May 2026 ODP Training Calendar Now Available
ODP
ODP Announces the Release of the Multi-Year Program Growth Dashboard on MyODP
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the release of the Multi-Year Program Growth Dashboard on MyODP. This dashboard presents key metrics aligned with the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Developmental Programs Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy. This strategy is focused on expanding access to home and community-based services (HCBS), increasing system capacity, and making measurable progress toward eliminating the emergency waiting list for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism.
The dashboard will be updated on a quarterly basis and reflects changes in waitlist status, service access, and enrollment trends over time. It is designed to support ongoing monitoring of progress, inform strategic decision-making, and ensure accountability in advancing ODP’s long-term system transformation and service expansion goals.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review the dashboard regularly to stay informed on progress and key developments.
ODP Releases Updated 2025 Employment First Report
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is reissuing the 2025 Employment First Report. The purpose of the reissue is to update data contained in Appendix A and B.
ODP believes that all people with an intellectual disability and/or autism must be encouraged to pursue their vision for an everyday life, which may include working in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment offers a person an opportunity to achieve economic independence, build self-confidence, enhance self-determination, and meet new people while building new skills. The Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication, developed by the ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), which includes self-advocates, reads, “Employment is a centerpiece of adulthood and must be available for every person. The benefits of employment for people with disabilities are significant and are the same as for people without disabilities.” This report serves as an update to all stakeholders on the progress that has been made to support individuals served by ODP on finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.
Access the 2025 Employment First report. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home page.
ODP Shares Updates to PUNS Manual
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared updates to ODPANN 26-028. The purpose of this communication is to distribute the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual and the revised DP1055 – PUNS Form, effective February 2026, and to announce the implementation of related updates to the Emergency PUNS process. Updates appear in underlined red text.
This communication formally distributes:
- The Updated PUNS Manual
- The Emergency Supplemental Form
- Updated to include comment boxes, instructions for duplicating the form, and reviewing submissions.
- Supplemental Form Instructions can be found here.
- The Revised DP1055
These updates are part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ continued implementation of the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy and are intended to strengthen the accuracy, consistency, and documentation of Emergency Need determinations statewide.
Please review the announcement for more details.
Save the Date: ODP Announces Learning Collaborative on Supporting Parents With Disabilities
The Office of Developmental Programs is pleased to share an upcoming opportunity for professionals across systems to engage in a new Learning Collaborative focused on supporting people with disabilities who are parents or who are planning to become parents.
This Learning Collaborative will bring together professionals from across state and local systems, including providers, supports coordination organizations, administrative entities, and partners in early childhood, behavioral health, and child-serving systems. Participants will engage as regional or local teams to explore effective practices, share resources, and strengthen cross-system collaboration.
Through a series of interactive sessions, the collaborative will focus on:
- Identifying practical strategies and best practices to support parents with disabilities;
- Promoting informed choice, supported decision-making, and rights-based approaches;
- Navigating complex situations with clarity around roles, responsibilities, and system requirements;
- Connecting individuals and families to a broader network of supports and resources; and
- Building sustainable relationships across agencies and communities.
The Learning Collaborative is designed as a community of practice, emphasizing shared learning, discussion, and real-world application. While it will not provide regulatory guidance, it will highlight key questions and opportunities to inform ongoing system improvement.
An informational webinar on June 4, 2026, will provide more details about the collaborative, expectations for participation, and how to get involved.
We hope you will consider joining and sharing this opportunity with others in your network.
Registration details will be announced in the coming weeks — stay tuned!
ODP Provides Updated SPeCTRUM Training
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-040. This communication states that the updated SPeCTRUM training is now available on MyODP. It also outlines completion requirements and provides guidance regarding documentation, transition timelines, and prior version applicability. This announcement obsoletes ODPANN 19-072, 19-121, and 20-032.
The updated SPeCTRUM training has enhanced webinar capabilities, updated content, and has been streamlined while continuing to provide foundational information necessary to support adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
SPeCTRUM training is available on MyODP’s website.
Questions regarding SPeCTRUM training requirements may be directed to the BSASP Training inbox.
