';
Tags Posts tagged with "odp announcement"

odp announcement

Deadline, as Letters on a Clock

ODP Announcement 22-072 is to announce that the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) has extended the deadline to participate in the 2021 NCI® Staff Stability Survey to July 31, 2022.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) encourages qualified providers that have not already done so to 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:

  • 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.

Providers that have already completed the survey may also receive a reminder notification to do so, but this will not be intentional and should be discarded. ODP appreciates their cooperation.

A copy of the survey is available 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. For more information, contact Ms. Lee Stephens, ODP IM4Q/NCI Statewide Lead, via email or at 717-783-5773.

ODP Announcement 22-070 announces the release of a new Incident Management (IM) training series on the MyODP website, which focuses on incident prevention and reducing recurrence of incidents.

The course is titled “Preventing Incidents” and is relevant for all stakeholders. This course contains a seven-part training that focuses on the general safety of individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability, using a person-centered approach to prevent future incidents, anticipating situations and recognizing potential signs of mistreatment, communicating what you know and elevating concerns, proactive vs. reactive risk mitigation strategies, developing effective corrective actions, using data to improve overall quality, and self-care, taking care of yourself while supporting others.

Upon completion of the webcast series and successful completion of the post-test, 2 hours of training credits will be awarded. Visit here for a link to the course, which contains the webcast series.

ODP Announcement 20-114 provides an updated timeline on Medication Administration training requirements as it pertains to the “Modified” and “Standard” courses offered by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ODP allowed staff who are required to take the Standard Medication Administration Training Course (“Standard Course”) to take the Modified Medication Administration Training Course (“Modified Course”) until December 31, 2021.

Because the effects of the pandemic are ongoing, staff can continue to take the Modified Course in place of the Standard Course until July 31, 2022.

The Department previously required that staff who took the Modified Course in lieu of the Standard Course complete the Standard Course no later than December 31, 2022. Please be advised that this deadline has been extended to July 31, 2023.

Beginning August 1, 2022, staff persons must take the Standard Course.

This communication is intended to provide guidance to all stakeholders who participate in the process of transitioning an individual from Residential Habilitation Service to Supported Living or Lifesharing. Updated information includes instructions for adding procedure codes for transition payments and directions to AEs. The new language is below:

Once a request is approved, ODP will issue communication directly to the Provider, AE, and SC with instructions for adding the transition payments to the individual’s ISP. The communication will contain procedure codes, steps for adding the service to the ISP, and additional instructions for submitting claims.

By signing the transition request form, the AE is indicating they agree that the provider has presented a plan that ensures the individual’s health and safety needs will be meet in the proposed Lifesharing or Supported Living program. A move date does not need to be determined for a signature to be applied, but the AE may use discretion to request more detailed transition information from the provider to assure a reasonable and safe transition plan is in place.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

ODP Announcement 22-071 serves to inform readers that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Services Overview is now available. This quick guide gives an overview of ODP, program eligibility, who to contact to establish eligibility, and what happens after.

Printable versions in English and Spanish are available. The quick guide is also available on the MyODP and Department of Human Services (DHS) websites.

ODP Announcement 22-064 shares information regarding an online learning opportunity about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) offered through TechOWL. AAC Essentials is an online learning opportunity designed to increase your understanding of AAC.

There are four courses, each for a different audience:

  • Supports Coordinators;
  • AAC Users;
  • Family, Friends, and Direct Support Professionals; and
  • Administrators and Leaders.

Each course offers short lessons ranging from operating and troubleshooting AAC to encouraging AAC. In each lesson, there are buttons for you to ask questions and speak to a Speech-Language Pathologist from TechOWL directly.

These courses are free. Once the course is completed, participants will receive a certificate of completion. All lessons can be explored without completing the course. Training may be accessed through the TechOWL website.

ODP Announcement 22-065 is to inform all HCSIS users and stakeholders of the upcoming disablement of Internet Explorer and the redirection to Microsoft Edge browser. Beginning June 15, 2022, Internet Explorer will no longer be a supported browser for HCSIS. Users will need to use Microsoft Edge to run the application.

Microsoft Edge with IE mode is officially replacing the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application on Windows 10. As a result, the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will go out of support and be retired on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 11.

For further outreach, please refer questions to HCSIS.

ODP Announcement 22-063 announces rate increases for Supported Employment (SE) services and OVR Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is committed to providing quality services to Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Effective partnership with Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) is essential to fulfilling this commitment. Recognizing the unique challenges affecting our CRPs, OVR is modifying service rates for both Supported Employment and Pre-Employment Transition Services. Please see the Supported Employment and Pre-ETS Rate Increases Memo for full details.

ODP Announcement 22-062 is to inform interested parties of the 988 lifeline. Trained crisis response professionals can provide support to individuals considering suicide, self-harm, or any behavioral, mental health, or substance abuse need.

Starting on July 16, 2022, people who call, text, or chat with 988 will be directly connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The existing Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will remain available.

Callers can also connect with the Veterans Crisis Line or receive assistance in Spanish. These services will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are free to any caller no matter where they live.

Additional resources can be found here.