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The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking input on ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities. Please consider sharing your ideas, reviewing community input, and commenting on others’ ideas. Your feedback will be used to identify solutions for overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, communities, and identities. It will also inform future programs and funding opportunities that equitably deliver employment services and supports to all.
Submissions are open through Monday, April 26, 2021. Visit here to submit your ideas.
ATI Advisory, supported by the Robert Wood Foundation, has conducted research to create a package of recommended legislative and administrative reforms around long-term services and supports (LTSS) and the caregiving workforce. The goal of their proposed reforms is to increase access to home and community-based services (HCBS), reduce the institutional bias in Medicaid, and create a strong caregiving workforce.
ATI Advisory’s proposed reforms include:
Visit here to read the full article.
Control over your finances involves making many decisions — for example, when you buy a car, choose an apartment, or negotiate a salary. But you don’t have to make those decisions by yourself. In fact, many of us use a network of support, including family, friends, and trusted advisors. In this webinar we will discuss the differences among supported decision-making, representative payee, guardianship, and powers of attorney.
Attendees will learn:
You can register here for this webinar.
This webinar is part of Money Talks, a free series hosted by Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation on financial empowerment for people with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability, a family member of someone who has a disability, an advocate, an educator, or a service provider, this series is for you. Sessions will include 30-45 minutes of interactive learning and 15 minutes for questions. Each session will be fully accessible, and recordings and slides will be made available. Learn more, view previously recorded webinars, and register for this month’s webinar at Money Talks.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) staff Bill Posavec and Katie-Marie Wilson will be joining RCPA members during our Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Division meeting scheduled Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 12:00 pm–3:00 pm in order to have a discussion regarding the Incident Management Bulletin, including Q&A. We are looking forward to a robust discussion, and in order to prepare for the meeting, we are asking members to submit questions in advance to Carol Ferenz, Director, IDD. We request that you send your questions by close of business Thursday, April 29, 2021.
If you have not yet registered for the IDD Division meeting, you can do so here.
This year’s Everyday Lives Conference merges the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP’s) annual conference lineup into a single month-long event that offers two additional Everyday Lives recommendation tracks. Topics include Community of Practice for Supporting Families Regional Collaborative, Technology Innovation, Dual Diagnosis, Racial Equity, and Employment. Sessions conducted by self-advocates for self-advocates will be available throughout. Registrants have access to all conference sessions. View and download the conference program via the Everyday Lives schedule.
Submit your Photos and Videos to be shown at the Conference! ODP is seeking photo and video submissions showing individuals with disabilities using technology in their everyday lives! Submissions will be shown in an introductory video during the Technology Innovation portion of the event to be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. To submit your content, please visit here.
Conference Schedule and Topics:
Certificates for training hours will be available. Registrants will receive emails containing instructions for joining the virtual event closer to the date. For more information and to register for the Everyday Lives 2021 Virtual Conference, please visit the Everyday Lives website.
Committed to access to justice for Pennsylvanians with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, along with the Department of Human Services (DHS) is pleased to announce an upcoming virtual forum — Autism and the Courts — a Regional Discussion aimed at learning about court experiences from individuals with an ASD. An informational flyer can be accessed here.
Spearheaded by Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty on behalf of the Court and Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations Director Regina Wall, the virtual roundtable for the Northeast Region will be held on April 27, 2021. In addition, as part of this effort, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the courts have added information and resources for families supporting an individual with autism on the Pennsylvania Courts frequently asked questions web page.
Join Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty along with DHS and representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement, healthcare, social work, and advocacy communities and those living with and/or supporting someone with ASD for a virtual roundtable on challenges faced by individuals with autism as they seek access to justice. Click Here to Register!
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announces a new grant initiative funding opportunity. DDAP is accepting applications from entities with the capacity to deliver employment support services to individuals in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) seeking to enter the workforce. Employment support services under this project include but are not limited to: vocational assessments, resume writing, interviewing skills, job placement, and transportation assistance related to employment. Applicants shall identify at least one employer partner that is committed to providing employment opportunities to individuals in recovery from SUD.
Applications are due by Monday, May 17, 2021 at 12:00pm. More information is available on DDAP’s website.
The RCPA Member Update webinar scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021 from 2:00 pm–4:00 pm will include a presentation from Secretary of the Budget Jen Swails, who will discuss several issues, including the impact of the American Rescue Plan on state revenue and programs, particularly those programs related to health and human services. There will also be an opportunity for discussion and question and answers.
Ms. Swails has a strong background in health and human services, having served as a senior analyst for various state government fiscal offices prior to being named Budget Secretary. She has presented before at RCPA meetings, and we are pleased to have her available for this discussion.
Please register here to attend this webinar. We look forward to your participation!