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Policy Areas

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) issued Announcement 26-045 on April 23, 2026, to provide a reminder and detailed information regarding the Family Medical Support Assistance (FMSA) waiver service and upcoming educational webinars.

Family Medical Support Assistance (FMSA) Overview

  • Service Intent: Created in 2022 and approved by CMS, FMSA is designed to relieve families of some of the administrative and coordination responsibilities associated with caring for loved ones with complex medical needs.
  • Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for FMSA, individuals must:
    • Be in Needs Group 3 or higher;
    • Use medically necessary technology;
    • Require nursing care; and
    • Live in a private home (the service is not available to those in Life Sharing, Supported Living, or Residential Habilitation, as these models already include such support).

Core Service Components

The FMSA service is divided into two primary categories of activity:

  1. Administrative and Support Coordination: Performed by qualified staff to assist with:
    • Scheduling and coordinating medical appointments and transportation;
    • Assisting with the acquisition and maintenance of medications, supplies, and equipment;
    • Collaborating with Individual Support Plan (ISP) team members; and
    • Training staff and unpaid supports on non-medical aspects of the ISP.
  2. Nursing Oversight: Performed by a licensed nurse, focusing on:
    • Clinical assessments of the individual’s medical condition;
    • Identifying and providing training related to medically complex conditions for both paid and unpaid caregivers; and
    • Consulting directly with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

CANCELLED: Upcoming Webinars

ODP has cancelled these webinars:

  • For Professionals: Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
  • For Individuals and Families: Friday, May 29, 2026, from 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Questions regarding this communication or the FMSA service should be directed to the appropriate ODP Regional Office.

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Temple University is conducting a survey to better understand and improve employment services for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania, including those who use languages other than English.

This information will be included in the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA), conducted in collaboration with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (PaRC), and will inform the State Plan.

You are eligible if you:

  • Are 18 years or older;
  • Work for an organization in Pennsylvania; and
  • Work for an organization that provides services to people with disabilities who speak languages other than English.

The survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. It asks about your experiences providing employment services, including challenges, supports, and training needs. Participants will receive a $25 gift card.

Participate in the survey, or learn more

Thank you for considering this opportunity to share your experiences and improve services for people with disabilities who speak languages other than English.

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RCPA member Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh has announced that it has moved its main office from the South Side to Scott Township. They are happy to invite everyone to the Grand Opening of the Emmaus Community Welcome Center! Grand Opening events will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and Monday, May 4, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The events will include light food and beverages, tours of the new space, and an opportunity to learn more about the Emmaus mission and services.

All are welcome, and Emmaus would love to see you there (along with your families or others who may be interested in Emmaus)! The building is fully accessible, and parking will be available on site. If you’re able to join, please RSVP using this link, so that they are able to estimate attendance:
Emmaus Community Welcome Center Grand Opening RSVP

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Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

Family-Centered Care: One Organization’s Revolutionary Approach to Include Families in All Aspects of Care

Due to a widespread technical malfunction, this webinar was rescheduled from Monday, April 20, to Monday, April 27. If you wished to attend the webinar and were unable to make the April 20 date, you can now register for April 27 at 1:00 pm!

Monday, April 27, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT;
11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT
Register Here

Donna Provenzano, Director of Family-Centered Care

Donna Provenzano is the Director of Family-Centered Care at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has thirty-nine years of experience in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families at Children’s Specialized. Donna serves on several hospital leadership committees and councils and provides administrative and operational management of Family-Centered Care and Volunteers. She supervises and partners with Family Faculty staff and coordinates with the Family Advisory Council. Donna has presented both nationally and internationally on Patient- and Family-Centered Care. Under Donna’s leadership, her department received the IPFCC Family-Centered Care Partnership Award for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in 2022. Donna has received additional leadership certifications from the Harvard Business School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College.

Linda Waddell, Family Faculty Manager

Linda Waddell is the Family Faculty Manager at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has been employed at the hospital as a Family Faculty since June of 2008 and a member of the Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Family Advisory Council since 2014. On behalf of the hospital, Linda has presented with her team on Patient- and Family-Centered Care at regional, national, and international conferences. Most recently, Linda was a member of a panel that presented at the 2024 RISE Summit “Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): A Look into Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Program in NJ and Beyond.” Linda participates in various hospital committees and is also a member of the IPRC Steering Committee, where she provides a family member’s perspective for discussions and decision-making.

