MyODP News Online
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2022 Everyday Lives Conference Virtual Platform Training
Wednesday, May 11 at 1 PM
Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 PM
The 2022 Everyday Lives Conference begins on May 17th and will be held through a virtual platform called Whova. ODP is hosting two training sessions to provide individuals, families, and all other stakeholders instructions on how to join the conference and make the most of your experience.
Updated May 6, 2022 15:55
Quarantine & Isolation Calculator
With guidance from the CDC constantly evolving, it can be hard to stay up to date with the latest information. If you or the people you support are having trouble navigating what to do, The Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) has created a helpful Quarantine and Isolation Calculator.
Employment Forum Meeting
The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) invites you to join an employment forum on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Don't forget to register! 2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference
An Everyday Life in a Changing World: A Focus on Wellness and Resilience
Have you registered yet? Registration is now open for the 2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference starting on May 17th and ending on June 16th. Weekly one-to-two day conference tracks will occur throughout the month.
ASD Online Safety Training Needs Survey
The Office of Developmental Program (ODP) and the Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training Collaborative (ASERT) want to learn more about the training and resource needs of professionals who support individuals on the autism spectrum in safely navigating virtual platforms (the internet, meeting platforms, and other online spaces).
Updated April 29, 2022 16:15
New Episode of A Supporter's Toolbox
Quality of Life: Do Something About It
We throw the words "quality of life" around a lot in our field. We will talk about putting those words, or this concept, into action through small everyday changes and through understanding happiness behaviors.
Updated April 28, 2022 14:17
Pennsylvania Career Guide
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry recently release the 26th edition of the Pennsylvania Career Guide. Whether you are a student, an educator, a first-time jobseeker, a parent, or a person considering a career change, you will find that the Pennsylvania Career Guide is a valuable resource as you make those all-important career decisions.
Updated April 15, 2022 10:28
The Arc of Pennsylvania Customized Employment Job Development
The Arc of Pennsylvania invites you to join its Customized Employment Job Development Program Attendees will learn how to develop an employer-focused approach to negotiating customized job descriptions on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
Updated April 13, 2022 14:42
Butler County Disability Summit
Updated April 12, 2022 11:16
AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit
We wanted to highlight a fantastic resource, the AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit. This website has information and worksheets for adults on the autism spectrum, supporters, and healthcare providers. It focuses on primary healthcare or healthcare with a regular doctor.
Updated April 11, 2022 16:04
April is Autism Acceptance Month
April marks National Autism Acceptance Month. To recognize the annual awareness campaign, Governor Tom Wolf recently signed a proclamation that highlights the challenges people with autism face as well as Pennsylvania's commitment to meeting the needs of people with autism and their families.
Updated April 11, 2022 13:31
April Communication Corner - Echolalia
The latest edition of Communication Corner is now available! Communication Corner is a monthly publication from the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations that focuses on communication skills for support professionals.
Updated April 7, 2022 16:50
ARPA Supplemental Payment Q&A Webinar Now Available
The ODP Webinar held on April 4, 2022 titled "ARPA - Supplemental Payment to Address Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment Q&A" is now available to view on MyODP.
Updated April 7, 2022 16:48
CDC Booster Recommendation Update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children 5 and older be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting an initial booster when eligible.
Updated March 30, 2022 15:13
US Department of Justice Issues Web Accessibility Guidance Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
The Department of Justice recently published guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It explains how state and local governments (entities covered by ADA Title II) and businesses open to the public (entities covered by ADA Title III) can make sure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities in line with the ADA’s requirements.
Updated March 25, 2022 16:37
New Episode of A Supporter's Toolbox
Stay on Track By Setting Goals
A new episode of A Supporter's Toolbox is now available! The ODP Podcast is an audio series on a dedicated topic with a targeted audience in mind. Each podcast in our first series, A Supporter's Toolbox, has a duration of 7-10 minutes and focuses on getting tools to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and other supporters.
Updated March 25, 2022 13:42
2022 ASD Virtual Seminar
Positive Behavioral Supports: Meaningful, Everyday Application
The 2022 ASD Virtual Seminar series, Positive Behavioral Supports: Meaningful, Everyday Application, begins on April 6th. There is still time to register!
Updated March 25, 2022 10:04
ASD Acceptance Month: Hear a Spectrum of Voices & Views
ASERT invites to you join a series of panel discussions throughout April in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month to hear a spectrum of voices and views on what neurodiversity means in 2022.
Updated March 24, 2022 16:58
Summer Academy for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
The Summer Academy is a two-week program for high school students who are deaf or hard of hearing and preparing for entry into post-secondary education leading to competitive integrated employment.
Updated March 10, 2022 16:34
New Episode of A Supporter's Toolbox
Go With the Flow
Finding something that puts us in a state of flow or a state where one is fully immersed and enjoying an activity helps us minimize unpleasant things in our lives, makes us more productive, and generally makes us happier. We will talk about how we can support someone to intentionally find more flow in their lives.
Updated March 9, 2022 11:09
Charting The Lifecourse Showcase
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The national Charting the Lifecourse (CtCL) Nexus will be hosting its sixth annual showcase on April 13 and 14, 2022.
Updated March 8, 2022 12:22
Disability Awareness Month in Pennsylvania
Governor Wolf's office recently signed an official proclamation establishing March 2022 as Developmental Disability Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.
Updated March 7, 2022 09:28
How to Get a Better Night's Sleep
Sleep is so important to our overall wellbeing, but we often don’t realize when sleep troubles may be affecting the waking parts of life. If you or the person you support wake up feeling tired, chances are you are not getting enough sleep.
