The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated Health Alert: ODP Calls for Strengthening Prevention Efforts Amid Measles Outbreak. Please review the attached Health Alert for important information on staying safe during the continued Measles outbreak. These resources provide guidance on risks of getting infected with Measles, prevention and treatment measures, and recommended safety practices to help protect yourself and others.

On November 19, 2026, HRST will launch a new Scoring Summary and in-app Clinical Reviewer training. The enhancements to the tool will affect any screenings with outstanding disagreements from the Clinical Review at launch.

When the new Scoring Summary launches, any screenings with outstanding disagreements will have their Clinical Review cleared from the record and will need to be completed again.

Audience:

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

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

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-089 - QA&I Individual Interviews Report for Cycle 2 Fiscal Years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 and attachment ODP Releases QA&I Cycle 2 Individual Interviews Report. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the Individual Interviews Report for Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) Cycle 2 covering Fiscal Years 2022-23, 2023-34 and 2024-25

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

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the publication of bulletin 00-26-04 “Handbook for Claim and Service Documentation” (see attachments to this email).  Please note the effective date of this bulletin is January 1, 2027. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance on documentation needed to substantiate a claim and guidance on the service documentation processes. There are some new requirements in this bulletin which include:

• The provider’s full name or MPI must be included on service notes. 
• For services delivered in a facility-based setting or if there is a staff ratio greater than 1:1, the names of all professionals who delivered services must be documented in the service note. 
• Service notes must indicate the general names of locations in the community where services were delivered such as the name of a restaurant, park, or community activity. Documenting “community” or “other” does not meet this requirement.
• Providers of Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing, and Supported Living services in the Consolidated, Community Living or Adult Autism Waivers must include start and end times of when the individual is receiving services or unpaid support that are not included in the residential service in the service note.  A description of what occurred during these times is not required to be included in the residential service note. 
• Service note and documentation requirements have been updated for Supports Coordination Organizations to align with Performance-Based Contracting changes that will be effective January 1, 2027.
• If there is a discrepancy of more than 25% between utilization of services and authorization of services during the period of time covered by the progress note, there must be an explanation in the progress note that describes the reason for the discrepancy and whether adjustments in the back-up plan and/or service provision will be made to ensure needed and authorized services are provided at the duration and frequency noted in the ISP.
• Services in the attachments have been updated to reflect recently approved waivers such as the addition of the Specialty Telehealth and Assessment Team service and American Sign Language – English Interpreter service.

Attachment 1: Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is excited to announce the publication of bulletin 00-26-03 “Targeted Support Management (TSM) Service” (see attachments to this email). This bulletin communicates and clarifies the requirements for TSM including some new requirements which include:

• Clarification of the assessment activities required for re-evaluation of level of care; and
• Requiring a medical evaluation be completed every 3 years.

 Please note that the Handbook for Claim and Service Documentation will also be published in the very near future and will include claim and service documentation requirements for TSM.  Some of the requirements in both bulletins will be covered in the “Billing Updates for Support Coordination Organizations In-Person Training” scheduled for September and October throughout the state.  ODP will assess ongoing training needs related to TSM and publish training opportunities identified.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-088 - Newly Released: The Certified Investigator (CI) Program Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter. The purpose of this communication is to communicate to the above Stakeholders that the Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) have released the August 2026 issue of the quarterly newsletter, The CI Program Spotlight.

Effective immediately, OVR will no longer authorize Phase 2 – Job Placement at the same time as Phase 1 – Job Development. Phase 1 will be authorized while the customer is actively engaged in Job Development. Phase 2 will be authorized once a job offer and anticipated start date have been identified.

When a customer receives a job offer, the CRP must notify the VRC as soon as the job offer and anticipated start date are known and provide the required placement information. Prompt notification is critical so that OVR has sufficient time to authorize Phase 2 before the customer begins employment and necessary job coaching can be available beginning with the customer's first day of work. If the assigned VRC is unavailable and the customer’s start date is approaching, the CRP should contact the VRC Supervisor. If the VRC Supervisor is also unavailable, the CRP should contact the District Office Supported Employment Coordinator for assistance. The current SE Coordinator List is always available in the CWDS Help Center by searching “Coordinator List – Supported Employment.” If the CRP is unable to reach the VRC, VRC Supervisor, or SE Coordinator, the CRP should contact the appropriate OVR District Office using the OVR Office Directory and ask to speak with the supervisor on duty that day regarding the time-sensitive Phase 2 authorization.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached Health Alert, Confirmed Measles Cases in Pennsylvania Alert Update.  Please review the attached Health Alert for important updates related to Measle cases in Pennsylvania and information on precautions and action steps if you have symptoms of Measles or believe you have been exposed to a person who has Measles.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-087 - New Address for the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals (BHA) in Harrisburg. The purpose of this communication is to inform stakeholders of the new address for the BHA office in Harrisburg.