Quality Management (QM) Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter

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.

Survey Reminder PCBI Year 2 Deadline To Submit

Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Year 2
 
Reminder to Submit by October 9, 2024
 
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is accepting interest surveys from professionals interested in participating in the Second Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). There are a limited number of spaces available; persons interested in participating must submit an interest survey by October 9, 2024. The original invitation is attached for reference.  Please visit the PCBI webpage to watch the informational webinar that was held on September 12, 2024.
 
PCBI is a unique, interactive, educational experience which will occur over a nine-month period (March 2025 - November 2025). DHS strives to bring exceptional speakers who engage participants in a wide range of topics designed to better support children and families with complex needs across the Commonwealth. Some of the topics include infant mental health, leading through change, multisystemic planning, impact of trauma on children and families, vicarious trauma among professionals, expressive therapies and much more. PCBI also strives to incorporate the voices and experience of the children and families using these supports and services at every juncture. PCBI is open to professionals across systems with an interest in learning more about supporting children with complex needs and system change. 
 
Please direct all questions to: [email protected]

ODPANN 24-085 Update: Agency with Choice (AWC) Wage Ranges and Benefit Allowance for Specific Participant Directed Services Effective October 1, 2024

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.

Positive Approaches Journal Volume 13, Issue 2 Now Available

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!

Understanding Trauma: Expressive Therapies
In this issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, we see that there have been important strides in identifying the prevalence of trauma and the complex consequences of trauma from multiple sources, including social adversity, abuse, and neglect.  The focus is on the importance of taking this into consideration on every level, from systems collaboration, to how we assess, diagnose, treat, and offer restorative environmental supports to individuals with intellectual disability and autism (ID/A).
This issue of Positive Approaches Journal is in digital form, available for viewing online or for downloading at:

ODPANN 24-091: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin

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.

Upcoming ACRE Training(s) with Arc of PA

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.

College of Direct Support (CDS) User Group Flyer - October

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

Join the CDS/CES Administrator User Group Meeting

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Voting in Pennsylvania 2024 - What You Need to Know

Voting in Pennsylvania 2024 – What You Need to Know
General Election Day 2024 is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
You can register to vote up until Monday, October 21, 2024.
You can check to see if you are registered here.

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:

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The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) Policy Team Virtual Office Hours (VOH) for Individuals and Families: Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in Collaboration with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) Policy Team Virtual Office Hours (VOH) for Individuals and Families: Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in Collaboration with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and their families to join in a virtual conversation with ODP’s policy team. The conversation will cover basics about the services ODP offers and it is an opportunity for individuals and families to ask questions. 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. Click the link below to register for the session. 
What Will Be Covered?
This next session will consist of policy members from ODP and staff from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The session will provide an overview of employment services available through ODP and OVR as well as some current initiatives that aim to assist individuals to discover, obtain, and maintain meaningful competitive integrated employment in their community.
Date:
October 2, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Registration:

ODPANN 24-090: Adult Community Autism Program – Request for Information

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.

ODPANN 23-083 Update: Consolidated Waiver Fee Schedule Addition of Residential Needs Group 5 (NG5) and Updated Rate Exception Process

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.

ODPANN 24-064 Update: Medication Administration Notification of System Upgrade and Lock-out Period starting October 10, 2024

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 informationUpdates are in red.

Performance Based Contracting (PBC) Quarterly Residential Provider Forum

The Office of Development Programs’ (ODP) will be hosting the first quarterly residential provider forum to provide support for provider PBC preparedness. During this session ODP will: provide a status update on PBC applications, review the PBC presented to the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Provider Performance Review Subcommittee, review the emerging themes or trends with the application submissions, and offer the opportunity for providers to ask questions.
Audience: Residential Providers
Date: October 4, 2024, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Registration: Performance Based Contracting Quarterly Provider Forum

Access to Good Jobs for All: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Employment First, and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)

Access to Good Jobs for All: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Employment First, and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)
October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate and promote inclusive work environments. Join the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for an insightful discussion on the history of NDEAM, the Employment First movement, and Pennsylvania’s commitment to advancing inclusive employment opportunities. Discover how Employment First has shaped ODP’s evolving supports and services, empowering individuals with disabilities to secure and sustain competitive, integrated employment, and supporting access to good jobs for everyone.
Audience: All Stakeholders
DatesOctober 25, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

PATC 2024 Registration Now Open!

Registration is Open for the 2024 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference!
November 5 –  7, 2024
 
ODP's Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC) will be conducted virtually on a three-day schedule that will include presentations and panels from subject matter experts, providers, self-advocates, and families. This conference will provide professionals working directly with children and/or adults with autism, with tools, strategies, and resources to help provide the most effective support. Personal narratives will be interspersed throughout the conference in an effort to highlight the perspective of the individual.
 
The conference schedule, including speakers, topics and session descriptions, is available at the registration link below.
 
 
Registration Information:
Full admission is $10.00 for professionals and allows access to all conference sessions over all three days. Admission is cost-free for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. For additional information about the conference, and access to resources, personal stories, and other features during the conference, please visit this page on MyODP.
 
Registration questions: [email protected]

October Workshops, PA Family Network

Happy Autumn! Below are the PA Family Network workshop and support groups for October. Thank you for sharing these important workshops and Good Life Groups with your network! Register for upcoming events at www.pafamilynetwork.org/events

Support Groups

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September Provider Office Hours Materials

Below is the information from the September Provider Supported Employment Office Hours.  This email includes:

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

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

Invitation to Apply to the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (Year 2)

Please see the attached Invitation to Apply to the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (Year 2). PCBI is geared toward professionals across child-serving systems that are interested in learning more about how to support young people with complex needs and their families in PA and in initiating system change. The PCBI offers a unique nine month, in person, multi-disciplinary, interactive learning opportunity across the entire service partnership. The Institute’s overall goal is to increase the administrative and clinical capacity across all systems to better support these youth and their families. 

There will be an information webinar this morning, September 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

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Basic ACRE Training with Bucks IU- October 2024

Please see the informational flyer for ACRE Basic Training sessions that can be scheduled with Bucks IU. Please direct all questions to the contact listed on the flyer.

The October class will be October 16-18, and it is in person or virtual.  Bucks IU is also able to schedule in your agency location if you have 5 or more participants.