PATC 2026: Call for Presentation Presenters
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is requesting presentation proposals for its 19th annual Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC). The conference will be held virtually with an interactive schedule on November 4 – 5, 2026. PATC invites professionals, clinicians, autistic self-advocates, and their families/caregivers to learn from leading experts in the field of autism supports. We are interested to hear from people who have developed and/or effectively implemented models in the following areas:
- Communication approaches, modalities, and technical advancements;
- Supporting autistic individuals with profound support needs;
- The neuroscience of autism;
- Applications in genetic testing;
- Sensory impacts and strategies;
- Executive functioning;
- Understanding and implementing the foundational frameworks Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA);
- Supporting the family and other caregivers;
- Competitive Integrated Employment; and
- Community and cultural competence.
Submit your proposal for PATC 2026 here. The deadline to submit proposals is May 29, 2026.
ODP To Hold FMSA Webinar for Individuals and Families May 29, 2026
In 2022, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created the new waiver service Family Medical Support Assistance (FMSA). ODP is scheduling webinars to explain what this service entails, how it works, and who it applies to. ODP is encouraging individuals and families to attend this webinar to learn about this waiver service; there will be time during the webinar for questions to be asked directly to ODP.
Who should attend?
Individuals and Families
Date and Time:
Friday, May 29, 2026
10:00 am – 11:30 am
ODP encourages professionals to share this webinar broadly with the individuals and families they support.
Please note that this session is intended specifically for individuals and families. ODP is offering a sperate session for professionals.
A recording of the webinar will be made available on MyODP following the event.
ODP Issues Details on Residential P4P for FY 2026/27
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released Announcement 26-039 and its accompanying attachment, detailing the Pay-for-Performance (P4P) initiatives under Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) for the 2026/27 fiscal year. These initiatives provide supplemental payments to eligible residential providers who meet or exceed specific performance benchmarks.
Providers of Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing, and Supported Living services provided through the Consolidated and Community Living Waivers that are assigned to the Primary, Select, or Clinically Enhanced tiers are eligible to participate.
P4P Initiative Areas:
- Staff Credentialing: Focuses on stabilizing the workforce by incentivizing DSP and FLS credentialing.
- Criteria: Providers must have 25–30% of DSPs and 45–50% of FLSs credentialed by December 31, 2026.
- Payment: 0.3% of the prior calendar year’s residential revenue, paid in May 2027.
- Rural Capacity Expansion: Supports increasing service capacity in designated rural counties.
- Criteria: Development and approval of a Rural Capacity Expansion Plan with Administrative Entities (AE).
- Payment: Tiered milestone payments (Planning: $10,000; Implementation: $15,000; Stability: $25,000).
- Transition to Independent Living: Incentivizes moving individuals from licensed Residential Habilitation (4 or fewer people) to Life Sharing or Supported Living.
- Payment: Two payments of $15,000 (totaling $30,000 per individual) based on successful transition and six-month retention.
- Remote Supports: Allows providers to retain savings when utilizing remote supports while billing the daily fee schedule rate.
Important Deadlines:
- Credentialing Data Submission: February 15, 2027 – March 15, 2027.
- Rural Capacity Milestones: Submission deadlines vary by milestone (October 2026, January 2027, and April 2027).
Providers should review the detailed criteria in the ODP announcement attachment to ensure internal tracking systems are aligned with the required reporting metrics for 2026/27.
Questions can be directed via email.
ODP to Hold Appeal and Fair Hearing Webinar May 1, 2026
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is anticipating the release of a new bulletin on the Appeal and Fair Hearing process. ODP is scheduling this webinar for individuals, families, and Supports Coordinators (SC). This webinar will explain the information that is included in the bulletin, the process of appealing a decision, and what a Fair Hearing is.
This webinar was developed for individuals and families, but we encourage SCs to attend so they understand the Appeal and Fair Hearing process. Supports Coordinators are responsible for understanding this process so they can assist their individuals and families when they have questions. There will be time throughout the webinar for individuals and families or SCs to ask questions directly to ODP staff about the topic.
Who should attend?
Individuals, Families, and Supports Coordinators
Date and Time:
Friday, May 1, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
ODP encourages professionals to share this webinar broadly with the individuals and families they support.
Please note that this session is intended specifically for individuals and families. We respectfully ask that professionals refrain from attending, as ODP’s goal is to communicate directly with and hear feedback from these audiences.
A recording of the webinar will be made available on MyODP following the event.
