ANCOR Shares Implementation Timeline: Access Rule and Budget Reconciliation Law
ID/A Associations Urge ODP Action on Community Participation Support (CPS)
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.
Exclusive Benefit: Registration Discounts for the 2026 ANCOR Annual Conference
Disability Scoop: In Historic Move, Wheelchair User Goes To Space
ODP Releases Winter 2026 QM Spotlight
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released the sixteenth in a series of its quarterly publication QM Spotlight. This issue focuses on the QA&I Self-Assessment and how to use it well, so that the QA&I process becomes predictable, manageable, and an opportunity – not a surprise.
Children’s Trust Fund Shares Grant Opportunity
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.
ODP Shares Guidance on AAW Provider Billing for ISP Team Meetings
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-002. The purpose of this communication is to provide guidance regarding the intent and purpose of an Individual Support Plan (ISP) meeting and whether attending an ISP meeting is a billable unit of service.
Please view the announcement for more details. Questions about this announcement should be directed to the appropriate ODP BSASP Regional Office.
Reminder for IPRC Webinar: Understanding CARF’s New Standards for DoC
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.
PCHC to Host Fatal Five Dysphagia Training
CMS Announces Establishment of the Office of Rural Health Transformation
Following the creation of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut legislation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the establishment of the Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT). This new office will be located within the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) and will continue overseeing the RHT Program. The RHT Program is a $50 billion initiative to strengthen rural health systems and expand access to care nationwide. As noted in RCPA’s Alert from December 30, 2025, Pennsylvania will receive nearly $200 million in 2026.
ORHT, which announced approved awardees on December 29, 2025, will guide states in implementing their rural health transformation plans, provide technical assistance, coordinate federal and state partnerships, and ensure strong oversight and accountability throughout the five-year program, which will run through September 30, 2031.
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