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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared communication ODPANN 26-004, in order to share the updated Provider Qualification Process. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require a statewide process to ensure providers are qualified to render services to waiver-funded individuals. The Provider Qualification Process described in this communication outlines the steps the assigned Administrative Entity (AE) and provider must follow to meet these requirements, and the steps Supports Coordinators (SCs) take to transition individuals if needed. This communication does not describe the qualification process for SC organizations.

The release of this communication obsoletes ODP Announcement 25-014 Provider Qualification Process Update. Please review the announcement for more details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared communication ODPANN 26-003. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the ISP Manual that includes changes due to the January 1, 2026 amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family-Directed Support waivers. Please review the announcement for more details.

ATTACHMENTS:

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The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting was held on January 7, 2026. During the meeting, a number of presentations were given.

Members should take time to review the agenda and PowerPoint presentations from the meeting below:

The next LTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for February 4, 2026 (virtual only) from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. To participate, register for the meeting here. The call information is below:

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RCPA, along with The Alliance CSP, The Arc of Pennsylvania, MAX Association, PAR, and The Provider Alliance, submitted a joint letter to ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens outlining recommended improvements to Community Participation Support (CPS). The letter highlights policy and regulatory barriers affecting person-centered services, workforce stability, and provider sustainability, and urges ODP to pursue near-term solutions through policy clarification or regulatory waivers.

Key recommendations include:

  • Planning and Coordination Billing: Allow billing for planning and coordination while CPS services are delivered and permit billing at ratios aligned with individuals’ actual support needs (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 1:3). Associations recommend a new billing code/modifier or a statewide ODP announcement.
  • Program Specialist Education Requirements: Align education requirements for program specialists in Chapters 2380 and 2390 with Life Sharing and unlicensed residential models by permitting a high school diploma plus six years of ID/A experience, ideally through a blanket waiver announced via ODP Bulletin.
  • Dual Licensure for Chapter 2380 Programs: Eliminate dual licensure with the Department of Aging for providers billing exclusively to ODP when serving individuals age 60 and over, and remove the age cap of 59 in Chapter 2380 through regulatory change or waiver.
  • Rounding of 15-Minute Units: Allow rounding of 15-minute service units to reduce administrative burden and align with Office of Long-Term Living practices.

The associations stress that these changes are essential to sustaining safe, meaningful, and person-centered CPS services. RCPA will continue advocacy with ODP and provide updates as they are available.

For Questions or Additional Information
Please contact Tim Sohosky for any follow-up or inquiries related to this update.

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Grant funding symbol. Beautiful wooden table. Business financing and grants concept. Copy space.

The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) provides small grants to local community-based programs/services that prevent child abuse and neglect before an incident occurs. The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Request for Application (RFA) was posted on eMarketplace today, January 5, 2026. The press release is being shared through DHS comms, PA Key comms, and a special announcement in the e-News.

RCPA, as part of several statewide work groups and task forces, wishes to share this with members, though you may receive this through other communications networks. The RFA is only available for 30 days, due no later than February 5, 2026.

If an applicant has any questions regarding this RFA, the applicant must submit those questions via email, with the subject line “25-RFA-13772 Question” to the RFA Issuing Officer named in Part 1, Section I-2 of this RFA. The Issuing Officer shall post all written answers to the questions submitted on the Department of General Services (DGS) website at eMarketplace as an addendum to this RFA.

You may view the Request for Application online at eMarketplace.

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