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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) wishes to share this survey on housing from PA Family Network to all families, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities.

They will be using the information gathered from this survey to build content for the program “Housing Myth Busting.” The program’s goal is to provide accurate information that shows people with disabilities and their families that there are viable options that provide choice and control outside of residential settings. You can take the survey here.

Living where you choose and with whom you choose is a basic human right, yet policies and practices are still in place that prevent people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities from living in their own home. Secure, safe, and stable housing is vital to helping all people thrive, no matter their circumstances. By looking at the intersections of Housing, Disability, and the Medicaid Waiver System, we can promote awareness and education, ultimately expanding choice and control in housing for all people with Intellectual Disabilities.

This is part of a grant and is made possible by the PADDC Council.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is developing an 1115 Medicaid program, Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania (Keystones of Health). DHS hopes to use this program to make health care more accessible, improve quality of care and services, and design and evaluate innovative strategies in health care to help people live healthier lives. The department’s goal and vision for the waiver is to address Pennsylvania’s Medicaid participants’ health-related social needs with interventions that are both lifesaving and cost saving. Visit the Keystones of Health web page for more details.

Keystones of Health will focus on four key areas:

  • Reentry from correctional facilities;
  • Housing supports;
  • Food and nutrition supports; and
  • Multi-year continuous eligibility for children up to age 6.

DHS is offering the public the opportunity to come to virtual forums to learn more about Keystones of Health and the proposed services. During the forums, the public will be able to ask questions and submit comments. If you are interested in joining the public forums, the information is below:

Public Forum 1

  • Date: Monday, December 11, 2023
  • Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  • Register for Session 1
  • Join by phone: 312-626-6799; Webinar ID: 982 3951 9594

Public Forum 2

  • Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2023
  • Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Register for Session 2
  • Join by phone: 312-626-6799; Webinar ID: 980 3834 3590

Public Forum 3

  • Date: Friday, December 14, 2023
  • Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
  • Register for Session 3
  • Join by phone: 312-626-6799; Webinar ID: 951 7040 4572

Please register to participate virtually. When you register, there will be an option to add the Public Forum to your calendar. Registration is not necessary to join by phone. Closed captioning will be provided during each public forum.

DHS also invites you to submit written comments on the draft application from December 2, 2023, through January 2, 2024, through the Public Comment Form.

View the Press Release

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-099 Medication Administration Paper Course Discontinuation Reminder and Online System Trainer Refresher CourseThe purpose of this communication is to remind Medication Administration trainers that the 2004 paper course and the 2004 and 2013 manuals will be discontinued and no longer valid for use in training students after December 31, 2023, and to advertise an Online System Trainer Refresher Course being held in January 2024. In addition, in response to the concerns providers have shared, ODP has restructured the documentation exam. They are also working on the language level assessment for the multiple choice exam and the documentation exam. ODP anticipates that all updates will be completed prior to January 1, 2024. 

Please review the ODP Announcement for details.

Project Echo at Penn State College of Medicine Presents:
Project Reassure: Fostering Resilience for Adult Neurodiverse Communities

Register for this no-cost training hour-eligible series for professionals serving adult neurodiverse individuals. The eight-session Project Reassure ECHO series will launch on January 12, 2024, from 7:45 am –9:00 am.

This series will provide participants with strategies in supporting adult neurodiverse individuals struggling with anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic and building resilience. The curriculum will cover the basics of recognizing trauma, stress, and anxiety; fostering resilience building skills; crisis prevention; dealing with uncertainty; and changes in the adult neurodiverse brain. Professionals serving adult neurodiverse individuals, including immediate direct clinical supervisors of direct support professionals, group home managers, behavior specialists, and program coordinators, are encouraged to register and actively participate.

Additional details and registration information can be found on the event flyer.