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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared new American Sign Language (ASL)-English Interpreter services available to individuals in the Consolidated, P/FDS, Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers starting January 1, 2025. It is excluded from the waiver limits for P/FDS and Community Living waivers.

ASL-English Interpreter is a vendor service that can be provided by an agency or an individual through an Organized Health Care Delivery System, participant direction (both Employer Authority and Budget Authority), or provider. This service must be entered in the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and billed as a 15-minute unit of service. There is an error in the waivers that indicates the ASL-English Interpreter service may be billed as an hour unit of service. The ASL-English Interpreter 15-minute procedure codes listed in the table, ODPANN 24-126, are set up as outcome-based services with an individualized rate. This means HCSIS allows this service to have a different rate per service, per individual, and per provider.

Supports Coordinators should refer to ODP Communication Number 100-16 for guidance on vendor rates and Administrative Fee Services related to the delivery of vendor services. This guidance outlines how SCs should properly enter and follow the instructions for these services.

Providers who wish to enroll directly with ODP to provide this service (not through an Organized Health Care Delivery System or participant-direction) must enroll as Provider Type 58, Specialty 580.

See the announcement for new procedure codes and descriptions for clarity and consistency.

Questions can be sent electronically to ODP’s Deaf Services inbox.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-127 to notify trainers and learners of the following information:

  1. Reach out to the MA Help desk if the student does not pass their second attempt at the Post Test for account reset.
  2. If a student earns a Post Test total of 89.5 points, it will be rounded up to 90 and considered a passing score.
  3. 3 additional Observation checks are now available in the 2024 online student courses for those that did not complete the initial 4 observations within 30 days of passing the exams.
  4. A link is now available on the student course page for students to view their User Report.
  5. Reminder: The “Trainer Attestation of Qualification” and the “Complete to access Acknowledgement of Qualification” activities serve as the ‘online’ signatures, replacing the physical signatures.
  6. Reminder: The 2022 student courses should no longer be used after January 31, 2025. Activities will no longer be available to students after this date. Please complete the 2022 student courses before this date and start new classes with the 2024 student courses.

The announcement contains a Proof of Qualification guide for Qualified Medication Administrators, Certified Trainers, and Qualified Practicum Observers.

Guidance is also available to trainers on how to do the following in the online Medication Administration system:

  1. Enter the grade and date of the medication observations;
  2. Enter the trainer attestation grade; and
  3. Print the user report.

The Schedule from January – March 2025 is available for Train-the-Trainer Face-to-Face.

Please view the announcement for additional information and details.

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Message From ODP:

With shorter days and colder temperatures, many people struggle to maintain their motivation for physical activity. Yet, staying active is important in spring, summer, fall, and yes, winter. This time of year also presents an opportunity to participate in activities that are unique to the season.

Seasonal Physical and Mental Benefits

Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity each week. Regular physical activity during the week and throughout your lifetime can help lower the risk of chronic conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, while also sharpening your focus and reducing stress. Regular physical activity also provides many benefits that are especially helpful this time of year such as: reduced risk of heart disease, improved sleep and immune function, reduced symptoms of depression, and strengthened social connections.

Outdoor Activity Options

If snow or prolonged periods of below-freezing temperatures are part of the local weather, embrace the elements! Try activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating. On snowy days, shoveling snow, sledding, and playing in the snow are easy ways to get outside and get moving. Even if your winters lean toward milder conditions, walks and hikes in the colder months offer a chance to enjoy the seasonal scenery and experience your region in a new way.

Tips for Staying Active Outdoors in the Cold

Feel confident being active outdoors with these tips:

  • Wear layers: Pants, jacket, gloves, and headwear are all important for staying protected from the cold and wind. Multiple layers of clothes can keep your warmer than a single thick layer – and you can shed layers as the body warms up.
  • Stay hydrated: In cold conditions, you may not feel as thirsty. Drink water before heading out and take water with you for longer activities.
  • Pace yourself: Some activities, like shoveling snow, can be more strenuous than they seem. Start at a comfortable intensity and gradually increase over time. Use the talk test to assess your intensity level.
  • Watch out for ice: Ice can be difficult to spot, especially under fresh snow. Consider shoes with rubber soles and grooved treads to help prevent falls.
  • Stay visible: With fewer daylight hours, you may choose to be active when it’s dark outside. Carry a flashlight and wear reflective attire to stay safe.

