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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) is working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to ensure preparations for a response to a possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the state and as a result, has issued a Health Alert with pertinent information. DOH is the lead agency for the Commonwealth’s response to COVID-19. At the time of this dissemination, Pennsylvania has zero confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Again, DHS is supporting DOH in the disseminating of information related to COVID-19 and all guidance is provided by, and should be sought through, DOH.

All providers are encouraged to:

  1. Review internal infection control protocols and emergency backup plans for events in which a provider does not have adequate staffing to meet individuals’ health and safety needs.
  2. Evaluate staff adherence to provider infection control protocols.
  3. Evaluate capacity to implement emergency backup plans in the event staffing is impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

While COVID-19 is raising international concern, it presents an opportunity to evaluate preventative infection control measures. Medically fragile individuals, those in congregate settings, and the staff that support/interact with them are all at increased risk for infections of all kinds, not just COVID-19. As always, the best response is prevention and the best prevention is good infection control.

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Governor Tom Wolf has signed a proclamation highlighting Pennsylvania’s accomplishments towards the goal of full inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Additionally, each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) partners with the Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and the National Disabilities Rights Network (NDRN), to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) 2020 Images and Artwork:
If you have resources that you would like to submit or would like your artwork to be featured, please send them to Bob McWilliams.

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The “We Can Work” campaign is intended to raise awareness that people with disabilities can work without worrying about losing their benefits. The campaign will provide education and outreach not only to those seeking employment, but to family members, advocates, and employers as well. The campaign, in its first phase, will consist of commercials featuring people who are already working, or employers who are already hiring people with disabilities, and highlighting their success in integrated employment.

We are looking for someone from anywhere in Pennsylvania who would be a good spokesperson for this and who would be willing to share their employment experiences in this ad.

The intention is to begin filming in April, and the filming will be arranged around any potential individual’s schedule. The filming day would entail Commonwealth Media Services spending the day with the person and/or their employer, interviewing them, and accompanying the person around to get footage of them throughout their work day.

Interested individuals should contact:
Edward M. Butler, Employment Specialist
Bureau of Policy, Development and Communications Management
717-214-3718

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“Getting Better at Behavioral Assessment and Treatment”

Presented by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)

Regardless of our role, we should all continuously strive to get “better” at supporting someone who may have behaviors that are challenging. This training will focus on ways that you can ensure, in your role, that the behavioral support you are providing is sound and appropriate. We will be offering two sessions across four locations that focus on the role you play in this process.

Session 1 (9 am – 12 pm) is for any professional (and their supervisors) who is trained to implement behavioral plans and that work directly with individuals. This session will present an introduction to the essential components of effective behavioral assessment and treatment.

Session 2 (1 pm – 4:30 pm) is for any Behavioral Specialist who completes behavioral assessments, develops behavioral plans, and trains others. This session will discuss ways to conduct better assessments and develop better behavioral support plans while acknowledging barriers and pitfalls to these processes.

DATES & LOCATIONS

April 9: East Stroudsburg University
April 15: Montgomery County Community College
April 21: Capital Area Intermediate Unit
May 5: Ramada by Wyndham Greensburg Hotel & Conference Center

Registration details coming soon!!

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Person Directed Services (PDS) are home and community-based services that can help people of all ages and all disabilities maintain independence and choose the supports they need to live their best lives.

SPRING 2020 DATES/TIMES/LOCATIONS:

March 4 — Altoona, PA
Wednesday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Altoona Center for Independent Living
3013 Beale Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601

March 18 — Harrisburg, PA
Wednesday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Temple University Harrisburg
234 Strawberry Square, Room 246/248
Harrisburg, PA 17101

March 30 — Kingston, PA
Monday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Hoyt Library
284 Wyoming Avenue
Kingston, PA 18704

April 28 — Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS)
701 Market Street, 5th Floor, main conference room
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Register here to participate. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Jamie.

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Innovative Practices and Approaches for Support to Individuals in the Criminal Justice System
(Featuring Allegheny County innovative projects & Peer Support by RHD)

Monday, March 16, 2020, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm EST

Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15
55 Miller Street, Enola, PA 17025
For driving directions use: 55 Miller Street, Summerdale, PA 17093
Lunch on your own

Pre-registration is required by emailing Marlinda Smith.
If accommodations or assistance is needed the day of the event, please contact Marlinda Smith at 717-795-9048.

The mission of this group is: “To improve people’s lives by increasing local capacity to provide supports to individuals with mental health and behavioral challenges by promoting the guiding principles of Positive Approaches, Everyday Lives and the Recovery Movement through the Department of Human Services cross-office collaboration.”

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HCQU West is presenting a webinar on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, entitled “Court Appointed Guardianship: A Basic Overview with Dr. Sarah Stockey, DHCE.”

This webinar reviews the role of a court appointed guardian, as well as the limitations of guardianship. Concepts such as decision-making capacity and standards for surrogate decision-making will be explored in detail. Ethical standards of behavior for guardians will also be reviewed. Participants should come away from the webinar with a basic understanding of when a guardian is appropriate, what the role and limits of a guardian include, and how a guardian operates on behalf of the client.

To enroll, please visit the Milestone HCQU West Training Center. Please call 724-283-0990 with any questions.

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The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) has a clear mission to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. They work to achieve that goal through a variety of activities, including policy and advocacy, professional development, publishing a scholarly journal, and hosting an annual conference.

APSE has launched an exciting new professional development opportunity that APSE that aims to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The Emerging Leaders in Employment Services Program is a unique model of professional development that simultaneously invests in the skills development of both mid-level managers and frontline staff working in employment supports. This program will offer 12 months of targeted professional development that is delivered in a blended learning model — that is, a combination of in-person training, online training, supported mentoring, conference participation, as well as an online community of practice. Participants will receive a total of 80 hours or training, coaching, and mentoring over the 12-month period.

In the coming weeks, APSE will launch this program through a series of targeted marketing communications to State VR and DD agencies, as well as provider associations throughout the country. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out directly to Jenny Stonemeier.

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Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) has announced the release of the 6th edition of its financial education book, Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management. This new edition contains updates to all the topics covered before, with the addition of a new chapter about housing, and a new section on supported decision-making. Topics covered include:

  • Money mapping (budgeting);
  • An overview of where to keep your money;
  • How to save safely, including information about PA ABLE and a comparison with Special Needs Trusts;
  • Borrowing money and understanding credit;
  • Housing, including information about insurance;
  • Funding your assistive technology;
  • Adult decision-making, including a new section on supported decision-making; and
  • A Financial Independence Checklist for transition-age youth.

Cents and Sensibility, 6th edition is available for download as a 508 compliant PDF on their website.

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