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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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The Arc of Pennsylvania is hosting the 3rd Annual Disability Health Action Summit from May 19–20, 2026, in Camp Hill, PA. This is an in-person only event, taking place at the Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center. The Arc of PA is excited to announce Theo Brady, Executive Director of NCIL, will keynote on Tuesday, May 19, and Secretary Valerie Arkoosh will keynote on May 20.

For a complete agenda and registration, please visit The Arc of PA’s website. Scholarships for self-advocates and student discounts are available! Space is limited, to register today!

Visit here to view the flyer for more details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared updates to ODPANN 26-028. The purpose of this communication is to distribute the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual and the revised DP1055 – PUNS Form, effective February 2026, and to announce the implementation of related updates to the Emergency PUNS process. Updates appear in underlined red text.

This communication formally distributes:

These updates are part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ continued implementation of the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy and are intended to strengthen the accuracy, consistency, and documentation of Emergency Need determinations statewide.

Please review the announcement for more details.

The Office of Developmental Programs is pleased to share an upcoming opportunity for professionals across systems to engage in a new Learning Collaborative focused on supporting people with disabilities who are parents or who are planning to become parents.

This Learning Collaborative will bring together professionals from across state and local systems, including providers, supports coordination organizations, administrative entities, and partners in early childhood, behavioral health, and child-serving systems. Participants will engage as regional or local teams to explore effective practices, share resources, and strengthen cross-system collaboration.

Through a series of interactive sessions, the collaborative will focus on:

  • Identifying practical strategies and best practices to support parents with disabilities;
  • Promoting informed choice, supported decision-making, and rights-based approaches;
  • Navigating complex situations with clarity around roles, responsibilities, and system requirements;
  • Connecting individuals and families to a broader network of supports and resources; and
  • Building sustainable relationships across agencies and communities.

The Learning Collaborative is designed as a community of practice, emphasizing shared learning, discussion, and real-world application. While it will not provide regulatory guidance, it will highlight key questions and opportunities to inform ongoing system improvement.

An informational webinar on June 4, 2026, will provide more details about the collaborative, expectations for participation, and how to get involved.

We hope you will consider joining and sharing this opportunity with others in your network.

Registration details will be announced in the coming weeks — stay tuned!

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-040This communication states that the updated SPeCTRUM training is now available on MyODP. It also outlines completion requirements and provides guidance regarding documentation, transition timelines, and prior version applicability. This announcement obsoletes ODPANN 19-072, 19-121, and 20-032.

The updated SPeCTRUM training has enhanced webinar capabilities, updated content, and has been streamlined while continuing to provide foundational information necessary to support adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

SPeCTRUM training is available on MyODP’s website.

Questions regarding SPeCTRUM training requirements may be directed to the BSASP Training inbox.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is requesting presentation proposals for its 19th annual Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC). The conference will be held virtually with an interactive schedule on November 4 – 5, 2026. PATC invites professionals, clinicians, autistic self-advocates, and their families/caregivers to learn from leading experts in the field of autism supports. We are interested to hear from people who have developed and/or effectively implemented models in the following areas:

  • Communication approaches, modalities, and technical advancements;
  • Supporting autistic individuals with profound support needs;
  • The neuroscience of autism;
  • Applications in genetic testing;
  • Sensory impacts and strategies;
  • Executive functioning;
  • Understanding and implementing the foundational frameworks Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA);
  • Supporting the family and other caregivers;
  • Competitive Integrated Employment; and
  • Community and cultural competence.

Submit your proposal for PATC 2026 here. The deadline to submit proposals is May 29, 2026.

In 2022, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created the new waiver service Family Medical Support Assistance (FMSA). ODP is scheduling webinars to explain what this service entails, how it works, and who it applies to. ODP is encouraging individuals and families to attend this webinar to learn about this waiver service; there will be time during the webinar for questions to be asked directly to ODP.

Who should attend?
Individuals and Families

Date and Time:
Friday, May 29, 2026
10:00 am – 11:30 am

Register Here

ODP encourages professionals to share this webinar broadly with the individuals and families they support.

Please note that this session is intended specifically for individuals and families. ODP is offering a sperate session for professionals.

A recording of the webinar will be made available on MyODP following the event.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is anticipating the release of a new bulletin on the Appeal and Fair Hearing process. ODP is scheduling this webinar for individuals, families, and Supports Coordinators (SC). This webinar will explain the information that is included in the bulletin, the process of appealing a decision, and what a Fair Hearing is.

This webinar was developed for individuals and families, but we encourage SCs to attend so they understand the Appeal and Fair Hearing process. Supports Coordinators are responsible for understanding this process so they can assist their individuals and families when they have questions. There will be time throughout the webinar for individuals and families or SCs to ask questions directly to ODP staff about the topic.

Who should attend?
Individuals, Families, and Supports Coordinators

Date and Time:
Friday, May 1, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Register Here

ODP encourages professionals to share this webinar broadly with the individuals and families they support.

Please note that this session is intended specifically for individuals and families. We respectfully ask that professionals refrain from attending, as ODP’s goal is to communicate directly with and hear feedback from these audiences.

A recording of the webinar will be made available on MyODP following the event.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-038. This announcement informs users that the MyTranscript report available on MyODP has been updated to include three distinct categories and to provide instructions for accessing the reports as well as to provide instructions on re-taking MyODP courses.

  • The first MyTranscript report is called “MyTranscript Course Completion” and will capture trainings completed after December 1, 2025.
  • The second MyTranscript report is called “MyTranscript Certificates” and captures specific trainings where a certificate was or is currently being issued.
  • The third MyTranscript report is called “MyTranscript Historical Completion” and will capture data of certificates that were issued before December 1, 2025.

Please view the announcement for more details.