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ODP Announcement 23-029 releases the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021/22 Annual Data Report. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created this statistical report so that all stakeholders can review the number of individuals ODP serves, settings where they live, what services are provided to them, and the costs of those services. While these facts and figures are important, they provide a limited view of the service system. They allow us to assess growth in the programs provided, types of services that are prioritized, and how we are investing in people.

In addition to this report, ODP publishes an annual report on strategies and performance measures developed by the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), as well as various other reports that target specific topical areas or strategies (e.g., waiting list, employment, etc.).  All of these are used to comprehensively assess the system.

Access the FY 2021/22 Annual Data Report here. Please send any questions you have electronically.

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ODP Announcement 23-030 announces a 30-day public comment period on a proposal to expand funding made available to Administrative Entities (AEs)/Counties to support individuals and families on the waiting list to allow for pursuit of innovative strategies and provide alternatives to Community Participation Support (CPS) services.

Staffing shortages and the lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a decrease in the availability of CPS services for some individuals. Spending for Respite and Family Support Services made available to individuals on the waiting list through the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Spending Plan approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is lower than projected in the majority of counties.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is requesting public comment on the following proposal that would allow AEs to repurpose unspent ARPA respite dollars to develop and fund innovative alternatives to traditional CPS. ODP will review and consider all comments received by 11:59 pm on April 10, 2023, in developing a final proposal for use of these ARPA funds. Public comment may be submitted through one of the following methods:

  • Electronic submission via email.
  • Written submission through mail, addressed to: Julie Mochon, Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs 625 Forster Street, Room 510, Harrisburg, PA 17120

Questions about this communication should be sent electronically.

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Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash

The 2023 RCPA Conference, which will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary as a leader in shaping policy and enhancing lives, will be held October 10 – 13 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. The Conference Committee is seeking workshop proposals in every area for possible inclusion, particularly those that assist providers in developing and maintaining high-quality, stable, and effective treatments, services, and agencies in an industry where change is constant. The committee looks for presentations that:

  • Highlight new policy, research, and treatment initiatives, such as telehealth innovations, suicide prevention, and employing people with disabilities;
  • Provide specific skills and information related to individual and organizational leadership development and enhancement;
  • Discuss advanced ethics practices;
  • Address system changes that affect business practices, including integrated care strategies, value-based purchasing, acquisitions/mergers, and alternative payment models;
  • Provide guidance on building a culture of a committed workforce, including recruitment and employee development as well as effective remote workforce strategies;
  • Offer concrete skills and tools to operate more efficient, effective agencies; and
  • Inspire ideas for organizations to be leaders in their field.

The committee welcomes any proposal that addresses these and other topics essential to rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, and intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism. Members are encouraged to consider submitting and to forward this opportunity to those who are exceptionally good speakers and have state-of-the-art information to share.

The Call for Proposals (featuring a complete listing of focus tracks) and accompanying Guidelines for Developing Educational Objectives detail requirements for submissions. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 13, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Proposals must be submitted electronically on the form provided; confirmation of receipt will be sent. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

If the proposal is accepted, individuals must be prepared to present on any day of the conference. Workshops are 90 or 180 minutes in length. At the time of acceptance, presenters will be required to confirm the ability to submit workshop handouts electronically four weeks prior to the conference. Individuals unable to meet this expectation should not submit proposals for consideration.

Individuals are welcome to submit multiple proposals. Notification of inclusion will be made via email by Friday, May 12, 2023. Questions may be directed to Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is inviting leadership professionals from Administrative Entities (AEs), Support Coordination Organizations (SCOs), Providers of Supported Employment Services and Day Habilitation, and Providers of Community Participation Support (CPS) to attend a 1-day Employment Symposium. The Symposium will be held regionally across the Commonwealth on April 25, May 4, and May 12 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm with a boxed lunch provided.

The goals of the Regional Employment Symposium are to:

  1. Provide a platform for networking, information/resource sharing, and best practices for employer engagement;
  2. Identify strategies for engaging employers on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities using a dual-customer approach; and
  3. Initiate an improvement process by creating goals and best practices to reach and increase employment rates for people with disabilities.

