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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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Image by photosforyou from Pixabay

There are approximately 240 children with medical needs currently living in pediatric care facilities who are missing the vibrancy and joy of family life. For those children who may not be able to return home, their prioritization for discharge provides an exciting challenge to the Lifesharing community: Are you ready to expand your expertise in supporting family life for individuals with disabilities to ensure that children, too, enjoy Everyday Lives? This webinar, presented by Rachel Mann, Esq. and Nancy Rosenau, Ph.D. of the Imagine Different Coalition, will unravel much of the mystery surrounding who these children are and what they need.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

Target Audience:

  • Lifesharing Providers
  • Supports Coordination Organizations
  • Waiver Provider Program Leadership
  • Nursing Provider Management

Welcomed Guests:

  • Family Members and Child Advocates
  • Families and Children’s Advocates

To Register:
Visit Imagine Different Lifesharing ID/DD/CMC Webinar
Or email

This webinar is generously sponsored by Disability Rights Pennsylvania.

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On February 14, 2019, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released Bulletin 00-19-01, OVR Referral Process for ODP Employment-Related Services. Attachment 4 to the bulletin is the OVR Contact Information for Intellectual Disability/Autism Coordinators. Attached, please find an updated version of this contact information. This version, dated 8-10-21, replaces all prior versions of this attachment. This updated contact information and Bulletin 00-19-01 in its entirety can be found on the MyODP Employment page.

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The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) provided feedback to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS). While ANCOR members understand and support OSHA’s intent to protect healthcare and healthcare support service workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19, there is a  concern that the rule remains unclear in its scope of implementation and may further exacerbate the current workforce crisis impacting services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

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The Office of Developmental Programs has issued a Health Alert to bring awareness of recent information regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Throughout the pandemic, it has been evident that individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism are at increased risk for infection and more severe outcomes from COVID-19. Vaccination for the virus that causes COVID-19 is a vital tool in protecting lives and bringing an end to a pandemic that so far has taken over 633,000 American lives.

An additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to help promote continuity immunity from infection, called a “booster dose,” has not yet been recommended by the CDC or FDA. Many news sources have reported that this recommendation will be coming soon. Some news sources have reported the date of September 20, 2021 as the date that booster doses will be available. ODP will continue to share information as it becomes known.

When booster shots are available, you can reach out to the provider who gave your initial vaccine doses as a possible source for the booster shot. Given the anticipated need in the near future for a high volume of vaccinations, Intermediate Care Facility and residential providers who do not have an identified vaccination provider and/or a plan for vaccinating their residents should secure a relationship with a vaccine provider(s) or establish a plan.

Providers that need assistance should contact Doug Trahey. More information on finding vaccine providers in PA is available at PA Unites Against COVID.

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Tuesday, September 21, 2021
2:00 pm–3:30 pm ET
Register for the call

Please mark your calendars for a 90-minute AbilityOne Committee Zoom meeting with the AbilityOne Commission’s Acting Executive Director, Kimberly Zeich, on Tuesday, September 21 from 2:00 pm–3:30 pm ET. Kim will share with us information about what the Commission is working on currently. We have invited her to include others from the AbilityOne Commission to join the call as well. This will be an open discussion for ACCSES members only. All ACCSES members are welcome.

To join ACCSES, visit here.

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Message from the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University:

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is conducting a Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment designed to meet and satisfy the State Plan requirements in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This project is being conducted in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council.

As part of this assessment, the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University invites Pennsylvania Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) to complete a survey to identify how OVR can better support people with disabilities and providers across Pennsylvania. We are requesting your feedback on your customers’ and staff’s needs, gaps, and barriers to service provision, and strategies that support competitive employment for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, including students and youth.

This survey is anonymous and voluntary. It will take approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. Upon completion, you may enter your contact information into a drawing to win one of three $20 gift cards.

Please complete this survey by August 31, 2021.

The Institute is also looking for CRP professionals to participate in brief phone interviews. Please share your expertise. Those interested can email or call 215-204-7660.

Thank you for your time!

Institute on Disabilities at Temple University

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Message from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):

Good Morning:

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay the Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) activities associated to Cycle 2, Year 1 until July 1, 2022. For FY 2021–2022, ODP will be conducting a second interim review process with several temporarily modified QA&I activities of Administrative Entities (AE), Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO), and Providers; which includes Agency with Choice (AWC) Financial Management Services (FMS) Providers.

The QA&I Interim Year 2 review process is used to demonstrate outcomes in the following areas: CMS Performance Measures, Information Sharing Advisory Committee (ISAC) recommendations, health and welfare, and ODP priorities. It also serves to validate an entity’s adherence with federal and state requirements.

During Interim Year 2, AEs, SCOs and Providers identified in the sample will not receive a traditional onsite review as all activities will occur remotely to include a virtual conference and virtual follow-up meetings if necessary.

Attached please find the updated QA&I Interim Year 2 Review Process Document that includes the changes highlighted in yellow. This document will provide important information for stakeholders to complete the process successfully.

ODP recognizes the many ongoing challenges providers, SCOs, and AEs are managing related to the COVID-19 pandemic; thank you for your continued commitment to supporting individuals with and intellectual disability and autism.

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