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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-044. This communication is to inform all interested stakeholders about the new assessment protocol that is replacing most of the previous assessments required for participants in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), effective July 1, 2025, and to announce a mandatory training for AAW Supports Coordinators (SC) and SC Supervisors.

Beginning with assessments conducted on July 1, 2025, participants in the AAW will no longer be assessed using the SIB-R, Quality of Life Questionnaire, Baseline Outcomes, or Parental Stress Scale. All participant ISPs with plan effective dates beginning October 1, 2025, are subject to the new assessments.

All AAW participants will be assessed using the following five assessment tools, all of which are completed via QuestionPro:

  • Autism Supports Assessment Protocol (ASAP);
  • Periodic Risk Evaluation (PRE);
  • Waisman Activities of Daily Living Scale (W-ADL);
  • Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2); and
  • Online Readiness Checklist.

Mandatory Training for AAW SCs and SC Supervisors on New Assessment Protocol

SCs and SC Supervisors are required to register for and attend one of the following two training sessions. Content is the same for both sessions, so attendance is only mandatory for one session.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is hosting a forum to support provider preparedness regarding performance-based contracting. ODP will review the quarterly forums and discuss data presented to the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Provider Performance Review Subcommittee. ODP will also review the emerging themes or trends with the implementation of performance-based contracting.

Audience: Residential Providers

Date: June 16, 2025, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Register Here

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The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting was recently held on May 7, 2025. During the meeting, a number of presentations were given. In addition to the presentations, the agenda and a document that provided follow-up items from the LTSS Subcommittee meeting on April 2, 2025, were provided.

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

The next LTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2025. 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. The option to call in is also available by dialing (415) 655-0052, access code 886-801-808#.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is offering a webinar on the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program on May 21, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. Register here.

A PA ABLE savings account gives individuals with qualified disabilities and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage eligible individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.

Some of the agenda topics will include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how a PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.

OLTL Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organization (MCO) staff, and any individuals who work in employment supports are encouraged to participate in this webinar, as it will help them understand the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants they serve.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact OLTL via email.

Questions regarding this webinar should be directed to Randy Loss, OLTL.

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RCPA Member Inglis’s Regional Housing Coordinators (RHC) offer a variety of FREE webinars each month on Zoom, focused on understanding and navigating the affordable housing system and resources for people with disabilities in housing.

If the training times listed below do not work for your organization, you can always use their Information and Referral form to request a private training.

  • Home Modifications: Thursday, May 15, at 1:00 pm
  • Navigating Income-based Housing Options: Tuesday, May 20, at 12:00 pm
  • Introduction to Housing Concepts: Thursday, May 29, at 11:00 am
Register With Their Training Calendar Here!

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The Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have announced a Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, More Than a Smile: Why Oral Health Matters.

This session will provide an Empowering Presentation on Oral Health and Disability Care! Learn from experts behind Special Outreach Services (SOS), an oral health education program for caregivers of people with disabilities, and Special Smiles, Ltd., a dedicated dental clinic providing anesthesia-supported care for individuals with disabilities. This presentation will dive into the powerful connection between oral health and overall wellbeing — plus, you’ll walk away with practical, proven strategies to improve daily oral hygiene for individuals. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore inspiring stories, impactful outcomes, and the meaningful history of two organizations making a real difference.

The Virtual Session will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

REGISTRATION LINK: Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released communication ODPANN 25-043. This communication shares the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual, which includes changes related to the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy initiative.

Updates include:

  • Updated message from the Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs;
  • Defining “Immediate Need”;
  • Who should have a PUNS;
  • Who should not have a PUNS;
  • Who should not have an Emergency PUNS; and
  • Paper PUNS forms and signatures are not required.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.

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Free webinar for RCPA Members

Date: Wednesday June 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Registration Link

This session will address strategies for navigating system changes, such as integrated care, value-based purchasing, and performance-based contracting. By focusing on how these shifts impact organizational structures and employee performance, we will equip participants with the tools to manage transitions successfully. Attendees will learn how to leverage executive functioning skills like adaptability, planning, task prioritization, and time management to align employee goals with organizational targets and drive success in results-driven environments.

Join speaker Stina Borth, MA, Executive Function, Performance and Neurodiversity Specialist Stina Borth, the founder and CEO of Keymaker Services Inc., is a dedicated expert in productivity and life skills development, focusing on empowering youth and young adults to succeed academically, socially, and in their future careers.

Stina provides corporate training to organizations looking to optimize productivity and communication. Her approach to workplace training helps teams build more effective communication, streamline task management, and enhance collaboration, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

With a background grounded in both academic theory and practical, real-world application, Stina’s work creates lasting impacts across a wide range of individuals — from students to professionals—by helping them develop the tools and strategies they need to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:

  • Assess system changes in business practices, including integrated care and value-based purchasing, and evaluate their impact on employee performance and executive functioning.
  • Develop strategies for adapting to system changes that optimize organizational performance, focusing on skills such as adaptability, decision-making, and planning.
  • Create framework for supporting employees through performance-based initiatives, helping them develop the executive functioning skills necessary to succeed.

Certificates of attendance are available to RCPA members who attend this webinar; anyone interested in a certificate should contact Cathy Barrick. To apply for CEs, you will need to register for the RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive and indicate you attended the webinar in your CE packet, which will be made available on the mobile app.

Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for details, or visit the RCPA Conference website for information on workshops, sponsors, exhibitors, and more!

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Some breaking news from ANCOR:

Late yesterday, we learned that House Leadership has postponed two mark-ups, one being with the E&C committee – until probably the week of 5/12/25. This is helpful, because it gives us more time for outreach and advocacy AND gives us time to prep statements for release following the actual mark-up!

The list of resources below is intended to be shared with your representatives!

Information is available on the Vigil to Protect Medicaid — in DC May 7 & 8 — come if you can, but this event is also being live streamed.

This date still applies, despite the delayed mark-up.

We will share more info as we get it — including the links for the renewed Action Alert, but please reach out if you have any questions!

Donna Martin, M.Ed., CAE (she/her)
Vice President, State Partnerships & Innovation
ANCOR
113 South West Street, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
571.781.0456
ancor.org

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TrueNorth Wellness Services announces the appointment of Chuck Smith as Interim CEO, while the Board of Directors begins a search for the next Chief Executive Officer. Along with Chuck, the leadership team of Cheryl Jones (CFO), Elspeth Williams (COO), and Senior Directors Michelle Shearer, Erin Glenn, and Cori Reed will continue to be available to stakeholders and staff alike. During this transition, we remain committed to the same level of quality and responsiveness that you’ve come to expect from TrueNorth. As we recognize the milestone of delivering services for 50 years, we are looking forward to the exciting possibilities that the future holds for our organization.

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