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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a training session on the Incident Management Systems and Critical Incident Reporting Provisions of the Medicaid Access Final Rule on September 16, 2024. The webinar recording, transcript, and slides are now available on the Training Series: HCBS Provisions of the Medicaid Access Final Rule web page. Register for upcoming sessions in the training series here.

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ODP Announcement 24-096 is to inform all interested parties that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the 1915(b)(4) Performance-Based Contracting Waiver and the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waiver amendments effective January 1, 2025.

As communicated in ODP Announcement 24-071, the waivers were submitted to CMS on July 26, 2024. Since that time, ODP has engaged in discussions with CMS. No substantive changes were made to the waivers based on those discussions. Information regarding Performance-Based Contracting for Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing, and Supported Living services delivered through the Consolidated and Community Living Waivers can be accessed at Performance-Based Contracting – MyODP. In addition to changes needed to implement Performance-Based Contracting, the following major changes were included in the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers:

  • American Sign Language – English Interpreter service will be added.
  • Billable indirect activities will be added to the Benefits Counseling service and the fiscal year limit will increase from 15 to 24 hours.
  • Clarification about evaluations will be added to the Assistive Technology service.
  • The fiscal year limit for Music, Art and Equine Assisted Therapy will increase from 26 to 52 hours.

Each full waiver application, as well as a record of all substantive changes, is available online at:

ODP will be holding one webinar to provide a general overview of Performance-Based Contracting and additional major changes made in the approved waivers. There will be time during the session for presenters to answer questions submitted by participants during the webinar.

The date, time, and registration link for these webinars are as follows:
Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waiver Amendment Overview
Wednesday, October 30, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm — Register Here.

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ODP Announcement 24-097 is to inform all interested parties that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved amendments to the AAW, effective January 1, 2025. The updated waiver is available on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website.

The following major changes were included in Adult Autism Waiver:

  • American Sign Language – English Interpreter service will be added;
  • Clarification about evaluations will be added to the Assistive Technology service; and
  • Revise and clarify the provider qualifications for Residential Habilitation: Residential Provider (Community Home) and Life Sharing.

The full waiver application, as well as a record of all substantive changes, is available online at: Adult Autism Waiver.

ODP will be holding one webinar to provide a general overview of the changes made in the approved waiver. There will be time during the session for presenters to answer questions submitted by participants.

The date, time, and registration link for the webinar is as follows:
AAW Amendments Overview, Friday, November 8, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Register Here

ODP will hold additional webinars and publish guidance and clarification specific to the new American Sign Language – English Interpreter service.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-095, to inform all stakeholders that the most recent version of the AAW Provider Information Table has been published. The table reflects updated rates for services effective July 1, 2024. Updated rates and any text added to reflect the changes are highlighted in gray. The table is effective October 1, 2024. Please review the announcement for additional information on accessing the table.

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RCPA member CMU has announced the following staff updates:

Patrick Slattery has been named Chief Executive Officer of The CMU and joins the organization after more than 30 years in various direct care and leadership roles across multiple organizations including KidsPeace and Sheppard Pratt Health Systems.  Patrick brings a servant leadership approach to the team and is especially excited to continue vital partnerships with Dauphin County and the many outstanding providers and stakeholders who impact the lives of the more than 5,000 people and their families served each year.  Relationships are the key, and he is grateful for the positive collaborations with CMU Board President, Doug Hill and his board colleagues, outstanding Dauphin County Commissioners George P. Hartwick, III, Justin Douglas and Mike Pries and Dauphin County Human Services leaders, Director Randie Yeager, Administrator Andrea Kepler and Deputy Mental Health Administrator Rachael Clifton.

Dan Sausman has retired from The CMU effective 9/13/2024 after 42+ years of service.  Dan is widely recognized as an expert in the field and among the finest people with whom I have worked.   His impact on our organization, colleagues and community will endure for many years to come as we continue to provide our services at the highest levels.  Dan lives and breathes the mission, vision and values of our organization leaving a legacy of service that we can all aspire to emulate.

William “Bill’ Price IV is promoted to the role of Director of Mental Health Services and leads all related services from Administrative/Intake to Blended Case Management (BCM) service delivery.  Bill has an extensive background in forensic mental health and is a dynamic leader with more than 18 years of service to CMU and nearly 30 years in the field.  Bill has a strong “can do” approach and is always quick with a smile and great attitude!

Amber Wolferd is promoted to the role of Director of Developmental Servies and leads all Intellectual Developmental Disability/Autism (IDD/A) services from Intake to Supports Coordination and Early Intervention/Service Coordination.  Amber is succeeding long time Director Dan Sausman after his 42+ years of service.  Amber brings a relentless enthusiasm for our mission along with technical skills aimed at continuous quality improvement to perfect the craft of Supports and Service Coordination.

Sarah Freeland is promoted to the role of Deputy Director of Developmental Services and leads the team of Supports Coordination Supervisors who help roughly 1,500 people via 28 Supports Coordinators.  Sarah has served the mission of the organization in various roles over the past 7 years and shares Amber’s enthusiasm for creating the most impressive teams of Supports Coordinators to benefit those we serve across all of Dauphin County.

Sarah Mumper is promoted to the role of Director of Operations and leads all Human Resources efforts as well as Accounts Payables and building operations.  Sarah must be cloned as she is a true force of nature on the team!  With more than 7 years of service to CMU, she brings unparalleled dedication and commitment to our mission.

Randi Rosati is promoted to the role of Human Resources Specialist and leads the payroll function as well as associate onboarding and recruitment.  Randi has served CMU for more than 15 years and forms the dynamic duo of Sarah and Randi as the organizational glue that keeps us all together.

 Jeremy Shaffer is promoted to the role of Director of Information Technology and leads our Help Desk team as well as driving the network, billing, and electronic health record systems.  Jeremy has served CMU for more than 20 years and applies his vast technical skills along with a deep empathy for the work that we do each day.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a Health Alert regarding accompanying individuals to emergency rooms. The alert discusses how it is critical that community home staff accompany individuals to the hospital, stay informed about treatments, be actively involved in discharge arrangements, and understand the follow-up care required. This health alert serves as a reminder of the importance of continuity of care in these situations. Please review the alert for additional information and detail.

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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Although the work to support individuals to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment continues throughout the year, NDEAM presents an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and confirm our commitment to ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to employment opportunities.

Proclamation From Governor Josh Shapiro
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Governor Josh Shapiro issued a proclamation to highlight Pennsylvania’s efforts in ensuring everyone has the right to competitive integrated employment opportunities. The proclamation is attached to this email.

Employment Events Across the Commonwealth
To celebrate NDEAM, the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) is highlighting some of the many NDEAM and other employment related events happening across the Commonwealth this October. Please note this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other events happening in your local community.

Download the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Event Schedule here

Employment Data:

As of January 2024:

  • 8,239 individuals, ages 18-64, enrolled with ODP had “Competitive Integrated Employment” or CIE.
  • 4,548 individuals enrolled with ODP were utilizing ODP’s employment services.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) defines Competitive Integrated Employment as work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis for which an individual is:

  • Compensated at or above minimum wage and comparable to the customary rate paid by the employer to employees without disabilities performing similar duties and with similar training and experience.
  • The Individual receives the same level of benefits provided to other employees without disabilities in similar positions; at a location where the employee interacts with other individuals without disabilities; and presents opportunities for advancement similar to other employees without disabilities in other positions.
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