The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is pleased to release DHS-26-01 Complex Needs Planning for Children, Youth, and Young Adults Through Age 21.  This bulletin updates guidance provided in 14-Bul-110 Complex Case Planning for Children and Youth Under Age 21.  The guidance clarifies the referral process, roles and responsibilities, offers the availability of technical assistance, and describes the benefit of technical assistance to the agencies in the human services systems that support children, youth, young adults through age 21 and their families and/or caregivers.

This bulletin, an online referral form, and suggested resources (tools/templates) are now posted on the DHS website at Complex Needs Planning | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-028 Update - Updates to the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Service (PUNS). The purpose of this communication is to distribute the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual and the revised DP1055 – PUNS Form, effective February 2026, and to announce the implementation of related updates to the Emergency PUNS process. Updates appear in underlined red text.

This communication formally distributes:

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-040 Now Available Updated SPeCTRUM Training. The purpose of this communication is to announce the updated SPeCTRUM training is now available on MyODP, outline completion requirements, and provide guidance regarding documentation, transition timelines, and prior version applicability. This announcement obsoletes ODPANN 19-072 and 19-121 and 20-032.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-038: Updated MyTranscript Report Now Available and Instructions for Re-taking MyODP Courses. The purpose of this announcement is to inform users that the MyTranscript report available on MyODP has been updated to include three distinct categories and to provide instructions for accessing the reports. Also, to provide instruction on re-taking MyODP courses.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-039 Performance-Based Contracting 2026-2027 Residential Pay-for-Performance Details Now Available. The purpose of this communication is to provide details about the Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Pay-for-Performance (P4P) initiatives for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-037 Updated Incident Management (IM) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document Now Available. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the updated Incident Management (IM) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on MyODP. This FAQ has been developed to answer commonly asked questions about incident management.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-036 Newly Released Lesson - Interviewing the Victim. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of a new online lesson, Interviewing the Victim, which will be part of an interviewing lesson series.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-035 Medication Administration April-June 2026 Train-the-Trainer Face-to-Face Schedule. The purpose of this communication is to announce the Medication Administration Training Program Face-to-Face schedule for April through June 2026.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-034 Reminder of 6100 Annual Training Requirements. The purpose of this communication is to remind all Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) Providers and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs) of the Annual Training Requirements outlined in the Chapter 6100 Regulations.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-033 Now Open - Registration for Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course. The purpose of this communication is to communicate that registration for the May – August 2026 CI Initial Certification Course cohorts is now open in MyODP.

Attached is the April 2026 training and events calendar. The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) requests your assistance in sharing it widely. 

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-031 Publication of Final Supports Coordination and Targeted Support Management Rates Effective Starting July 1, 2026. The purpose of this announcement is to inform stakeholders that rates effective July 1, 2026, for Supports Coordination funded through the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers and TSM have been published as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Office of Developmental Programs requests your assistance sharing the attached proclamation signed by Governor Josh Shapiro that recognizes March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Please join us in recognizing and celebrating the diverse nature and qualities of individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the month of March.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-030 Sensory Friendly Preparedness for Large-scale Events. The purpose of this communication is to introduce the guide Sensory Friendly Preparedness Guide for Large-Scale Events and accompanying social story.  These resources are designed to support providers in assessing and preparing for planned large-scale public events.

ATTACHMENTS: 

• Sensory Preparedness Guide for Large Scale Events
• Social Story - Attending Large Events

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-029 Now Available - Administrative Review (AR) Live Case. The purpose of this communication is to communicate that new live case study sessions for the AR Course are now available, featuring a new case study that allows participants to actively engage and apply their learning.

Please review the announcement for more details.