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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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The Office of Development Programs (ODP) and its Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) technical advisors, in collaboration with the IM4Q Statewide Steering Committee, have begun partnering with Support Coordination Organization (SCO) representatives to enhance SCs’ understanding of IM4Q and their role in the process. The IM4Q SC Tip Sheet outlines the IM4Q process, SC responsibilities, how to inform the individuals they support, and what occurs after the interview. SCOs are encouraged to share the tip sheet as a reference when training new SCs and with experienced SCs as a refresher.

Please review ODPANN 25-051 for further details and information.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the IM4Q technical advisors at the Institute on Disabilities (IOD) at Temple University have begun connecting and working with provider associations to increase provider agencies’ knowledge of IM4Q and their collaboration in order to improve the lives of Pennsylvania residents within the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) service system. To promote these efforts, provider input is crucial in determining the information and activities needed to accomplish this.

You are invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback!

Please complete one (1) survey per organization and submit responses by Friday, July 11, 2025. Your participation should take less than fifteen minutes, and your response will provide important information to enhance the IM4Q process and strengthen ODP’s overall Quality Management structure.

If you have questions, please contact Lee Stephens via email.

Take the Survey Here

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-049. This announcement is to notify Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) and Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) Behavioral Specialists as well as their supervisors that ODP’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) is expecting a synthesis of FBAs in the form of the ODP BSASP FBA Summary Report to be maintained in the file of participants receiving Behavioral Specialist Services (BSS) through the AAW and ACAP and submitted as part of the Behavioral Specialist Plan review process.

Please view the announcement and FBA Summary Report for additional details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-048. This communication advises stakeholders of the release of two new skill building trainings for Direct Support Professionals (DSP).

Introduction to Skill Building introduces why it is important for direct supporters to teach skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. Services offered through the ODP waivers are habilitative. DSPs have a direct role in assisting participants in acquiring, maintaining, and improving skills that individuals need to live more independently and have meaningful participation in their communities. The training introduces why it is important for DSPs to teach skills to individuals and focuses on how to build skills so that individuals are safe, healthy, and have a good life in their community. This course is now available on MyODP and offers .5 credit hours. This is a prerequisite to the new Skill Building Basics course.

Please view the announcement for instructions on how to access the trainings.

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Photo by Copernico on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites you to save the date for the 2025 Community of Practice for Supporting Families Regional Collaborative Summit! The summit will be held live at State College on August 14 and 15 at the Penn Stater Hotel. Virtual participation options will also be available. Join the summit this August to learn from peers and professionals about how to bolster your communities of practice for supporting individuals with disabilities and/or autism (ID/A) and their families. Visit here to learn more; registration information will be announced when available.

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Tablet on a desk - Newsletter

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the latest issue of the Certified Investigator (CI) Program Spotlight Quarterly newsletter. This newsletter is designed to provide helpful information and resources to Certified Investigators (CI), Administrative Review Committee members, CI Peer Reviewers, Incident Management (IM) Representatives, and others involved in the incident investigation process.

Please review ODPANN 25-047 for more information and to access the newsletter.

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Direct Support Professionals (DSP) make a lasting difference in the lives of those they assist, helping individuals of all ages and abilities rise above challenges, embrace new opportunities, and live healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Move Your Way® campaign promotes easy to use, evidence-based physical activity guidance from the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Share the recommendations with those you support and inspire them to get more active.

Start the conversation!
When you bring up physical activity, it helps to keep the tone friendly and encouraging. Try these quick conversation starters.

How much physical activity do you get in an average week?
Meet people where they are. Once you have an idea of their current activity level, you can suggest small changes to help them get more active.

Are there activities you’d like to be able to do?
Would they like to run in a 5K? Climb stairs more easily? Explore more outdoor activities? Knowing their motivations can help you work together to set achievable goals. DSPs have the creativity and compassion to modify activities that align with each person’s physical abilities, ensuring they can participate safely and feel proud of their achievements—no matter their starting point.

See the DSP Move Your Way flyer for more tips on starting the conversation.

How can you Move Your Way?
Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts. And it all adds up. Find what works for you! Walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, and stretching are just a few suggestions for weekly movement. Adults need a mix of physical activity to stay healthy. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week, and muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days a week. Do activities that make your muscles work harder than usual.

Kids and teens ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes every day. Most of it can be moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

At least 3 days a week, encourage them to step it up to vigorous intensity. As a part of their 60 minutes, they also need muscle-strengthening at least 3 days a week and bone-strengthening 3 days a week.

What’s Your Move?
Do you have a weekly movement routine or are you just getting started? Share your story with us!

Send an email with a subject line of “Move Your Way” and ODP may feature your story on MyODP News Online!

Please be sure to fill out the Department of Human Services (DHS) Media Release Form to send with your story!

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) staff who work with IM4Q and the IM4Q technical advisors have developed a 2-page information fact sheet for providers. The information sheet is meant to be helpful in informing providers about IM4Q and the provider role in IM4Q. Providers may contact the ODP IM4Q/NCI statewide lead or the IM4Q technical advisors for further information or questions.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the release of the 2023 – 2024 Employment First report. ODP believes that all people with an intellectual disability and/or autism must be encouraged to pursue their vision for an everyday life, which may include working in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment offers a person an opportunity to achieve economic independence, build self-confidence, enhance self-determination, and meet new people while building new skills. The Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication, developed by the ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), which includes self-advocates, reads, “Employment is a centerpiece of adulthood and must be available for every person. The benefits of employment for people with disabilities are significant and are the same as for people without disabilities.” This report serves as an update to all stakeholders on the progress that has been made to support individuals served by ODP on finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.

Access the 2023-2024 Employment First report here. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home web page.

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