The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication update; ODPANN 22-083: Office of Developmental Programs’ American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Fund Reimbursement. Please note: Updates are in red. The survey link has been updated and there is a new contact email.

Please review the announcement for details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-094: Current requirements for Tuberculosis Testing in Chapters 2380, 6400, and 6500. The purpose of this announcement is to inform providers of updated guidance for complying with Tuberculosis (TB) Testing requirements in Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) licensing regulations.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-093: Modifications to Annual License Inspection Schedule. The purpose of this announcement is to inform providers of modifications to the annual licensing inspection schedule.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.

The Office of Developmental Programs requests your assistance sharing the attached Health Alert: Accompanying Individuals to Emergency Rooms. The Health Alert discusses how it is critical that Community Home staff accompany individuals to the hospital, stay informed about treatments, be actively involved in discharge arrangements, and understand the follow-up care required. This Health Alert serves as a reminder of the importance of continuity of care in these situations.

Please review the Alert for additional information and detail.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing a proclamation issued by Governor Josh Shapiro for October’s Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Please join us in acknowledgement and appreciation of all the individuals and families who work tirelessly to promote awareness and inclusion.

• Compensated at or above minimum wage and comparable to the customary rate paid by the employer to employees without disabilities performing similar duties and with similar training and experience.
• The Individual receives the same level of benefits provided to other employees without disabilities in similar positions; at a location where the employee interacts with other individuals without disabilities; and presents opportunities for advancement similar to other employees without disabilities in other positions.

Please assist the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) in sharing the attached informational flyer: ODP’s Division of Quality Management’s QM Spotlight, the 11th in a series of quarterly publications. This issue focuses on QM Plan quarterly reports, a very important part of the PDCA cycle. You can find this resource and many others on the QM Templates and Tools page on MyODP, including the very comprehensive ODP QM Certification Handbook.

There is a change to the Civil Rights Compliance process. There is a new Civil Rights Compliance form when submitting a new licensing application and a new Civil Rights Compliance Renewal form when submitting a licensing renewal application.

Entities seeking a new license will utilize a Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form (HS2126). The prior Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form is now obsolete and will be returned back to providers. This form must be included in the packet submitted as part of any new license request. The new application, supporting documents and CRC form must be emailed to the DHS office that issues your license, the email address can be found in the chart below. Entities licensed by OCDEL or ODP who use CLS or PELICAN to submit new applications must submit the form by email. The CRC forms are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN new application process. The updated CRC form for new applications can be found at: App for License (pa.gov) or  https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Clearances-and-Licensing/Pages/App-for- License.aspx

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication; ODPANN 24-085: Agency with Choice (AWC) Wage Ranges and Benefit Allowance for Specific Participant Directed Services Effective October 1, 2024. Please note: The update is in red.

Please use this version of the announcement going forward.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) are pleased to announce that the latest edition of the Positive Approaches Journal is now available!

This communication announces the release of the ISP Manual that includes changes needed to implement rates that become effective in Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.

Please see the attached informational flyer for several upcoming ACRE Basic Training sessions.  All are welcome to join!  Please direct all questions to the contact listed on the flyer.

ATTENTION College of Direct Supports/College of Employment Services (CDS/CES) Administrators

Join the CDS/CES Administrator User Group Meeting

You can register to vote if in Pennsylvania (PA) if:

• You are a United States citizen at least 30 days before the election;
• A resident of Pennsylvania and your voting district at least 30 days before the election, and;
• Are 18 years of age by the day of the election.

Registering is easy and can be done in multiple ways:

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication ODPANN 24-090: Adult Community Autism Program – Request for Information. The purpose of this announcement is to announce that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released a Request for Information (RFI).

Please review the announcement for details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication update: ODPANN 23-083: Consolidated Waiver Fee Schedule Addition of Residential Needs Group 5 (NG5) and Updated Rate Exception Process. Please review the announcement for updated information in red.

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. The purpose of this communication is to notify Trainers and Learners that the start of the Medication Administration system upgrade has been delayed. The upcoming system upgrade for the Medication Administration system will be starting Thursday, October 10, 2024, and ending Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Please review the attached announcement for additional information. Updates are in red.