A message from Deputy Secretary Ahrens:

Dear Administrative Entity Staff and Providers,

The purpose of this message is to notify Administrative Entities (AE) and providers of Community Participation Supports (CPS) that as of July 15, 2022, the routine reporting to AEs and/or the applicable regional office of ODP on the operating status of CPS programs is no longer required. ODP is initiating a new mechanism for data collection on the status of CPS programs.

Going forward, ODP will periodically issue a brief survey to providers to collect information on areas of program operation, including but not limited to:

• Current capacity;
• Infection control strategies;
• Barriers to individuals who were served prior to COVID resuming service;
• Total number of individuals waiting for service; and
• Barriers to program expansion.

The frequency of these surveys is dependent on changes in pandemic and workforce dynamics but will not exceed once a quarter.

ODP will also provide a list of individuals currently authorized for CPS services who have not utilized CPS services at the time of the survey being released. The survey will ask specific questions related to why the individual has not utilized the CPS service as authorized. The first provider survey is targeted for release August 1, 2022. CPS providers will have up to 30 days to complete the survey. Raw data from the survey will be provided to AEs. Summary data will be shared with stakeholders.

Please note: For CPS providers who still have locations closed, we ask that you complete the survey and notify the appropriate AE and/or ODP regional office prior to any program reopening.

Additionally, any program closure should be reported in EIM per the ODP Incident Management Bulletin.

Thank you for your cooperation as we seek to use more efficient methods of collecting program information in order to improve access for those in need of services.

ODP will be sharing this notice on ODP’s Provider Listserv and with the Provider associations. To ensure all CPS providers are aware, AEs, please ensure the CPS providers in your area receive this notice.

Please direct questions to the appropriate regional CPS lead.