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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced an upcoming training series on the Access Rule:

  • September 16, 2024, at 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm ET: Incident Management Systems and Critical Incident Reporting
  • October 9, 2024, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: HCBS Measure Set
  • December 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Grievance Systems
  • February 12, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Timely Access, Waiting Lists, Person Centered Planning Reporting Requirements & Minimum Performance Levels
  • March 12, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Website Requirements
  • April 9, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: HCBS Rate Transparency
  • May 14, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) and Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC)
  • June 11, 2025, at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET: Institutional Rule Provisions* (This refers to the ICF payment transparency provision of the nursing home staffing regulations.)

Registration is available here. When you register, select all the trainings you would like to attend from the checklist. You can register for one or multiple training dates.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) every October to celebrate and highlight contributions people with disabilities make to America’s workplaces.

The PA Treasury Department’s PA ABLE Savings Program is hosting a virtual event on October 1. Registration is open, and details will be available soon!

Register Today!

Message from ANCOR:

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week 2024! This week is a great opportunity to showcase the amazing, selfless, and often unsung work of the incredible professionals who make up the heart of our field.

Today and all week long, there are opportunities to share gratitude for DSPs and elevate the DSP workforce.

Let’s spread our message of thanks to DSPs as widely as we possibly can!

  • All week long, use our DSP Recognition Week Social Media Toolkit to take action in support of DSPs, and access logos, sample social media messages and other resources.
    • Remember to use the hashtag #DSPRW2024 so ANCOR can amplify your message and the essential work DSPs do every day!
  • Check out these free DSP Week webinars hosted by our friends at NADSP.
  • Be on the lookout for more resources coming later this week, and stay tuned for the opening of the 2025 DSP of the Year nominations!

Thank you for leveraging this week to express your gratitude for the essential work DSPs do every day to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they access their communities.

Thank you, DSPs! Our communities are made more inclusive because of you.
We couldn’t do what we do without you!

The 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success will be certain to educate and inspire all attendees when it comes to thinking about the challenges in health and human services. Online registration closes next Friday, Sept. 13, meaning time is running out on reserving your seat and seeing our impressive lineup of speakers. View our keynote and plenary speaker schedule below, which promises a wide variety of topics and lively discussions.

Tuesday, Sept. 24:

  • Listen to a Pennsylvania State of the State from DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh, which will touch on key topics such as performance-based contracting and telehealth.

  • Learn about data modernization and implementing AI/ML-enabled Cloud technology with Carlos Rivero of AWS.

Wednesday, Sept. 25:

  • Hear from Lee Yaiva of Scottsdale (AZ) Recovery Center as he openly speaks on addiction treatment and navigating recovery as a Native American.

  • Raise your awareness of human trafficking and its impacts with Amy Thurston and Melissa Knechel of Hope Inspire Love.

Thursday, Sept. 26:

  • Fan favorite Michael Cohen returns to declare how employers can set themselves apart by going above and beyond the status quo.

  • National updates will be provided from RCPA’s Association Partners the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and ANCOR, featuring Reyna Taylor and Donna Martin, respectively.

Friday, Sept. 27:

  • Craig Dietz, who was born without limbs, will round out our conference on a high, humorous, and heartening note with tips on finding your inner potential and challenging yourself.

Register Here for the 2024 RCPA Conference 

Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, or RCPA with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hershey Lodge!

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-088. This is a reminder to stakeholders of their roles and responsibilities in the Participant Directed Services (PDS) model of service delivery using the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Financial Management Services (FMS) option. Please view the announcement for information and details.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing the most recent version of the Adult Autism Programs General Information on MyODP. They are also asking providers to review contact information in the SSD.

If it requires updating or if you have any questions regarding this communication or updates for the directory, send your corrected information via email with “SSD” in the subject line.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the release of the 2022-23 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 2022-23 Employment First report here. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home page.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-087, which informs stakeholders of corrections to rates for select services provided through the ODP Consolidated, Community Living, Person/Family Directed Support, and Adult Autism Waivers and base-funding that were published as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Corrections were made to the following rates:

  • Community Participation Support Rates, Effective July 1, 2024; and
  • Life Sharing Without Day 1-Person Needs Group 3 and 4 Rates, Effective October 1, 2024.

The corrected final Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees for each service can also be found on DHS’s website. Please view the announcement for details.

The 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success is just around the corner, with our workshops starting bright and early Tuesday, September 24. Online registration for the conference ends September 13, and by registering today, you will guarantee your early access to the mobile app and your seat in sessions addressing key topics in health and human services!
Register Here for the 2024 RCPA Conference!
View our registration brochure for complete details on the conference schedule.

In addition, due to a high volume of guests at the Hershey Lodge, RCPA has made arrangements for a special rate at the Hilton Garden Inn Hershey, located at 550 East Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036, which is less than two miles away from the Lodge. The Hilton is offering rooms to our attendees September 23 – 27 at a Nightly Group Rate of $149.00 plus 11% tax (1-2 adults; $10 each additional adult) using the group name “RCPA 2024 Conference.” Find more information at our Conference website, and please reach out to Carol Ferenz if you have questions or concerns.

Lastly, we wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors and exhibitors who make our conference possible! We can’t wait to see you in Connections Hall! You can view our current sponsors and exhibitors on the RCPA Conference website!