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Policy Areas

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-047: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and Temple University Harrisburg — Certified Investigator Initial Certification Course Delivery Questionnaire. This communication asks stakeholders to complete a survey to gain input on future delivery methods for the Certified Investigator Initial Certification course.

The short questionnaire will help determine the path moving forward for scheduling in-person and virtual CI Initial Certification courses. ODP would like to hear from current CIs, previous CIs, organization management, administration, and leadership.

Please review the announcement for a link to the survey.

Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shares ODPANN 23-046: Infection Control Procedures and Mitigating the Spread of Infectious Diseases with an NICC Team Consulting Flyer and Mission Statement. This announcement has two purposes:

  • First, to draw attention to the revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) describing how to determine if a facility should be considered a healthcare or a non-healthcare congregate setting.
  • The second purpose is to provide updated guidance to providers of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) home and community-based services (HCBS) and Private Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IDs) for development of policies related to infection control procedures.

Please review the announcement and attachments for further information and detail.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared ODPANN 23-045: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Waiver Reserved Capacity Letters. This announcement provides guidance that clarifies instructions on how Administrative Entities (AEs) should maintain the waiver capacity of ODP waiver participants who are temporarily unable to receive waiver services due to requiring a short-term stay in a hospital (medical/psychiatric), nursing home, or rehabilitation care facility and are expected to return to the community. It includes the following attachments:

Please review the announcement and attachments for additional details.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued Health Alert – PAHAN – 702-06-07-ADV, Air Quality Alert — Wildfire Smoke. Wildfires in Canada and current weather conditions are bringing wildfire smoke into our region. Health effects from wildfire smoke, or PM2.5 exposure, include respiratory symptoms and effects, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and cardiovascular effects.

Poor air quality may increase visits and calls to doctor’s offices as well as visits to emergency departments, urgent care centers, and hospitalizations.

Please review the Pennsylvania Department of Health Alert for more detailed information. The website AirNow and the AirNow mobile app can provide additional information.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing ODPANN 23-044: Now Open: Registration for Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course. The purpose of this announcement is to communicate that registration for the July–December 2023 CI Initial Certification Course classes (also known as cohorts) is now open on MyODP. View the announcement for a course description and registration details.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Register Here

The PA Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) will be hosting a webinar on June 21 discussing real-life stories from those utilizing smart home technology. People with disabilities will share how they use smart home technology for streaming videos, watching TV, gaming, exercise, and more.