The January 2024 OMHSAS Stakeholder Webinar will take place from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. To attend, participants can register at the provided link. Attendees joining via phone can use the following details: Call-in Number: 415-655-0052, Access Code: 864 573 027.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MST, 10:00 am – 11:00 am PST
Please join us as the IPRC hosts special guests from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. They will discuss practical strategies rehabilitation clinicians can employ to optimize care for Autistic individuals in medical settings.
Meghan Keenan, MOT, OTR/L
Meghan Keenan is a Senior Occupational Therapist and an Occupational Therapy Site Manager for the Greenspring Campus at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. She graduated with a Masters of Occupational Therapy from Temple University in 2004 and is currently working on her post profession doctorate at the University of Montana. While she has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, for the past 14 years, she has specialized in providing care for Autistic children at Kennedy Krieger Institute through the Center for Autism and Related Disorders. Meghan is passionate about caregiver training for the families she works with and eliminating barriers to care, so patients and their families can successfully engage in meaningful occupations.
Jessica Pontius, MS, CCC-SLP
Jessica Pontius is a Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in diagnostics and treatment of Autism, particularly in toddlerhood through adolescence. She graduated with her Master of Sciences in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University in 2021. Jessica’s primary areas of interest are in early childhood diagnostics and adolescent executive functioning and literacy. She currently works in the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:
Audience: This webinar is intended for all members of the rehabilitation team including medical staff, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, licensed psychologists, mental health professionals, and other interested professionals.
Level: Intermediate
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
The Pennsylvania Compulsive and Problem Gambling Annual Report for 2022/23 outlines the impact of programs funded by the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund. According to the report, around $8.3 million was transferred to support crisis counseling, awareness programs, and treatment services. The funds were distributed among Single County Authorities to conduct needs assessments and prevention programs. Additionally, the gambling treatment providers received direct support from the funds. Outpatient treatment providers spent $469,145 in 2022/23, focusing on monitoring demographics such as age, race, ethnicity, income, and preferred gambling methods. The Pennsylvania Gambling Helpline received 2,834 calls, indicating an increase from the previous year, with financial hardship being a common issue.
For a comprehensive overview, including detailed statistics on treatment admissions, demographics, and gambling methods, refer to the full report.
On January 8, 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced the availability of $2.8M in reemployment funds for the Direct Care Worker Job Quality (DCWJQ) Grant. The grant funding is to be used to boost PA’s direct care workforce by improving job quality and increasing career advancement opportunities. Applicants may request awards of up to $600,000 each.
Additional information about this funding is posted on the L&I grant opportunity web page. This information includes the grant itself, the application form, project summary, budget form, and the Worker Protection and Investment Certificate form.
The application deadline for the DCWJQ Grant is February 29, 2024, at 4:00 pm ET.
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites you to join the Statewide Quarterly Positive Approaches & Practices virtual meeting on January 24, 2024. The meeting will be held from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and focus on restrictive procedures. OMHSAS and ODP will discuss restrictive procedures as they relate to the licensing of Community Residential Rehabilitation (CRR) services, Inpatient Psychiatric services, Long-Term Structured Residences (LTSR), Residential Treatment Facilities for Adults (RTF-A), and Community Homes. There will also be a panel presentation to review some of the strategies associated with the development of restrictive procedures, including tips for the creation of plans consistent with best practice strategies.
Please view the flyer for detailed session and registration information.
The Early Intervention Providers Association is hosting the “Early Intervention Advocacy Agenda Webinar” on Monday, January 30, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. The webinar aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the federal and state systems related to early intervention. It will explore the intersection of policy and early intervention, highlighting how policies impact daily activities and the relationship between fieldwork and overarching programs. Participants will learn how to align their daily work with the PA Part C Advocacy Agenda and gain insight into the impact of state requirements on their field activities. The discussion will emphasize the connection between work and policy for the greater good of Part C Early Intervention Services. Attendees will also receive a certificate for 1.5 hours of Infant/Toddler training. Register for the webinar here.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-005, which provides updated guidance to Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Supports Coordinators (SC) and their supervisors for adding the transportation service to ISPs. This communication obsoletes ODPANN 20-045. Please view the announcement for information and details.
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