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DSP

The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced they will be conducting a webinar about the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program on April 20, 2022, from 10:00 am–11:00 am. A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualifying disabilities (eligible individuals) and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. The webinar will be presented by a representative from the PA Treasury Department.

OLTL Service Coordinators (SCs), Direct Service Providers (DSPs), Community HealthChoices Managed Care Organization (CHC MCO) staff, and any individuals that work on employment are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar, which will help you understand the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants you serve.

Please register using this registration link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Questions regarding this webinar should be directed to Edward M. Butler, OLTL, at (717) 214-3718 or via email.

Message from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL):

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is offering a webinar on the topic of the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Benefits Counseling, which provides individuals, their families, friends, and caregivers information relative to their benefits/services and competitive integrated employment. This overview will be presented by Ms. Joy Smith, AHEDD Work Incentive Planning and Assistance, Certified Work Incentive Coordinator, Regional Manager.

Office of Long-Term Living Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, CHC-MCO staff, and any individuals that work on employment are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar on an overview of Benefits Counseling as it relates to the participants you serve.

The Overview of Benefits Counseling webinar is on April 21, 2022, from 10:00 am–11:00 am.

Please register using this register link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have questions, please contact Edward M. Butler or call 717-214-3718.

ODP Announcement 22-031 provides guidance about the process for providers and Supports Coordination Organizations to request one-time payments to address staff training, credentialing, and business associates programs for employment.

As part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) strategy to strengthen Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), providers can receive a one-time supplemental payment. The following activities would be supported by this funding:

  • Agency adoption of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) core competency training for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs);
  • DSP National Association for Dual Diagnosis certifications;
  • Agency completion of National Association for Dual Diagnosis Accreditation; and
  • Lifecourse Ambassador Series for individuals or agency hosting of the series.
    • Providers are encouraged to be creative in their proposals with an eye towards the development of creating or enhancing career ladders for DSPs, portability, and expansion of a well-qualified workforce and employing the principles of Lifecourse.

Providers interested in applying will need to complete and submit the attached Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment Supplemental Payment Application and submit via email to Rick Smith. Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2022. Funding may be requested up to 1% of ODP eligible service revenue from Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/2020, FY 2020/2021, or $100,000, whichever is greater.

Please see the announcement for full details of this program.

2022 NADSP Advocacy Symposium: Amplifying The Voices Of Direct Support Professionals
March 9–10, 2022
Register Now!

Over 300 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), self-advocates, and family members from almost every state in the country are set to embark on NADSP’s first ever national advocacy event next week on March 9 and 10. The purpose of this virtual event is to bring the DSP perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges.

The NADSP recognizes the previous absence and critical importance of lifting the voices of DSPs to federal policy-makers so that public policy can be informed by the people who are on the frontlines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community. This 1.5-day virtual symposium will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2022.

Registration will close TONIGHT, March 2, 2022, at 8:00 pm EST. 

ODP Announcement 22-022 is to inform all provider agencies employing Direct Service Providers (DSPs) that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be participating in the 2021 National Core Indicators® (NCI) Staff Stability Survey. ODP is requesting qualified providers participate in the 2021 Staff Stability Survey. This important survey includes questions relating to volume, stability, compensation, and benefits of DSPs serving adults 18 years of age and older.

The data gathered from this voluntary and anonymous survey will help ODP, along with other policy makers and advocates, to:

  • Inform policy and program development regarding DSP workforce (DSPW) improvement initiatives;
  • Monitor and evaluate the impact of workforce initiatives;
  • Compare state workforce outcomes with those of other states;
  • Provide context for consumer and family outcomes; and
  • Create systems that more effectively collect, analyze, and use DSP workforce data.

Within the next few weeks, providers will receive an email from HSRI inviting them to participate in this Staff Stability Survey. Those wishing to participate will be furnished with a unique login that will enable providers to directly enter survey responses into the HSRI database. Results of the survey will only be reported in the aggregate, and organizations will not be identified in any way. It is recommended that Human Resources or the Payroll Office complete surveys, and responses should reflect DSPs who were on agency payroll during any period between January 1 and December 31, 2021.

The deadline to complete data entry is June 30, 2022. A copy of the survey is included to allow for preparation of data prior to completing data entry. It is a proprietary tool of the National Core Indicators® and is to be used for reference only.