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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

ODP Announcement 23-021 reports that the 2022 Information Sharing & Advisory Committee (ISAC) Annual Report is now available. ISAC, working with the PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), developed a series of recommendations and strategies to support achievement of the vision in Everyday Lives. This publication provides 2022 updates related to those recommendations and strategies. Stakeholders are encouraged to use the information contained in this report in their work supporting people with disabilities.

Access the 2022 ISAC Annual Report here. Access the ISAC Recommendations and Strategies supplemental document from inside the ISAC Annual Report here. Both documents can also be found by visiting MyODP and following this path:

Everyday Lives > Everyday Lives Publications > Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the release of the 2020–2022 Employment First report. ODP created this report to share data with individuals, families, advocates, providers, government officials, and taxpayers. ODP is committed to supporting individuals with an intellectual disability or autism to achieve their goals towards competitive integrated employment.

The 2020–2022 ODP Employment First Report, along with a fully accessible version of the report, is available at MyODP Employment Page.

ODP Announcement 23-020 states that, since the release of Bulletin 00-20-01 Regulatory Compliance Guide for Community Homes for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Autism, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has collected questions and comments from providers, licensing staff, and other stakeholders about how the Regulatory Compliance Guide (RCG) can be improved and updated. ODP has updated the RCG based on the feedback received and lessons learned through the inspection process and is pleased to announce the release of the updated Chapter 6400 RCG.

This version is effective as of February 14, 2023, and obsoletes the February 3, 2020, version of the RCG. A record of change showing the substantive changes made in the updated RCG is also available.

Questions about this announcement or about the RCG can be directed to ODP’s Regulatory Administration Unit.

Image by PIRO4D from Pixabay

ODP Announcement 23-019 is to advise all stakeholders that the COVID-19 PHE is officially ending May 11, 2023. All provisions made under Appendix K will expire on November 11, 2023.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will release more detailed information regarding transition activities as they develop. A link to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) statement is provided here.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held two informational webinars regarding the new waiver amendments that became effective in January 2023. Some of the changes will go into effect when Appendix K expires, most likely in November of 2023. Other changes are in effect now. The recordings of the sessions are available on MyODP.

The presentation from the February 6 “Adult Autism Waiver Amendment” webinar is available here.

The presentation from the February 9 “Waiver Renewals Effective January 1, 2023: Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers” webinar is available here.

In early March 2022, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) embarked on its first ever national advocacy event, the 2022 Advocacy Symposium, Amplifying The Voices Of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Attendees participated in over 250 meetings with legislative staff to share the perspective of direct support professionals to the forefront of Congress during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges. The result of our attendees’ advocacy culminated in additional sponsors to the House of Representatives and US Senate bills regarding establishing a Standard Occupation Classification within the Bureau of Statistics for direct support professionals (S. 1437 / H.R. 4779).

NADSP is excited to announce the return of the Advocacy Symposium on May 3 – 4, 2023! Ahead of this two-day virtual event, attendees will receive comprehensive advocacy training along with planning sessions with state leaders. The success of our first Advocacy Symposium is directly a result of and informed by the people who are on the frontlines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community.

We’re looking forward to amplifying even more direct support professional voices in 2023. This event is free and open to direct support professionals, frontline supervisors, self-advocates, family members, and people with disabilities. Registration for this event will open on February 28.

NADSP’s Current 2023 Policy Priorities:

  • Establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for direct support professionals within the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  • Assure effective implementation of workforce development initiatives authorized through legislation that leads to wages commensurate with the level of responsibility and the complexity of this work, as well as career ladder opportunities that lead to professional growth.

Learn More