Request for Best Practices: Training DSPs on Safe Transportation of Individuals With IDD
Carol Ferenz
Person-Centered Approaches to Supporting Dignity of Risk — Webinar on March 23
Join the National Center for Advancing Person-centered Practices and Services (NCAPPS) for a webinar exploring the dignity of risk. Dignity of risk is the idea that taking reasonable risks is essential to supporting autonomy for people with disabilities, balancing the need for autonomy while keeping a person’s health and welfare in mind. Participants will hear from providers, national experts, people with lived experience, and state representatives as they examine best practices for addressing and assessing risk through a person-centered lens.
Speakers include:
- Susan Arwood;
- Mary Lou Bourne;
- Carl Lipford;
- Elise Messner; and
- Shannon Nehus.
The webinar will take place Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET. You can visit here to register for the webinar.
ODP Releases FY 2021/22 Annual Data Report
ODP Announcement 23-029 releases the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021/22 Annual Data Report. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created this statistical report so that all stakeholders can review the number of individuals ODP serves, settings where they live, what services are provided to them, and the costs of those services. While these facts and figures are important, they provide a limited view of the service system. They allow us to assess growth in the programs provided, types of services that are prioritized, and how we are investing in people.
In addition to this report, ODP publishes an annual report on strategies and performance measures developed by the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), as well as various other reports that target specific topical areas or strategies (e.g., waiting list, employment, etc.). All of these are used to comprehensively assess the system.
Access the FY 2021/22 Annual Data Report here. Please send any questions you have electronically.
Open for Public Comment: Proposed Revision to ARPA Funded Initiative for Supporting Individuals and Families
ODP Announcement 23-030 announces a 30-day public comment period on a proposal to expand funding made available to Administrative Entities (AEs)/Counties to support individuals and families on the waiting list to allow for pursuit of innovative strategies and provide alternatives to Community Participation Support (CPS) services.
Staffing shortages and the lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a decrease in the availability of CPS services for some individuals. Spending for Respite and Family Support Services made available to individuals on the waiting list through the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Spending Plan approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is lower than projected in the majority of counties.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is requesting public comment on the following proposal that would allow AEs to repurpose unspent ARPA respite dollars to develop and fund innovative alternatives to traditional CPS. ODP will review and consider all comments received by 11:59 pm on April 10, 2023, in developing a final proposal for use of these ARPA funds. Public comment may be submitted through one of the following methods:
- Electronic submission via email.
- Written submission through mail, addressed to: Julie Mochon, Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs 625 Forster Street, Room 510, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Questions about this communication should be sent electronically.
Last Chance to Submit Your Proposals for the RCPA 2023 Annual Conference!
The 2023 RCPA Conference, which will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary as a leader in shaping policy and enhancing lives, will be held October 10 – 13 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. The Conference Committee is seeking workshop proposals in every area for possible inclusion, particularly those that assist providers in developing and maintaining high-quality, stable, and effective treatments, services, and agencies in an industry where change is constant. The committee looks for presentations that:
- Highlight new policy, research, and treatment initiatives, such as telehealth innovations, suicide prevention, and employing people with disabilities;
- Provide specific skills and information related to individual and organizational leadership development and enhancement;
- Discuss advanced ethics practices;
- Address system changes that affect business practices, including integrated care strategies, value-based purchasing, acquisitions/mergers, and alternative payment models;
- Provide guidance on building a culture of a committed workforce, including recruitment and employee development as well as effective remote workforce strategies;
- Offer concrete skills and tools to operate more efficient, effective agencies; and
- Inspire ideas for organizations to be leaders in their field.
The committee welcomes any proposal that addresses these and other topics essential to rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, and intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism. Members are encouraged to consider submitting and to forward this opportunity to those who are exceptionally good speakers and have state-of-the-art information to share.
The Call for Proposals (featuring a complete listing of focus tracks) and accompanying Guidelines for Developing Educational Objectives detail requirements for submissions. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 13, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Proposals must be submitted electronically on the form provided; confirmation of receipt will be sent. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
If the proposal is accepted, individuals must be prepared to present on any day of the conference. Workshops are 90 or 180 minutes in length. At the time of acceptance, presenters will be required to confirm the ability to submit workshop handouts electronically four weeks prior to the conference. Individuals unable to meet this expectation should not submit proposals for consideration.
Individuals are welcome to submit multiple proposals. Notification of inclusion will be made via email by Friday, May 12, 2023. Questions may be directed to Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.
