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Mark your calendars to join SAMHSA on May 11 for the 6th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium!

This free, all-day, virtual event will feature an engaging plenary, informative sessions, and a diverse array of topics addressing the most pressing behavioral health needs in older adults.

Who should attend?

Public health practitioners, professionals in the aging network, mental health providers, substance use treatment providers, health care professionals, and anyone interested in ensuring the mental health of older adults. In partnership with the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, NCOA will be offering continuing education for several disciplines.

The symposium is brought to you by the National Council on Aging, the Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Watch for updates by mid-March from RCPA for registration info.

ODP Announcement 23-021 reports that the 2022 Information Sharing & Advisory Committee (ISAC) Annual Report is now available. ISAC, working with the PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), developed a series of recommendations and strategies to support achievement of the vision in Everyday Lives. This publication provides 2022 updates related to those recommendations and strategies. Stakeholders are encouraged to use the information contained in this report in their work supporting people with disabilities.

Access the 2022 ISAC Annual Report here. Access the ISAC Recommendations and Strategies supplemental document from inside the ISAC Annual Report here. Both documents can also be found by visiting MyODP and following this path:

Everyday Lives > Everyday Lives Publications > Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the release of the 2020–2022 Employment First report. ODP created this report to share data with individuals, families, advocates, providers, government officials, and taxpayers. ODP is committed to supporting individuals with an intellectual disability or autism to achieve their goals towards competitive integrated employment.

The 2020–2022 ODP Employment First Report, along with a fully accessible version of the report, is available at MyODP Employment Page.

ODP Announcement 23-020 states that, since the release of Bulletin 00-20-01 Regulatory Compliance Guide for Community Homes for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Autism, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has collected questions and comments from providers, licensing staff, and other stakeholders about how the Regulatory Compliance Guide (RCG) can be improved and updated. ODP has updated the RCG based on the feedback received and lessons learned through the inspection process and is pleased to announce the release of the updated Chapter 6400 RCG.

This version is effective as of February 14, 2023, and obsoletes the February 3, 2020, version of the RCG. A record of change showing the substantive changes made in the updated RCG is also available.

Questions about this announcement or about the RCG can be directed to ODP’s Regulatory Administration Unit.

On February 15, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed National Coverage Determination (NCD) that power seat elevation equipment on Group 3 power wheelchairs falls within the benefit category for durable medical equipment (DME).

CMS is proposing that the evidence is sufficient to determine that power seat elevation equipment is reasonable and necessary for individuals using power wheelchairs when all of the following conditions are met:

  • The individual performs weight bearing transfers to/from the power wheelchair while in the home, using either their upper extremities during a non-level (uneven) sitting transfer and/or their lower extremities during a sit to stand transfer. Transfers may be accomplished with or without caregiver assistance and/or the use of assistive equipment (e.g. sliding board, cane, crutch, walker); and,
  • The individual has undergone a specialty evaluation by a practitioner who has specific training and experience in rehabilitation wheelchair evaluations, such as a physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT), that assesses the individual’s ability to safely use the seat elevation equipment in the home.

The proposed NCD is open for public comment for 30 days. The 30-day comment period will close on March 17, 2023.

Image by PIRO4D from Pixabay

ODP Announcement 23-019 is to advise all stakeholders that the COVID-19 PHE is officially ending May 11, 2023. All provisions made under Appendix K will expire on November 11, 2023.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will release more detailed information regarding transition activities as they develop. A link to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) statement is provided here.