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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an update to ODPANN 25-017. There has been a change in the platform being used to host the listening sessions, and the previous links are obsolete. If you are currently registered, ODP will register you in the new platform, and you will receive a new link to attend via email. If you have not yet registered, please use the updated links below to register.

Please view the announcement for additional information and details.

Secretary Val Arkoosh and leadership from the Department of Human Services (DHS) will host a webinar to discuss the proposed 2025/26 budget for the department. The briefing will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, February 7. If you are unable to attend, the briefing will be recorded and available for viewing afterwards on DHS’ YouTube channel.

Register here for the briefing. All who plan to attend must register individually. A link for the webinar will be sent Thursday evening. You are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the briefing so staff can prepare as much information as possible. Follow up will be provided on any questions that are unable to be answered during the webinar. Hope you are able to join and look forward to the conversation!

(If the registration link above does not work, please try copying this link directly into your browser: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QSiOQSgB1U2bbEf8Wpob3tuk6VNEbjZIvvnDA4XOB-dUNVlFUVRMQUVBMzhPWVpRNjNFODQ1OUlaTy4u)

The Employment First Cabinet Report has been published.

Employment First is about making sure that every person, who wants to, has the chance to work in a competitive integrated environment, supported and empowered by their employer, their colleagues, and their government.

The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to upholding the values and goals laid out in Act 36 to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with a disability. As required by the Act, this annual report contains information about progress made since the last report was issued and provides insight into the strategic direction of the Commonwealth as advised by the Cabinet and EFOC, ensuring individuals with disabilities have opportunities to achieve economic independence through CIE.

This annual report by the Employment First Cabinet has six thematic sections:

  • Service Provision and Benefit Coordination;
  • Accessibility;
  • The Commonwealth as a Model Employer;
  • Other Agency Initiatives;
  • Response to Employment First Oversight Commission (EFOC) Report; and
  • Recommendations and Future Direction.

Read the report here.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-017. This communication announces that ODP will be holding two webinars to give all stakeholders and interested persons the opportunity to voice ideas for updating and improving the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). ODP will take this opportunity to listen to stakeholders and use this input for the AAW 2026 renewal process, effective July 1, 2026.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) contracts with Temple University Harrisburg to deliver the ODP Certified Investigator (CI) Program. ODP and Temple University have developed a new lesson that, in addition to the exam, must be completed as part of the recertification process.

The new lesson is called “Recertification Review: The Certified Investigator’s Role in the Investigative Process.” This lesson will provide an overview of the investigation process as well as cover anything that has changed in the CI Manual since the CI’s last certification. This new requirement is effective beginning with May 2025 recertifications.

Additionally, there will be some timeframe changes to when the recertification exam is available, beginning with May 2025 recertifications.

Please view announcement ODPANN 25-016 for additional information and details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announced a new training course for all new Supports Coordinators (SC) in the Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) application. This training will be required for all new SCs after January 20, 2025.

The course is titled “HRST Training for Case Managers.”  It takes the place of the all-day live virtual training for new SCs. This training contains all the information new SCs need to use and apply the information found within the HRST. The training lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. It is a work-at-your-own-pace model.

New SCs who have previously completed this or the all-day live virtual training are not required to take this fully-updated course. However, ODP highly recommends existing SCs complete this course as a refresher.

Please view announcement ODPANN 25-015 for additional information and details.