';
Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

625 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-103 with an accompanying attachment. The purpose of this announcement is to inform provider agencies of ODP’s participation in the 2025 National Core Indicators® Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI®-IDD) State of the Workforce (SoTW) survey and to request confirmation of current contact information from eligible providers. Please view the announcement and attachment for information and details.

Waiver 101: What is a Waiver, and What Does It Do?
December 4, 2025
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Register Here

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism (ID/A) and their families to join in a virtual discussion with members of the Division of Policy and Program Innovation. These sessions are informal, meaning the conversation will not be recorded, and rules will be set before the session starts to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to provide questions and comments. The session will be held through Microsoft Teams.

Please note: This event is being held only for individuals and family members; this is not an event for someone who is only a professional.

What Will Be Covered?

ODP staff will provide an overview of the ID/A Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) waivers available in Pennsylvania. This session will consist of a brief history of ID/A services in PA, what ODP is, and how the “waivers” came to exist and their purpose. The session will also include time to explore the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) and ODP’s websites for this information.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-100 to announce a scheduled upgrade to the MyODP website, making the Learning Management System (LMS) unavailable from Monday, November 24, 2025, through Tuesday, December 2, 2025. This will also have a MyTranscript report replace individual certificates for courses completed on MyODP.

After the upgrade is completed, all users will be required to reselect their primary role upon first login to the site. A virtual training on how to access the new MyTranscript report and an overview of other website improvements will be available. Further details with registration information for the virtual training will be announced sometime prior to November 24, 2025.

Please direct any questions regarding this announcement electronically.

Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) — An Overview and Practical Application

Note: This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC). Please see more details below on Continuing Education (CE) Credits. This training is an approved alternative to the SPeCTRUM offered on MyODP.

Over the years, the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations.

This training will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the training in the virtual setting.

Who should attend?

Direct Support Professionals, Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings.

Professionals supporting individuals in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS), and Community Living waivers are encouraged to attend.

Where and when will sessions be held?

You must register separately for each session.

Continuing Education Units (CEU):

This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Frontline Supervisors (FLS), and program managers. This training also fulfills 6100 ongoing training requirements.

To receive a training certificate, attendees must attend both virtual sessions.

Please contact the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) Training Inbox with questions.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announced that registration is now open for the December Certified Investigator (CI) Forum. The Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and ODP will be facilitating Forums for Certified Investigators and others involved in the incident investigation process.

Please see ODPANN 25-099 for information on how to register and other important details.

November 19, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Register Here

Understanding Neuroplasticity and Recent Advancements in Enhancing Supports

The Offices of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Developmental Programs (ODP) invite you to register for the 2025 Dual Diagnosis Conference, which is to be hosted virtually on November 19. Join them for this one-day virtual conference to gain a better understanding of neuroplasticity and recent advancements in enhancing supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

This year’s conference speaker will be Dr. Brandi Kelly. Watch the video to hear from her! Dr. Kelly provides an overview of her presentation on the intersection of wellness and mental health needs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-097 and its accompanying attachments. This communication informs all parties of the importance of supporting individuals in maintaining their eligibility for Medicaid and in verifying an individual’s eligibility for Medicaid prior to delivering services. Read the announcement for details, and view the attachments below: