ODPANN 24-088: Reminder of Individual Support Plan (ISP) Team Roles & Responsibilities for Individuals Utilizing the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent Financial Management Service (VF/EA FMS)

The purpose of this announcement is to remind stakeholders of their roles and responsibilities in the Participant Directed Services (PDS) model of service delivery using the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Financial Management Services (FMS) option.

Please review the announcement for further information and details.

Adult Autism Waiver's (AAW) Supports & Services Directory (SSD) for August 2024

Please find linked below the most recent version of the Adult Autism Waiver’s (AAW) Supports & Services Directory (SSD) for August 2024:

Adult Autism Programs General Information – MyODP.

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Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Releases 2022-2023 Employment First Report

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the release of the 2022-2023 Employment First report. ODP believes that all people with an intellectual disability and/or autism must be encouraged to pursue their vision for an everyday life, which may include working in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment offers a person an opportunity to achieve economic independence, build self-confidence, enhance self-determination, and meet new people while building new skills. The Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication, developed by the ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) which includes self-advocates, reads, “Employment is a centerpiece of adulthood and must be available for every person. The benefits of employment for people with disabilities are significant and are the same as for people without disabilities.” This report serves as an update to all stakeholders on the progress that has been made to support individuals served by ODP on finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.

Access the 2022-2023 Employment First report by clicking here. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home page.

ODPANN 24-087: Corrections to Final Rates Starting Fiscal Year 2024-2025

The purpose of this announcement is to inform stakeholders of corrections to rates for select services provided through the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Consolidated, Community Living, Person/Family Directed Support, and Adult Autism Waivers and base-funding that were published as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Please review the announcement for additional details.

ODPANN 24-086: Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Wage Ranges and Benefit Allowance for Specific Participant Directed Services (PDS) Effective October 1, 2024

The purpose of this announcement is to provide the hourly wage and benefits ranges for specific participant directed services (PDS) provided to participants utilizing the VF/EA FMS model, effective October 1, 2024

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

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

The purpose of this announcement is to provide the hourly wage and benefits ranges for specific participant directed services (PDS) provided to participants utilizing the Agency With Choice (AWC) Financial Management Service (FMS) model effective October 1, 2024.

Please review the announcement for additional details and information.

ODPANN 24-084 Publication of Final Rates Effective Starting Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and Operational Guidance

The purpose of this announcement is to inform stakeholders that rates for services rendered through the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) have been published as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

NOTE: The Community Participation Support rates published on August 30, 2024 in the August 31, 2024 Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the Department of Human Services website are incorrect. The 8% inflationary adjustment factor was not added to the most current rates for Community Participation Support services. On September 3, 2024, ODP will publish the correct rates through an ODP announcement and update the rate tables on the DHS website. A notice with the correct Community Participation Support rates will also be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as soon as possible.

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ODPANN 24-083: Newly Released: The Certified Investigator (CI) Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter

The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the latest issue of the CI Spotlight.

Please review the announcement for additional details.

2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Approved by Federal Drug Administration

The FDA has approved and authorized for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) that include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. These vaccines were updated to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by circulating variants. Two vaccines are available for use in the United States: 2024–2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. There is no preference for one vaccine over the other when more than one vaccine is recommended for an age group 

Who should get the vaccine?

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Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI) Year 2

Save the Date!

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) is excited to announce the Second Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). 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.

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Quality Management Data Collection Tool for CPS and Day Habilitation

Attention CPS providers:

The Quality Management (QM) Data Collection Tool for CPS and Day Habilitation now has a short tutorial video available on the CPS resource page on the MyODP website.

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ODPANN 24-082: Now Available: Guide for Using the Incident Management (IM) Overview Dashboard to Assess Performance Based Contracting (PBC) Measures

The purpose of this announcement is to advise providers of the availability of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) Using the Incident Management (IM) Overview Dashboard to Assess Performance Based Contracting (PBC) Measures RM-IM.01.2, .01.3, and .01.4 guide on MyODP.

Please review the announcement for information on the guide and how to access it.

ODPANN 24-025 Update: The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Announces the Accreditation of MyODP trainings by the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Announces the Accreditation of MyODP trainings by the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). Changes to the original announcement were made in red.

Please review the updated announcement and attached ODP Accredited Training List for important information and details.

New Times Available: Scheduled One-on-One Incident Management (IM) Virtual Office Hours (VOH)

Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) and Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) providers are invited to sign up for a scheduled one-on-one VOH session to discuss IM topics with the Office of Developmental Programs’ Bureau of Services for Autism and Special Populations (ODP-BSASP).

Providers may sign up for one 30-minute session and multiple staff from the provider may join at the provider’s discretion.

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New Medical Assistance (MA) Bulletins and Office of Developmental Programs' (ODP) Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Technical Guide Version 3.0

Important Update: New Medical Assistance (MA) Bulletins and Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP)
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Technical Guide Version 3.0

The Department of Human Services released the following MA Bulletin on Friday, August 23, 2024:

In addition, an updated version of the ODP EVV Technical can be found at the following link. This updated guide includes essential information on the latest compliance requirements and procedures:

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ODPANN 24-081: Performance-Based Contracting (PBC): Provider Data Now Available

The purpose of this communication is to provide agencies with PBC specific data and instructions on how to access available data in the EIM Dashboard.

Please review the announcement for additional details.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration Product Recall Alert - Defibtech, LLC, RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Devices

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Product Recall Alert!
Chest Compression Device Recall: Defibtech, LLC, Removes RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Device due to Risk of Device Stopping
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing this important announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the recall of Defibtech, LLC, RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Devices due to a problem with the device’s motor that may cause it to stop compressions.
The use of the affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including
  • patient injuries;
  • delay of therapy;
  • death due to a period of time without compressions to circulate oxygen throughout the body.
This recall involves removing certain devices from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without following the updated instructions.
Affected Product
  • RMU-2000 Chest Compression Module
    • Product Name: RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Device
    • Unique Device Identifier (UDI)/: UDI-DI: 00815098020812, 10815098020819 
    • Serial Numbers: See full list.
What to Do
Do not use affected Defibtech RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Devices (identified by serial numbers).
On July 12, 2024, Defibtech, LLC, sent all affected customers an Urgent Medical Device Safety Removal letter recommending the following actions: 
  • Identify and quarantine affected units.
  • If devices were transferred or distributed further, please ensure the recipients are aware of this notice or provide Defibtech with contact information.
Customers will be contacted by Defibtech to arrange for product return and devices will be refunded, repaired, or replaced at no cost.
Reason for Recall
Defibtech, LLC, is recalling RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Devices due to a problem with the device’s motor that may cause it to stop compressions.
The use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including patient injuries, delay of therapy and death due to a period of time without compressions to circulate oxygen throughout the body. There has been one reported injury and one report of death. 
Device Use
The RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Device is used to provide chest compressions on adults whose hearts suddenly stop and are not circulating blood throughout the body.
Contact Information
Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Defibtech Customer Support: 1-877-453-4507, 7:30AM - 6PM Eastern.

ODPANN 24-080: Registration Now Open for September Certified Investigator (CI) Forum & How to Access CI Forum Question & Answer (Q&A) Documents

The purpose of this communication is announce that Temple University Harrisburg’s Certified Investigator Program and ODP will be facilitating Forums for CI 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 information on how to register and additional details.

ODPANN 24-079: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Quality Management (QM) Certification Classes: Registration for Newly Added 2024 Classes

This announcement provides information on the registration process for ODP’s newly added 2024 virtual QM Certification classes.

Please review the announcement for additional details.

September Workshops, PA Family Network

Below are the PA Family Network workshop and support groups for September. 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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