Linda was the 2019 recipient of the Lester Z. Lieberman Humanism in Healthcare Award and received the IPFCC 30th Anniversary 2022 Partnership Award on Social Determinants of Health. Linda received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Kean University. Linda’s first experience with Children’s Specialized Hospital began in 1999, receiving multiple services for her newborn, medically fragile baby. She became an expert in the experience of pediatric rehabilitation through caring for her daughter with medical complications.

Family Faculty at Children’s Specialized Hospital are paid positions held by parents and family members whose children have received or are still receiving services at Children’s Specialized Hospital Inpatient, Outpatient, or Long-Term Care sites. Their own day-to-day experiences provide a unique perspective, understanding, and empathy for families going through similar situations. Family Faculty partner with staff and families to build a respectful and understanding relationship by listening, providing insights, and encouraging positive communication between staff and families.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will identify strategies to:

  • Embed Patient- and Family-Centered Care into your organization;
  • Cultivate respectful partnerships and collaboration with leadership, staff, and families;
  • Include families in education and training of staff at all levels; and
  • Engage families and staff in creating valuable resources.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has clarified qualification requirements for Residential Habilitation in the Consolidated Waiver specifically for individuals with a Medically Complex Condition (MCC).

Currently, there are about ten providers qualified to provide Residential Habilitation to individuals with an MCC in the Consolidated Waiver. To ensure that individuals with an MCC have access to needed services, current residential providers are encouraged to become qualified to provide Residential Habilitation to individuals with a MCC.

Please see ODPANN 26-044 for more information and details on the following:

  • Why Should Providers Become Qualified?
  • What are the Steps for Current Residential Providers to become an MCC Residential Habilitation Provider?
  • What are the Responsibilities of the Administrative Entity (AE) to Support Current Residential Providers to become MCC Qualified?

Questions about this communication should be directed to the appropriate ODP Regional Office.

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Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Governor Shapiro has made student mental health a priority, investing nearly $400 million in school-based mental health and school safety since January 2023. The proposed 2026/27 budget includes a continued investment of $111 million for school safety and mental health supports, with $100 million of these funds allocated through the Pennsylvania Commission of Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) as a non-competitive grant.

Student mental health continues to be the largest instructional challenge in schools, with more than 80% of school districts reporting that a shortage of qualified mental health care providers is the biggest challenge in connecting students to the care they need. Despite significant investments, why can students not access the mental health care they require to thrive?

The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) and the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition members urge the Pennsylvania General Assembly to consider these blueprint recommendations. Never before have we had the opportunity to fund and act so decisively.

The full letter can be read here.

The Mental Health Safety Net Coalition is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meetings that will be occurring throughout the budget season.

The next Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 6, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions or if you would like to join the Coalition.

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced that Governor Shapiro signed three new executive orders (EO) to benefit people with disabilities. The following information comes from the Office of Long-Term Living:

The first Executive Order rescinds and replaces EO 2002-5 and will protect the rights, dignity, and privacy of people with disabilities by reaffirming the Commonwealth’s longstanding nondiscrimination commitment and emphasizing the need that these protections require renewed attention and action, not just compliance. This order will ensure data collection by Commonwealth agencies is limited to the minimum data necessary and proper processes are followed by Commonwealth agencies, including collection in health care, research, and compliance in the law.

The Governor’s second Executive Order rescinds EO 2006-09 and EO 2016-03 and establishes the Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities, which will consist of up to 30 volunteer members, appointed by the Governor, including individuals with disabilities, family members, or those with relevant expertise. The members will serve two-year terms. The new commissioners will recommend policy changes across the disabilities spectrum, engage with federal/state/local agencies, communicate Administration initiatives to the public, and compile information on programs, funding, and additional supports to create an inclusive resource for individuals with disabilities and their family members across Pennsylvania.

Individuals interested in the Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities Executive Director position, may apply here or by visiting the Commonwealth of PA – Opportunities for All Job Seekers page.

The third Executive Order rescinds EO 1997-2 and reestablishes the Development Disabilities (DD) Council so that it can continue to fulfill Pennsylvania’s obligations under the federal Developmental Disabilities Act. The independently operated DD Council is more narrowly focused than the newly-created Commission and will advise the Governor on all matters affecting individuals with developmental disabilities in Pennsylvania, and advocate for improved independence, productivity, and community inclusion. The Council will continue to develop and implement a statewide plan and advocate for systemic change across the Commonwealth.

More information about the Governor’s press release and the three new Executive Orders can be found on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Newsroom page.

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