A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group that comes together to learn from one another and to develop and implement strategies towards a common practice. The strategies Pennsylvania ODP is using to reach all people are threefold:
1. partnership with Self Advocates United as One (SAU1) to provide training and supports to persons with IDD/A;
2. partnership with PA Family Network for training and mentoring of family members of a person with an intellectual or developmental disability or autism (IDD/A); and
3. ODP offering Regional leadership with community partners in the form of Regional Collaboratives (scroll down to access the interactive map)
Thus, we are embracing the broad and rich diversity that defines Pennsylvania's character: diversity in geography, demographics, cultures and ethnicity, history and traditions, and local identity.
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 Workplan reflects ongoing efforts as well as areas of focus for new or enhanced activities for the FY. A webinar is available here if you would like to hear about the purpose of the workplan, how to find what you are looking for in the workplan, and a few highlighted new activities.
For more information on Pennsylvania's involvement in the national Community of Practice, to learn how you can be involved, or to request training for your organization or staff, contact Candida Walton at cawalton@pa.gov or call 717-439-5278. You can also request to be added to the ListServ to receive communications about the Supporting Families Initiative and efforts across the state by using this link: http://listserv.dpw.state.pa.us/Scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=odp-supporting-families-cop&A=1 or by emailing a request to cawalton@pa.gov.