Reminder for Navigating New Horizons: Empowering IDD Service Teams Through Technology — Relias Webinar on July 25
DSP
The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University to Offer Paid Interview Opportunity About DSP Workforce
The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is inviting people to participate in a paid interview about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce.
Who can participate?
- Current and former Direct Support Professionals (DSP) or Support Service Professionals (SSP).
- Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) or their family members with experience of migration and/or the DSP workforce crisis.
- Direct support providers.
View the flyer for details about this project, including why and how to participate. To schedule an interview or learn more, please contact the team via email or at 215-204-7177.
Governor Shapiro Signs Bipartisan 2024/25 Budget
On July 11, 2024, Governor Shapiro signed a bipartisan 2024/25 budget that invests in a range of fields, from health care to public transportation to education. The details of the budget are available in the Governor’s Press Release, which highlights each field and dollar amounts signed. In particular, the budget addresses:
- Supporting PA’s ID/A community and Direct Support Professionals (DSP);
- Investing in gun violence prevention;
- Increased funding for nursing homes and the Aging Our Way plan;
- Combatting maternal mortality; and
- Further investments in mental health.
RCPA Policy Staff will be reviewing the budget in great detail over the next few days. We plan to reach out to our members with updates and key information as more becomes available and analyzed. If you have any questions regarding the budget, please reach out to your Policy Director.
ANCOR Shares Message on Advocating for SOC for DSPs
Navigating New Horizons: Empowering IDD Service Teams Through Technology — Relias Webinar on July 25
MITC Presents the 2024 DSP Awards
Individuals, Providers, and Advocates Gather to Discuss Funding for Vital Disability Services in 2024/25 Budget
Self-advocates joined RCPA, several legislators, and other associations and provider organizations at a press conference to support ID/A funding in the state budget on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. As part of his 2024/25 budget proposal, Governor Josh Shapiro called for investing $483 million in state and federal funds into the network of care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). If enacted, the funding would allow more individuals to access professional support and services as well as relieve families of around-the-clock caregiving duties. ID/A providers across Pennsylvania have long called for increased state investments, and this allocation will allow providers to recruit and retain more direct support professionals (DSP) who have cared for these individuals at low wages. The lack of DSPs and funding have caused thousands of Pennsylvanians to wait months or more for services and support.
Sherri Landis of the Arc of PA spoke, as did Representatives Kinsey and Heffley.
In addition, many self-advocates, including DSPs and family members of those with ID/A, attended and spoke about the need for funding.
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90.5 WESA: PA Human Service Officials Say Budget Proposal Will Eliminate Wait List for Disability Services, RCPA Member Achieva Quoted
SOC Revision Process Beginning — Public Comment Period Open Until August 12
ANCOR has shared that the first step to revise the Standard Occupational Classification process has begun. Today the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), on behalf of the Standard Occupational Classification Policy Committee (SOCPC) — which is the committee that makes recommendations to OMB for potential revisions — announced it is beginning the review of the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Manual for revisions to be made for 2028, and that it is soliciting public comment.
This is an opportunity to write comments in support of revisions to the SOC, in particular for the creation of a code for direct support professionals. In its notice for comments, OMB specifically notes that it “solicits and welcomes comments related to any aspect of occupational classification, especially comments concerning . . . whether to consider the addition of new detailed occupations or occupational groups, including specifically care workers.”
The public comment period is open until August 12, 2024. ANCOR will be submitting comments and providing additional guidance and tools to submit comments in the coming weeks.
For more information, the notice is available on the Federal Register website.
ODP Hosts Second Provider Preparedness Summit
Today, June 10, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held the second of four Provider Preparedness Summits for Residential Providers. More discussion on specific performance standards for Performance-Based Contracting took place. The PowerPoint is now available, and a recording of the session will be posted shortly on the MyODP website.
ODP staff in attendance answered many questions submitted by providers, and the discussion was primarily focused on staff credentialing. Credentialing is unique to the DSP, is portable, and requires recertification every two years. A quick google search on NADSP will provide a thorough e-badge handbook.
There are two additional summits planned, and ODP will be recording each summit. Providers are encouraged to attend all four sessions as well as watch a pre-recorded webinar. All of these resources can be found on the MyODP website.
