Developing and Implementing Effective Skill Building Plans

This five-part training reviews the development of a Skill Building Plan with an example and digs deeper into the process. Skill Building Plans are an essential tool in community services because they are designed to provide a clear, individualized roadmap for helping people gain new abilities and become more independent. Skill Building Plans are designed to communicate and address the specific needs and goals of the person and ensure that the support provided is tailored to what matters most to the person, when they need that support, and in the way that best supports their learning and independence.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-084 – Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin and attachments, Individual Support Plan (ISP) Manual and Summary of Major Changes Made to ISP Requirements for Processes. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the ISP Manual that includes changes needed to align with the implementation of Performance Based Contracting for Supports Coordination and recently published communications. This communication obsoletes ODP Announcement 046-17: Discontinuation of Life Sharing Ineligible Fees, ODP Announcement 19-090: Continued Guidance: Community Participation Support, ODP Announcement 21-025: Respite for a Participant Receiving Life Sharing Services, ODP Announcement 23-092: Community Participation Support (CPS) and Day Habilitation Teleservices Codes, ODP Announcement 24-051: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments, ODP Announcement 24-091: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments, ODP Announcement 24-126: New American Sign Language – English Interpreter Service Codes, ODP Announcement 25-012: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments, and ODP Announcement 26-003: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments.

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 – UPDATED and attachment Requirements and Timeframes for Updated Common Law Employer and Managing Employer Agreements in the ODP Participant-Directed Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) UPDATE. The purpose of this communication is to provide additional information and operational guidance as a result of the Dunkelberger v. DHS court decision. This communication obsoletes ODPANN 23-041 – Maximum Number of Hours per Week of In-Home and Community Support and/or Companion Services that Relatives and Legal Guardians May Provide and ODP Communication Memo 068-16 – Scheduling Support Service Workers to Work More than 40 Hours per Week in the Consolidated and P/FDS Waivers.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is happy to announce an updated publication of its resource, “Bridging the Gap from Classroom to Community: Transition Resources Related to Communication”! This resource has a new look, with the same valuable content but with a new and improved design!

Transition planning helps students with disabilities and their families get ready for life after high school and helps bridge supports between youth and adult service systems. It includes planning and preparing for employment, further education or training, and living independently.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-081 - Now Open: Registration for Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course. The purpose of this communication is to communicate that registration for the September – December 2026 CI Initial Certification Course cohorts is now open in MyODP.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-080 - Residential Performance-Based Contracting: Performance Standards for Contract Year 2027-2028 and attachments, PBC Residential Provider Standards and Measures – Feb-Mar 2027 & PBC Residential Provider Measures and Process Details – Feb-Mar 2027. The purpose of this communication is to notify the field that the updated Residential Provider Performance Based Contracting (PBC) performance measures are now available for review and preparation for the February – March 2027 data submission period.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication and attachment, ODPANN 26-079 - New Provider Qualification Requirements for Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Specialized Skill Development (SSD) Providers. The purpose of this communication is to provide guidance and information about provider qualification requirements for the BSS component of the SSD service in the AAW. The new requirements became effective on July 1, 2026, as part of the approved renewal of the AAW.

Please assist the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs in sharing the attached informational flyer: ODP’s Division of Quality Management’s quarterly QM Spotlight, Issue #17. This issue focuses on the updated QM/QI Plan template.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication and attachment, ODPANN 26-077 – Now Open: Registration for Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course. The purpose of this communication is to communicate that registration for the September – December 2026 CI Initial Certification Course cohorts is now open in MyODP.

Attached is the August 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 Health Alert: Cyclosporiasis. Please review the attached Health Alert for important information on staying safe during a possible Cyclospora outbreak. These resources provide guidance on risks of getting infected with Cyclospora, prevention and treatment measures, and recommended safety practices to help protect yourself and others.

 The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication and attachment, ODPANN 26-076 – ODP QM Certification Classes: Registration for Upcoming Fall-Winter 2026 Virtual Classes. The purpose of this communication is to provide information on upcoming 2026 QM Certification class dates and registration.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is aware of a systemwide Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) issue affecting the authorization of fiscal year 2026-2027 Individual Support Plans (ISPs). The issue has been reported to the HCSIS Support Team and is being actively investigated. ODP recognizes the impact this is having on providers, Administrative Entities, Supports Coordination Organizations, and the individuals they support. ODP will provide additional information as it becomes available, and appreciate your patience while this issue is being resolved. 

Any provider that encounters claim denials due to the absence of service authorization should attempt to rebill after ODP sends notification that the issue is resolved. 

 The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication and attachment, ODPANN 26-075 – Supports Coordination Performance-Based Contracting: Performance Standards for Contract Year 2027-2028 and Supports Coordination Performance Standards and Process Details for Contract Year 2027-2028. The purpose of this communication is to notify the field that the updated SCO PBC Performance Measures are now available for review and preparation for the February – March 2027 data submission period.

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 and attachment, ODPANN 26-073 – Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Information Table and Adult Autism Waiver Provider Information Table Updated July 1, 2026. The purpose of this communication is to announce to all stakeholders that the most recent version of the AAW Provider Information Table is now available.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication and attachment, ODPANN 26-039 – Update Performance-Based Contracting 2026-2027 Residential Pay-for-Performance Details Now Available and Rural P4P Operational Guidance 5-1-2026 July Updates. The purpose of this communication is to provide details about the Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Pay-for-Performance (P4P) initiatives for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The Purpose of this update is to provide the Performance Based Contracting P4P Residential Rural Expansion: Operational Guide.