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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites professionals across the service partnership to apply for the Capacity Building Institute. The Capacity Building Institute (CBI) aims to help professionals gain the skills necessary to support individuals with a dual diagnosis — intellectual disability with co-occurring mental health issues, and challenging behaviors.
Who?
Directed by Gregory Cherpes, MD, ODP Medical Director, and Dr. Beth Barol, CBI brings together a select group of professionals to learn with a faculty of national experts and speakers. CBI training is presented by the Co-Directors of the Institute in conjunction with an array of highly experienced practitioners and innovators in the field.
What?
Training topics include overviews of the following selected topics:
Where?
CBI will be held on the Zoom platform. Participants must have access to a computer, camera, and microphone.
When?
The deadline to submit the CBI Year 6 Interest Survey is February 18, 2022. 2022–2023 CBI two-day session dates are as follows:
Why?
Current best practices and supportive models that have shown to be most helpful are sometimes beyond the reach of people who work directly with individuals with a dual diagnosis. CBI addresses these issues from an individual and systemic level through training, integration of knowledge into practice, and opportunities to build a statewide cohort to work together to effect change and build capacity. The participants will share individual best practice experiences leading to recommendations to the Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to facilitate a more effective delivery of services across systems.
How?
Whether you are applying as an individual or as part of a County Team, each person must separately complete the CBI Year 6 Interest Survey by 2/18/22 to express interest and confirm their ability to attend all sessions. There are a limited number of spaces available for participants. Separate email notification will be sent out to those people invited to attend the 2022–2023 sessions.
For more information, please see the following invitation or contact Marlinda Smith.
Executive Vice President of IDD Services Terry McNelis will be retiring from his current position at Merakey at the end of this fiscal year, after 51 years of service in the field. “RCPA would like to congratulate Terry on his upcoming retirement,” remarked RCPA President & CEO Richard Edley, “And we thank him for his many years of dedication to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Terry has excelled in many different roles at Merakey, while maintaining tireless commitment to their mission. We wish him much success and happiness in the years to come.
Amplifying The Voices Of Direct Support Professionals
March 9–10, 2022
Register
On March 9–10, 2022, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals will embark on its first-ever national advocacy event to bring the direct support professional (DSP) perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges. Hardships from the pandemic and recent legislation have provided new insights and opportunities for the direct support workforce that supports people with disabilities.
The NADSP recognizes the previous absence and critical importance of lifting the voices of DSPs to federal policy-makers so that public policy can be informed by the people who are on the front-lines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community. In February 2022, the NADSP will provide direct support professionals with materials to prepare for legislative meetings. This will lead up to a 1.5-day virtual symposium that will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2022.
Thank you to NADSP’s Gold Sponsors
NADSP’s 2022 Policy Priorities
Event Schedule
Wednesday, March 9, 2:00 pm–5:30 pm ET
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Legislative Meetings
After registering, all individuals will receive a confirmation note and a separate email with a Zoom link. Meeting details will arrive from Soapbox Consulting by Friday, March 4, 2022. Please note that your meeting time will depend on your zip code and Congressional District.
A detailed schedule of events, along with the expectations of attendees, is on our event landing page. Ready to answer our call to action? Visit ‘Register Now’ below to learn more.
We apologize for any confusion but due to scheduling conflicts, we have made a change to the date for the February meeting of the RCPA Finance and Reimbursement Committee meeting. Please disregard the reminder announcement that went out earlier today.
The RCPA Finance and Reimbursement Committee meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday February 24, 2022, 10:00 am–12:00 pm. If you have already registered for the February 10 meeting, your registration will be transferred to this new date. If you have not yet registered for the meeting, but would like to, you can do so here.
Thank you for your understanding.

A message from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):
Due to an extended time frame for approving and loading rates into the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS), ODP is notifying stakeholders that several dates contained in Announcement 22-007 are no longer effective. The date for the rate load will occur after February 15, 2022.
ODP anticipates re-releasing this Announcement with updated time frames and encourages providers, Supports Coordination Organizations, and Administrative Entities to be familiar with its technical content in preparation for the pending rate load.