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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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Join fellow members of the ANCOR community, April 7–9, 2025 in sunny San Diego, California! RCPA members get an additional discount on top of the member rate by using the coupon code 100STATE. This discount will get RCPA members $80 off their full conference registration. (Be sure to use coupon code at the time of registration. ANCOR cannot retroactively apply the code.)

ANCOR Connect ’25: Oceans of Opportunity invites you to imagine new and limitless opportunities for the work we do as a community of providers. As the signature national gathering of community providers that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), ANCOR Connect ’25 will enable you to:

  • Connect with peers and partners across the country and across the globe;
  • Leverage cutting-edge technology and industry-leading innovations; and
  • Glean ideas for solutions that will advance our national quest to make truly inclusive communities a reality for all.

Together, we’ll explore new ways to navigate currents of change and the vast opportunities that lie before us. Because when we come together, the opportunities are limitless.

Note: If you are registering on behalf of a group rather than for yourself, this functionality is currently unavailable due to an internal program bug. We anticipate this group registration function will be available soon!

Pre-Conference Sessions
Pre-Conference Sessions take place on Monday, April 7 and offer deep dives into timely and relevant topics. There are four workshops total, spanning two two-hour time blocks. This means that you can participate in more than one Pre-Conference Session!

ANCOR is thrilled to offer the following workshops to jumpstart the learning at Connect ’25:

  • Taming the Management Monster: A Leadership Roadmap;
  • Innovative Solutions for Workforce and Housing: A Path to Stability;
  • Laying the Foundation: The DBT Model for Supportive Living; and
  • Beyond GPT: Using AI for Good in Disability Services.

Space is limited in each session and spots fill up fast — so secure your spot today by adding onto your conference registration!

Sponsoring & Exhibiting Opportunities
When it comes to getting your brand in front of the premier national gathering of the I/DD community, opportunity abounds! There is no shortage of reasons why sponsoring or exhibiting at ANCOR Connect ’25 should be part of your company’s 2025 business strategy. The event is teeming with opportunities to:

  • Secure brand placement in front of the largest national gathering of I/DD services professionals;
  • Build partnerships with ANCOR members by demonstrating the alignment of your values with their businesses; and
  • Glean insights into ANCOR’s role in the broader I/DD community and how you can deepen your engagement with ANCOR year-round.

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our 2025 Conference? Download the ANCOR Connect ’25 Sponsor & Exhibitor Prospectus to explore opportunities today.

Register Now!

All entities that complete investigations are required to conduct the administrative review process as outlined in the AR Manual. New live case study sessions for Part 2 of the AR course are now available. This course is offered as an opportunity to support entities to complete high-quality Administrative Reviews that help mitigate risks to individuals receiving services. Please review the announcement ODPANN 24-116 for additional information.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-115, to announce that registration is now open for ODP’s January–April 2025 Virtual QM Certification Classes.

2025 WINTER/SPRING CLASS DATES:

  • January 8–9, 2025
  • January 22–23, 2025
  • February 5–6, 2025
  • February 19–20, 2025
  • March 5–6, 2025
  • Mar 19–20, 2025
  • April 23–24, 2025

Classes are held over two consecutive days, from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. Participants must attend, with camera on, the entire time and complete the post-test with a score of at least 84% to obtain ODP QM certification status. Please review the announcement for additional details.

Let’s Celebrate! It’s Assistive Technology Awareness Month

It’s officially Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, a time to celebrate how assistive technology (AT) empowers people to control their lives and their futures.

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is committed to helping Pennsylvanians with disabilities and older adults acquire the AT devices and services they need to live, work, and thrive.

We are extremely grateful to receive Governor Josh Shapiro’s proclamation declaring November AT Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. The proclamation reads in part:

 

“Whereas, Pennsylvanians with disabilities of all ages may need assistive technology devices and services to live independently and productively, as well as to participate fully in affairs of their communities…and assistive technology devices and services allow people to work, attend school, play, and live in the community of their choice…”

“Whereas, Pennsylvania is a leader in the development and implementation of assistive technology programs for Pennsylvanians with disabilities and older residents, through assistance from organizations that provide valuable information and assistance, financial education, and the financing for the purchase of assistive technology and services.”

“Therefore, I, Josh Shapiro, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim November 2024 to be Assistive Technology Awareness Month. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to become aware of the many ways in which assistive technologies contribute to the health, happiness, independence, and future of our family, friends, and neighbors.”

 

CEO Will Hall says the proclamation is a testament to the important work we do at PATF:

“We are honored to have received the Governor’s proclamation. Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is a steadfast advocate for people with disabilities and older adults who have unmet needs for AT. Meeting these needs is necessary to ensuring Pennsylvania is a place where people can contribute to their own growth and to the growth of our communities,” says Hall.

Registration for the January–April 2025 CI Initial Certification Course classes (also known as cohorts) is now open in MyODP. The Initial CI Certification Course was created to ensure that all incidents requiring an investigation receive a systematic review that meets established standards. To perform investigations, the CI candidate must successfully complete all requirements of the CI Initial Certification Course. Please see communication ODPANN 24-114 for additional information and details.

Thank you for sharing these important workshops and Good Life Groups with your network! Register for upcoming events here.

Support Groups

LifeCourse Workshops

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), in collaboration with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), would like to invite you to monthly NADSP meetings. These meetings will provide you the opportunity to:

  • Gather information;
  • Network and learn from providers who have been utilizing NADSP; and
  • Learn what the NADSP accreditations has to offer your agency.

Join your region’s sessions to network with your peers who are utilizing NADSP and have the opportunity to speak directly with Kathy Brown from NADSP and Shauna Blee from ODP/NADSP State Lead.

NADSP Region Work Group

These work group meetings are held biweekly on Teams, either join by your region or the meeting time that works best for your schedule. Below are the links for each region.

Central Region:

Fourth Tuesday of the month 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
(starting December 24)
Teams Meeting ID: 286 161 118 136 Passcode: oTdFRx
Or by phone: +1 267-332-8737 Phone conference ID: 607 776 646#

Southeast Region:

Fourth Wednesday of the month 11:00 am – 11:30 am
(being held on December 26 due to holiday)
Teams Meeting ID: 242 883 857 637 Passcode: cGHrGc
Or by phone: +1 267-332-8737 Phone conference ID: 190 449 027#

Northeast Region:

Third Wednesday of the month 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
(being held on December 26 due to holiday)
Teams Meeting ID: 214 554 253 188 Passcode: qvyY8D
Or by phone: +1 267-332-8737 Phone conference ID: 133 202 186#

Western Region:

Second Thursday of the month 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
(starting December 12)
Teams Meeting ID: 210 442 181 474 Passcode: f6RU3u
Or by phone: +1 267-332-8737 Phone conference ID: 671 818 960#

Western Region:

Third Friday of the month 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
(starting December 20)
Teams Meeting ID: 263 772 563 305 Passcode: LsChA2
or by phone: +1 267-332-8737 Phone conference ID: 452 857 919#

NADSP Special Topics Work Group
Navigating the NADSP E-Badge Academy for Local Admins
Tuesday November 19, 2024, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Teams Meeting ID: 273 361 077 264 Passcode: cL2YqD
Or by phone: +1 267-332-8737 Phone conference ID: 961 377 039#

Need assistance joining the meetings or have questions?
Email Shauna Blee.