The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-072 – Request for an Exception of Established Service Limits Within the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). The purpose of this communication is to provide updates to the AAW policy and procedures to request an exception of an established service limit and the process for which it will be reviewed. These changes were made in the AAW renewal, effective July 1^st, 2026. This communication replaces and obsoletes ODPANN 23-018.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-071 – Adding the Transportation Service to an ISP in the AAW. The purpose of this communication is to provide updated guidance to AAW SC’s and their supervisors for adding the Transportation service to ISP’s. This communication replaces and obsoletes ODPANN 24-005.

 The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 22-116 – Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) Protocol Update. The purpose of this communication is to announce that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is releasing updated Health Risk Screening Tool protocols to clarify expectations and timelines, reflect enhancements implemented by IntellectAbility, and provide additional guidance on roles and responsibilities.

 The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 25-030 - Updated Reminder of 6100 Annual Training Requirements and Orientation and Annual Training Regulation Requirements FAQ. The purpose of this communication is to remind all Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) Providers and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs) of the Annual Training Requirements outlined in the Chapter 6100 Regulations and provide an updated FAQ.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached reissue of communication, ODPANN 25-043 Updates to the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual for Individuals with intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism and its attachment: PUNS Manual. The purpose of this communication is to distribute the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual, which includes changes related to the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy initiative. This updated PUNS Manual is designed to replace the prior PUNS Manual. This announcement is being reissued with a correct link for the attachment: PUNS Manual.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-070 – QAI C3Y2 Begins July 1^st, 2026 and the QAI FAQ. The purpose of this communication is to announce the start of Cycle 3, Year 2 (C3Y2) of the Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) Process on July 1^st, 2026.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-069 – Newly Released Lesson – Preparing for an Interview. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of a new online lesson, Preparing for an Interview, which is part of an interviewing lesson series.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-068 – New Community Participation Support Provider Qualification Requirement for Providers Licensed Under 55 Pa Code Chapter 2390. The purpose of this announcement is to provide guidance and information about a new qualification requirement that has been added to the CPS service for providers licensed under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2390. The new qualification requirement will become effective January 1, 2027.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached proclamation signed by Governor Josh Shapiro that recognizes June 25 – July 1, 2026 as DeafBlind Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to educate themselves on DeafBlindness.

ODP has several trainings and resources available for you:

• DeafBlindness 101
• Building relationships with DeafBlind Individuals  
• Communication and DeafBlindness
• Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-067 – Operational Guidance as a Result of the Dunkelberger vs. Department of Human Services (DHS) Court Decision. The purpose of this communication is to provide additional information and operational guidance as a result of the Dunkelberger v. DHS court decision.

Please review the announcement and attachment for more details.

Attached is the July 2026 training and events calendar. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance in sharing it widely. 

Many people feel at a loss as to how to best provide support to individuals with a dual diagnosis (individuals with an Intellectual Disability and Autism (IDA) with co-occurring mental health issues, and challenging behaviors) to lead healthy, happy, and meaningful lives. Current best practices and supportive models that have shown to be most helpful are sometimes beyond the reach of people who work directly with individuals with a dual diagnosis. CBI addresses these issues from an individual and systemic level through training, integration of knowledge into practice, and opportunities to build a statewide cohort to work together to effect change and build capacity. The participants will share individual best practice experiences leading to recommendations to the Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to facilitate a more effective delivery of services across systems.

The Capacity Building Institute (CBI), offered by the Office of Developmental Programs and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, provides an in-depth learning opportunity to professionals across the entire service partnership including direct support staff and supervisors, supports coordinators/case managers and supervisors, agency trainers, managed care organizations, behavior specialists, psychiatrists, professional counselors and therapists, and dual diagnosis treatment teams. CBI participants represent a wide range of agencies including Residential Service Providers, Supports Coordination, State Hospitals, State Centers, Adolescent Residential Treatment Facilities, Autism Supports, Education, Resources and Training Centers, Administrative Entities, the Health Care Quality Units, and others.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-056 – Performance Based Contracting (PBC) Residential Provider Directory - Updated. The purpose of this communication is to announce that all Residential Providers have been assigned PBC tiers, and the updated Residential Provider Directory is now available on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website. These tier determinations will be effective from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Please note that an additional revision has been made to the communication. Kindly use this updated version moving forward.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-065 – 2025 National Core Indicators (NCI) State of the Workforce Survey Portal Access Extended. The purpose of this announcement is to inform all provider agencies employing DSPs that the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) has extended the deadline for completing the 2024 National Core Indicators® (NCI^Ò) State of the Workforce Survey. The portal will now close on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The PA Department of Health (PA DOH), Bureau of Family Health is excited to announce a funding opportunity for Pennsylvania based community-based organizations or health care providers that are currently providing or have the capacity to provide services to the CYSCHN community in Pennsylvania! From June 18, 2026, through July 23,2026, PA DOH will be soliciting applications for the Family Impact Initiative (FII). 

The FII provides a framework for addressing systems of services for CYSHCN. The FII uses a system change approach rather than a program-based approach to address community improvements for families of CYSHCN. The aim of the FII is to improve community systems to better meet the needs of families of CYSHCN.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-066 – Temples Quality Review Sample Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The purpose of this communication is to announce the beginning of the 2026-2027 Temple QR Sample.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-062 - Updates on Implementation of Rates for Supports Coordination and Targeted Support Management. The purpose of this communication is to inform SCOs and AEs of the publication of the delay in implementing new fee schedule rates in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, approval of the TSM State Plan Amendment, and plans to update bulletins impacted by these changes.