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ODPANN 25-013 UPDATE: Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability Autism Provider Applicants

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
20
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-013 UPDATE: Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability Autism Provider Applicants and its attachments: Attachment 1 - New Provider Qualification Approval Template, Attachment 2 - New Provider Qualification - Additional Information Needed Template, and Attachment 3 - New Provider Qualification Not Approved Template version. The purpose of this announcement is to communicate the process for Administrative Entities (AEs) to validate that new Provider Applicants have satisfied all Waiver Provider Qualification requirements effective January 1, 2025. Please review the announcement and its attachments for additional information and details. Corrections to the original announcement are in red.
 
Please use this version of the announcement going forward.
 
ATTACHMENTS:

PA Family Network March Events and Workshops

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
20

Below are the PA Family Network workshop and support groups for March 2025. 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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Save the Date - Autism Spectrum Disorder In-Person Seminar 2025

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
19
Save the Date!
Autism Spectrum Disorder In-Person Seminar 2025
TOPIC: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview and Practical Application
Over the years the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations. This seminar will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the seminar.
Who should attend?
Direct Support Professionals, Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings. Professionals supporting individuals in Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated Person/Family- Directed Support Waiver (P/FDS), and Community Living are encouraged to attend.
Where and when will sessions be held?
3 Locations, 1 session per location. 125-person max per session.
  • April 1st – PaTTAN East, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • April 24th – PaTTAN Central, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • April 30th – PaTTAN West, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Registration will open in early March.
 
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), and program managers.
  • This training also fulfills 6100 ongoing training requirements.

ODPANN 25-021 Newly Released: The CI Program Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
18

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-021 Newly Released: The CI Program Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter. The purpose of this communication is to communicate to the above entities that the Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) have released a new issue of the quarterly newsletter, The CI Program Spotlight.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

Office of Developmental Programs' (ODP) March 2025 Training and Events Calendar

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
17

The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the March 2025 training and events calendar. Please share widely.

Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series Virtual Session - March 12, 2025 - 10 AM – 12 PM

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
17
Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series Virtual Zoom Session presents: Revolutionizing Care: How Telehealth and Assistive Tools are Changing the Game for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Registration is now open.
March 12, 2025
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
See the attached announcement for session descriptions, presenter biographies, and information on how to register.

ODPANN 25-020 Performance-Based Contracting Residential Provider Data Submission Tool Availability

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
17

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-020 Performance-Based Contracting Residential Provider Data Submission Tool Availability, to residential providers. The purpose of this announcement is to inform residential providers that the link to the Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Data Submission Tool will be available on February 15, 2025.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

ODPANN 25-019 Residential Provider Pay for Performance Data Submission Tool Availability

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
17

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-019 Residential Provider Pay for Performance Data Submission Tool Availability, to residential providers. The purpose of this announcement is to inform residential providers that the link to the Pay for Performance (P4P) Data Submission Tool will be available on February 15, 2025.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

2025 Children's Crisis Intervention Forum

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
13
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), in collaboration with Temple University Harrisburg, will host a two-day educational and networking event on April 29th and 30th to support counties, providers, and families involved in crisis intervention services.
This children, youth, and young adult-focused event will include state updates, regulatory updates, and presentations from other child-serving state agencies. Professionals will provide clinical best practice approaches for working effectively with children, youth, young adults, and families in crisis. A detailed agenda will be released prior to the event. CEUs will be available for clinical sessions.
Audience:
Children, Youth and Young Adults, Family Members, County Administrators, Crisis Intervention Service Providers Educators, Behavioral health professionals outside of crisis intervention services, CASSP Coordinators/System of Care Coordinators/Children’s Behavioral Health Specialists, Staff who can support children, youth, young adults, and families receiving crisis intervention services, and Stakeholders that engage the behavior health crisis system.
Dates:
-Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
-Wednesday April 30, 2025, from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Harrisburg Hilton Hotel located in Harrisburg, PA.
 
 
Forum content and speaker questions may be sent to:[email protected].
Registration questions may be sent to:[email protected].
 

Building Communication Opportunities for Adults with Autism and Communication Needs ECHO Series

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
11
Project Echo At Penn State College of Medicine Presents: Building Communication Opportunities for Adults with Autism and Communication Needs ECHO Series
A training series for professionals who serve adults with autism
Penn State College of Medicine’s Project ECHO invites professionals who serve adults with autism, to register for a 6-session training program focused on functional communication and improving quality of life. Are you a direct support professional working with adults with autism, who have limited or no vocal communication? This program helps you support these individuals by providing tools to encourage self-expression, interaction skills to improve social connections, and strategies to enhance understanding and language processing. Eligible participants include direct support professionals who work with adults with autism, including clinical supervisors, behavior specialists, group home managers, and program coordinators. This virtual 6-session program meets every other Monday from 7:45 AM to 9:00 AM. See the attached flyer for more information.
 
What You’ll Learn:
  • Expressive Communication: Effective use of high-tech & low-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools to encourage self-expression.
  • Receptive Language Skills: Strategies to enhance understanding & language processing.
  • Community Integration: How to facilitate meaningful participation in community activities.
  • Building Rapport: Key interaction skills to foster trust & improve social connections.
 
About Project ECHO
 
Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an internationally recognized, evidence-based approach to continuing education and telementoring that leverages the power of sharing knowledge across miles and across disciplines. Project ECHO started at Penn State College of Medicine in 2018 and aims to improve health outcomes and access to care within and beyond Pennsylvania.
 

ODPANN 24-061: Individuals' Participation in Decisions About Community Participation: Requirements for Regulatory Compliance

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
07

The Office of Developmental Programs is re-distributing the attached previous communication, ODPANN 24-061: Individuals' Participation in Decisions About Community Participation: Requirements for Regulatory Compliance.

Please review the attachment for additional information and details.

Individuals & Families - After Hours Policy Discussion with ODP

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
07
ODP is asking your organization to share the following information to all individuals and families that you work with: 
 
After Hours with Policy from the Office of Developmental Programs: 
March 18, 2024
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Interactive Session with Individuals and Families Using LifeCourse Tools To Explore ODP Services
The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and their families to join in a virtual exploration and discussion with members of the Division of Policy and Program Innovation. These sessions are informal, meaning the conversation will not be recorded, and rules will be set before the session starts to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to provide questions and comments. The session will be held through Microsoft Teams. 
Please note: This event is being held only for individuals and family members; this is not an event for someone who is only a professional.
What Will Be Covered?
This will be an interactive session incorporating the use of some of the LifeCourse Tools to explore how services and supports can fit into an everyday life. Through the use of these tools and the LifeCourse Framework, this session will provide time to discuss and discover what individuals and families want and need in their life and how services and supports can help. 
Registration:

ODPANN 25-017 Listening Sessions for Renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective July 1 2026 UPDATED

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
07

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-017 Listening Sessions for Renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective July 1, 2026 Update, to all interested persons. The purpose of this communication is to notify the field that there has been a change in the platform being used to host this listening session, and the previously published registration links are obsolete.

Please review the attached announcement for additional information and details.

ODPANN 25-018 Pay For Performance (P4P) Data Submission Tool

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
05

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-018 Pay For Performance (P4P) Data Submission Tool, to all interested persons. The purpose of this communication is to announce that a PDF version of the Residential Provider Pay-For-Performance (P4P) Data Submission Tool is now available.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

February 2025 Virtual Events Calendar from Self Advocates United as 1 (SAU1)

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
05

Please assist the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) in sharing the February 2025 Virtual Events Calendar from Self Advocates United as 1 (SAU1)

DHS Budget Briefing

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
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Feb
05

Secretary Val Arkoosh and leadership from the Department of Human Services (DHS) will host a webinar to discuss the proposed 2025-26 budget for the department. The briefing will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 7. If you are unable to attend, the briefing will be recorded and available for viewing afterwards on DHS’ Youtube channel.

Click here to register for the briefing. All who plan to attend must register individually. A link for the webinar will be sent Thursday evening. We encourage you to submit questions ahead of the briefing so we can prepare as much information as possible. We will follow up on any questions that we are unable to answer during the webinar.

ODPANN 25-017 Listening Sessions for Renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective July 1, 2026

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
03

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-017 Listening Sessions for Renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective July 1, 2026, to all interested persons. The purpose of this communication is to announce that ODP will be holding two webinars to give all stakeholders and interested persons the opportunity to voice ideas for updating and improving the AAW. ODP will take this opportunity to listen to stakeholders and use this input for the AAW 2026 renewal process.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

ODPANN 25-016 Newly Released Updates to Certified Investigator (CI) Recertification

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Feb
03

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-016 Newly Released Updates to Certified Investigator (CI) Recertification. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of new requirements for CI Recertification and a revised timeline for access to the CI Recertification exam.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

ODPANN 25-014 Provider Qualification Process

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Jan
31

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-014 Provider Qualification Process. The purpose of this communication is to share that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require a statewide process to ensure providers are qualified to render services to waiver-funded individuals. The Provider Qualification Process described in this announcement outlines the steps the Assigned Administrative Entity (AE) and provider must follow to meet these requirements, and the steps Supports Coordinators (SCs) take to transition individuals if needed. This communication does not describe the qualification process for SC organizations.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

January 2025 Technology Taskforce Newsletter

by: Ilana Gruber
Category: ODP Communications
Tags
Jan
31

Attached 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 11’th edition of ODP Tech Taskforce's newsletter helps us start out the new year with some valuable assistive technology resources, sensory friendly opportunities, exciting upcoming events in the supportive technology world, and even a personal story of an individual who demonstrates how assistive technology can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. 

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