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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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A special public meeting of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Services Board was held on May 21, 2019. Secretary Jerry Oleksiak presented Shannon Austin to serve as the new Executive Director of OVR. The board of directors unanimously elected Ms. Austin to hold the position effective May 25, 2019.

Ms. Austin currently holds the position of District Administrator with OVR/Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At BBVS, she has been responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring complex vocational rehabilitation programs in Vocational Rehabilitation, Independence Living for Older Blind, and Specialized Services Child. She strives to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace and has been committed to creating and maintaining effective working relationships with employers, community partners, and professional organizations to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and minority communities. Ms. Austin expressed her desire to “move the needle in the state” to increase employment opportunities, including positions beyond entry level jobs, and promote movement of the ADA.

Secretary Oleksiak also took the time to thank Ryan Hyde for ten months of service as Acting Executive Director at OVR. Mr. Hyde served during a difficult time, particularly with the budgetary issues OVR is facing. The board members appreciate his efforts fulfilling these duties temporarily, in addition to his own position.

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With the recent increase of individuals contracting measles, Dr. Gregory Cherpes from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has issued a health alert. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “From January 1 to May 3, 2019, 764 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 23 states. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the US since 1994 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.” Pennsylvania is among the states confirming new cases of measles.

What is Measles:
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. The symptoms of measles generally appear about 7 to 14 days after a person is infected. The measles rash usually starts first as flat red spots on the face. These spots may increase in number and connect spreading down the neck and body. Small raised bumps may form on the flat red spots.

Measles symptoms typically include:

  • High fever
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Rash breaks out 3–5 days after symptoms begin

Are Measles Serious? 
Measles can be serious at all ages, but children less than 5 and adults over 20 are more likely to have complications. Complications include:

  • Ear infection that can result in permanent hearing loss.
  • Diarrhea requiring hospitalization.
  • Pneumonia – this is the most common cause of death in children.
  • Swelling of the brain – that may lead to brain damage.
  • Pregnant women may have their babies early and the baby’s weight may be low.
  • Of every 1,000 people who get measles 1–2 of them will die.

How do Measles Spread to Other People?

  • Infected people can spread measles to others from 4 days before through 4 days after the rash appears.
  • It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.
  • When someone sneezes or coughs the virus can live for up to 2 hours in the air.
  • If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.
  • Up to 90% of the people close to an infected person who have not been vaccinated against measles will also become infected.

Can Measles be Prevented? 
Receiving the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination can prevent measles. See your health care provider for more information related to the measles vaccination.

For more information, visit:

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ODP Announcement 19-053 announces the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) are relaunching the Positive Approaches Journal, written by and for professionals who provide supports and services to individuals with mental and behavioral health challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities.

The Positive Approaches Journal seeks to improve lives by increasing knowledge and capacity of professionals that provide supports and services to individuals currently utilizing services within the ODP and OMHSAS systems. The articles will be written using the guiding principles of Everyday Lives, Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP), System of Care, and the Resilience and Recovery Movement in mind. Through case studies, articles, interviews, and related academic sources, the Positive Approaches Journal will strive to feature resources, observations, and advancements that are relevant and timely to professionals and supporters of human service systems.

The new version of the Positive Approaches Journal will include Data Discoveries, useful data presented in ways that are interesting and customizable. Data presented will be focused on a topic related to each issue theme. This “new” journal will be published quarterly and will be available in digital form online. Please submit any questions via email.

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