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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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RCPA member The Alliance of Community Service Providers’ 22nd Annual Conference for Direct Service Professionals will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.

This year’s theme — Celebrating Our Journey…Charting the Path Ahead — honors the extraordinary work of Direct Service Professionals across our region and reaffirms the Alliance’s commitment to moving human services forward. It promises to be an energizing day of learning, connection, and celebration.

Workshop Proposals:

The Alliance of Community Service Providers is now accepting workshop proposals for this year’s conference. If you or members of your team are interested in presenting, please review the Request for Proposals (RFP). Proposals are due no later than December 31, 2025. Notifications of accepted workshops will be sent by mid-January. Please submit your RFPs electronically.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Once again, the Alliance is pleased to offer a range of sponsorship opportunities for organizations that wish to support the conference and show their commitment to the DSP workforce.

Sponsorship is a great way to:

  • Increase visibility among hundreds of human service professionals;
  • Support the professional development of the frontline workforce; and
  • Align your organization with innovation and excellence in the sector.

View the form for key information, and please email Michael or Cherie to indicate your intention to sponsor.

Save the Date & Spread the Word:

Please mark your calendars for February 27, 2026, and feel free to begin sharing the announcement within your networks. We look forward to another outstanding conference that brings our community together and strengthens the future of human services.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared Bulletin 00-25-04 and the following attachments.

  • Attachment 1 – Template for HCQU Scope of Work and Payment Structure
  • Attachment 2 – HCQU Annual Plan and Reporting Templates
  • Attachment 3 – Current Health Care Quality Units

This bulletin explains the responsibilities of the Health Care Quality Units (HCQU) and establishes standards for planning and reporting.

The purpose of the HCQUs is to enhance the health and wellness of individuals with I/DD or autism through collaboration with providers of I/DD and autism services, AEs, Supports Coordinators/Targeted Support Managers, and healthcare providers, by raising awareness about community health resources and providing education for stakeholders about the physical health, behavioral health, and wellness needs unique to the individuals they support. The HCQUs strive to improve access to appropriate physical and behavioral healthcare for individuals with I/DD or autism, as well as improve capacity for risk assessment and risk mitigation. The HCQUs are comprised of professionals with expertise in the areas of I/DD or autism and healthcare.

HCQU Functions:

Each HCQU’s contract will specifically outline the HCQU’s responsibilities and requirements, total budget, payment triggers, and reporting requirements. HCQU responsibilities include the following:

  1. Assessment of Individual and Community Needs
  2. Training
  3. Technical Assistance
  4. Health Risk Screening
  5. Outreach and Education
  6. Collaboration
  7. Response to Imminent Risk
  8. Documentation and Reporting

Please see the bulletin for additional details and information.

Comments and questions regarding this bulletin should be directed to the appropriate ODP Regional Program Office. Visit the ODP website for regional office information.

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The final agenda for the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting on December 3, 2025, has been released. As a reminder, this meeting will be conducted via webinar and remote streaming only and will take place from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Register here to attend. The conference line for the meeting: 1 (415) 655-0052 PIN: 883-556-407#

Comments and questions may be sent electronically.

Remote streaming is available here.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-103 with an accompanying attachment. The purpose of this announcement is to inform provider agencies of ODP’s participation in the 2025 National Core Indicators® Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI®-IDD) State of the Workforce (SoTW) survey and to request confirmation of current contact information from eligible providers. Please view the announcement and attachment for information and details.

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The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting was recently held on November 12, 2025. During the meeting, a number of presentations were provided. In addition to the presentations, the agenda and a document that provided follow-up items from the LTSS Subcommittee meeting on October 1, 2025, were provided.

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

The next LTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The meeting will be held virtually only from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Register here to participate. Participants also have the option to call in by dialing (415) 655-0052; Access code: 883-556-407#.

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Waiver 101: What is a Waiver, and What Does It Do?
December 4, 2025
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Register Here

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism (ID/A) and their families to join in a virtual discussion with members of the Division of Policy and Program Innovation. These sessions are informal, meaning the conversation will not be recorded, and rules will be set before the session starts to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to provide questions and comments. The session will be held through Microsoft Teams.

Please note: This event is being held only for individuals and family members; this is not an event for someone who is only a professional.

What Will Be Covered?

ODP staff will provide an overview of the ID/A Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) waivers available in Pennsylvania. This session will consist of a brief history of ID/A services in PA, what ODP is, and how the “waivers” came to exist and their purpose. The session will also include time to explore the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) and ODP’s websites for this information.

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Thank you for sharing these important workshops and support groups with your networks! Register for upcoming events at PA Family Network’s website.

Good Life Group, Support Groups

LifeCourse Workshops

Waiver Workshops

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing this important announcement from the PA Department of Health.

As of November 11, 2025, 15 infants with suspected or confirmed infant botulism were reported from 12 states: Arizona, California (2), Illinois (2), Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas (2), and Washington. Laboratory confirmation for some cases is ongoing. Illnesses started on dates ranging from mid-August to November 2025. All 15 infants were hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG®. No deaths were reported. Infants ranged in age from 16 to 157 days. State and local public health officials are interviewing caregivers about the foods infants were fed in the month before they got sick. All 15 (100%) reported feeding ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula. This investigation is ongoing, and additional cases may be identified.

All ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products were recalled. This includes all unexpired lots of formula cans and single-serve “anywhere” sticks. The link to the recall can be found here.

According to the FDA, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula makes up less than 1 percent of all infant formula sales in the United States. Given this small market share, recall of these products is unlikely to create shortage concerns of infant formula for parents and caregivers.

Summary:

  • On November 11, 2025, ByHeart, Inc. recalled all lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) ongoing investigation into a recent outbreak of infant botulism.
  • According to the company’s website, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula was sold through its website ByHeart.com and through retail stores nationwide, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, SamsClub, and others.
  • Infant botulism is a rare but potentially fatal paralytic illness that impacts babies less than one year old. Symptoms can include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak cry, and progressive muscle weakness.
  • Health care providers (HCP) should call the California Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP) immediately at 510-231-7600 for consultation of suspected case. Consultation is available 24/7. Treatment with botulism immune globulin, BabyBIG®, obtained from California Department of Health, is recommended for all suspected cases of infant botulism.
  • Infant botulism is a reportable disease in PA; all suspected cases must be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or their local health department.

For More Information

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