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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.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Register Here

The PA Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) will be hosting a webinar on June 21 discussing real-life stories from those utilizing smart home technology. People with disabilities will share how they use smart home technology for streaming videos, watching TV, gaming, exercise, and more.

Following a decade of service as CEO of SpArc Philadelphia, Laura Princiotta will be retiring effective June 30, 2023. Laura has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable populations and worked for 34 years at SpArc, initially as a Direct Support Professional, then steadily moving up through the organization. Laura’s most notable accomplishments are best seen through the vibrant programming and advocacy services offered to all individuals with disabilities and their families, and the many successes that span her tenure.


Effective July 1, 2023, Nofre Vaquer will take the reins as CEO for SpArc Philadelphia. Nofre has been serving the organization for more than 14 years, and has moved up in various roles with increasingly more responsibility, most recently as Chief Operating Officer.

Before joining SpArc, Nofre worked at CoreStates Bank in Philadelphia and at Bank of New York, where he was responsible for managing national and international sovereign financial management. He also held senior positions in supply chain organizations, in publishing and in the hotel industry, with national and international operations spanning three continents. Nofre has also worked in project and finance management for the commercial real estate development industry in Florida.

Nofre brought this broad experience and vast knowledge to SpArc, and throughout his tenure has helped elevate the organization by methodically bringing it into the 21st century, creating and implementing a detailed technology plan, streamlining business process, and improving program tracking capabilities. Nofre also helps keep the organization fiscally sound by working on budget management and cost saving measures.

Nofre is driven by the mission of supporting individuals with disabilities to be included in their communities and have access to resources that help them reach their potential, and has a deep personal connection to the mission as a family member of individuals with disabilities.

Nofre is a strong advocate focused on making sure that disability services are top of mind to federal, state and local legislators and ensuring dedicated funding and resources are available to service providers. Nofre’s advocacy and leadership are evidenced by his service on the boards of RCPA and UniqueSource Products and Services.

Originally from Mallorca, Spain, Nofre moved to the Philadelphia area to attend St. Joseph’s University where he earned his bachelor and master’s degrees. Nofre resides in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, with his wife Cheryl and their daughters Lydia and Margot.