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Representative Joe Hohenstein is hosting a disability summit on Thursday, September 25 at the Temple University Student Center, located at 1755 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122.

Please consider adding your voice to the discussion about how we can create greater equality and opportunity for our friends and family in the disability community. Registration for this event is now open.

If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Hohenstein’s office at (215) 744-2600.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced $43 million in new supplemental funding available to State Opioid Response program grantees to expand recovery housing services for young adults, ages 18–24.

This one-year supplemental funding requires grant recipients to develop and/or expand recovery housing services for young adults with opioid or stimulant use disorders. States and territories that accept the supplemental funding will also be able to provide treatment, including family-based treatment, provide dedicated care coordinators to assist in navigating various service sectors, and provide individuals with a range of recovery support services, such as coaching, vocational training, employment support, transportation, childcare, and more.

The current SOR formula will be used to calculate the award amounts for all 50 states.

More information is available on SAMHSA’s website.

Registration is now open for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) 2025 Statewide Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Conference CIT and Beyond. PCCD, in partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Center County CIT, has expanded this year’s conference to a two-day event, which will be held on October 28 – 29, 2025, at the Nittany Lion Inn at State College.

To register, view the agenda, and session descriptions, visit the CIT Conference web page.

Registration is now open for the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ 2025 Emerging Drug Trends Symposium. This free, one-day event will take place on Tuesday, November 18, from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Penn Harris Hotel & Conference Center, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA, 17011.

Conference attendees will gain a better understanding of:

  • The latest drug use and overdose trends in Pennsylvania;
  • Shifting overdose patterns and drug supply, with emphasis on high-risk populations; and
  • Evidence-based best practices for responding to emerging drug threats.

Registration is required. On-site registration will not be available. A Keystone Login is needed in order to register for the symposium. If you do not have a Keystone Login, select ‘Register’ and enter the requested information, including a personal email address. The box to accept the Terms and Conditions must be selected before selecting the ‘Request a Seat’ button. You will receive an email confirming your registration shortly after submitting your registration request. If there are no more spots available, you will be placed on a waitlist.

If you have a Keystone Login but do not remember your login information or if you need a password reset, you can reach out to the Keystone Login Help Desk at 877-328-0995 or via email.

To receive a Certificate of Participation, attendees must sign in at the check-in table at the start of the day and again during lunch. Certificates will only be issued to those who sign both sheets.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced a delay in the implementation of the Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) measure RD.01.1, which restricts residential placement options for individuals with higher needs. As originally written, RD.01.1 stated that beginning January 1, 2026, primary tier providers would not be permitted to accept new referrals for individuals assessed at Needs Group 5 (NG5) or higher. This requirement has now been delayed by two years.

  • Effective January 1, 2028, primary tier providers may not accept new referrals for individuals in NG5 or higher.
  • This restriction does not apply to:
    • Individuals already receiving residential services prior to January 1, 2028; or
    • Individuals whose needs assessment results in an increase to NG5 or greater after services have begun.

Until December 31, 2027, it remains permissible for Administrative Entities (AE) and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO) to refer individuals in NG5 to a primary provider. However, AEs and SCOs may choose to limit these referrals to Select and Clinically Enhanced providers.

Contact:

Questions regarding this announcement should be directed to ODP electronically.

ADvancing States, which represents the nation’s 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities as well as long-term services and supports directors, has partnered with the Department of Health Policy and Management at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health to create a first-of-its-kind online training program to support our nation’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program workforce. The initial Foundational Leadership in HCBS: Building Expertise to Better Support People in their Homes and Communities certificate program launches in September 2025.

The core training sessions deliver essential curriculum covering HCBS systems, policies, and operations — everything participants need to enhance their effectiveness and advance policy advocacy in this critical sector. Fewer than 20 spots remain in the September pilot session, and there will be another session offered in January 2026. The course fee is $600 for government and non-profit employees and $1300 for corporate employees. Group registration opportunities are expected to be available for the January 2026 session.

Quick Registration Links:

The course is offered exclusively online and is self-paced so learners can set their own schedules, but the course will require the equivalent of about two hours per week for 10 weeks. Participants will learn more about populations utilizing LTSS, the organizations and individuals providing LTSS, and the varied sources of funding for LTSS, with a focus on HCBS, plus key policy areas, including the Older Americans Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and the processes by which individuals access services. Please view the Course Overview and Syllabus for additional details about course topics and learning objectives.

Sign up using the links above; for questions about the HCBS Certificate program, contact Annie Kimbrel via email.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-08. This announcement provides guidance for Certified Medication Administration Trainers that train for multiple eligible providers. You can also view “Maintaining your Trainer Certificate” for instructions on ensuring your certificate may be used to teach in eligible provider settings.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please submit a ticket through the MA Help Desk.