';
CLOSE
Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

625 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

0 888

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has finalized the new quarterly Supports Coordination Organization’s (SCO) Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Measures data reports, which will be available in DocuShare no later than October 10, 2025.

Updated reporting includes:

  • SCO PBC Measures Quarterly Review – A new report providing a comprehensive overview of PBC measures, with a focus on:
    • Employment;
    • Continuum of Services (Residential Services & Non-Residential Services);
    • PUNS; and
    • Technology Utilization.

ODP will send a follow-up notification once the reports are posted. Please ensure that designated staff within your organization have access to DocuShare and are prepared to retrieve and review these reports.

Please contact your ODP Regional Office with any questions.

0 835

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

Understanding Neuroplasticity and Recent Advancements in Enhancing Supports

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

Speakers for the day include:

Dr. Ken Martz
Ken Martz, PsyD, MBA, is a licensed psychologist, bestselling author, and expert in emotional development. He has worked in the treatment and management of addiction for the past 30 years across settings including outpatient, residential, and hospital settings. He was formerly the Special Assistant to the Secretary for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Policy Director in Substance Use Disorders of the Governor’s Policy Office. Dr. Martz will start the day with an overview of neuroplasticity.

Dr. Brandi Kelly
Brandi Kelly, PhD, is the Clinical Director for Louisiana’s OCDD. She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Louisiana State University in 1998 and a post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from Alliant University in 2002. She has worked extensively in community- and residential-based programs providing support planning, staff training, and behavioral health services to individuals with developmental disabilities, and she has published research on assessment and treatment of behavioral and mental health concerns of individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. Kelly’s presentation will provide a clinical focus on how to use neuroplasticity data.

Dr. Calliope Holingue
Calliope Holingue, MPH, PhD, is a research faculty member at the Center for Autism Services, Science, and Innovation at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. A psychiatric epidemiologist by training, she has a joint academic appointment as an assistant professor at the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Holingue will share current research and developments related to neuroplasticity.

The day will conclude with a Q&A session with all three of our speakers.

0 796

Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) — 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 (DSP), 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.

0 544

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANNN 25-091. This communication announces the release of an updated training course, “Introduction to Conflict Resolution for New Supports Coordinators,” a 1 credit hour course that is part of the SC First Year Training requirements. This training builds on the concepts discussed in the “Introduction to Facilitation” webcast and provides a framework for working through disagreements within the team and how to resolve them. Before completing this training, completion of the Introduction to Facilitation for New SCs training is recommended.

Introduction to Conflict Resolution for New Supports Coordinators can be found on MyODP as part of the SC First Year Trainings.

Please view the announcement for addition information and details.

0 874

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is happy to announce a new resource, “Bridging the Gap From Classroom to Community: Transition Resources Related to Communication!”

Transition planning helps students with disabilities and their families get ready for life after high school and helps bridge supports between youth and adult service systems. It includes planning and preparing for employment, further education or training, and living independently.

This resource provides information on how to ensure access to effective communication while supporting individuals during the transition process.

This resource bundle includes transition information on the following:

  • American Sign Language
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  • Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
  • Speech and Blind/Visual Impairment
  • Tactile Communication
  • Visual Gestural Communication

The Transition Planning for Communication Resource is also found on MyODP.

Please contact the ODP Special Populations Unit via email with any questions.

0 709
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-090. The Supports Coordination Organization (SCO) data submission portal for Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) is now available. All SCOs must complete their PBC submissions and, if desired, provide information to be considered for Pay-for-Performance (P4P) initiatives via the MyPBC Data Submission Portal. The Portal will be available until November 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm. Identified SCO Business Partner users will receive an email with directions for accessing the MyPBC Portal for their data submissions.

Please view the announcement for additional information and details.

Prev1...345...63Next Page 4 of 63
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association