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IM4Q

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) wants to continue to expand the use of the Life Sharing service, as this service is rated as having one of the highest satisfactions by individuals for having an everyday life (IM4Q data). ODP is hosting two webinars to provide education and an explanation about the Life Sharing service.

To register:

Please see ODPANN 26-007 for more details.

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Life Sharing is a service that has one of the highest rates of satisfaction aligning with an everyday life (Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q)). The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) wants this service to continue to grow and is providing information to educate everyone about the Life Sharing service. The first step was to create promotional materials to assist with their goal. These documents were created with the assistance of Providers of Life Sharing, Administrative Entities, ODP, and feedback from Supports Coordinators.

In the near future, webinars will also be provided on Life Sharing, and ODP will communicate with stakeholders when these dates are set.

What are These Documents?

There are two documents available:

  1. The Life Sharing Brochure is intended for individuals and families with the hope that Residential Providers that offer the Life Sharing service and Supports Coordination Organizations will print these out and disseminate at their headquarters as well as pass them out as appropriate. This document easily describes what Life Sharing is at a high level.
  2. A one-page document, “Information to Help Supports Coordinators Talk to Individuals and Families About Life Sharing,” is intended for Supports Coordinators to use when having conversations with individuals and families. ODP hopes Supports Coordinators will utilize this form at Individual Support Plan (ISP) meetings and on a more routine basis to help individuals and families understand what the Life Sharing service is and to help them understand there are multiple options for residential services.

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Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) has released its October update, highlighting current activities and opportunities for involvement.

The update includes information on the 2025–2026 cycle, including sample distribution, upcoming survey materials, training reminders, and data system updates. It also provides updates on the external evaluation, Enterprise Case Management reports, and resources available on MyODP. Local programs are encouraged to review and provide feedback on reports, share lessons learned from the QA&I cycle, and ensure required trainings are completed.

In addition, the IM4Q Statewide Steering Committee is seeking new self-advocate and family member participants. The committee brings together individuals with disabilities, families, and system partners to share input and help guide statewide IM4Q efforts. Members meet quarterly (mostly online), are compensated for participation, and play a key role in shaping IM4Q surveys, reviewing reports, and ensuring that stakeholder voices are represented.

  • The full IM4Q October Information Update can be found here.
  • The IM4Q Steering Committee Membership flyer with details on how to join can be found here.

For questions or additional information, please contact Lee Stephens, Human Services Analyst, Office of Developmental Programs, via email or at 717-783-5773.

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As no updates were provided during the recent IM4Q Annual Statewide Training, the following information is shared to provide visibility into what ODP and the technical advisors currently know regarding the start of the new IM4Q cycle.

  • Contacts
    As previously announced, Lee Stephens will be on leave from 8/15 to 9/2. In addition, Ron Melusky is also currently on leave. Toward the end of August, there will be several days when Mary Kay Cunningham and Guy Caruso will be unavailable as well. If any questions or concerns arise during this time, please contact your respective ODP Regional IM4Q Leads.
  • Survey Instruments and Annual Materials
    The 2025–2026 survey materials will be issued following this announcement via a separate email. The additional annual materials will be issued in early September.
  • Tentative 2025–2026 IM4Q Allocations Spreadsheet
    As the Commonwealth does not yet have a signed state budget at this time, ODP cannot yet provide the tentative allocations spreadsheet at this time. Once a budget is in place, ODP will share the information as quickly as possible. However, it is hoped that things will basically remain as last year with only slight modifications for most AEs.
  • 2025–2026 Sampling
    The ODP Data Analytics Unit has begun working on the 2025–2026 AE samples. The extended delay has been brought on by circumstances outside ODP’s influence, and ODP Central Office sincerely regrets this disruption to the process that has been achieved for the last several years. Distribution of the samples will not occur until mid- to late September.
  • HCSIS and ODESA Openings
    The finalization of the samples will determine when HCSIS and ODESA will open for the new cycle. HCSIS could open in early October, but ODESA will most likely not be available until at least mid-November.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-076. This announcement informs all stakeholders that the 2023–2024 IM4Q Statewide Report and Facts and Resources for People with Disabilities, Family Members, and Advocates, has been added to the IM4Q section at MyODP’s website. Please review the announcement for information on how to access these reports.

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Photo by The Climate Reality Project on Unsplash

The 2025 IM4Q Annual Statewide Training (AST) will be held on July 29 – 30 at the Harrisburg Hilton. While it is understood that travel costs may be prohibitive at this time, please remember the IM4Q Manual lists attendance at the AST as a responsibility for all IM4Q local program coordinators and AE leads. Funds should be allocated for the AST each year, even though the AST now alternates between in-person and virtual attendance. Monitors, board members, and supports coordinators are also encouraged to attend as able. SCs may again register two for the price of one.

Registration, especially for the in-person years, is crucial. Registration numbers are used to calculate the number of information packets to be created for attendees and the amount of food needed for the meals that are included. The deadline for registration is July 16, so please use the registration link in the agenda to register at your earliest convenience.

In addition, if hotel rooms are needed, please make your reservations now. The block of rooms at the special rate can only be guaranteed until July 7. Contact info for the Harrisburg Hilton is also included on the agenda.

Questions regarding registration and hotel reservations should be sent to Mary Kay Cunningham electronically.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and its Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) technical advisors, in collaboration with the IM4Q Statewide Steering Committee, have begun partnering with provider association representatives to enhance provider agencies’ understanding of IM4Q and their role in the process. The IM4Q Provider Information Sheet outlines how the IM4Q process works, the ways providers contribute to interviews as well as follow up on identified considerations, and how to request IM4Q data to support their quality management efforts.

Please review ODPANN 25-050 for further details and information.

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The Office of Development Programs (ODP) and its Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) technical advisors, in collaboration with the IM4Q Statewide Steering Committee, have begun partnering with Support Coordination Organization (SCO) representatives to enhance SCs’ understanding of IM4Q and their role in the process. The IM4Q SC Tip Sheet outlines the IM4Q process, SC responsibilities, how to inform the individuals they support, and what occurs after the interview. SCOs are encouraged to share the tip sheet as a reference when training new SCs and with experienced SCs as a refresher.

Please review ODPANN 25-051 for further details and information.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the IM4Q technical advisors at the Institute on Disabilities (IOD) at Temple University have begun connecting and working with provider associations to increase provider agencies’ knowledge of IM4Q and their collaboration in order to improve the lives of Pennsylvania residents within the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) service system. To promote these efforts, provider input is crucial in determining the information and activities needed to accomplish this.

You are invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback!

Please complete one (1) survey per organization and submit responses by Friday, July 11, 2025. Your participation should take less than fifteen minutes, and your response will provide important information to enhance the IM4Q process and strengthen ODP’s overall Quality Management structure.

If you have questions, please contact Lee Stephens via email.

Take the Survey Here
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