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Policy Areas

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared updates to ODPANN 26-028. The purpose of this communication is to distribute the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual and the revised DP1055 – PUNS Form, effective February 2026, and to announce the implementation of related updates to the Emergency PUNS process. Updates appear in underlined red text.

This communication formally distributes:

These updates are part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ continued implementation of the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy and are intended to strengthen the accuracy, consistency, and documentation of Emergency Need determinations statewide.

Please review the announcement for more details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs is pleased to share an upcoming opportunity for professionals across systems to engage in a new Learning Collaborative focused on supporting people with disabilities who are parents or who are planning to become parents.

This Learning Collaborative will bring together professionals from across state and local systems, including providers, supports coordination organizations, administrative entities, and partners in early childhood, behavioral health, and child-serving systems. Participants will engage as regional or local teams to explore effective practices, share resources, and strengthen cross-system collaboration.

Through a series of interactive sessions, the collaborative will focus on:

  • Identifying practical strategies and best practices to support parents with disabilities;
  • Promoting informed choice, supported decision-making, and rights-based approaches;
  • Navigating complex situations with clarity around roles, responsibilities, and system requirements;
  • Connecting individuals and families to a broader network of supports and resources; and
  • Building sustainable relationships across agencies and communities.

The Learning Collaborative is designed as a community of practice, emphasizing shared learning, discussion, and real-world application. While it will not provide regulatory guidance, it will highlight key questions and opportunities to inform ongoing system improvement.

An informational webinar on June 4, 2026, will provide more details about the collaborative, expectations for participation, and how to get involved.

We hope you will consider joining and sharing this opportunity with others in your network.

Registration details will be announced in the coming weeks — stay tuned!

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has notified counties of the finalization of the Cost Center Bulletin, which states:

The purpose of this bulletin is to accommodate data reporting for the changing and growing array of services provided by county Mental Health Administrations using federal, state, and county funding. This bulletin establishes new cost centers, updates existing cost centers, and combines existing cost centers. It enables appropriate reporting and monitoring of expenditure and service information for a number of community mental health services. The reporting of county mental health program costs must conform to the cost centers identified in this bulletin beginning with the County Human Service Plans and Income and Expenditures Report for State Fiscal Year 2026/2027.

The complete bulletin is available here. If you have any questions, please contact OMHSAS via email or RCPA COO and Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-040. This communication states that the updated SPeCTRUM training is now available on MyODP. It also outlines completion requirements and provides guidance regarding documentation, transition timelines, and prior version applicability. This announcement obsoletes ODPANN 19-072, 19-121, and 20-032.

The updated SPeCTRUM training has enhanced webinar capabilities, updated content, and has been streamlined while continuing to provide foundational information necessary to support adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

SPeCTRUM training is available on MyODP’s website.

Questions regarding SPeCTRUM training requirements may be directed to the BSASP Training inbox.

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Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Family Leadership Toolkit, which is designed for state-level professionals and family leaders working to elevate family voices in systems changes. The Family Leadership Toolkit offers practical tools, strategies, and real-world examples to help build strong, collaborative partnerships between professionals and family leaders. You can:

  • Use it to guide leadership development.
  • Share it with your networks and colleagues.
  • Introduce it in meetings, trainings, and planning sessions.
  • Promote it through your organization’s communication channels.

Access The Family Leadership Toolkit here. For questions, please reach out to OCDEL via email.

Additional questions can be directed to RCPA COO and Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is requesting presentation proposals for its 19th annual Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC). The conference will be held virtually with an interactive schedule on November 4 – 5, 2026. PATC invites professionals, clinicians, autistic self-advocates, and their families/caregivers to learn from leading experts in the field of autism supports. We are interested to hear from people who have developed and/or effectively implemented models in the following areas:

  • Communication approaches, modalities, and technical advancements;
  • Supporting autistic individuals with profound support needs;
  • The neuroscience of autism;
  • Applications in genetic testing;
  • Sensory impacts and strategies;
  • Executive functioning;
  • Understanding and implementing the foundational frameworks Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA);
  • Supporting the family and other caregivers;
  • Competitive Integrated Employment; and
  • Community and cultural competence.

Submit your proposal for PATC 2026 here. The deadline to submit proposals is May 29, 2026.

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has distributed the PowerPoint and additional items from the April 1 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting. Highlights from the meeting include:

  • The CAHPS survey results for 2025 were presented at the aggregate level. Several key measures were below the target of 86%, but no specific action plans or remediation was discussed.
  • The transcript reflects the discussion around the opportunities in improved Behavioral Health supports and transportation services.

Also available are the March 11 Follow-Up Responses, including the indication of growing importance of Assisted Living Residences as an “in lieu of” service, as it moves a step closer to becoming an approved CHC waiver service.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

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