Agenda:

10:00 am – 10:30 am
Opening Remarks by Kristin Ahrens, ODP Deputy Secretary, and Ryan Hyde, Executive Director for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Panel discussion featuring an individual from that region with lived employment experience, along with their support team that got them to competitive integrated employment.

11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Small group discussions to network, share experiences of engaging in community integrated employment, resources, and tools.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Keynote address: Cultivating Relationships With Employers, by Stephen Martynuska. Stephen is a consultant from Sheetz, Inc.

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Small group discussion with the opportunity to report out to the larger group on takeaways from the day, as well as sharing resources and tools for engaging employers.

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Closing remarks/wrap-up by Kristin Ahrens and Ryan Hyde.

Please register for the location nearest you. Only register for one session. You must complete a Demographics Form before selecting the session you wish to attend, and please identify any dietary restrictions or allergies on your Demographics Form. You must also indicate if you need accommodation(s) as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Reasonable efforts will be made to meet the need.

Date Venue Registration Closes
April 25, 2023
10:00 am – 3:00 pm		 PaTTAN Central
6340 Flank Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112		 April 18, 2023
May 4, 2023
10:00 am – 3:00 pm		 PaTTAN West
3190 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238		 April 28, 2023
May 12, 2023
10:00 am – 3:00 pm		 Bucks County Community College
275 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940		 May 6, 2023

There is a limited number of seats at each location, and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In addition to your initial registration confirmation, you will receive an email with specific instructions about the location of the symposium one week prior to your scheduled event.

As a reminder, please be respectful of others. If you are not feeling well the day of the event, do not attend. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain respectful distance from others so that everyone can participate and feel comfortable.

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During the Department of Human Services budget review this morning, Acting Secretary Arkoosh shared that part of the budget plan is to continue the enhanced rates for CPS and Transportation Trip. RCPA has confirmed that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) plans to publish the CPS and transportation rates for continuation beginning November 11, 2023, as part of the regular fee schedule. We will share more information as it becomes available.

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A special brain injury provider meeting has been scheduled for March 21, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm to discuss the recently released Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Community HealthChoices (CHC) Request for Information (RFI). Members are encouraged to review the RFI prior to the call in order to provide input for the comments that will be submitted in response to the RFI, which are due by April 14, 2023. You can register for the meeting here.

If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact Melissa Dehoff.

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Below are some updates regarding the upcoming Physical Disabilities & Aging (PD&A) Division meetings that members should make note of.

The March 16 division meeting has been canceled, and a special meeting has been scheduled for March 23, 2023, from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the recently released Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Community HealthChoices (CHC) Request for Information. Members are encouraged to review the RFI prior to the meeting in order to provide input to the comments that will be submitted, which are due by April 14, 2023. You can register for the meeting here.

The next full PD&A meeting is scheduled for May 25, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Members are encouraged to submit agenda topics for this meeting (and all future PD&A meetings) to Melissa Dehoff.

The list of upcoming PD&A meetings in 2023 includes:

  • May 25, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
  • September 14, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
  • December 14, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Dehoff.

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Folders with the label Applications and Grants

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has announced a grant opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) specific to Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs.

SAMHSA will award approximately 7 applicants up to $678,000 each. The purpose of this program is to establish or expand and maintain ACT programs for transition-aged youth and adults with a serious mental illness (SMI) or serious emotional disturbance (SED). Recipients are expected to implement an ACT program to fidelity and provide ACT services to the population of focus. With this program, SAMHSA aims to improve behavioral health outcomes for individuals by reducing rates of hospitalization, mortality, substance use, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Please visit here for additional information. Applications are due by April 10, 2023.

Contact Information:

Program Issues:
Dawnielle Tillman, Public Health Advisor
Center for Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(240) 276-1572

Grants Management and Budget Issues:
Office of Financial Resources, Division of Grants Management
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(240) 276-1400

If you have further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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