*If you have questions about how you or someone you support can get active safely during cold weather, you can contact a healthcare provider to discuss.

Indoor Activity Options

For days when hazardous conditions don’t allow for outdoor activities, check out the full range of indoor opportunities in your area. You can visit fitness facilities to find indoor exercise equipment or try exercise classes to stay motivated and connect with others. See if your local recreation center offers seasonal sports leagues like basketball or indoor pickleball. You can even stay active without leaving your house. Free online resources, such as live or recorded group fitness classes are great for those who enjoy traditional exercise. Cleaning the house, having a dance party, or even creating an indoor obstacle course are also great ways to stay active if you’re stuck inside due to winter weather.

If you’re ready to get active this winter, making a plan is a great place to start!

Eat Healthy

Eating well supports muscles and bones, boosts immunity, helps the digestive system, and aids in weight management, among other health benefits for children and adults. Good nutrition involves eating a variety of healthy foods. Try these tips to make healthy choices during the holidays:

  • If you eat foods that are high in calories, saturated fat, or added sugars, choose small portions and only eat them once in a while, opt for healthier foods most of the time.
  • At parties and other gatherings, fill your plate with your favorite fruits and vegetables first, then add small portions of less healthy items.
  • If you are taking food to a party, make it your favorite healthy dish. Then you’ll be sure that at least one item at the party will be a healthy choice that you enjoy.
  • Make healthier versions of your traditional recipes by using ingredients with less fat and salt. Try cooking with olive oil instead of butter or adding flavor with herbs and spices instead of salt.
  • Spice up baked fish or chicken by adding salsa or black bean sauce.
  • Consider beans in place of higher-fat meats.
  • Fill your plate with vegetables and lean protein.

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The information for the January 8, 2025, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting has been released. The meeting will be held from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Forest Room at the Commonwealth Keystone Building, which is located at 400 North Street in Harrisburg, PA. The option to participate virtually is also available. If attending virtually, please register here.

Public comments will be taken following each presentation. Questions can be entered into the chat box during the presentations, and these questions will be asked at the end of each presentation. There will be an additional period at the end of the meeting for any additional public comments.

You can submit questions electronically about alternative methods for submitting questions or comments during a subcommittee meeting, including options when no internet access is available.

If needed, the dial-in number is: +1 (631) 992-3221; Access Code: 713-772-925#

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Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Philadelphia, PA – December 17, 2024 – COMHAR Inc. Board of Directors announced that Trapeta B. Mayson has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Office (CEO) of the agency. The Board held an Executive Session, in which they unanimously voted to remove the interim tag from Trapeta B. Mayson and make her the Chief Executive Officer, effective December 16, 2024. As an experienced human service leader, Trapeta’s career spans over 25 years across nonprofit, government, and civic sectors. Trapeta’s appointment is historic as the first woman and first African American to hold the role of CEO at COMHAR [read full release].

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver renewal. The renewal will be effective on January 1, 2025.

The current approved CHC Waiver document is available here. Additional information about the CHC Waiver is located here.

Changes in the approved renewal include:

  1. Amend the following service definitions:
    1. Benefits Counseling
    2. Employment Skills Development Home Adaptations
    3. Telecare
  2. Add teleservices to the following services (details regarding teleservices can be found within each service definition as well as in the Main Module):
    1. Cognitive Rehabilitation
    2. Counseling Services
    3. Nutritional Consultation
  3. Add Chore Services as a new waiver service.
  4. Add language to reinforce that if a participant’s rights in a setting need to be modified due to an assessed need, it must be documented in the Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP), and if a provider creates a treatment or service plan, that plan must be incorporated into the PCSP.
  5. Remove references to the Organized Health Care Delivery System (OHCDS) and the Participant Review Tool.
  6. Reduce timeframes for developing and implementing Person-Centered Service Plans from 30 days to 15 business days.
  7. Reduce the years of experience needed for Structured Day Habilitation Support Staff from five years to two years.
  8. Update Appendix C-5 to include information about the Home and Community-Based Settings Rule.
  9. Update Appendix E: Participant Direction of Services that Service Coordinators are responsible to inform the participant of the availability of the direct care worker referral and matching system.
  10. Update Appendix G: Participant Safeguards to the current process.
  11. Update the Quality Strategy to current process.
  12. Modify language throughout for better readability.

Questions about the 2025 CHC renewal can be submitted electronically.

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