';
Policy Areas

Act 66 of 2023 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to annually report to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and House Human Services Committee, among other information, barriers to entry into the SUD workforce. To help fulfill that requirement, DDAP is surveying providers to get their input on this topic.

In addition to this reporting requirement, Act 66 of 2023 also put in place several regulatory flexibilities about which providers are also being asked through this survey, though DDAP is not legislatively mandated to report on the use of these flexibilities.

The deadline to submit the survey is 5:00 pm Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an update to ODPANN 24-082. This communication advises providers of the availability of the ODP updated Guidance for Reviewing Data for Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Measures RM-IM 01.2 and 01.3. The guidance and recorded webinar can be found on MyODP at Performance-Based Contracting – MyODP in the Data Folder. Updates appear underlined in red text.

Please view the announcement for more details.

The Long Game Behind Sustainable Services w/ RCPA
Ep. 63 • December 15, 2025

In this conversation, host Nate Beers sits down with Tim Sohosky from RCPA to talk about the long game in disability services: how change actually happens, why efficiency alone isn’t enough, and what leaders need to pay attention to now if they want their organizations — and their people — to thrive long-term.

This is Part 2 of their conversation. They explore:

  • How advocacy moves from frustration to real system change;
  • Why outcomes matter more than ever (and what we’re measuring wrong);
  • The hidden strain leaders feel when innovation collides with regulation;
  • What sustainable leadership looks like five to ten years out; and
  • How building a bench of future leaders protects everything you’re working toward.

This episode isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about perspective, patience, and making decisions today that future leaders — and the people you support — will thank you for.

Watch/listen to the podcast here. Visit the IDD Leaders podcast website for more information on the podcast and organization.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CT;
11:00 am – 12:00 pm MT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PT
Register Here

Please join us as the IPRC hosts special guest Terry Carolan from CARF International, who will share the new Disorders of Consciousness Program Standards.

Presenter Bio:

Terrence Carolan
Terrence Carolan, Managing Director of the Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services accreditation areas at the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), has more than 20 years of experience as a provider, administrator, and educator in the human services field. Terry joined CARF after working in clinical and administrative leadership positions within Select Medical’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Division and the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation since 2001. Terry was a CARF surveyor for 10 years and holds a degree in physical therapy from Simmons College in Boston. He also recently completed his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Describe recent research and guidance on the treatment of individuals with Disorders of Consciousness (DoC);
  • Discuss how CARF International has responded to guidance from the field to create Disorders of Consciousness Program Standards; and
  • Analyze how new DoC accreditation and recent research will enhance access to rehabilitation for children with DoC in the future.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team; attendees do not need to be CARF certified in order to attend.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are available for this course.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the Medication Administration January – March 2026 Train-the-Trainer Face-to-Face schedule in ODPANN 25-112.

You may register for one of these sessions after completing the course materials in the Train-the-Trainer course on MyODP’s Medication Administration website. Please see the communication for training dates and more information.