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Authors Posts by Cathy Barrick

Cathy Barrick

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The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has shared information on their PA Labor and Industry (L&I) OVR hybrid quarterly board meeting, which is being held on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Attendees can participate online or in-person at The Alloy (DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton), located in 301 West Dekalb Pike, King of Prussia.

The meeting agenda is available here. Online instructions for attending are available below:

Zoom for September State Board Meeting
Passcode: 721818
Or One tap mobile:
    +13092053325,,86438463268#,,,,*721818# US
    +13126266799,,86438463268#,,,,*721818# US (Chicago)
Or Telephone:
    Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
    +1 309 205 3325 US, +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago), +1 646 931 3860 US, +1 929 205 6099 US (New York), +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC), +1 305 224 1968 US, +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose), +1 689 278 1000 US, +1 719 359 4580 US, +1 253 205 0468 US, +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma), +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston), +1 360 209 5623 US, +1 386 347 5053 US, +1 507 473 4847 US, +1 564 217 2000 US, +1 669 444 9171 US
Webinar ID: 864 3846 3268
Passcode: 721818

CART and sign language interpreters will be available during this meeting. Those using a screen reader can connect via this link. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request to the inbox for Additional Auxiliary Aids and Services.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced an upcoming training series on the Access Rule:

  • September 16, 2024, at 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm ET: Incident Management Systems and Critical Incident Reporting
  • October 9, 2024, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: HCBS Measure Set
  • December 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Grievance Systems
  • February 12, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Timely Access, Waiting Lists, Person Centered Planning Reporting Requirements & Minimum Performance Levels
  • March 12, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Website Requirements
  • April 9, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: HCBS Rate Transparency
  • May 14, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) and Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC)
  • June 11, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Institutional Rule Provisions* (This refers to the ICF payment transparency provision of the nursing home staffing regulations.)

Registration is available here. When you register, select all the trainings you would like to attend from the checklist. You can register for one or multiple training dates.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) every October to celebrate and highlight contributions people with disabilities make to America’s workplaces.

The PA Treasury Department’s PA ABLE Savings Program is hosting a virtual event on October 1. Registration is open, and details will be available soon!

Register Today!

Message from ANCOR:

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week 2024! This week is a great opportunity to showcase the amazing, selfless, and often unsung work of the incredible professionals who make up the heart of our field.

Today and all week long, there are opportunities to share gratitude for DSPs and elevate the DSP workforce.

Let’s spread our message of thanks to DSPs as widely as we possibly can!

  • All week long, use our DSP Recognition Week Social Media Toolkit to take action in support of DSPs, and access logos, sample social media messages and other resources.
    • Remember to use the hashtag #DSPRW2024 so ANCOR can amplify your message and the essential work DSPs do every day!
  • Check out these free DSP Week webinars hosted by our friends at NADSP.
  • Be on the lookout for more resources coming later this week, and stay tuned for the opening of the 2025 DSP of the Year nominations!

Thank you for leveraging this week to express your gratitude for the essential work DSPs do every day to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they access their communities.

Thank you, DSPs! Our communities are made more inclusive because of you.
We couldn’t do what we do without you!

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-088. This is a reminder to stakeholders of their roles and responsibilities in the Participant Directed Services (PDS) model of service delivery using the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Financial Management Services (FMS) option. Please view the announcement for information and details.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing the most recent version of the Adult Autism Programs General Information on MyODP. They are also asking providers to review contact information in the SSD.

If it requires updating or if you have any questions regarding this communication or updates for the directory, send your corrected information via email with “SSD” in the subject line.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the release of the 2022-23 Employment First report. ODP believes that all people with an intellectual disability and/or autism must be encouraged to pursue their vision for an everyday life, which may include working in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment offers a person an opportunity to achieve economic independence, build self-confidence, enhance self-determination, and meet new people while building new skills. The Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication, developed by the ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) which includes self-advocates, reads, “Employment is a centerpiece of adulthood and must be available for every person. The benefits of employment for people with disabilities are significant and are the same as for people without disabilities.” This report serves as an update to all stakeholders on the progress that has been made to support individuals served by ODP on finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.

Access the 2022-23 Employment First report here. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home page.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-087, which informs stakeholders of corrections to rates for select services provided through the ODP Consolidated, Community Living, Person/Family Directed Support, and Adult Autism Waivers and base-funding that were published as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Corrections were made to the following rates:

  • Community Participation Support Rates, Effective July 1, 2024; and
  • Life Sharing Without Day 1-Person Needs Group 3 and 4 Rates, Effective October 1, 2024.

The corrected final Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees for each service can also be found on DHS’s website. Please view the announcement for details.