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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released the FY 2022/23 Annual Data Report. The ODP Annual Data Report provides statistical information to educate our stakeholders about the individuals ODP serves and the services they receive. This data provides an important overview of the service system ODP oversees that supports individuals with disabilities. The accompanying resource, Everyday Lives: Values in Action Information, Sharing, and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures, provides information on indicators of success used to gauge the effectiveness of the work of ODP.
Access the FY 2022/23 Annual Data Report here. This document can also be found by visiting MyODP and following this path: Everyday Lives > Everyday Lives Publications > ODP’s Annual Data Reports.
The Everyday Lives: Values in Action Information, Sharing, and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures publications are available here.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-028, which introduces the new SIS-A Discrepancy Form. This announcement also provides guidance on how to submit a review request when discrepancies are identified in a finalized SIS-A Report. All requests must be submitted on this form within 120 days (4 months) of the SIS interview date. The SIS-A Discrepancy Review form can also be accessed in the following ways:
ODP has also created an SIS-A dedicated inbox specifically for the discrepancy review process. You can view the announcement for additional information and details.
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) invites public review of the Fiscal Year 2024 Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) grant application on the Mental Health in PA website. The PATH grant, established under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1990, assists individuals with serious mental illness facing or at risk of homelessness. The application, submitted annually to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is open for public comment until 10:00 am Friday, March 22, 2024. For questions or comments, please contact Lauren MacWithey, Pennsylvania PATH Grant Coordinator.
Additional questions can be sent to RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

Part 1: Navigating Evidence: Finding and Synthesizing Literature for Evidence-Based Practices
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT; 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT;
12:00 pm – 1:00 MDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PDT
Register Here
Part 2: Making Evidence-Based Practices Work: Strategies and Outcomes
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT; 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT;
12:00 pm – 1:00 MDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PDT
Register Here
Michael Peterson, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Transformation Specialist
Speaker Bio:
Michael works as a Clinical Transformation Specialist, where he focuses his efforts as part of a Clinical Transformation team to promote a culture of evidence-based practice at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota. Michael is also a speech-language pathologist with 12 years of clinical experience working with children and adults with childhood-onset conditions. He applies his clinical experience and advanced training in knowledge translation and implementation science to partner with and guide clinical staff to bridge the gap between evidence and clinical practice.
Objectives: At the end of these sessions, the learner will:
Part 1: Navigating Evidence: Finding and Synthesizing Literature for Evidence-Based Practices
Part 2: Making Evidence-Based Practices Work: Strategies and Outcomes
Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.
Level: Intermediate
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
Last week, ANCOR and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) unveiled the latest Case for Inclusion report: Transforming Temporary Progress into Long-Term Sustainability. The report is a vital resource assessing the effectiveness of state Medicaid programs in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Since 2019, ANCOR has partnered with UCP to publish this comprehensive report, combining transactional data with transformational stories to inspire positive change.
The Case for Inclusion 2024 provides a deep dive into community inclusion across three data snapshots, featuring nearly 80 measures spanning six crucial issue areas: Addressing a Workforce in Crisis; Promoting Independence; Reaching Those in Need; Serving at a Reasonable Cost; Keeping Families Together; and Tracking Health, Safety, & Quality of Life.
Key findings from the report shed light on critical issues, including notable increases in hourly wages for direct support professionals (DSP), rising vacancy rates with full-time vacancy rates increasing to 16.5% and part-time vacancy rates increasing to 20.3%, and persistent challenges in addressing waiting lists for home- and community-based services (HCBS), with 497,354 people on state waiting lists for HCBS across the country.
The report also emphasizes that 17 states and the District of Columbia have closed their state-run institutions. Furthermore, it highlights the participation of 38 states in the federal Money Follows the Person program and the approval of 18 demonstration waivers nationally addressing social determinants of health with 17 more pending.

Children First, The Advocate for the Kids, is hosting a webinar titled “Reimagining Our Mental Health System for Pennsylvania’s Children and Youth,” which is scheduled for 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. This event will delve into the pressing matter of children’s mental health reform in PA, with a diverse panel comprising of advocates, clinical mental health practitioners, insurance payers, and youth voices. The discussion aims to explore effective strategies and solutions to tackle the ongoing children’s mental health crisis. Register here.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.