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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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The Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB) has released a report this month outlining recommendations on how to strengthen the Representative Payee Program of the Social Security Administration (SSA). This report is the result of a two-year study of the current Representative Payee Program serving more than 8 million vulnerable beneficiaries/recipients, including children and adults.

The five section report includes short-term recommendations to SSA and Congress, and also advocates for the Office of Management and Budget to pursue long-term structural changes which will involve comprehensive government-wide coordination efforts and cross-agency reforms. More information, as well as a link to the full report, is available on the SSAB website.

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As part of the Collaborative Capacity Building Initiative under the Money Follows the Person Administrative Funds, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), in coordination with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), is now offering free Mental Health First Aid courses for families, individuals, professionals, clinicians, and community supporters.

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

ODP and OMHSAS would like to introduce Jen Bankard as the contractor for this program. Jen is a certified MHFA instructor and has served as both a National Trainer and a Quality Evaluator for the MHFA program. You may contact her directly regarding scheduling a course in your area.

Jen Bankard 
email address: jbankard812@gmail.com
phone number: 717-460-1091

It is the hope of ODP and OMHSAS in this joint program to continue to build capacity to support the complex individual in the community. Please contact her now to schedule, and if you should have any additional questions, you may also contact Marlinda Smith at marlsmith@pa.gov. Please help share this information to others for their awareness and participation.

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The ANCOR Foundation is launching a public awareness campaign, entitled Included. Supported. Empowered. The campaign will convey the value and importance of community services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and highlight the support networks that enable them to succeed.

The Foundation is sharing stories about people with I/DD, their families, and their communities; about providers and support networks; and about positive trends and exciting careers, by utilizing digital marketing, social, and traditional media. They are looking for stories about people – those receiving services, staff, or families, and are working with a public relations firm to assist with telling those stories.

For more information, or to participate, see this message from the ANCOR Foundation.

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The Office of Developmental Programs, Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) has announced the availability of the first two modules in the newly developed SPeCTRUM 2.0 BAS Autism Competency Training. This training is designed as a free online resource for professionals who are supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

The course can be accessed within the MyODP Training & Resource Center, using this link. Further information can be found in BAS Informational Memo #BAW17-41.

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Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) is conducting a research study funded by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, and is requesting that providers of employment or support coordination services for individuals with IDD participate in a survey. The purpose of this survey is to learn what opportunities and challenges exist for residents with IDD in Pennsylvania to work in competitive and integrated employment.

This information will be shared with the state agencies and the legislature to inform the policies and regulations that are being developed. The survey will be anonymous and takes approximately 15 – 20 minutes to complete. This project is time sensitive, so please take the time to respond. Please see this document for more information and to access the survey.

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is offering a webinar on the topic of the Pennsylvania ABLE Savings Program. A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualifying disabilities (eligible individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts. Please join Ryan Buxton, Program Representative from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, who will conduct the webinar.

OLTL Service Coordinators and Direct Service Providers are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar that will help you understand the ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants you serve.

The webinar on PA ABLE is scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, January 17, 2018, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.

Please register online here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have questions regarding this email please contact Edward M. Butler, OLTL, at 717-214-3718 or via email.

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