The Arc of PA Message — Spring 2021
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2018–2019 Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Statewide Reports Added to MyODP
ODP Announcement 21-036 is to inform all stakeholders that the 2018–2019 Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Reports have been added to the IM4Q section of the MyODP website. The full statewide report is available, as are two user-friendly versions; one uses charts to convey information, and the other uses icons to do so. A Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) report specific to individuals enrolled in the P/FDS Waiver, a state center report, and a state center supplement report are also available.
The path to find this report is as follows: MyODP.org > Resources > Quality Management > Independent Monitoring for Quality and National Core Indicators > Independent Monitoring for Quality and National Core Indicators > Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Reports
*You may enter as a guest or login to view the reports on the IM4Q Reports page.
Rite Aid Store Clinics for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism
As you are already aware, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has partnered with Rite Aid to provide COVID-19 vaccines to individuals with an intellectual disability or autism and their caregivers at Rite Aid stores across the Commonwealth. We also secured a call center to support scheduling efforts.
At this time, we have requested assistance from Supports Coordinators to contact individuals and their caregivers who may have been unable to take advantage of prior clinic opportunities, who were still evaluating whether they wanted to get vaccinated, or who previously said they did not want to be vaccinated to check if they may have changed their mind. ODP is not scheduling any additional closed clinics for only the ODP population but rather moving to a model where individuals and their caregivers will receive assistance to schedule at a Rite Aid store near them during typical store hours.
As indicated in these instructions, registration for vaccination appointments is easy, as the person just needs to call our call center at 800-424-4345 and answer some brief intake questions. The hours of operation are 7:00 am–7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The call center will provide representatives from Rite Aid with the individual’s information, and Rite Aid will call them directly to schedule vaccination appointments.
If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to your Supports Coordinator. Thank you.
Moderated Panel Discussion to Examine Syringe Services Programs
As part of the “Promoting Community Mobilization for Harm Reduction” webinar series, Vital Strategies and University of Pittsburgh’s Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) will present a facilitated panel discussion called “Syringe Services Programs — Reducing Harm and Building Public Health Equity” on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 1:30 pm–3:00 pm.
Panelists will discuss the history, modalities, policies, and implementation of syringe services programs in communities. Panelists include:
- Roseanne Scotti, JD: Senior Technical Advisor, Syringe Access Services, Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Melinda Zipp: Director, Lancaster Harm Reduction Project
- Aaron Arnolds, MPH: Executive Director, Prevention Point Pittsburgh
- Brooke M. Feldman, MSW: President, Sparking Solutions LLC
- James B. Struzzi II: Legislator, Pennsylvania House of Representatives — 62nd District
Register for the webinar here.
HHS Removes Training Requirement for Obtaining Waiver to Prescribe Buprenorphine
In an effort to get evidenced-based treatment to more Americans with opioid use disorder, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing new buprenorphine practice guidelines that, amongst other things, remove a longtime requirement tied to training, which some practitioners have cited as a barrier to treating more people. Please visit here to read the entire press release.
New Census Numbers Shift Political Power South to Republican Strongholds
New Study Looks at Medication Assisted Drug Treatment After Medicaid Expansion
Youth MOVE PA: How COVID-19 Has Been Affecting Our Youth and Young Adults Survey
DDAP to Present on ATLAS: Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will present on ATLAS, an Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform. Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization, developed ATLAS to help individuals navigate the drug and alcohol treatment landscape to find high-quality care for themselves or their loved ones.
ATLAS is a first-of-its-kind resource to provide transparent and reliable information when used by:
- the public in selecting drug and alcohol treatment services;
- providers to benchmark and improve quality; and
- state authorities to better inform technical assistance and the allocation of critical substance use treatment resources.
This is a free and confidential tool that currently is available in Delaware, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and West Virginia with plans to expand nationally. Plans to expand ATLAS in Pennsylvania have begun with rollout of this tool to key stakeholders. Anyone interested may participate in either of two demonstration meetings, listed below.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 (10:00 am–12:00 pm):
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 267-332-8737,,296038654# United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 296 038 654#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm):
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 267-332-8737,,237639147# United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 237 639 147#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options
May is National Foster Care Month! — Special Panel Presentation
To and Through: Creating Conditions that Support Higher Education Success for Youth with Experience in Foster Care
Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 10:00 am–11:30 am EDT
Hear from members of the Pennsylvania Youth Advisory Board (YAB) about their journey to and through higher education. The Pennsylvania YAB is comprised of current and former youth in foster care, ages 14-21. YAB youth leaders educate, advocate, and form partnerships to create positive change in the substitute care system.
This training will feature a moderated panel of YAB alumni that will discuss their experiences transitioning to higher education as well as how educators and child welfare professionals can create conditions that support youth who have experienced foster care to and through higher education. The webinar will also highlight key information pertaining to Pennsylvania’s new Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd).
Panelists:
Pennsylvania Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Alumni
Shayla Jones, Youth Quality Improvement Specialist, Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh
Teresa Musser, Human Services Program Specialist, Office of Children, Youth and Families, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Jillian Schreib, Human Services Program Specialist, Office of Children, Youth and Families, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Act 48 and NASW credits are available for those attending the webinar in its entirety.
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