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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is seeking provider input for a brief workforce survey. DDAP is interested in hearing providers’ perspective on which jobs and positions are in short supply or understaffed, the challenges providers face, attempts to address them, and solutions that DDAP should consider. Responses will help inform DDAP’s regulatory reform efforts.
The survey can be taken here.
ODP Announcement 23-016 announces that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is requesting that qualified providers employing DSPs participate in the 2022 State of the Workforce (SoTW) survey. This important survey includes questions relating to the 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 and other important work in this area. Within the next two weeks, providers will receive an email from HSRI inviting them to participate in this SoTW survey.
In addition to the standard survey, ODP has added a series of questions to address several areas in which it has a specific interest. These questions are identified in the PA Supplement section and have PA attached to the question number. The data collected for these questions will not be analyzed by HSRI, but ODP will complete its own analysis.
Results of the survey will only be reported in the aggregate, and organizations will not be identified in any way. It is recommended that the Human Resources (HR) or Payroll Office complete the surveys and that answers should reflect DSPs who were on agency payroll during any period between January 1 and December 31, 2022.
The deadline to complete data entry is June 30, 2023. A copy of the survey is available to allow for preparation of data prior to completing data entry. It is a proprietary tool of NCI® and is to be used for reference only. ODP is eager to be a part of this important project again. Provider participation will help ODP to make sound policy decisions regarding Pennsylvania’s DSPs.
Any questions can be directed to Ms. Lee Stephens, ODP NCI Statewide Lead.
Effective January 1, Act 111 of 2022 amended the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act of 1972 to no longer define fentanyl test strips (FTS) as drug paraphernalia in Pennsylvania, making them a legal, low-cost method to prevent drug overdoses.
The Pennsylvania Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Health, and Human Services, and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency have created a survey to gauge interest in and demand for FTS as the administration works to make them available at no cost across the commonwealth. The survey contains questions on currently available trainings/materials, preferred brands, and current distribution methods and takes about five minutes to complete.
Organizations are urged to complete the survey here and to distribute the link to others.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) invite provider agencies enrolled to deliver the following services to complete a survey on employment services:
Information gathered from the survey on staffing, training, service options, and coordination may influence the provision of employment services funded by ODP and/or OVR for people with disabilities.
This approximately 10 minute survey is voluntary. Responses may be submitted anonymously. The survey should be completed by provider staff responsible for hiring, training, and programmatic decision-making.
This survey will remain open until close of business February 10, 2023. You can complete the survey here.
On an annual basis, the Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) provides approximately 500 hours of training for Personal Care Home (PCH) and Assisted Living Residence (ALR) administrators and staff. In order to help maximize the impact of BHSL’s training programs, members are requested to complete a ten question survey. Survey results will be kept anonymous and will be used to shape their training programs in 2023 and beyond.
This survey is intended only for administrators and staff of a licensed PCH/ALR. The survey is optional; however, your participation is strongly encouraged. The survey will be available until February 28, 2023.
Questions should be directed via email.
Based on feedback that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has received, it has been determined that there is a need for people who are providing Behavioral Support to gather and discuss the service requirements and ODP’s Best Practice Standards, share resources, and develop a network of those providing this critical service.
In 2022, ODP provided this opportunity to Behavioral Specialist Supervisors in their first two cohorts of the Behavioral Support Roundtables. They are looking for more supervisors to participate in the third cohort. If you are willing to be a part of this cohort, they ask that you commit to:
a) Joining ODP virtually for three-hour roundtables once per month for three months (you must be able to attend all 3 sessions in their entirety):
b) Participating during the roundtable with your camera on — ready to share and engage.
If you are interested in participating in this cohort or think you would be interested in future cohorts, please fill out this survey by February 10. ODP will accept providers into the third cohort on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Please know that if you are unable to participate in the above dates or if ODP has closed registration, there will be additional opportunities to join — ODP intends to host cohorts on an ongoing, quarterly basis. Once they have finalized the BSS Roundtable Cohort, they will follow up with additional instructions and information.
Please note that ODP is only able to accept one Behavioral Specialist Supervisor per provider agency. If your organization has multiple supervisors, please choose just one to participate.
Who We Are: Powered by People in PA is one of two Pennsylvania-based teams selected to participate in The National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) self-direction learning collaborative. We are a diverse team that includes a supports brokerage, Supports Brokers, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), people with disabilities with expertise and lived experience to share, family members, a representative of our state Office of Developmental Programs, a Pennsylvania Agency with Choice, and a member of our vendor-fiscal advisory committee.
What We Seek to Accomplish: The goal of the learning collaborative is to promote high-quality self-direction on both a state and national level. Our learning collaborative seeks to recruit and train Support Service Professionals, Supports Brokers, and Peer Mentors to support self-direction.
We developed four (4) surveys to gather feedback from stakeholders about the training needs of Supports Brokers. The feedback will be used to inform recommendations to the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for a Supports Broker Recertification training curriculum.
What We Need from You: We are asking stakeholders to complete the survey that is relevant to their role. The survey is anonymous and will take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Select the appropriate link below to complete the survey:
The surveys will open on January 2, 2023, and close on February 3, 2023.