Mar
05
Below are the PA Family Network additional waiver workshops for March 2025. Thank you for sharing these important workshops with your network!
Register for upcoming events at www.pafamilynetwork.org/events.
Mar
05
AID In PA is accepting applicants for its April 2025 TRAIN program. This free training program was developed for therapists, counselors, and clinical social workers who already have experience working with clients who have an Intellectual Disability and/or Autism (ID/A) diagnosis and are looking to gain knowledge and skills related to trauma therapy.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism are at an increased risk of experiencing trauma. TRAIN is an integrative and neuro-affirming approach to trauma-focused care with neurodivergent adults, centering clinical work with the ID/A communities. After completing the 12 weeks of learning, participants have the option to continue their training through clinical consultation with the developers of TRAIN. You must currently be licensed and provide 1:1 talk therapy sessions to qualify for this course and participate in the case consultation presentations.
Course structure
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Registration Now Open - Autism Spectrum Disorder In-Person Seminar 2025
Category: ODP Communications
Mar
04
Autism Spectrum Disorder In-Person Seminar 2025
TOPIC: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview and Practical Application
Over the years the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations. This seminar will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the seminar.
Who should attend?
Direct Support Professionals, Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings. Professionals supporting individuals in Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated Person/Family- Directed Support Waiver (P/FDS), and Community Living are encouraged to attend.
Where and when will sessions be held?
- April 1st – PaTTAN East, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- April 24th – PaTTAN Central, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- April 30th – PaTTAN West, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), and program managers.
- This training also fulfills 6100 ongoing training requirements.
*After logging into your MyODP account, completion of the Demographics Form is required before being able to register for a session.
Please contact the Bureau of Autism Training Mailbox at [email protected]with questions.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ALERT: Regularly Check Diabetes-Related Smartphone Device Alert Settings
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
28
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing this important announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “FDA Alerts Patients to Regularly Check Diabetes-Related Smartphone Device Alert Settings, Especially Following Phone Hardware or Software Changes: FDA Safety Communication”.
Feb
28
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Attached please find a proclamation from Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledging the many individuals who have developmental disabilities, their contributions and abilities, and their inclusion in our communities. Please share widely.
ODPANN 24-110 UPDATE: ODP Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind Required Training
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
25
The Office of Developmental Programs requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-110 UPDATE: ODP Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind Required Training. The purpose of this announcement is to announce the new Deaf Services required training. This training is replacing the previously required, Harry M Settlement training. Please review the announcement for additional information and details. Corrections to the original announcement are in red.
Please use this version of the announcement going forward.
ODPANN 25-023: 2024 Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Annual Report
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
25
Members of the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), working with the PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), developed a series of recommendations and strategies to support achievement of the vision in Everyday Lives. This publication provides 2024 updates related to those recommendations and strategies. Stakeholders are encouraged to use the information contained in this report in their work supporting people with disabilities.
- Access the 2024 ISAC Annual Report for 2024.
- Access the ISAC Recommendations and Strategies supplemental document from inside the ISAC Annual Report.
Both documents can also be found by visiting MyODP and following this path: Everyday Lives > Everyday Lives Publications Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures.
ODPANN 25-022: Medication Administration 2022 Student Courses Deadline, Trainer Attestation Date, and Primary Contact/Agency Admin Reports Now Available
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
24
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-022: Medication Administration 2022 Student Courses Deadline, Trainer Attestation Date, and Primary Contact/Agency Admin Reports Now Available. The purpose of this announcement is to remind Trainers that the deadline to complete the 2022 student courses is February 28, 2025. To remind Trainers to fill in the feedback date for the student course Trainer attestation. To inform Primary Contacts and Agency Admins that course completion and team reports are now available.
Please review the announcement for additional information and details.
ODPANN 25-013 UPDATE: Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability Autism Provider Applicants
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
20
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-013 UPDATE: Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability Autism Provider Applicants 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 version. The purpose of this announcement is to communicate the process for Administrative Entities (AEs) to validate that new Provider Applicants have satisfied all Waiver Provider Qualification requirements effective January 1, 2025. Please review the announcement and its attachments for additional information and details. Corrections to the original announcement are in red.
Please use this version of the announcement going forward.
ATTACHMENTS:
Feb
20
Below are the PA Family Network workshop and support groups for March 2025. Thank you for sharing these important workshops and Good Life Groups with your network!
Register for upcoming events at www.pafamilynetwork.org/events.
Read More
Feb
19
Save the Date!
Autism Spectrum Disorder In-Person Seminar 2025
TOPIC: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview and Practical Application
Over the years the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations. This seminar will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the seminar.
Who should attend?
Direct Support Professionals, Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings. Professionals supporting individuals in Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated Person/Family- Directed Support Waiver (P/FDS), and Community Living are encouraged to attend.
Where and when will sessions be held?
3 Locations, 1 session per location. 125-person max per session.
- April 1st – PaTTAN East, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- April 24th – PaTTAN Central, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- April 30th – PaTTAN West, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Registration will open in early March.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), and program managers.
- This training also fulfills 6100 ongoing training requirements.
ODPANN 25-021 Newly Released: The CI Program Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
18
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-021 Newly Released: The CI Program Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter. The purpose of this communication is to communicate to the above entities that the Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) have released a new issue of the quarterly newsletter, The CI Program Spotlight.
Please review the announcement for additional information and details.
Office of Developmental Programs' (ODP) March 2025 Training and Events Calendar
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
17
The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the March 2025 training and events calendar. Please share widely.
Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series Virtual Session - March 12, 2025 - 10 AM – 12 PM
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
17
Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series Virtual Zoom Session presents: Revolutionizing Care: How Telehealth and Assistive Tools are Changing the Game for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Registration is now open.
March 12, 2025
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
See the attached announcement for session descriptions, presenter biographies, and information on how to register.
ODPANN 25-020 Performance-Based Contracting Residential Provider Data Submission Tool Availability
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
17
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-020 Performance-Based Contracting Residential Provider Data Submission Tool Availability, to residential providers. The purpose of this announcement is to inform residential providers that the link to the Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Data Submission Tool will be available on February 15, 2025.
Please review the announcement for additional information and details.
ODPANN 25-019 Residential Provider Pay for Performance Data Submission Tool Availability
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
17
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-019 Residential Provider Pay for Performance Data Submission Tool Availability, to residential providers. The purpose of this announcement is to inform residential providers that the link to the Pay for Performance (P4P) Data Submission Tool will be available on February 15, 2025.
Please review the announcement for additional information and details.
Feb
13
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
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
11
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
Category: ODP Communications
Feb
07
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.
Feb
07
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
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.
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: