2021 James E. Anderson PA Conference on Juvenile Justice — Registration Opens Friday, October 1
2021
Updated Residential Individual Support Plan (ISP) Virtual Training Sessions for 2021
ODP Announcement 21-061 has been updated to announce revisions to the remaining schedule and registration process for the Residential ISP Staffing full day virtual training sessions during September and October 2021, as described in ODP Announcement 21-057. Changes have been made based on current registration for the remaining sessions.
National Disability Vote Summit 2021
The National Disability Rights Network and the American Association of People with Disabilities will be hosting the 2021 Disability Vote Summit on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, from 12:00 pm–4:00 pm EST.
At the virtual summit, they will explore:
- The power of the disability vote
- Lessons learned from 2020 turnout
- How to use data to mobilize the disability vote
Confirmed presenters include representatives from the National Disability Rights Network, the National Federation of the Blind, SABE Go Voter Project, and more! Join national disability advocates, state and local organizers, policymakers, and others who are working to get out the disability vote.
If you have any questions, please contact Lilian Aluri or Jack Rosen.
2021 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference: October 5–October 7
Save the Date!
Registration will soon be opening for the 2021 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC).
The Office of Developmental Program’s (ODP’s) Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC) will be taking the virtual stage once again in early October 2021. Due to the continuing pandemic, this conference will be conducted virtually on a three-day schedule that will include presentations and panels from subject matter experts, providers, self-advocates, and families. Personal narratives will be interspersed throughout the conference in an effort to highlight the perspective of the individual at the core of what we do.
This conference will provide professionals working directly with children and/or adults with autism, with tools, strategies, and resources to help provide the most effective support.
See the attached flyer for more information!
ANCOR 2021 Direct Support Workforce Crisis Survey
A message from ANCOR:
Dear ANCOR member,
In early 2020, just before the pandemic began to wreak havoc on our lives, ANCOR fielded a survey of its members to discern the ways in which the direct support workforce crisis is impacting organizations like yours.
We understood innately that high turnover was leading to high vacancy rates, added onboarding costs and more. But we wanted to know: what is the human impact of these challenges on provider organizations and the people they support? Is the direct support workforce crisis impacting your ability to accept new referrals? Is it causing you to discontinue lines of service, or delay the launch of new programs? Is it complicating your efforts to achieve quality standards?
The response we received was overwhelming: more than 810 provider organizations responded, giving us a snapshot of just how deep the impacts of this crisis are and illustrating that you’re eager to share your concerns.
That’s why we come to you again with an important ask: we are now fielding a follow-up survey and hope you will take 10 minutes to respond to the questionnaire. Whether you responded to the initial survey or not, we need to hear from you.
Why go through this exercise again, especially so soon after we last solicited such similar data? Quite frankly, we know that although the snapshot we gleaned from the 2020 survey is helpful, it quickly became outdated thanks to the ways COVID-19 has exacerbated many of the challenges described in the survey. Just as our world has changed in the past 18 months, so too has the situation facing community providers. We created this new survey to capture the seismic shifts so we can better adapt to your needs and advocate on your behalf.
The survey can be completed by any organization that provides long-term services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We simply ask that, in order to avoid duplication, only one person per organization complete the survey.
Complete the 2021 direct support workforce crisis survey today.
With gratitude,
ANCOR
Residential Individual Support Plan (ISP) Virtual Training Sessions 2021
ODP Announcement 21-061 announces a full-day virtual training session available for registration in August, September, and October 2021 on Residential ISP Staffing, as described in ODP Announcement 21-057.
The 20 full-day virtual training sessions are geared toward key residential provider and SCO staff who regularly attend team meetings, supervise staff who attend team meetings, or train staff that attend team meetings, and AE staff who review and approve plans. It is expected to be conducted in “mixed” audience groups (Provider, SCO, AE reps and Office of Developmental Programs’ staff) to better assure exposure to a variety of perspectives and roles.
One person per entity is invited to attend to provide a maximum of 30–35 people per session. Participants and their agencies will need to commit to the understanding that, upon completion, they will be a resource at their home agency. The training will be interactive. All training participants must complete the prerequisites located on MyODP on the course registration page.
Pennsylvania Department of Health 2021 Updated Guidance
Alison V. Beam, JD, Acting Secretary of Health
Public Health Recommendations for People Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 DISTRIBUTION
Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) provides this guidance based on available information about COVID-19 and is subject to change. On July 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their recommendations for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 given new evidence on the B.1.617.2. (Delta) variant currently circulating in the United States.
Based on these updated recommendations, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is updating guidance for individuals exposed to COVID-19. This guidance, which replaces PA-HAN-566, provides clarification on quarantine guidance and public health mitigation strategies (e.g., masking, social distancing) based on vaccination status.
- This guidance replaces PA-HAN-566 and provides clarification on quarantine recommendations for persons exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
- In counties with substantial or high transmission, CDC and DOH recommend all persons, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in public indoor settings.
- Fully vaccinated people who have had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are to be tested 2–5 days after exposure and should wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test.
- Regardless of vaccination status, any person with new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 still needs to isolate and be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
- If you have questions about this guidance, please call your local health department or 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
Guidance for 24-Hour Annual Training Requirements in Training Years 2021 and 2022
ODP Announcement 21-060 provides guidance for compliance with annual training requirements specified in the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) regulations for training years that end in 2021 and 2022. ODP’s regulations require that select staff shall complete 24 hours of training related to job skills and knowledge each year and that the annual training content must encompass six areas. Providers that are recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or who are struggling with an insufficient workforce may experience difficulty meeting the 24-hour training requirements.
Please be advised that ODP does not intend to suspend any regulation that requires completion of 24 hours of training related to job skills and knowledge each year, and does not intend to suspend any regulation that requires the provision of training that encompasses the six areas required by regulation. Providers must comply with these requirements. However, in recognition of the potential difficulties that may be experienced in meeting the 24-hour training requirements, the announcement provides guidance that will be applied for training years that end in calendar years 2021 or 2022.
Any training provided that is specific to the COVID-19 pandemic may be counted towards the 24-hour training requirements required by regulation. Training that is specific to the COVID-19 pandemic or is a component of a Department-approved Medication Administration Course may be in addition to training in the six content areas required by regulation or may be a component of these areas.
Regardless of which training method is used, providers must be able to demonstrate to QA&I and Provider Qualification Teams and the Department’s licensing staff that:
- A total of 24 hours of training was provided;
- Some portion of the 24 hours encompassed the six required content areas; and
- Any additional training provided that is counted towards the 24-hour requirement is specific to the COVID-19 pandemic or a Department-approved Medication Administration Course.
For full details, please see ODP Announcement 21-060. Any questions about this guidance should be directed to the appropriate ODP Regional Program Office or the Department’s Regulatory Administration Unit.
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