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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-074. This announcement is to communicate the updated process for ODP’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) to initially qualify new provider applicants for the AAW effective August 1, 2025.

Pursuant to 55 Pa. Code §6100.82 (relating to enrollment documentation) and the service qualification requirements specified in Appendix C of the AAW to become a qualified provider, applicants must:

  • First complete the ODP Provider Applicant Orientation (PAO) training pre-session modules, then
  • Complete the ODP Provider Application for Initial Qualification/Enrollment for the AAW, and finally
  • Submit all required provider qualification documentation designated for new provider applicants.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-073. This announcement provides a list of current AWC FMS organizations available to support participants and surrogates who have chosen to self-direct some or all of their waiver-funded services using the Agency With Choice (AWC) Financial Management Service (FMS) model under the Consolidated, Community Living, or Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers.

Please view the announcement for information and details.

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The Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program is back!

Originally launched in 2018, PAID is returning with new enhancements, resources, and tools. Plus, it has now been expanded to include the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The program has several of the same objectives as before:

  • Resolve wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and identified violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) quickly and without any litigation costs,
  • Improve employer compliance, and
  • Ensure employee back wages and FMLA remedies are paid to them – accurately and quickly.

In addition, FMLA violations can now be addressed through PAID so employers can correct errors made and employees can receive job-protected leave according to the law.

With this relaunch, DOL is encouraging proactive compliance through accessible, user-friendly resources, and web content.

DOL knows running a business is hard work. Balancing payroll, scheduling, and compliance can be a juggling act, and sometimes mistakes are made. If you’ve had errors lead to unpaid wages or FMLA leave issues, now is the chance to make it right.

For more information, visit the Division’s page on the PAID program.

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RCPA may be based in Pennsylvania, but our conference covers topics and features speakers from across the country! Register today, join us at the Hershey Lodge September 9 – 12, 2025, and reserve your room online while the room block is available. By registering, you gain the opportunity to engage with these provocative keynote speakers as they touch on topics that affect all facets of health and human services across the nation:

  • Karen Weeks, Founder of Shine at Work, will analyze how to create an organizational culture that supports people’s wellbeing;
  • Judge Victor Reyes, Retired Judge and Master Life Coach, will define mindfulness and evaluate its impact in leadership roles;
  • Michael Cohen, Duane Morris LLP, will provide insights on how to make one’s workplace open and accessible for as many as possible to prevent workplace harassment; 
  • Kory Shrum, Bestselling Author and Podcast Host, will deconstruct common self-care myths and provide a practical framework for sustainable self-care practices; and
  • Donna Martin, Vice President, State Partnerships & Innovation, ANCOR, and Mohini Venkatesh, Chief of Staff, Strategic Leadership, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, will dive into national trends in health and human services policies and workforce issues.

View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule and speakers. Be sure to check the RCPA Conference website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors. Register today!

In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! We are grateful to all our sponsors and exhibitors who help make the conference happen. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, all information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors! We are grateful for your support!

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held the SCO Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Introductory Session today.

ODP received approximately 140 people’s and organizations’ comments during the public comment period. Deputy Secretary Kristen Ahrens stated that comments were very helpful and specific in finalizing the proposed plan being submitted to CMS.

General recommendations received:

  • Implement one set of standards for all SCOs (no tiers);
  • Require more than 2 SCOs in each county;
  • More and clearer engagement and education for individuals and families; and
  • Develop resources for SCOs to use.

Timeline considerations:
Feedback on the performance measures:
Rates:15-minute units vs monthly units

  • Concerns of using both
  • Average hours in the assumptions

Handouts from today’s session are available here.

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The Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) has received a small number of reports of issues with faxing the updated Documentation of Medical Evaluation (DME) forms. These reports indicate that some fax machines cannot pick up the contrast in the grey shaded areas. You will find both DME forms with the grey areas lightened significantly. These forms are also being added to the BHSL website.

Please note, BHSL has fax-tested both versions of these forms and did not encounter any issues. Issues with faxing may be related to the age/condition or settings of individual fax machines. Online faxing services that do not require the use of a fax machine are widely available, as are alternative methods of form transmission, such as in-person drop off, email, online drop boxes, or the United States Postal Service.

Questions about this communication may be sent electronically.

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RCPA’s 2025 Conference Strive to Thrive will be held in Hershey September 9 – 12, 2025. Early bird rates for registration end August 8! Be sure to register today and take advantage of the early bird rates!

RCPA is proud to host those who lead PA in health and human services at our Annual Conference. This year, DHS Secretary Valerie Arkoosh will be presenting as our kickoff plenary speaker on September 9. Throughout the week, we will hear updates from various departments and leaders of DHS, including:

  • ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens;
  • OLTL Deputy Secretary Juliet Marsala;
  • DDAP Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus; and
  • OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Jennifer Smith.

View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule and speakers. You can also register directly here. Be sure to check the RCPA Conference website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors.

In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! We are grateful to all our sponsors and exhibitors who help make the conference happen. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, all information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. You can contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors! We thank you for your support!

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-072 and its accompanying attachments. The purpose of this announcement is to provide updated guidance for completing the SC Individual Monitoring Tool (IMT), specifically regarding when self-employment is considered Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE).

With the implementation of Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) for ID/A Residential Providers and SCOs, ODP has reviewed how CIE data is collected and interpreted. Because CIE performance measures rely on information collected through the SC IMT, ODP is issuing updated guidance to clarify how SCs should apply CIE criteria — particularly in cases involving self-employment. While PBC is not being implemented for Residential Providers or SCOs enrolled in the AAW, the AAW is also updating its IMT guidance in alignment with the ID/A IMT guidance.

These updates do not change the monitoring tool questions themselves in either the ID/A or AAW IMT. The new guidance provides additional instructions to ensure consistent understanding and documentation.

ATTACHMENTS:

  • Attachment #1: ID/A Individual Support Plan Monitoring Tool – SC Guidance Document – Reissued 7/23/2025
  • Attachment #2: AAW SC Individual Monitoring Guidance – Reissued 7-2025

Please review the announcement and attachments for additional information and details.

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