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Training

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-077. All entities that complete investigations are required to conduct the Certified Investigator Peer Review (CIPR) process as outlined in the CIPR Manual. This course is offered as an opportunity to support entities to complete high-quality CI Peer Reviews that help mitigate risks to individuals receiving services.

There are two parts to the CIPR course:

  • Part 1: The Online Module, which includes three (3) units and a quiz; and
  • Part 2: A live case study session, held via Zoom.

The online module of the CIPR course can be accessed by logging onto the MyODP website and selecting CIPR Training. Please view the announcement for additional information and details.

Beyond Inclusion: Thriving in the Community
September 30 – October 1, 2025
Hosted Virtually

The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced that registration is now open for the 2025 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC). The virtual conference will be hosted on September 30 and October 1. The theme for this year’s conference is Beyond Inclusion: Thriving in the Community. PATC will include presentations and panels from subject matter experts, providers, self-advocates, and families. This conference provides professionals working directly with individuals with autism across the lifespan with tools, strategies, and resources to help provide the most effective support.

Who Should Attend:
Professionals looking to increase their knowledge of and/or ability to support individuals with autism across the spectrum and the lifespan. PATC welcomes all professionals supporting individuals with autism in Pennsylvania, in all systems.

Register and Learn More:
*Please note: You may be prompted to create a MyODP account before you can register for the conference.

Call for Artists:
PATC is pleased to invite artists on the autism spectrum to exhibit their artwork virtually during the conference. They are looking for artists on the autism spectrum to showcase their art in a virtual “art gallery.” Artwork includes:

  • Paintings;
  • Drawings;
  • Photography;
  • Jewelry;
  • Greeting cards;
  • Pottery; and
  • Fabric crafts.

The art show will consist of artwork supplied by artists and will be linked to ODP’s website.
If you are interested in exhibiting your work, please submit your work here.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Children’s Bureau will be conducting a Title IV-E Federal Review for Pennsylvania (PA) in July of 2026. These reviews are mandatory every three (3) years and includes a systematic monitoring of the Title IV-E Foster Care Program. This program provides the cost of foster care maintenance, administrative expenses to manage the program, and training for staff and foster parents. PA’s period under review (PUR) will begin this October 1 and last through March 31, 2026. A random sample of 100 cases of youth in Foster Care will be selected.

In essence, the review considers:

  • Judicial determinations regarding reasonable efforts and child’s best interest;
  • Timely court hearings and determinations;
  • Voluntary placement agreements;
  • Responsibility for placement and care vested with state agency;
  • Eligibility for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) under the state plan in effect July 16, 1996;
  • Placement in a licensed foster family home or child-care institution; and
  • Safety requirements for the child’s foster care placement.

What does this mean for you? The Children’s Bureau will review County and Provider case files of the selected child and all their placement detail. The records must be able to show compliance with Federal Regulations as well as the Child Protective Services Law. The review includes the licensing of all agencies with particular attention on:

  • Criminal Clearances for all staff, including those who are not child serving and those who are no longer employed;
  • No lapse in licensing where Title IV-E claims were made (particularly in single foster homes);
  • Fingerprints provided prior to the licensing date;
  • Safety Considerations document for staff and foster parents with criminal charges or critical incidents;
  • All trainings required for staff and foster parents having been completed; and
  • Clearances for Household Members by 30 days after their 18 birthday.

As such, on August 4, 2025, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, OCYF will be offering a virtual training option to learn more about this review. OCYF will complete the following:

  • Review details expected during the review;
  • Brainstorm PA’s strengths and areas in need of improvement;
  • Create tools to ease document collection; and
  • Address communication gaps.

To register for this virtual training option, please fill out the form here. Please note that the form mentions an in-person option, but OCYF will now only be offering the virtual option.

Please feel free to contact Caitlin Robinson with any questions regarding the registration of this training. Thank you in advance for your participation in this meeting. OCYF appreciates your partnership and cooperation as they move closer to critical audit for PA.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-071. This announcement states that registration for the September – December 2025 Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course classes (also known as cohorts) is now open on the MyODP website. Please view the announcement for details and to register for the course.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-069. This communication announces:

  • A direct path to annual training requirements for IM and protective services for Providers and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO) as outlined in the Chapter 6100 Regulations.
  • A new condensed IM training module that meets 6100.143 (c) (4) requirements.

The module can be found on MyODP by navigating to the “topics” tab and clicking on “Incident and Risk Management” in the dropdown, then clicking on Incident Management Annual training as pictured below OR by this link.

Please view the announcement for additional information and details.

Please share these important PA Family Network workshops and support groups with your network! Register for upcoming events at PA Family Network’s website.

Good Life Support Groups

LifeCourse Workshops

Waiver Workshops

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released ODPANN 25-065: Medication Administration My Agency Report, Updated Materials, and July-September Train-the-Trainer Face-to-Face Schedule. The purpose of this announcement is:

  • To announce that the “My Agency” report is available to Agency Administrators and Primary Contacts in the “Reports” tab;
  • To announce that materials have been updated on the Trainer Resources page and a New Provider tab has been added; and
  • To announce the Face-to-Face schedule for July – September 2025.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

Registration is now officially open for the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive! The conference offers inspiring keynotes and plenaries, over sixty workshops, live updates from both state and national partners, and the ability to interact with exhibitors and sponsors in our Connections Hall! View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule and speakers. You can also register directly here.

We are grateful to all of our sponsors who help make the conference happen. Be sure to check the RCPA Conference website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors. Our mobile app, which we are proud to share is once again being sponsored by Millin, will become available closer to the time of conference and will contain CE information, a detailed agenda, and more!

In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! Opportunities still available include but are not limited to our Hospitality Suite, our Awards Luncheon, entertainment, and meal sponsorships. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, all information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. You can contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.

View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!

The Office of Developmental Program’s (ODP) Room and Board Bulletin was published March 17, 2025, with training that followed for Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing Providers, related professionals, and individuals and families.

These trainings can be found at:

ODP has been collecting FAQs from all stakeholders and developing further guidance to the field. This is the first version of questions and answers. ODP will continue to develop future FAQs as needed.

Read ODP Announcement 25-063 for more details.

CONTACT:

Questions about this communication should be directed to the appropriate ODP Regional Office.