Filtered by author: Ilana Gruber Clear Filter

2025 Children's Crisis Intervention Forum

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting

You are invited to participate in the Department of Human Services’ (DHS)
STATEWIDE POSITIVE APPROACHES & PRACTICES MEETING
 
Jointly hosted by
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)
This quarterly meeting aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life. Pre-registration is required. The registration link can be found at the bottom of this email.
 
Date: February 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Online – Zoom Webinar
 
AGENDA
10:00am - 10:15am
Welcome and Announcements
 
10:15am – 12:00pm
Positive Practices for Children and Families with Dual Diagnosis
 
12:00pm – 12:15pm
Q&A
 
12:15pm – 1:00pm
Lunch Break
 
1:00pm – 2:45pm
Quality Behavior Support & Best Practice Standards
 
2:45pm – 2:55pm
Q&A
 
2:55pm - 3:00pm
Survey and End of Day Reflection
 
 
MORNING SESSION: POSITIVE PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH DUAL DIAGNOSIS
 
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Pressley Ridge serves children and families with complex behaviors, mental health diagnoses, and intellectual disabilities across the state of Pennsylvania in a variety of programmatic levels of care. This presentation will introduce Pressley Ridge - the history, mission and vision of the organization and who they serve. A summary of their approach to treatment will include their focus on data, their consultative approach to solving complex clinical dilemmas, and some of the organizational resources that support their work with children and their families. Pressley Ridge will present treating children and families from a variety of levels of care, including residential treatment, educational settings, in-home family therapy, mobile crisis, and treatment foster care and community residential rehabilitation. Leaders representing these levels of care will focus on specific best practices and treatment interventions, including approaches to crisis intervention in each treatment setting. 
 
PRESENTERS:
Alexander Cameron, MS, LPC, Senior Director of Clinical Services, Pressley Ridge
Tiffany Wiloughby, MAED, CAADC, Beaver County Family Based Supervisor, Pressley Ridge
Samer Kazour, MSW, Program Coordinator, Transition Age Youth Program, Pressley Ridge
Alicia S. Green, MA, Mobile Crisis Team Lead, Pressley Ridge
Michael “Buddy” Giffith, Program Director, Home Places, Pressley Ridge
Rachel Duval, Senior Director, Treatment Foster Care and Adoption, Pressley Ridge
Kelly Harrah, Home and Community Liaison, School for Autism, Pressley Ridge
Sherri Kingensmith, LPC, Director of Outpatient Services, Pressley Ridge
AFTERNOON SESSION:  QUALITY BEHAVIOR SUPPORT & BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS
 
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
This session will provide a basic overview of what quality Behavior Support services and documentation look like. Objectives include:
  • Behavior Support as a service, definition
  • Role of the Behavior Specialist
  • ISP, Behavior Support Plans (and Behavior Support Component of the Individual Plan)
  • Best Practice Standards
  • Resources
PRESENTERS:
Office of Developmental Programs Clinical Team
 
 
The Zoom link for joining the session will be sent to the email you used to register. This link will be unique to your registration. Please do not share this link.
Questions? Email: [email protected]
 
Certificates of Attendance are not issued for Statewide Positive Approaches and Practices Meetings

ODPANN 25-011 Registration for March Certified Investigator (CI) Forum Now Open

The Office of Developmental Programs requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-011 Registration for March Certified Investigator (CI) Forum Now Open. The purpose of this announcement is to communicate to the above entities that Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be facilitating Forums for CIs and others involved in the incident investigation process, and to announce the posting of Q & A Documents from past CI Forums on myODP. 

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

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

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-013 Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability Autism Provider Applicants UPDATE 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 versionThe purpose of this update is to communicate that ODP Announcement 25-013 will obsolete ODP Announcement 24-002 Qualification Process for ID/A Provider Applicants. There are no other changes to this communication.

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

ODPANN 25-012: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments

The Office of Developmental Programs requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-012: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments. The purpose of this announcement is to announce the release of the ISP Manual that includes changes due to the January 1, 2025 amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living and Person/Family Directed Support waivers. The Individual Support Plan Signature Form (DP 1032) is also updated.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

Pennsylvania Technology Summit

These trainings are intended for staff within Pennsylvania County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) Program Offices and Community Health Choice Managed Care Organizations. They are free to attend and funded by the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Long-Term Living through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Accelerating Technology Solutions will cover implementation strategies, funding opportunities, criteria and strategies for organizational change, and emerging technology solutions for people with disabilities and family members. Technology solutions include remote supports and monitoring, assistive technology, and mainstream technology.

Read More

ODPANN 25-010: Medication Administration 2022 Student Courses Extension, Fillable Forms Now Available, and Course Reset Information

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-010: Medication Administration 2022 Student Courses Extension, Fillable Forms Now Available, and Course Reset Information. The purpose of this announcement is to notify Trainers of the following:

  • To notify Trainers that the 2022 student courses deadline has been extended to February 28, 2025 due to system issues experienced after January 13th, 2025.
  • To inform trainers that fillable forms are now available on the Trainer Resources page.
  • To provide guidance on the number of attempts permitted for each Medication Administration course before requesting a course reset from the Helpdesk.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

Performance Based Contracting Webinar for Individuals and Families

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) would like to invite you to the Performance Based Contracts Webinar for Individuals and Families. This webinar will provide individuals and families with a general overview of how the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) proposes to implement Performance-Based Contracting for residential services effective January 1, 2025.
Thursday, January 30, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience:
Individuals, caregivers, and families.
Please follow the link below to register.

ODPANN 25-008 ODP Provides Written Notice of Provider Requalification Requirements

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-008 ODP Provides Written Notice of Provider Requalification Requirements. The purpose of this communication is to inform all waiver providers and vendors whose last digit of their Master Provider Index (MPI) number is 3, 4, or 5, as well as new providers who enrolled in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, that they must submit their qualification documentation to their Assigned AE and/or ODP’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP). This documentation is due between February 1, 2025, through March 31, 2025. 

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.