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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Possible Measles Exposure

The Office of Developmental Programs is sharing this important announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) related to possible exposure to an individual positive for measles.

On October 11th, the Pennsylvania DOH was notified by the New Jersey DOH that Pennsylvania residents could have been exposed to measles.

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Reminder from OVR to Supported Employment Providers

From OVR:

Hello SE Providers!

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Office of Developmental Programs' (ODP) November 2024 Training and Events Calendar

The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the November 2024 training and events calendar.

ODPANN 24-097 Now Available-Amendments to the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

The Office of Developmental Programs requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-097 Now Available-Amendments to the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The purpose of this announcement is to inform all interested parties that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved amendments to the AAW, effective January 1, 2025. The updated waiver is available on the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) website.  

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

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ODPANN 24-096 PBC and January Waiver Amendment Approval

The Office of Developmental Programs requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-096 PBC and January Waiver Amendment Approval. The purpose of this announcement is to inform all interested parties that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the 1915(b)(4) Performance-Based Contracting waiver and the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waiver amendments effective January 1, 2025. All waivers are available on the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) website.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

ODPANN 24-095: Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Information Table

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-095: Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Information Table. The purpose of this announcement is to communicate to all stakeholders that the most recent version of the AAW Provider Information Table has been published.

Please review the announcement for information on accessing the table. The table is also attached.

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

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.

ODPANN 24-094: Current Requirements for Tuberculosis Testing in Chapters 2380, 6400, and 6500

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.

ODPANN 24-093: Modifications to Annual License Inspection Schedule

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.

Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Health Alert - Accompanying Individuals to Emergency Rooms

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.

Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Waiver Amendments Effective January 1, 2025

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers (ID/A Waivers) effective January 1, 2025. This webinar will provide a general overview of the changes made in the ID/A waivers. There will be time during the session for presenters to answer questions submitted by participants during the webinar.
Audience:
All Stakeholders
Date:
October 30, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration:

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

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.

National Employment Disability Awareness Month (NDEAM) Proclamation and Calendar of Events

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Although the work to support individuals to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment continues throughout the year, NDEAM presents an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and confirm our commitment to ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to employment opportunities.
Proclamation From Governor Josh Shapiro
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Governor Josh Shapiro issued a proclamation to highlight Pennsylvania’s efforts in ensuring everyone has the right to competitive integrated employment opportunities. The proclamation is attached.
Employment Events Across the Commonwealth
To celebrate NDEAM, the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) is highlighting some of the many NDEAM and other employment related events happening across the Commonwealth this October. Please note this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other events happening in your local community.
 
Employment Data:
As of January 2024:
*8,239 individuals, ages 18-64, enrolled with ODP had “Competitive Integrated Employment” or CIE.
*4,548 individuals enrolled with ODP were utilizing ODP’s employment services.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) defines Competitive Integrated Employment as work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis for which an individual is:
  • 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.