Reminder: ASERT Seeks Volunteers for Art Therapy Research Opportunity
Tim Sohosky
The Supervisor-Centric Retention Blueprint: Complimentary RCPA Member Webinar February 18
ANCOR Shares Implementation Timeline: Access Rule and Budget Reconciliation Law
ID/A Associations Urge ODP Action on Community Participation Support (CPS)
RCPA, along with The Alliance CSP, The Arc of Pennsylvania, MAX Association, PAR, and The Provider Alliance, submitted a joint letter to ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens outlining recommended improvements to Community Participation Support (CPS). The letter highlights policy and regulatory barriers affecting person-centered services, workforce stability, and provider sustainability, and urges ODP to pursue near-term solutions through policy clarification or regulatory waivers.
Key recommendations include:
- Planning and Coordination Billing: Allow billing for planning and coordination while CPS services are delivered and permit billing at ratios aligned with individuals’ actual support needs (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 1:3). Associations recommend a new billing code/modifier or a statewide ODP announcement.
- Program Specialist Education Requirements: Align education requirements for program specialists in Chapters 2380 and 2390 with Life Sharing and unlicensed residential models by permitting a high school diploma plus six years of ID/A experience, ideally through a blanket waiver announced via ODP Bulletin.
- Dual Licensure for Chapter 2380 Programs: Eliminate dual licensure with the Department of Aging for providers billing exclusively to ODP when serving individuals age 60 and over, and remove the age cap of 59 in Chapter 2380 through regulatory change or waiver.
- Rounding of 15-Minute Units: Allow rounding of 15-minute service units to reduce administrative burden and align with Office of Long-Term Living practices.
The associations stress that these changes are essential to sustaining safe, meaningful, and person-centered CPS services. RCPA will continue advocacy with ODP and provide updates as they are available.
For Questions or Additional Information
Please contact Tim Sohosky for any follow-up or inquiries related to this update.
Exclusive Benefit: Registration Discounts for the 2026 ANCOR Annual Conference
Disability Scoop: In Historic Move, Wheelchair User Goes To Space
PCHC to Host Fatal Five Dysphagia Training
ODP Seeks Applicants for Provider Innovation Series
The Provider Innovation Series is an exclusive opportunity for our provider community to showcase and be recognized for their innovations, new and ongoing, in support of the everyday lives of those we serve. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) believes in the power of peer learning and support, and they look forward to showcasing your innovative practices that drive quality.
ODP will select providers to present based on the provider’s innovative practices and encourages providers to use ISAC Recommendations and Strategies to identify areas of innovation. Presenters will also be celebrated for their innovation and leadership in the field with a showcase on MyODP News, a certificate of appreciation, and a digital badge, which can be added to email signatures and displayed on their website and social media.
Don’t miss this opportunity to demonstrate your impact! We encourage all Provider organizations, large and small, to consider what innovations they may like to share, and look forward to both learning more about — and sharing with others — your innovative work! Proposals are being accepted through January 5, 2026. To submit an application, please complete the survey.
The December 1 informational webinar can be found here.
For questions or comments, please contact Tim Sohosky.
National Core Indicators Shares State of the Workforce Report
Message from National Core Indicators:
The NCI-IDD SoTW is the most comprehensive data on Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce providing direct services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We remain committed to partnering with states, agencies, and people with IDD to use these data to strengthen Medicaid-funded services and supports and ensure DSPs are valued for their essential role supporting people with IDD.
A few report highlights:
In 2024, we collected data from 3,936 provider agencies representing 344,179 DSPs in 26 states and the District of Columbia. The data for 2024 suggest some positive trends for the state of the IDD DSP workforce. For example:
- Across the nation, the median hourly wage for DSPs is $18.39, which is more than a dollar increase from the median hourly wage of $17.20 in 2023.
- The weighted average turnover ratio was 37%, with nearly two in three DSPs who left their employers (64%) having been with their agency for less than one year.
- On average, 26% of agencies report they turned away or stopped accepting referrals due to staffing issues, down from 38% in 2023.
State DD agencies have worked tirelessly to address the ongoing workforce shortages for DSPs, and these data suggest slight but hopeful trends in key indicators. Altogether, NCI-IDD SoTW provide valuable insights about opportunities to enhance retention of DSPs and improve the continuity of services.
The full report can be found here at this link.
For questions or comments, please contact Tim Sohosky.
Virtual Autism Training Opportunity for DSPs and Front-Line Supervisors January 20–21
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): An Overview and Practical Application
Note: This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC). Please see more details below on Continuing Education (CE) Credits. This training is an approved alternative to the SPeCTRUM offered on MyODP.
Over the years, the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations.
This training will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the training in the virtual setting.
Who should attend?
- Direct Support Professionals, Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings.
- Professionals supporting individuals in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS), and Community Living waivers are encouraged to attend.
Where and when will sessions be held?
You must register separately for each session.
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), and program managers.
This training also fulfills 6100 ongoing training requirements.
Please contact the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) Training inbox with questions.
