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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released its Q4 update on the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy (MYPGS). This report is a temporary format while a permanent data dashboard is being developed that will be more accessible to all stakeholders. ODP anticipates the new dashboard will be ready for public release in the next few weeks.

ODP has made great progress on tackling the adult emergency waiting list over the past year, seeing a 28% reduction since the Governor’s announcement in 2024!

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As no updates were provided during the recent IM4Q Annual Statewide Training, the following information is shared to provide visibility into what ODP and the technical advisors currently know regarding the start of the new IM4Q cycle.

  • Contacts
    As previously announced, Lee Stephens will be on leave from 8/15 to 9/2. In addition, Ron Melusky is also currently on leave. Toward the end of August, there will be several days when Mary Kay Cunningham and Guy Caruso will be unavailable as well. If any questions or concerns arise during this time, please contact your respective ODP Regional IM4Q Leads.
  • Survey Instruments and Annual Materials
    The 2025–2026 survey materials will be issued following this announcement via a separate email. The additional annual materials will be issued in early September.
  • Tentative 2025–2026 IM4Q Allocations Spreadsheet
    As the Commonwealth does not yet have a signed state budget at this time, ODP cannot yet provide the tentative allocations spreadsheet at this time. Once a budget is in place, ODP will share the information as quickly as possible. However, it is hoped that things will basically remain as last year with only slight modifications for most AEs.
  • 2025–2026 Sampling
    The ODP Data Analytics Unit has begun working on the 2025–2026 AE samples. The extended delay has been brought on by circumstances outside ODP’s influence, and ODP Central Office sincerely regrets this disruption to the process that has been achieved for the last several years. Distribution of the samples will not occur until mid- to late September.
  • HCSIS and ODESA Openings
    The finalization of the samples will determine when HCSIS and ODESA will open for the new cycle. HCSIS could open in early October, but ODESA will most likely not be available until at least mid-November.

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With a little less than a month before kick-off, RCPA is excited to announce a new keynote speaker in our lineup at the 2025 Annual Conference Strive to Thrive! We will now be kicking off our conference with Al Guida, JD, Owner of Guide Consulting Services, Inc., to discuss Impacts of Federal Issues on the Human Services System. Guida is a nationally recognized advocate and strategist who has provided valuable federal policy and regulatory solutions for Guide Consulting Service’s health care clients in the provider, technology, and public health sectors. He has helped clients realize measurable goals in mental health parity, biomedical research, child poverty, and child welfare, and his legislative portfolio includes successful collaborations with major Congressional committees, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Working together, the Guide Consulting Services team have established and secured funding for Mental Health First Aid, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and the 988 National Suicide Prevention Coordinating Office. In 2024, Guida was recognized as one of DC’s 500 Most Influential People.

With the current confusion and chaos surrounding federal policies, Medicaid, future funding, and their effects on the health and human services landscape, you won’t want to miss this informative opener!

Following Al Guida will be Pennsylvania’s DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh. Attendees will shift their focus from the federal level to the state, with the DHS Secretary highlighting key issues facing PA providers, including trends, impacts of federal policy at the local level, and current initiatives related to Performance-Based Contracting and value-based purchasing.

All this and more on the very first day of the Conference! Register today to reserve your seat, and view the Registration Brochure for complete details regarding our schedule, booking a hotel room, and more!

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Today, August 13, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held the first Supports Coordination Organization Performance-Based Contracting SCO Summit. The PowerPoint is available here. All sessions will be recorded and available on MyODP.

Additional Summits, PAS Trainings, and VOHs will be held on the following dates:

  • August 25 — Measure by Measure
  • September 5 — Measure by Measure
  • September 8 — Payment and Billing
  • September 15 — PAS Training and Preparedness
  • September 18 — Virtual Office Hours
  • October 1 — Virtual Office Hours
  • October 8 — Virtual Office Hours
  • October 16 — Virtual Office Hours

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released additional information on upcoming employment symposiums as well as an agenda for each symposium. These symposiums are specifically for employers and will feature:

  • Employer success stories and practical strategies for inclusive hiring.
  • A high-level overview of OVR and ODP services for businesses.
  • A panel discussion with individuals with disabilities, providers, and employers highlighting the benefits of inclusive employment.
  • Networking opportunities over lunch to connect with other business leaders and support organizations.

Below are the event dates and locations:

  • Central Region:
    Thursday, September 11, 2025, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
    PaTTAN Central, 6340 Flank Drive, #600, Harrisburg, PA 17112
  • Northeast Region:
    Monday, September 22, 2025, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
    Colonial IU 20, 6 Danforth Drive, Easton, PA 18045
  • Southeast Region:
    Friday, October 17, 2025, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
    PaTTAN East, 333 Technology Drive, Malvern, PA 19355
  • West Region:
    Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
    PaTTAN West, 3190 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

These sessions are targeted toward businesses in your community. ODP requests your assistance with sharing this information with your business contacts who are looking to hire.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared this important announcement from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA MedWatch — DermaKleen, Dermasarra, Kleenfoam, and Perigiene Products by DermaRite Industries

DermaRite Industries is recalling the below products due to microbial contamination identified as Burkholderia cepacia.

Risk Statement:

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) in these products may result in serious and life-threatening infections. The contaminated products may be used by immunosuppressed individuals or by people attending to immunosuppressed individuals. In healthy individuals with minor skin lesions, the use of the product will more likely result in local infections, whereas in immunocompromised individuals the infection is more likely to spread into blood stream leading to life-threatening sepsis.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico.

To date, DermaRite has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Background:

  • DermaKleen is an OTC Healthcare antiseptic lotion soap with Vitamin E indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin.
  • DermaSarra is an OTC External analgesic indicated for temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations due to dry skin, insect bites, detergents, sunburn.
  • KleenFoam is an OTC Antimicrobial foam soap with aloe vera indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin after changing diapers, after assisting ill people, or before contact with a person under medical care or treatment.
  • PeriGiene is an OTC Antiseptic cleanser indicated for use in the perineal area.

Recommendations:

  • Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.
  • Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Mary Goldberg at 973-569-9000 x104 or via email.
  • DermaRite has notified its distributors and customers by email to immediately examine available inventory and destroy all affected products in accordance with each facility’s process.

For more information about this recall and specific product number, visit the FDA’s website.

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A performance-based contracting (PBC) forum is being provided on September 10, 2025, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, to support provider preparedness. This forum aimed at residential providers. Register here to attend.

Topics of discussion include:

  • Updates to measures;
  • Introducing the new Performance Analysis Services (PAS) data submission tool;
  • Technical assistance; and
  • Provider performance review data.
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