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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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The team at Greenspace Health are hosting a timely and insightful panel to explore the evolving role of Measurement-Based Care (MBC) in accreditation and clinical practice. The session, Measurement-Based Care & CARF Accreditation: Driving Quality Through Measurable Outcomes, brings together an exceptional group of experts to discuss how organizations can leverage MBC to improve outcomes, align with accreditation standards, and elevate care quality across their services. The webinar will be held May 15 at 1:00 pm EDT. Register here.

Speakers include:

  • Michael Johnson, Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health at CARF;
  • Dr. Kimberly Gordon-Achebe, Medical Director of Mobile Response and Stabilization Services at iMind Behavioral Health, a CARF accredited organization leveraging MBC;
  • Dr. James Boswell, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training at the University at Albany; and
  • Host: Jeremy Weisz, CEO and Co-Founder at Greenspace Health.

Whether you’re preparing for CARF accreditation, already using MBC, or exploring how to integrate it into your practice, this webinar will offer actionable insights, real-world strategies, and guidance on meeting CARF’s updated 2025 standards which now require ongoing progress measurement.

If you are unable to participate live, you can still register to receive the recording and resources after the session.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-040. This communication clarifies which regulatory requirements in Chapters 2380 and 2390 will and will not be monitored during licensing inspections when applied to individuals who reside in Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID) settings and attend facility-based day services. This announcement replaces Info Packet 136-11 issued in 2011.

Effective immediately, the following regulatory requirements are considered fulfilled by the ICF/ID Interdisciplinary Team process and will not be measured during licensing inspections:

  • 2380.181(b) / §2390.151(b): Program Specialist Recommendation to Revise Service/Outcome in Individual Support Plan (ISP)
  • 2380.181(f) / §2390.151(f): Assessment Submission to Plan Lead 30 Days Prior to ISP Meeting
  • 2380.182 / §2390.152: Development, Annual Update, and Revision of ISP
  • 2380.183 / §2390.153: (Previously related to ISP content; now refers to team membership)
  • 2380.184 / §2390.154: (Previously related to team members; now refers to ISP process)
  • 2380.185 / §2390.155: (Previously referred to implementation of ISP; now refers to plan content)
  • 2380.186 / §2390.156: (Now addresses plan implementation; former subsections repealed)
  • 2380.188(c) / §2390.158(c): Requirement to Provide Services as Specified in ISP
  • 2380.173(7)-(9): Removed
  • 2390.124(12): Removed

Please note that §2380.173(5) and §2390.124(8), which refer to invitation/signature documents for ISP meetings, continue to be considered not applicable to individuals residing in ICF/ID settings.

Please contact your ODP Regional Licensing Office with questions about the application of these requirements or this announcement.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an important announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding an expanded recall on the SmartDrive Speed Control Dial by Max Mobility/Permobil due to the motor being unresponsive to the user.

Summary:

  • Max Mobility/Permobil has expanded the recall of the Speed Control Dial, a wired control option for the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device, due to safety and performance concerns.
  • This frame-mounted Speed Control Dial can be easily mounted to a wheelchair to allow for close access and easy pressing.
  • The recall was originally initiated on December 20, 2024, and has been expanded to address recalled products that may have been inadvertently comingled with redesigned product and shipped after December 20, 2024.
  • Those impacted by the expansion of the recall will be contacted with additional instructions.
  • This recall, as expanded, impacts all Speed Control Dials manufactured and distributed between the dates of August 17, 2023, through March 10, 2025.
  • As of March 27, 2025, Max Mobility/Permobil has received 781 complaints associated with the Speed Control Dial. As of March 27, 2025, five (5) serious injuries have been reported for this issue.
  • The reported serious injuries include a fractured hip, fractured tibia, fractured malleolus bone, broken ribs, and a concussion.

Background:

Max Mobility/Permobil Brand – (model number: MX2-3DCK/MX2-3DC): The frame-mounted Speed Control is easily mounted to a wheelchair to allow for close access and easy pressing. The Speed Control Dial can be used to deactivate the SmartDrive motor, as well as provide a means of actively powering the motor.

Recommendations:

To reduce the likelihood of a hazardous situation, discontinue use of the Speed Control Dial and utilize an alternate wired controller (Switch Control buttons or Switch Control with mono jack and mechanical switch) or wearable controller (compatible Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS app).

If you have purchased a Speed Control Dial(s) with the above model numbers, you will need to request replacement Speed Control Dial units.

Refer to the FDA Original Press Release for instructions on requesting a replacement and additional information.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released the Room and Board Bulletin, which was initially released in March 2025. ODP extends gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the development of the bulletin.

ODP hosted two webinars; both were recorded, and the links are below for viewing.

Room and Board Training for Residential Habilitation and Life Sharing Professionals
The first webinar was targeted towards professionals, Residential Habilitation providers, and Life Sharing providers, in order to provide an explanation of Room and Board polices and regulations, how the polices should be implemented, and an overview of the attachments of the bulletin.

Room and Board Training for Individuals and Families
The second webinar was created for individuals and families. Individuals who receive Residential Habilitation (who live in a group home) or Life Sharing must have a Room and Board contract. This webinar covers the reason for the Room and Board contract, what will be covered within the contract, and an overview of the bulletin, including an explanation of the Room and Board policies and regulations.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-039. This communication provides guidance to all stakeholders who participate in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 renewal Individual Support Plan (ISP) process. The following topical areas are addressed in this communication:

  • Guidance for updating FY 2025/26 renewal plans;
  • FY 2025/26 waiver rate load;
  • Variance process for established service requirements;
  • NG5 and Residential Rate Exception NEA process;
  • Reserve to Encumbrance; and
  • Additional resources.

Please view the announcement for additional information and details.

For an individual to remain healthy, safe, and satisfied, recognizing, mitigating, and responding to risks are the responsibility of the entire team. Supports Coordinators (SC) have a critical role and responsibility on the team to monitor all the services that are being provided to the individuals they support. Because providers of Residential Services have a unique responsibility to protect and promote the health, safety, and rights of individuals they support in all aspects of their life, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this training will specifically focus on an SC’s authority and responsibilities when monitoring Residential Services.

This is a 4-part training that is provided for and recommended by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for new SCs during their first year of employment (days 61-365).

The training can be accessed at MyODP under Supports Coordinator (SCs) Monitoring Residential Services Webcast Training.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be holding a webinar to provide an overview of the proposed implementation for Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) for Supports Coordination services effective January 1, 2026. The webinar will be held April 29, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. You must register to attend, and you can register here.

Additional proposed changes to the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Supports waivers that are not related to Performance-Based Contracting will also be covered. Public comment will not be accepted during this webinar. The webinar is designed to give attendees the information and details they’ll need to participate in upcoming public comment sessions. There will be time, however, for presenters to answer questions submitted by participants.