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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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StationMD has shared their next webinar for Pennsylvania, which qualifies for one training hour. If you would like to receive a certificate for your training hour after the webinar, please make sure you register for the webinar.

The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET.

The webinar will include:

  • General information about the STAT Waiver service in Pennsylvania;
  • A presentation from Co-Founder Dr. Deven Unadkat, entitled “Diabetes Diet: A Comprehensive Guide;” and
  • Additional time for Q&A.

Please register here.

Message from ANCOR:

ANCOR shares their new Medicaid Resource Center for targeted resources to aid in your education and advocacy efforts! Let’s work together to protect Medicaid funding from potential cuts!

The Medicaid Resource Center is a central location where you can find the most up-to-date information and resources. Included in the Medicaid Resource Center is a video Intro to I/DD Services, ANCOR’S most recent fact sheet Cuts to Medicaid Harm Disability Services, as well as highlighted reports and white papers on Medicaid trends and impacts of community-based services. In addition to the Advocacy Toolkit and the ANCOR Amplifier, please use these targeted resources available in the new Medicaid Resource Center to aid in your advocacy.

As a reminder, you can also still take our action alert urging your Senators and Representatives to reject any proposals that reduce federal Medicaid funding! Thank you and please do not hesitate to reach out if they can help in your outreach!

Lydia Dawson, JD
ANCOR | Vice President of Government Relations
571-932-5375

March 18, 2025
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Register Here

Interactive Session with Individuals and Families Using LifeCourse Tools to Explore ODP Services
The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and their families to join in a virtual exploration and 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?

This will be an interactive session incorporating the use of some of the LifeCourse Tools to explore how services and supports can fit into an everyday life. Through the use of these tools and the LifeCourse Framework, this session will provide time to discuss and discover what individuals and families want and need in their life and how services and supports can help.

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

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.