The PA Justice System Often Fails Autistic People. Can These Activists and Judges Bring Reform?
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In the United States, September is acknowledged as Suicide Prevention Month, with the week of September 5–11 identified as National Suicide Prevention Week. Around the world, September 10 is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day. The goal of annual suicide prevention observances is to provide education and encourage advocacy around this public health challenge toward which prevention efforts can and should occur every single day.
This September, the theme of Suicide Prevention Month is Creating Hope Through Action. As communities here in Pennsylvania, nationwide, and around the world continue to experience the social, economic, and health-related impacts and disparities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, this theme offers an important opportunity to work together to promote awareness, provide support, and take action to prevent suicide.
Everyone has a role in preventing suicide. In recognizing Suicide Prevention Month, we can work to reduce the stigma around suicide, suicide attempts, and mental health challenges, and we can reinforce the message that help is available. The following guide offers a broad range of suicide prevention resources and strategies for individuals, families, organizations, and communities. The information in this guide can be used during the month of September and throughout the year.
On February 14, 2019, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released Bulletin 00-19-01, OVR Referral Process for ODP Employment-Related Services. Attachment 4 to the bulletin is the OVR Contact Information for Intellectual Disability/Autism Coordinators. Attached, please find an updated version of this contact information. This version, dated 8-10-21, replaces all prior versions of this attachment. This updated contact information and Bulletin 00-19-01 in its entirety can be found on the MyODP Employment page.
The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) provided feedback to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS). While ANCOR members understand and support OSHA’s intent to protect healthcare and healthcare support service workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19, there is a concern that the rule remains unclear in its scope of implementation and may further exacerbate the current workforce crisis impacting services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Effective Sept. 1, 2021, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has updated the participant expectations for virtual trainings. All virtual training participants will now be required to join scheduled trainings with video and audio.
Read the entire announcement here.
The Office of Developmental Programs has issued a Health Alert to bring awareness of recent information regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Throughout the pandemic, it has been evident that individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism are at increased risk for infection and more severe outcomes from COVID-19. Vaccination for the virus that causes COVID-19 is a vital tool in protecting lives and bringing an end to a pandemic that so far has taken over 633,000 American lives.
An additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to help promote continuity immunity from infection, called a “booster dose,” has not yet been recommended by the CDC or FDA. Many news sources have reported that this recommendation will be coming soon. Some news sources have reported the date of September 20, 2021 as the date that booster doses will be available. ODP will continue to share information as it becomes known.
When booster shots are available, you can reach out to the provider who gave your initial vaccine doses as a possible source for the booster shot. Given the anticipated need in the near future for a high volume of vaccinations, Intermediate Care Facility and residential providers who do not have an identified vaccination provider and/or a plan for vaccinating their residents should secure a relationship with a vaccine provider(s) or establish a plan.
Providers that need assistance should contact Doug Trahey. More information on finding vaccine providers in PA is available at PA Unites Against COVID.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be conducting the next hospital/quality initiative open door forum on August 31, 2021 from 2:00 pm–3:00 pm. Listed below are the tentative agenda topics:
This call is conference call only:
Dial: 888-455-1397 & Reference Conference Passcode: 8604468
Instant Replay: 866-347-5805, Conference ID: No Passcode Needed
Instant Replay is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 866-347-5805 beginning 1 hour after the call has ended. The recording expires after September 2, 2021, 11:59 ET.
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
2:00 pm–3:30 pm ET
Register for the call
Please mark your calendars for a 90-minute AbilityOne Committee Zoom meeting with the AbilityOne Commission’s Acting Executive Director, Kimberly Zeich, on Tuesday, September 21 from 2:00 pm–3:30 pm ET. Kim will share with us information about what the Commission is working on currently. We have invited her to include others from the AbilityOne Commission to join the call as well. This will be an open discussion for ACCSES members only. All ACCSES members are welcome.
To join ACCSES, visit here.
This three-hour virtual training is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (to include Act 126 for school employees).
It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).
Please register for your preferred training date and time by clicking one of the session links below. Each person must log in through separate devices, using the unique access link emailed to them after registration to receive credit.
Wednesday, Sept. 1 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 1 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 2 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 2 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 2 — 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 3 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 7 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday. Sept. 7 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 8 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 8 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 9 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 9 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 10 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 10 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Saturday, Sept 11 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Sept. 13 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Sept. 13 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 14 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 14 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 14 — 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 15 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 15 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 16 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 16 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 17 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 17 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Monday, Sept. 20 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Sept. 20 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 21 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 21 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 23 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 23 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 24 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 24 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Saturday, Sept. 25 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Sept. 27 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Monday, Sept. 27 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 28 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 28 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 29 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 29 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 29 — 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 30 — 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Thursday, Sept. 30 — 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA.