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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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Harrisburg, PA — Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh recently published two opinion pieces highlighting the historic investments for intellectual disability and autism (ID/A) services and the ID/A workforce in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024/25 proposed budget. At events across the Commonwealth, Secretary Arkoosh has met with advocates, families, caregivers, and direct support professionals to talk about what these investments would mean to them and why they are vital to Pennsylvanians with ID/A so they can live with the dignity and independence they deserve.

The Governor’s proposed $483 million in federal and state funding would provide more resources for home and community-based service providers, so they in turn can pay competitive rates to attract and retain the staff who provide these essential services. The proposal includes a $78 million investment of federal and state funds to serve an additional 1,500 Pennsylvanians with ID/A currently on the waitlist in the next fiscal year.

Governor Shapiro and Secretary Arkoosh recently met with Pennsylvanians with ID/A, caregivers, and advocates to hear how the proposed investments in his 2024/25 budget would address the needs of Pennsylvanians with ID/A by expanding access to support home and community-based services and addressing the shortage of direct support professionals.

Watch Secretary Arkoosh’s visit to Vision for Equality in Philadelphia. 

Watch Secretary Arkoosh’s visit to Penn-Mar Human Services in York County. 

Read additional materials below:

Read what Pennsylvanians are saying: 

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a revised edition of ODPANN 21-073. The purpose of this announcement is to continue promoting awareness of pressure injuries as part of ongoing efforts to assure participant health and safety. ODP is working in conjunction with the state’s Health Care Quality Units (HCQU) and Support Coordinators (SC) to implement a Skin Integrity Initiative.

The goals of this pressure injury initiative are to raise awareness about pressure injury occurrences, to assist in the identification of resources, and to identify appropriate preventive measures that will reduce associated health risks and death. See the announcement for implementation, data collection, and reporting methods that will be used going forward in this initiative.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-044 and the accompanying instructions. The purpose of this announcement is to outline criteria and provide instructions for requesting a SIS-A 2nd Edition reassessment for individuals who receive residential services and whose 2023 SIS-A assessment resulted in a Needs Group (NG) decrease of two or more levels.

Please view the announcement and accompanying instructions for information and details.

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The Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families Summit will be held virtually this year. The Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families connect diverse individuals, families, and community partners to identify what people and families need to be supported, to develop and implement strategies to meet these needs through local collaboration and partnerships, and to participate in the conversation to improve systems. This objective allows all people to best nurture and support their loved ones in having full, meaningful everyday lives in their communities. This year’s summit will bring together Regional Collaboratives from across the Commonwealth, sharing experience and knowledge and developing strategies with a focus on Family Matters! What does it mean to support families?

What is the Regional Collaborative Summit? Watch the video to learn more!

Join the summit this August to learn from peers and professionals about how to bolster your Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families. Registration information is to follow.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-043. This announcement’s purpose is:

  1. To announce changes in the Medication Administration Training course and possible impacts of those changes:
    • Written Documentation — Part 1: Pharmacy Label/Medication Record Comparison (Exam); and
    • Lesson Quizzes (1–9).
  2. To announce changes in the Practicum Observer materials. which can be found in Trainer Resources.
  3. To announce the availability of an in-person Face-to-Face class for New Trainers. This class will be held at Temple University – Harrisburg, on June 27, 2024. New Trainers may register for this class on the Medication Administration site after successfully completing the Train-the-Trainer course.

Please view the announcement for information and details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-042. This communication is to advise stakeholders that the Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and ODP will be facilitating Forums for Certified Investigators (CI) and others involved in the incident investigation process. It also announces the posting of Q&A documents from past CI Forums on MyODP. Read the announcement for details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-041 and the accompanying survey. The purpose of this communication is to announce that amendments to the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers were approved by CMS. The Department amended the waivers effective May 1, 2024, to allow providers to request a one-time supplemental payment to cover recruitment, retention, and any unusual staffing expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic for direct support professionals, frontline supervisors, program specialists, or supports coordinators (SC).

Providers must request a Workforce Recovery Supplemental Payment by completing the survey no later than Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

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