ODP
Approved PA Statewide Transition Plan Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is notifying all interested stakeholders that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has approved Pennsylvania’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Statewide Transition Plan. View the ODP announcement as well as the Statewide Transition Plan Infographic for details.
Disability Service Providers Hopeful About Shapiro Addressing Rate Issues: RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley Quoted
ODP Shares Info on the Annual Submittal of Audited Financial Statements
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is providing information on the pending new annual submittal requirement of audited financial statements by qualified residential providers and supports coordination organizations. Please view the announcement for details.
ODP Announces Medication Administration Paper Course Discontinuation and Train-the-Trainer Fall 2023 Schedule
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has reached out to remind Medication Administration trainers that the 2004 paper course, as well as the 2004 and 2013 manuals, will be discontinued and no longer valid for use in training students after December 31, 2023. ODP also wishes to announce the Train-the-Trainer Fall 2023 Schedule. Read the full announcement for details.
PDE Announces A Change in Age of Eligibility for Free and Appropriate Public Education
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a new policy issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) that allows students who are eligible under federal IDEA to access a Free and Appropriate Public Education until their 22nd birthday. This means if a student would have traditionally exited from high school during or after the school term in which they turned 21 years of age, they now may remain in school until their 22nd birthday. This includes students that exited during or after the 2022/23 school term. Students can be reenrolled by contacting the school that the student will attend in the 2023/24 school term as soon as possible and requesting reenrollment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school district. If you require additional assistance from PDE, please send your request via email to PDE.
ODP Announces Targeted Service Recovery and Expansion Supplemental Payments
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a recent announcement that provides eligible providers with the application to receive supplemental funds as part of the ongoing systemic recovery of services for people with an intellectual disability and autism. You can view the announcement here. Eligible providers who are interested in receiving these supplemental payments must complete the application and submit it to Rick Smith by September 30, 2023.
ODP Shares Recall Notice From FDA on Dr. Berne’s Eye Drops
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the following recall information announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products is recalling all lots of MSM DROPS 5% 15% Solution, Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops, and Dr. Berne’s MSM MIST 15% Solution because FDA analysis has found one lot (lot 6786) of Dr. Berne’s MSM DROPS 5% Solution to fail sterility, with both bacterial and fungal contamination found in the product. Out of an abundance of caution, Dr. Berne’s is recalling all other lots of the 5% and 15% strengths of MSM Solution and all lots of Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops and Dr. Berne’s MSM MIST 15% Solution. These products are used as lubricating eye drops.
RISK STATEMENT: Using contaminated eye drops could result in minor to serious vision-threatening infection, which could possibly progress to a life-threatening infection. To date, Dr. Berne’s has received 2 reports of adverse events related to this recall.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using this drug product.
- Consumers/distributors/retailers that have product which is being recalled should stop using and return to the company Sun Star Organics.
- Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products.
Further information is available here.
Positive Approaches Volume 12, Issue 2 Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has shared that the latest edition of the Positive Approaches Journal is now available!
Understanding the Complexities of Behavioral Phenotypes and How to Support People
This issue of the Positive Approaches Journal shares insights from several expert and skilled clinicians into biological and genetic conditions which have been associated with behavioral phenotypes, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, autism, and Down syndrome (Trisomy 21). The field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in general has recognized various characteristic patterns of behavior for various conditions long before the term behavioral phenotype, or even the modern understanding of genetics, was developed. Those familiar with the historical aspects of the field are well aware that past attempts to characterize patterns in those with conditions or syndromes at times contributed to mischaracterizations and to damaging stereotypes of individuals.
This issue of Positive Approaches Journal is in digital form, available for viewing online or for downloading here. To print a copy of the PDF, online journal, or a specific article, you will find these options within your left navigation bar on any Positive Approaches Journal page. A new window will open with your selected document. In your browser, you may click the Print button in the top left corner of the page, or by using the Print capability within your browser.
Please submit feedback regarding your experience with the Positive Approaches Journal on MyODP. The Positive Approaches Journal is published quarterly. For additional information, please contact ODP Training’s inbox.
New Times Available: One-on-One Incident Management Virtual Office Hours
Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) and Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) providers are invited to sign up for a scheduled one-on-one virtual office hour to discuss incident management topics with ODP-BSASP. Providers may sign up for one 30-minute session, and multiple staff from the provider may join at the provider’s discretion. Topics for discussion may include: provider-specific IM issues or concerns; EIM reports; general questions about certified investigations; brainstorming ideas of how to improve “performance” related IM tasks; review of provider IM data and compliance; and discussion of provider trends.
We encourage AAW providers and ACAP to take advantage of this opportunity. Sessions are offered in 30-minutes intervals and are on a first-come, first-served basis. The first session is scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, September 13. To register, visit here. Be sure to complete all required information to reserve a time slot.
Please contact the Provider Support Inbox with questions.
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