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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a recent announcement that provides eligible providers with the application to receive supplemental funds as part of the ongoing systemic recovery of services for people with an intellectual disability and autism. You can view the announcement here. Eligible providers who are interested in receiving these supplemental payments must complete the application and submit it to Rick Smith by September 30, 2023.
On May 25, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2023-09 — Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults. This Executive Order directs the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to lead the Master Plan for Older Adults, a state-led, stakeholder-driven, 10-year strategic planning resource that can help states transform their infrastructure and coordination of services for older adult and disability populations.
The Department of Aging has been leading stakeholder listening sessions and presenting at various venues across the state in order to gather input and comments that will support the development of the master plan. Visit here to see the dates and times of virtual listening sessions planned in September; included in these sessions is a PowerPoint presentation.
Members are encouraged to contribute what you think should be the plan’s priority goals, objectives, and initiatives to support the highest quality of life for older adults. Comments can be shared here, via email, or by mail to Pennsylvania Department of Aging c/o Master Plan, 555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Members are also encouraged to complete the Needs Assessment Survey, which is designed to capture the experience of older adults and adults with disabilities. The survey will remain open until September 30, 2023.
It’s your last chance to claim early bird registration for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity, as early bird rates end this Friday, September 8! Be sure to take a look at our registration brochure, where you’ll see our full lineup of speakers, sessions, and workshops as well as information on reserving your hotel room and more! You won’t want to miss earning CEs with workshops such as:
In addition to an impressive roster of speakers, our 2023 Conference will have an exciting array of sponsors and exhibitors. We thank those who have signed on thus far! **NOTE: EXHIBIT BOOTHS ARE SOLD OUT.** If you are interested in sponsoring, visit here for more details or contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions you may have. Keep up-to-date and register today for #rcpaconf!
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the following recall information announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products is recalling all lots of MSM DROPS 5% 15% Solution, Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops, and Dr. Berne’s MSM MIST 15% Solution because FDA analysis has found one lot (lot 6786) of Dr. Berne’s MSM DROPS 5% Solution to fail sterility, with both bacterial and fungal contamination found in the product. Out of an abundance of caution, Dr. Berne’s is recalling all other lots of the 5% and 15% strengths of MSM Solution and all lots of Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops and Dr. Berne’s MSM MIST 15% Solution. These products are used as lubricating eye drops.
RISK STATEMENT: Using contaminated eye drops could result in minor to serious vision-threatening infection, which could possibly progress to a life-threatening infection. To date, Dr. Berne’s has received 2 reports of adverse events related to this recall.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Further information is available here.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has shared that the latest edition of the Positive Approaches Journal is now available!
Understanding the Complexities of Behavioral Phenotypes and How to Support People
This issue of the Positive Approaches Journal shares insights from several expert and skilled clinicians into biological and genetic conditions which have been associated with behavioral phenotypes, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, autism, and Down syndrome (Trisomy 21). The field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in general has recognized various characteristic patterns of behavior for various conditions long before the term behavioral phenotype, or even the modern understanding of genetics, was developed. Those familiar with the historical aspects of the field are well aware that past attempts to characterize patterns in those with conditions or syndromes at times contributed to mischaracterizations and to damaging stereotypes of individuals.
This issue of Positive Approaches Journal is in digital form, available for viewing online or for downloading here. To print a copy of the PDF, online journal, or a specific article, you will find these options within your left navigation bar on any Positive Approaches Journal page. A new window will open with your selected document. In your browser, you may click the Print button in the top left corner of the page, or by using the Print capability within your browser.
Please submit feedback regarding your experience with the Positive Approaches Journal on MyODP. The Positive Approaches Journal is published quarterly. For additional information, please contact ODP Training’s inbox.
RCPA continues to raise funds to support the RCPA PAC, which provides financial support to state legislators who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our issues and priorities.
We are excited to once again host the RCPA PAC silent auction to be held in conjunction with the RCPA conference. The silent auction will be held outside Connections Hall during the conference, and with over 700 attendees (registrants, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors), we are hoping to attract all to participate.
We are requesting your consideration in assisting us with providing a donation of an auction item. We are hoping to secure a variety of auction items that will be enticing to all members. All donations are greatly appreciated and can be something as simple as a gift certificate for a restaurant to a basket of sorts (candy, movie night, grilling items, cooking theme). We are also accepting items such as jewelry, designer handbags, tickets to college or professional sporting events, golf items, and sports memorabilia. We hope we can count on your support.
We would like to thank our donors to date, including the following:
Please contact Christine Tartaglione before September 29, 2023, if you would like to donate any items. Thank you for your consideration of our request. We hope we can count on your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the conference.
Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) and Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) providers are invited to sign up for a scheduled one-on-one virtual office hour to discuss incident management topics with ODP-BSASP. Providers may sign up for one 30-minute session, and multiple staff from the provider may join at the provider’s discretion. Topics for discussion may include: provider-specific IM issues or concerns; EIM reports; general questions about certified investigations; brainstorming ideas of how to improve “performance” related IM tasks; review of provider IM data and compliance; and discussion of provider trends.
We encourage AAW providers and ACAP to take advantage of this opportunity. Sessions are offered in 30-minutes intervals and are on a first-come, first-served basis. The first session is scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, September 13. To register, visit here. Be sure to complete all required information to reserve a time slot.
Please contact the Provider Support Inbox with questions.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared that Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) has been selected as New Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA). PPL will begin providing services effective January 1, 2024. Please view the announcement for additional details.
Don’t wait any longer — time is running out to take advantage of the early bird registration rate for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity! Early bird rates end Friday, September 8, 2023. You can view our registration brochure to see our exciting lineup of sessions, keynote speakers, and activities, including networking and Connections Hall events, as well as information on booking your hotel room. Complete the brochure and reserve your seat at the early bird discount rate today!
We also wish to extend our thanks to those organizations that have already contributed and shown their support! Please note that all exhibitor booths have been reserved! However, you can still sponsor and advertise by completing our sponsor/exhibitor brochure today! As a reminder, sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by September 8. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.