $14 million federal grant to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities earning a subminimum wage obtain competitive, integrated employment (CIE).

The new Integrated Vocational Engagement & Support Team (InVEST) program builds on PA’s commitment to uphold and advance Employment First. InVEST aims to eliminate some of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities working in sheltered workshops, which typically pay people with disabilities subminimum wage and are often segregated from the greater community. InVEST will empower participants to pursue competitive wages through economically stable career paths by facilitating the transition from subminimum wage positions to CIE.

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Upcoming Webinar: Medication Administration System Upgrade Overview for Trainers

Medication Administration System Upgrade Overview for Trainers
Friday, October 25th from 10:00am – 11:00am
Audience: Medication Administration Trainers
The Medication Administration system upgrade will go live on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 9:00am. To become acquainted with the changes, a webinar will be held for Med Admin Trainers to review how to create new student classes (including Practicum Observer classes), view grader reports of their students, and how to enter observation and remediation scores.
This webinar will be recorded and posted on the Medication Administration platform if you are unable to attend the live session.

Video Tutorials for Electronic Fee Payment

Dear Providers and Stakeholders,

The Division of Licensing Administration has created tutorials to assist with the electronic payment of application, certificate, fines, and appeals fees. A different tutorial has been designed for each Program Office and payment type. The tutorials give step by step instructions for completing the payment of fees for each office.

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November Workshops, PA Family Network

Happy Autumn! Attached are the PA Family Network workshop and support groups for November. Thank you for sharing these important workshops and Good Life Groups with your network!

Register for upcoming events at www.pafamilynetwork.org/events.

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