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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) is pleased to share resources available through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The Special Education 101 presentation, available on YouTube, is a great overview for all human service staff who, in a variety of capacities, serve children and their families. Supporting documents and required forms are also helpful resources for your staff as they support children in their educational journey.
ODP Announcement 23-014 provides new guidance to SCOs on Supports Coordinators’ (SC) participation in the SIS-A™ and PA Supplement assessments, as well as clarification and new guidance on virtual assessments. This announcement obsoletes ODP Announcement 22-090. Read the full announcement for details. Highlights include:
Criteria for SC Participation and Virtual Assessments:
Virtual assessments are permitted during inclement weather and when an individual or respondent is ill and able to participate virtually. Additionally, SCs now have the authority to decide whether an assessment should be scheduled virtually based on what is best for the individual and other valid respondents. It is ODP’s expectation that all valid respondents and observers who participate in a virtual assessment must have both audio and video on for the duration of the assessment.
ODP appreciates your commitment to the individuals and families we serve. Please contact your Regional Program Office (RPO) if you need more information or have questions about the SIS process.
ODP Announcement 23-013 informs all interested parties of the submission of Pennsylvania’s Heightened Scrutiny locations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The information submitted is available on the Department of Human Services’ (Department) website.
On February 1, 2023, the department submitted all locations identified as requiring a Heightened Scrutiny review by CMS. The information submitted may be viewed at the bottom of this web page. CMS will make final heightened scrutiny review determinations available online. Questions about Heightened Scrutiny or this communication should be sent electronically.
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Start time: 10:00 am
End time: 3:00 pm
Break: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
This meeting will be hybrid, with the in-person portion held at the Best Western Premier in Harrisburg (800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg, PA) and the virtual portion held via Zoom. The public is invited to attend in person or connect to this meeting using the following information:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: March 2, 2023, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: PA State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation Quarterly Meeting
Please visit this link to join the webinar.
Passcode: 210559
Or One tap mobile:
US: +19292056099,,85656724729#,,,,*210559# or +13017158592,,85656724729#,,,,*210559#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: 1-929-205-6099 or 1-301-715-8592 or 1-305-224-1968 or 1-309-205-3325 or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-646-931-3860 or 1-669-444-9171 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-689-278-1000 or 1-719-359-4580 or 1-253-205-0468 or 1-253-215-8782 or 1-346-248-7799 or 1-360-209-5623 or 1-386-347-5053 or 1-507-473-4847 or 1-564-217-2000
Webinar ID: 856 5672 4729
Passcode: 210559
CART and sign language interpreters will be available during this meeting. Those using a screen reader can connect via the following link: CART.
The agenda for this meeting can be found on the State Board’s web page. Anyone who would like to make public comment prior to the meeting may submit their comments via email. Additional auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please send your request electronically.
The PA Family Network has a series of events happening this March and April – six in-person Summits on Emergency Preparedness. These summits will be regional, happening in York, Wilkes-Barre, State College, Philadelphia, and Cranberry, and will provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities, families, and interested individuals to learn more about Emergency Preparedness, Safety, Interactions With First Responders, and more.
There will be no fee to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Each day will be from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
The locations and dates of these events are:
For more information and to register for your local summit, visit here. Seminar sessions each day will include:
Support staff are welcome and encouraged to attend, and breakfast and lunch will provided for FREE.