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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared the reissued communication Invitation to Apply for the Capacity Building Institute Year 7 (CBI7). The last day to submit an interest survey to join the Year 7 Cohort is now June 23, 2023.

Each person must complete the CBI Year 7 Interest Survey by June 23, 2023, in order to express interest and confirm their ability to attend all sessions. There are a limited number of spaces available for participants. All applicants will be notified through email in mid-July as to their admission status.

Please review the communication for additional information relating to cost and attendance.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-047: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and Temple University Harrisburg — Certified Investigator Initial Certification Course Delivery Questionnaire. This communication asks stakeholders to complete a survey to gain input on future delivery methods for the Certified Investigator Initial Certification course.

The short questionnaire will help determine the path moving forward for scheduling in-person and virtual CI Initial Certification courses. ODP would like to hear from current CIs, previous CIs, organization management, administration, and leadership.

Please review the announcement for a link to the survey.

Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shares ODPANN 23-046: Infection Control Procedures and Mitigating the Spread of Infectious Diseases with an NICC Team Consulting Flyer and Mission Statement. This announcement has two purposes:

  • First, to draw attention to the revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) describing how to determine if a facility should be considered a healthcare or a non-healthcare congregate setting.
  • The second purpose is to provide updated guidance to providers of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) home and community-based services (HCBS) and Private Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IDs) for development of policies related to infection control procedures.

Please review the announcement and attachments for further information and detail.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared ODPANN 23-045: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Waiver Reserved Capacity Letters. This announcement provides guidance that clarifies instructions on how Administrative Entities (AEs) should maintain the waiver capacity of ODP waiver participants who are temporarily unable to receive waiver services due to requiring a short-term stay in a hospital (medical/psychiatric), nursing home, or rehabilitation care facility and are expected to return to the community. It includes the following attachments:

Please review the announcement and attachments for additional details.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued Health Alert – PAHAN – 702-06-07-ADV, Air Quality Alert — Wildfire Smoke. Wildfires in Canada and current weather conditions are bringing wildfire smoke into our region. Health effects from wildfire smoke, or PM2.5 exposure, include respiratory symptoms and effects, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and cardiovascular effects.

Poor air quality may increase visits and calls to doctor’s offices as well as visits to emergency departments, urgent care centers, and hospitalizations.

Please review the Pennsylvania Department of Health Alert for more detailed information. The website AirNow and the AirNow mobile app can provide additional information.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing ODPANN 23-044: Now Open: Registration for Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course. The purpose of this announcement is to communicate that registration for the July–December 2023 CI Initial Certification Course classes (also known as cohorts) is now open on MyODP. View the announcement for a course description and registration details.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a funding opportunity for $1.5 million to support the first year of a cooperative agreement for a policy development center focused on advancing employment opportunities and outcomes for disabled youth. The funding will support research, engage with the workforce system and its partners, and identify effective policies and practices that support disabled youth employment. It will also help provide resources and training to help support their transition to adulthood.

The funding will continue the work of the Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth. DOL created the center in 2019 to improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities by helping states expand their delivery of youth services and strengthening workforce systems.

DOL anticipates the availability of $7.5 million in funds for a five-year period, subject to federal fund availability, at $1.5 million per year. Apply by Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Contact Andrea Hill with questions. Learn more about the funding opportunity here.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
2:00 pm ET
REGISTER NOW

Often, providers and direct support professionals (DSPs) working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aren’t sure how to support clients with their sexuality or feel uncomfortable addressing this topic. Individuals with IDD deserve to live healthy, full lives within their community of choice.

Join Relias to hear Nellie Galindo, MSW, MSPH, and Rémy Jodrey, MS, LCMHC, discuss ways for DSPs to comfortably support IDD individuals with their sexuality.

Learning Objectives

  • What topics to consider when providing support for sexual health and identity?
  • How to identify your own values around sexuality?
  • How to best support individuals with IDD when issues of sexuality arise in their daily lives?

Can’t attend the live event? Register anyway, and you’ll receive a follow-up email with a link to the recording. 

CMS Webinar: June 14, 2023
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm ET
Register here

States can use outcome-based payment arrangements as an alternative or supplement to traditional fee-for-service (FFS) payments to incentivize 1915(c) waiver program providers with meeting targeted milestones or achievements. States offering outcome-based payment arrangements establish targeted outcomes that align with participant or program goals. This training will help states by:

  • Providing an overview of outcome-based payments in 1915(c) waiver programs;
  • Highlighting examples of outcome-based payments from 1915(c) waiver programs and outcome-based payments methodologies;
  • Discussing the impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and state responses using outcome-based payments; and
  • Discussing considerations for states implementing outcome-based payments in 1915(c) waiver programs.