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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced a joint initiative with Carlow and Waynesburg Universities to address the shortage of qualified addiction professionals within Pennsylvania’s behavioral health workforce.

Funded by DDAP, this pilot program will focus on the recruitment and retention of behavioral health professionals by providing financial assistance for participating students’ educational expenses. At its core, this initiative is designed to strengthen the substance use disorder (SUD) workforce pipeline by financially supporting master’s-level students at Carlow and Waynesburg Universities. Through the DDAP funding, both universities will offer tuition assistance, a stipend during the students’ practicum/internship with a community-based treatment provider, and additional SUD-related training offered by DDAP for students who qualify under each university’s respective programs.

Read the full press release.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing the latest Health Alert, “Call 911 in a Medical Emergency.” ODP is also sharing this important online training that is being offered through the Western Region Health Care Quality Unit (HCQU).

How to Recognize a Medical Emergency and When to Call 911

We all hope the people we support never have a health emergency, but it’s important to be prepared for them, just in case. Knowing who to call and what to do in an emergency will help you remain calm so you can act quickly and appropriately. How you react in an emergency could save a life! During this training, you will learn:

  • How to recognize a potentially serious situation;
  • The steps you should take right away; and
  • When to call 911.

Please note the following:

To enroll in any of our courses, you must have an account in the Milestone HCQU West Learning Center. Signing up is easy and free!

By completing/passing this course, you will attain the certificate 24-Certificate-PFQ.

For more information on how to register, please use the link here.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) recently issued gross adjustment payments to ODP providers based upon the rate increase that was approved in the 2024/25 PA state budget. The gross adjustment was on the remittance advice dated Monday, December 23, 2024.

In terms of determining the gross adjustment payments, ODP took all paid claims data between July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024, and increased the paid claims 8% for non-residential and 6% for residential.

If a provider has questions regarding the gross adjustment they received, please reach out to either RateSetting or ODP Claims Resolution, and ODP staff can research each situation and concern.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has updated the AAW Provider Information Table to reflect the following updates:

  • The addition of the American Sign Language (ASL)-English Interpreter Service. This new service has been added to ensure effective communication for those participants that utilize ASL.
  • Residential Habilitation Provider Qualifications have been updated to reflect additions designed to ensure all residential providers are financially prepared, new providers have prior experience before delivering residential services, and services will continue without interruption when organizational changes occur at the executive level.
  • Assistive Technology devices that cost less than $750 do not require an independent evaluation by a professional certified by SHIFT, an online education and accreditation platform, but may be completed if the service plan team believes it to be beneficial.
  • Transportation service limit has been increased to $10,000 per participant’s service plan year, which includes both Transportation-Trip and Transportation-Public.
  • The Transportation service section has also been updated to include guidance previously released in ODP Announcement 24-005: Adding the Transportation Service to an Individual Support Plan (ISP) in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). The information also includes a change to how Transportation-Public is added to the ISP.
  • The Community Transition service has been updated to allow for non-recurring set-up expenses for individuals who are transitioning from another provider-operated living arrangement to a living arrangement in a private residence where the person is directly responsible for their living expenses.
  • The Career Planning and Supported Employment services sections have been updated to include information previously released in ODP Announcement 20-004: Clarifications and Training Requirements for Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Employment Services.
  • Other updates and changes to AAW services due to the January 1, 2025, Waiver Amendment.

Please view the announcement and table for additional information and details. New services, updated language, and changes to services are highlighted in gray in the table.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has provided information on the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. This program is designed to support individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who are working or interested in working.

Information shared about the program includes:

  • When referrals to a WIPA program are required;
  • How to locate WIPA programs in Pennsylvania; and
  • Benefits Counseling services funded through ODP’s Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Supports (P/FDS) Waivers.

The WIPA program seeks to help individuals reach their financial and employment goals by:

  • Providing information about available work supports;
  • Offering individualized information about benefits and health insurance; and
  • Explaining the impact working may have on benefits.

Please view the announcement ODPANN 25-001 for additional information and details.

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Every 5 years, the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is required to develop a State Plan to help guide the work of the Council. The process of creating the next 5-year plan requires PADDC to gather information on the current barriers and concerns in Pennsylvania for those with developmental disabilities and their families. One of the ways they are choosing to gather information is to ask residents of Pennsylvania with a developmental disability, their families, and other involved parties for their input.

The survey will take about 10 minutes of your time. They will use the information from your response to help develop their next state plan. Complete the 5-Year Plan Survey here. Please complete the survey by Friday, March 14, 2025.

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