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You’re invited to sign up for the Parent Alliance’s IEP Bootcamp! It doesn’t matter if you’re considering asking for an IEP for your child or if you’ve been to more meetings than you can count — you will learn something new.

Each morning, for 21 days, you’ll receive information and tips about one section of the IEP to help create a plan day-by-day for reviewing, evaluating, and improving your child’s IEP. With a special focus on their behavior and emotional needs, you’ll be well prepared for every meeting.

Here is a link to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

Updates from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) providers:

Please find the Instructions for the ID-46 Cost Report forms, which were emailed previously. Also available is a checklist for completion prior to submission.  A few items to note:

INSTRUCTIONS

  • PDF file contains a Table of Contents on page 2.
  • Document is organized into these major categories:
    • General Instructions/Regulations — Pages 3–4
    • Timing/Requirements for Submission — Pages 4–5
    • Overall Instructions for ID-46 Excel File — Pages 5–7
    • Detailed Instructions for Each Schedule — Pages 8–46
    • Submission Procedures — Pages 47–48
    • Post Submission Procedures — Pages 49–50
    • Appendices — Pages 51–73
  • Within Adobe Acrobat, if you click on the Bookmark symbol in the left margin, all headings throughout the document will appear in a list that is ‘clickable’ so you can jump directly to points of interest and minimize scrolling. An alternate method to display Bookmarks: View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Bookmarks.

CHECKLIST

  • May be completed by clicking on Blue fields within Adobe Acrobat.
  • Items required to be submitted with cost report, along with requested syntax for file names, are listed on pages 4 & 5.

All cost reports and supporting documentation must be submitted via email for FY 2021/22 by 9/30/2022 with:
Subject line: ‘Cost Report Submission – provider name’
To: ODP

If you encounter any problems or have any questions, please contact Pamela Gilbert or Steve Evitts.

Pamela S. Gilbert | Fiscal Manager
PA Department of Human Services | Office of Developmental Programs
Bureau of Financial Management and Program Support

ODP Announcement 22-097 serves to clarify Supports Coordinator and Provider responsibilities when supporting d/Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind individuals.

There is some confusion regarding deaf services within the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Some individuals are a member of the Harry M class, and there are specific requirements that continue to apply to them even though the settlement has now ended. ODP’s commitment to effectively supporting d/Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind individuals continues.

This announcement clarifies who is included in the Harry M class and who is not a part of the class but is eligible for services. It also clarifies the additional ongoing requirements for members of the class.

Please direct any questions about this announcement to the ODP Deaf Services inbox or to the appropriate ODP Regional Office.

Thursday, September 15, 2022
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
REGISTER

The Pennsylvania Disabilities Council (PADDC) will be hosting the Self Advocate Spotlight Series, which highlights how self-advocates are demonstrating their own leadership skills while also using their voices to mentor others.

Featured for September:
Mark Steidl
Mark (and support staff, Lilly Abreu) is the founder of Self Advocacy Voices, a self-advocate led organization in Western PA.

Young caregiver helping older lady to stand up

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is pleased to announce the issuance of Bulletin OMHSAS-22-06 titled “Revised Bulletin for Services to Older Adults.”

In 2019, Pennsylvania ranked 7th in the United States for the largest number of adults 65 and older. In the U.S., between 2020 and 2030, the number of older adults is projected to increase by almost 18 million, a 39% increase. The fastest growing segment of the population during the next two decades is expected to be in the age 85 and older group. Social isolation and limited access to supports negatively impact the well-being of older adults.

Depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental illnesses are not a normal part of aging and should not be considered as such. As individuals age, the support networks utilized to help manage symptoms of a mental illness may change, resulting in individuals seeking services for the first time in their lives.

The development of depressive disorders occurs frequently in older adults, making it critical that comprehensive mental health evaluations are conducted based on presenting symptoms regardless of age. It is important for providers to evaluate for suicidality given that older adult males have the highest suicide completion rate of any age group.

Older persons diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder, including dementia, who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, including depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress syndromes, and behavioral agitation, are guaranteed access to mental health services under laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.

If you have questions or concerns related to this bulletin, please email OMHSAS or contact your RCPA Policy Director.