Updated March 7, 2022 09:18
Save the Date - 2022 ASD Virtual Seminar
Positive Behavioral Supports: Meaningful, Everyday Application
We are always looking for better ways to support someone to achieve the quality of life they desire. This requires a social, behavioral, and biological understanding of that person. Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) is an empirically documented, person-centered approach that can be used in day-to-day supports for all people across all systems.
Updated February 18, 2022 15:21
DHS Adult Protective Services Media Toolkit
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Adult Protective Services (APS) has developed a media toolkit designed for facilities, mandatory reporters, and community members to assist in the awareness of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment of adults ages 18 to 59 living with a disability within the commonwealth.
Updated February 16, 2022 15:21
2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference - Save the Date!
The Office of Developmental Programs invites you to save the date for the 2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference. The Everyday Lives Conference is a statewide event that presents pertinent information to individuals with a disability and/or autism, their families, and the professionals that support them in an effort to empower individuals to live their ideal everyday life.
Updated February 14, 2022 16:03
DOJ Guidance on Visitation in Medical Facilities and Accessibility of Outdoor Retail/Dining
On January 5, the Department of Justice updated its “Common Questions About COVID and the ADA” to address visitation in medical facilities and accessibility of outdoor dining and retail spaces.
Updated February 3, 2022 10:40
Call for Proposals for the 2022 PA Community of Practice Transition Conference
The 2022 PA Community of Practice Conference planning team is requesting proposals to present at the 2022 PA Community of Practice Transition Conference on August 10-11, 2022.
Updated January 29, 2022 14:33
December Communication Corner - What Did You Say?
The latest edition of Communication Corner is now available! Communication Corner is a monthly publication from the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations that focuses on communication skills for support professionals.
Updated January 28, 2022 11:17
TRAIN Recruitment
Individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism are at an increased risk of experiencing trauma, which requires a response from a well-trained workforce. To help clinicians better identify and address symptoms of trauma, the ASERT team created TRAIN.
Updated January 26, 2022 12:08
Help with ordering free at-home COVID-19 tests
On January 14, the White House announced a new initiative to help ensure Americans have COVID-19 tests on hand in case they are needed.
Updated January 24, 2022 09:38
ODP Training Needs Survey
To better support professionals assisting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), and the Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training Collaborative (ASERT) want to learn more about the training needs of professionals related to the implementation of Positive Behavioral Supports.
Updated January 21, 2022 14:12
CDC's "Your Guide to Masks"
With the continued surge of the Omnicron variant of COVID-19, we wanted to share the most recent CDC Guide to Masks. This guide includes some helpful visuals that may benefit you and the people you support.
Updated January 21, 2022 13:24
Use of Remote Supports in Residential Settings Webinar
The ODP webinar held on Tuesday, January 18 titled Use of Remote Supports in Residential Settings and accompanying resources can now be found on my ODP.
Updated January 20, 2022 16:32
New Episode of A Supporter's Toolbox
The Right to be Wrong (and Eat Too Many Doughnuts)
How do we balance keeping someone safe and protecting their autonomy while experiencing the consequences of their choices? We will talk about helping someone learn to make good choices while acknowledging they may fail or be wrong.
Updated January 19, 2022 09:56
The Arc of Pennsylvania Discovery Training
The Arc of Pennsylvania invites families and professionals to register for its Discovery Training. The Arc Discovery Training offers a comprehensive overview of Discovery (an alternative to traditional vocational assessments) and instruction on facilitating the Discovery process.
Updated January 18, 2022 13:14
A Pennsylvania Gathering: Critical Topics in Autism
Interested in hearing the stories from others about communication, advocacy, and maintaining connections? ASERT will continue their Critical Topics in Autism series led by self-advocates on January 20, 2022 from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.
Updated January 14, 2022 15:26
Wolf Administration Announces New Support for Long-Term Care Facilities
The Wolf Administration today announced a new initiative to help long-term care facilities respond to COVID-19 and improve resiliency.
Updated January 12, 2022 10:02
Operation Expanded Testing (OpET)
COVID-19 testing is an essential activity that increases safety for congregate care settings as part of a comprehensive mitigation strategy. Operation Expanded Testing (OET) is a federal testing resource that may be useful to your organization.
Updated January 11, 2022 09:39
New Episode of A Supporter's Toolbox
Being Connected: An Alternative to Worry
Uncertainty, worry, stress, and anxiety make our brains do crazy things. We will talk about how being connected and having a purpose outside ourselves can change that.
Updated January 7, 2022 14:21
PA Unites Against COVID - Stopping the Spread of Omicron
Here's a reminder from the Office of Administration and PA Unites Against COVID:
With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreading rapidly, it is important that we all continue to take steps to protect ourselves and others.
Updated January 5, 2022 09:53
Capacity Building Institute - Application Period Now Open
ODP invites professionals across the service partnership to apply for the Capacity Building Institute. The Capacity Building Institute aims to help professionals gain the skills necessary to support individuals with a dual diagnosis – intellectual disability with co-occurring mental health issues, and challenging behaviors.
Updated January 4, 2022 13:30
Supports Broker Certification Training Offered
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has contracted with the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University to provide a Supports Broker Certification training class. The training will be offered virtually on January 27 and 28, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Updated January 3, 2022 18:42
December Communication Corner - Executive Functioning
The latest edition of Communication Corner is now available! Communication Corner is a monthly publication from the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations that focuses on communication skills for support professionals.
Updated December 29, 2021 16:18
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