Letter to the Editor: Understanding, Supporting Mental Health
Join ODP for the Employment Regional Symposium
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is inviting leadership professionals from Administrative Entities (AEs), Support Coordination Organizations (SCOs), Providers of Supported Employment Services and Day Habilitation, and Providers of Community Participation Support (CPS) to attend a 1-day Employment Symposium. The Symposium will be held regionally across the Commonwealth on April 25, May 4, and May 12 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm with a boxed lunch provided.
The goals of the Regional Employment Symposium are to:
- Provide a platform for networking, information/resource sharing, and best practices for employer engagement;
- Identify strategies for engaging employers on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities using a dual-customer approach; and
- Initiate an improvement process by creating goals and best practices to reach and increase employment rates for people with disabilities.
Agenda:
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Opening Remarks by Kristin Ahrens, ODP Deputy Secretary, and Ryan Hyde, Executive Director for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Panel discussion featuring an individual from that region with lived employment experience, along with their support team that got them to competitive integrated employment.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Small group discussions to network, share experiences of engaging in community integrated employment, resources, and tools.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Keynote address: Cultivating Relationships With Employers, by Stephen Martynuska. Stephen is a consultant from Sheetz, Inc.
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Small group discussion with the opportunity to report out to the larger group on takeaways from the day, as well as sharing resources and tools for engaging employers.
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Closing remarks/wrap-up by Kristin Ahrens and Ryan Hyde.
Please register for the location nearest you. Only register for one session. You must complete a Demographics Form before selecting the session you wish to attend, and please identify any dietary restrictions or allergies on your Demographics Form. You must also indicate if you need accommodation(s) as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Reasonable efforts will be made to meet the need.
| Date | Venue | Registration Closes |
| April 25, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN Central 6340 Flank Road Harrisburg, PA 17112 |
April 18, 2023 |
| May 4, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN West 3190 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, PA 15238 |
April 28, 2023 |
| May 12, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Bucks County Community College 275 Swamp Road Newtown, PA 18940 |
May 6, 2023 |
There is a limited number of seats at each location, and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In addition to your initial registration confirmation, you will receive an email with specific instructions about the location of the symposium one week prior to your scheduled event.
As a reminder, please be respectful of others. If you are not feeling well the day of the event, do not attend. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain respectful distance from others so that everyone can participate and feel comfortable.
Enhanced Rates for CPS and Transportation Trip to Be Continued as Part of Regular Fee Schedule
During the Department of Human Services budget review this morning, Acting Secretary Arkoosh shared that part of the budget plan is to continue the enhanced rates for CPS and Transportation Trip. RCPA has confirmed that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) plans to publish the CPS and transportation rates for continuation beginning November 11, 2023, as part of the regular fee schedule. We will share more information as it becomes available.
Central Pa. Officials Paint Bleak Picture of Unmet Mental Health Needs, Fear ‘Catastrophic’ Result
LRA Consultants Releases Upcoming Schedule for Investigation Training Classes
Registration and additional information for all classes may be found at LRA Consultants’ website. In addition to Open Registration classes, LRA Consultants can schedule online or in-person classes for your organization, usually at a per-person cost savings. Please visit their website for more information about all their courses, including self-paced options, or contact Laura Nuss via email or at 202-355-0799.
Mortality Review and Death Investigations Class
March 22–23, 2023
9:00 am – 11:30 am and
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST
Cost: $416
LRA Consultants offers a 2-day training opportunity for State Oversight, Licensing and/or Survey Agencies, Protection and Advocacy Organizations, Provider Organizations, and Mortality Review Committee Members.
The death of an individual under the care of an organization requires an in-depth response on the part of the organization’s and/or oversight agency’s Incident and Risk Management System. Participants will learn the additional knowledge and skills, beyond those developed by conducting serious incident investigations alone, to effectively conduct a death investigation and mortality review meeting.
Conducting Serious Incident Investigations Class
April 4–6, 2023
9:00 am – 11:30 am and
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST
Cost: $624
This three-day program is designed to teach participants the fundamental principles of investigation, including:
- The role of speed, thoroughness, and objectivity in conducting investigations;
- Collecting and preserving physical evidence;
- Interviewing witnesses and obtaining written statements;
- Collecting other documentary evidence; and
- Reconciling conflicting testimonial evidence.
Level I Certified Investigator Exam
April 7, 2023
9:00 am CST
Cost: $189
LRA Consultants also offers the exam for Level I Certified Investigator to those who complete the Conducting Serious Incident Investigations course.
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