January 24, 2020

Welcome to MyODP News Online Weekly Digest. If you previously received the monthly newsletter via listserv, you will now receive this abstract of our online news instead. MyODP News Online Weekly Digest will be sent each Friday and contains our Front Page News stories.  All articles are contained within this digest. Story suggestions and/or comments may be sent to: ra-pwmyodp@pa.gov

2020 Disability and Mental Health Summit to be held in Pittsburgh

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Medical Director and Clinical Director are slated to present at the annual Disability and Mental Health Summit, hosted by Representative Dan Miller. Held March 3^rd at the David L Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, the event celebrates the 30^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Over forty planned sessions focus on both disabilities and mental health. The Summit expects over 150 exhibitors and a Resource Fair to run from 8 AM to 7 PM.   

Read Full Article

HCQU Looks to Virtual Reality (VR) to Improve Training 

Pennsylvania's Health Care Quality Units (HCQUs) are constantly evaluating the status quo in caregiving. One HCQU, Milestone, is looking to advancements in technology to improve training methods.

Read Full Article

Communication Corner

Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), American Sign Language (ASL), and picture supports can:

- Enhance communication

- Support language development

- Increase participation

- Reduce challenging behaviors

These supports do not interfere with speech development.

Source: Janice Light at Everyday Lives, (Light, McNaughton, & Carson, 2019)

By using multiple modes of communication, we are giving those we support more opportunities to understand and express messages!

For more information on the Communication Corner, please contact the Special Populations Unit at RA-ODPDeafServices@pa.gov

20-002 Open for Public Comment: Proposed Heightened Scrutiny Information for Residential Service Locations and Accompanying Attachments

Comments are being sought on attachments #1-#3 until 11:59 PM on Monday, February 17, 2020.

Community Health Choices Fact Sheet: Medicare/Medicaid Billing

CHC is now live across Pennsylvania. Make sure you and your coworkers have the information you need about CHC

Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Provider Agreement

Effective January 1, 2020, the Provider Agreement must be filled out and submitted by the legal entity of each waiver provider.

ACRE Basic Certification Training for Providers of Employment Services

Please refer to the attached flyer for details on sessions scheduled for March 11-13, 2020 at the Orrstown Bank on 4750 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Registration is required.

ODP's Weekly Digest of Announcements Sent Between January 13, 2020 through January 17, 2020

Thank You for following MyODP Communications!

January 17, 2020

Modified Medication Administration Course Update

12% of Lifesharers have completed the Modified Medication Administration Course since its launch, January 1, 2020.

Read Full Article

The Lifesharing Experience: Shanisha & Ruth

Shanisha is a 27-year-old Lifesharer who resides with Ruth Hursh. 

The 2020 Everyday Lives Conference Coverage

The 2020 Everyday Lives Conference came to a close with a bittersweet end in the "Sweetest Place on Earth." See coverage from each day of the event.

Everyday Lives Conference LIVE Coverage - Day 1

Everyday Lives Conference LIVE Coverage - Day 2

Everyday Lives Conference LIVE Coverage -  Day 3

Communication Specialist Service Infographic Answers Questions

Everyday Lives Recommendation #1 states that, "Every person has an effective way to communicate in order to express choice and ensure his or her health and safety.

20-001: Modified Medication Administration Training Course Now Available 

To announce the release of the Modified Medication Administration course. This course is a requirement under the Chapter 6100 regulations for individuals supporting a family member in an unlicensed Lifesharing home.

19-167: ACRE Basic Certification Training for Providers of Employment Services

To disseminate a training opportunity open to providers of employment services

19-165: Registration Now Open for Spring 2020 ODP Quality Management (QM) Certification Classes

To provide information on the application process for ODP’s Spring 2020 QM Certification Classes.

ODP's Weekly Digest of Announcements Sent Between December 30, 2019 through January 3, 2020

Thank You for following MyODP Communications!

December 2019 Digest

Welcome to MyODP News Online Weekly Digest. If you previously received the monthly newsletter via listserv, you will now receive this abstract of our online news instead. MyODP News Online Weekly Digest will be sent each Friday and contains our Front Page News stories. For December 2019 all articles are contained within this digest. Story suggestions and/or comments may be sent to: ra-pwmyodp@pa.gov

2020 Everyday Lives Conference Information

The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will host the statewide 2020 Everyday Lives Conference January 7, 8, and 9 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. Join hundreds of individuals, families, and professionals in three days of collaboration, education, and innovation that celebrates the everyday lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read Full Article

Registration Open!

Registration for the 2020 Everyday Lives Conference in Hershey, PA is now open! The Office of Developmental Programs invites supports professionals, clinical professionals, individuals, and families to engage in three days of presentations focused on empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read Full Article

#ASD Next Seeks Input from Young Adults with Autism

#ASDNext, an initiative of the Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training (ASERT) Collaborative, hopes to create a community among young adults with autism who might not feel like they have one already and make the transition to adulthood a little easier by connecting individuals to others with shared experiences and to a community of resources, information and support. Read Full Article

Meet EDL Speaker: Daniel Costellanos

Disability advocate, college graduate, and cook extraordinaire, Daniel Costellanos will join the Everyday Lives conference higher education panel with the Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium. Daniel was recently profiled by local newspapers to highlight his accomplishments. Read Full Article

Love of Sports Plays Big Role in His Community Participation

Ricky is an ardent sports fan and enjoys watching as well as participating in sporting events. A graduate of Central Dauphin East, he supports his alma mater by attending Panthers’ sports. When his brother played for the University of Maryland football team, Ricky was one of the Terrapins' biggest fans. He regularly bowls with friends and staff from United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) through its CPS Alternatives program. Ricky and his longtime friend Nick often get together to shoot hockey goals inside the Giant Stadium in Hershey. The two met in elementary school and have been best friends ever since. Read Full Article

Heath Risk Screening and the Risks of Multiple Medications

Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications by an individual for one or more health conditions, can lead to increased risk for side effects, medication interactions, and other health risks, including possible co-morbidities or death. Read Full Article

Polypharmacy Project Chosen for Medication Safety Curriculum

Helpful Tips to Ease Holiday Anxiety

The Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training Collaborative (ASERT) offers tips to help ease the anxiety for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, and for their families. Read Full Article

Meet our EDL Reception Entertainment: Colin Mekeel & Temple Avenue

Meet our entertainment for the Everyday Lives Conference Wednesday evening reception, Temple Avenue. Temple Avenue is a jazz group formed eight years ago by Lancaster pianist Colin Mekeel and his friends at Temple University. Read Full Article

19-166: BSASP Required Program Assessment_Changes to SIBr Administration

To explain changes to the process of administering the SIBr in the AAW.

ODP's Weekly Digest of Announcements Sent Between December 23, 2019 through December 27, 2019

Thank you for following MyODP Communications!

- 19-161: Virtual Trainings January 2020

- 19-163: Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Interviews to include Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) 

- 19-164:  Delay in Implementation of the Transportation - Trip Service in the Adult Autism Waiver 

- Community Health Choices Fact Sheet: Eligibility Verification

- 19-159: Updated Variance Form DP 1086 and Instructions 

- 19-160: Enrolling as an Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Transportation Provider

-19-161: Virtual Trainings January 2020 

- 19-157: Open For Public Comment: Proposed Transportation Trip Fee Schedule Rates in the Adult Autism Waiver

- 19-158: MyODP News Online Replaces ODP Newsletter