DHS Shares New Tools to Track, Manage, and Protect Benefits
Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting on April 16, 2026
The Department of Human Services (DHS) invites you to participate in the DHS Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices meeting. Jointly hosted by the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), this quarterly meeting aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life. Please see the flyer for detailed information.
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Online – Zoom Webinar
- Morning session: Guardianship Overview: Legal Interpretation, Expectations and Limitations
- Afternoon session: Understanding the Significance of Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs)
Register here. The Zoom link for joining the session will be sent to the email you used to register. This link will be unique to your registration. Please do not share this link.
Please note that Certificates of Attendance are not issued for Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices meetings.
Updated Incident Management FAQ Document Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared updates to ODPANN 26-037. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the updated Incident Management (IM) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on MyODP. This FAQ has been developed to answer commonly asked questions about incident management. The questions that have been added appear with a blue background, and any updated answer from a previous question is italicized.
Please view the announcement for more details.
Attachment:
ODP Releases 2025 Employment First Report
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the release of the 2025 Employment First report. ODP believes that all people with an intellectual disability and/or autism must be encouraged to pursue their vision for an everyday life, which may include working in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment offers a person an opportunity to achieve economic independence, build self-confidence, enhance self-determination, and meet new people while building new skills. The Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication, developed by the ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), which includes self-advocates, reads:
“Employment is a centerpiece of adulthood and must be available for every person. The benefits of employment for people with disabilities are significant and are the same as for people without disabilities.”
This report serves as an update to all stakeholders on the progress that has been made to support individuals served by ODP on finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.
Access the 2025 Employment First report here. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home page.
2026 Everyday Lives Virtual Conference “Breaking Barriers and Building Futures” May 6–16
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites you to register for its Everyday Lives 2026 Virtual Conference!
The 2026 Everyday Lives Conference will include ODP’s annual Dual Diagnosis Conference as a pre-conference event, jointly hosted with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). The biannual Everyday Lives Conference, hosted by the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), invites individuals with a disability and/or autism (ID/A), family members, caregivers, and support professionals to engage in presentations and panels focused on sharing information that empowers the everyday lives of individuals with disabilities throughout Pennsylvania. The 2026 Everyday Lives Conference (EDL) will be held virtually throughout the first two weeks of May 2026. The conference theme for 2026 is “Breaking Barriers and Building Futures.” View the conference program for more information, including the full conference agenda.
Learn More and Register Here
What to Expect:
The virtual conference will be hosted through the online platform Whova and will feature six days of presentations. A series of watch parties will be hosted throughout the state as an opportunity for conference-goers to connect and engage with the conference content together. Follow the registration link for more information.
The conference program is broken into three sections. Each conference section (excluding the post-conference) will include presentations for all ODP stakeholders, but some sessions may cater more to one audience than another. Regardless, ODP invites all audiences to attend every session. Content will be accessible and relevant to all.
RCPA Shares Updates on DHS H.R. 1 Committee, Eligibility, and SNAP Requirements
RCPA Member Access Services Highlights Inclusive Employment Programs
Life Sharing Resources Now Available on MyODP
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the release of new and updated resources available through MyODP to support Life Sharing services. These materials have been developed to enhance the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of Life Sharing services provided to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism across Pennsylvania.
In alignment with the mission of ODP, resources are intended to inform providers, along with individuals and families, about Life Sharing and support person-centered approaches across all Life Sharing settings.
Key Updates Include:
- Resource materials for providers, families, and Support Coordinators;
- Guidance reflecting current service definitions and rates;
- Tools to support effective person-centered service planning; and
- Recorded webinars about Life Sharing services.
ODP remains committed to ensuring that individuals receiving services experience safe, supportive, and meaningful living environments. These resources are an important step in advancing that commitment and fostering continuous improvement across the system.
We encourage all providers, families, and partners to review and utilize these materials as part of their ongoing efforts to deliver high-quality Life Sharing services.
Resources can be accessed by clicking the following link: Life Sharing – MyODP
Or by navigating to MyODP’s website, clicking the “Resources” tab at the top of the page, then selecting “Life Sharing” from the drop-down menu.
RCPA Member Vista Autism Services Expands Employment Services to York County
DHS to Host PA Rural Health Transformation Plan Public Webinar March 31
Prev