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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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ODP Announcement 19-100 announces the availability of five scheduled webinars that will present an overview of Adult Protective Services Law, eligibility criteria, statutory definitions, individual’s rights, DHS and Liberty Health Responsibilities, mandatory reporters, and general and additional reporting processes and requirements.

Each webinar is 45 to 60 minutes, allowing time at the end for questions. The webinars are scheduled for August 13, September 23, October 7, November 4, and December 17, 2019. Please see the ODP Announcement for registration information. If you need assistance with registration, or have questions, please contact Deborah Bender.

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ODP Announcement 19-095 communicates the availability of training on ODP’s Online Provider Profiles for AEs and SCO leadership. Provider profiles consist of two parts: a provider summary developed and submitted by the provider, and a provider data display showing the provider’s performance in supporting individuals and families.

In Phase One, provider summaries and data displays are available on MyODP.org for 84 residential providers who had 10 or more individual surveys in the 2017 Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) data file. IM4Q Scale Scores are displayed for each provider in areas including Individual Satisfaction, Choice, Inclusion, Dignity, Family Satisfaction, and Physical Setting. ODP’s Provider Profiles web page also connects to licensing information, QA&I comprehensive reports, and the Services and Supports Directory for families to access.

Contact Carol Ferenz, RCPA IDD Division Director, with questions.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released several documents with pertinent information this month that is specifically directed to Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) and Adult Community Autism Providers (ACAP) providers and/or SCOs.

ODP Announcement 19-092 requests that Support Coordinators and Behavioral Specialists working with AAW and ACAP complete a survey about the Periodic Risk Evaluation (PRE). The data will be utilized in order to improve the user’s experience with the PRE and for supporting providers to identify and mitigate risks. The survey is to be completed by Friday, July 26, 2019; access the survey here.

ODP Announcement 19-094 communicates the process, effective immediately, for SCs in the AAW to inform individuals about the Right to be Free from Abuse initiative. This involves informing individuals about abuse, neglect, and exploitation and protections available to them. This must be completed annually during one of the quarterly in-person meetings and documented in a Service Note.

ODP Announcement 19-096 announces registration is open for a two-day Supports Coordinator training on Charting the Lifecourse by ODP. The training will provide an overview of the Charting the Lifecourse tools and resources to support the framework, and further discuss how BSASP programs can use the tools to support the people within the programs. The link to register is here.

ODP Announcement 19-099 provides clarification to AAW and ACAP Providers and SCOs about the new SPeCTRUM 2.0 Training. Due to the discovery of technical issues with some of the modules, ODP announced that while these issues are being resolved, staff and providers only need to complete part of the training. Only Modules 1 and 2 must be completed before enrolling as a new provider AND before newly hired staff may provide services to program participants. Modules 3–9 must be completed within 60 days of beginning to provide services to any program participants. Current provider and SCO staff and ACAP staff who have taken SPeCTRUM 1.0 and are currently providing services must complete all 9 modules by October 1, 2019.

Contact RCPA IDD Division Director Carol Ferenz with questions.

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The Planning Committee for State Representative Dan Miller’s Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit is seeking session proposals for workshops geared towards people impacted by disabilities and mental health concerns. Those attending the summit consist of parents, family members, caregivers, advocates, service providers, educators, medical professionals, government officials, legal professionals, inclusive employers, and mental health professionals. Sessions are 60 minutes in length, and should include 10–15 minutes for Q&A.

Representative Miller’s Disability & Mental Health Summit provides the largest collection of resources and workshops in Western Pennsylvania. Over the past six years, this event has made a difference in the lives of thousands of people. In 2020, the summit will recognize and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act in a bigger venue, doubling the crowd, providing more resources, and increasing the summit’s scope across the state! You can visit this website to view last year’s program. Please feel free to share this with your peers and other organizations.

The 2020 Disability & Mental Health Summit will take place on March 6, 2020 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Submission deadline is September 30, 2019.

Questions, please contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director of Government Affairs.

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Department of Human Services Highlights Resources for Families Supporting People with an Intellectual Disability or Autism

(From DHS)

Harrisburg, PA (July 15, 2019) – The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) today highlighted programs and services offered to families of individuals who have an intellectual disability or autism (ID/A). The nationally recognized approach, LifeCourse Framework, assists families to support their family member to live an everyday life.

“We are committed to helping individuals access opportunities to support their goals and dreams, and that includes helping their families understand how to help support them to live an everyday life,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “It is important to continue to review best practices for helping individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. The LifeCourse approach is this best practice. LifeCourse is focused on planning for a good life throughout someone’s lifespan and supporting families.”

The LifeCourse Framework is an approach that focuses on the whole person and targets the needs of people at critical periods throughout their lifetime. There are a variety of planning tools created by the National Community of Practice to support people with using this approach. The core belief of the framework is all people have the right to live, love, work, play and pursue their life aspirations in their community. ODP has worked through regional collaboratives in the commonwealth to implement LifeCourse. Two organizations that support ODP’s work by supporting strong visions and high expectations for individuals and families for their everyday life are PA Family Network and Self-Advocates United as 1 (SAU1).

PA Family Network is a major element of Pennsylvania’s statewide strategy of supporting families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PA Family Network offers both workshops and one-on-one family mentoring. They also hold regular events to teach attendees the LifeCourse Framework. Upcoming workshops include:

  • July 18 – Bellefonte, Centre County
  • July 25 – Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
  • July 26 – Altoona, Blair County
  • July 30 – Honesdale, Wayne County
  • August 27 – Honesdale, Wayne County
  • September 17 – Meadville, Crawford County
  • October 15 – Marlin, Schuylkill County

Self–Advocates United as 1 manages the Self Advocacy Power Network for All (SAPNA), which is funded by ODP. SAPNA provides peer–to–peer targeted training and technical assistance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to further self–advocacy. SAU1 also teaches LifeCourse Frameworks at various events. Upcoming dates include:

  • July 31 – Clarion, Clarion County
  • August 19 – Mercer, Mercer County
  • August 21 – Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
  • August 27 – Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
  • August 29 – Stroudsburg, Monroe County
  • September 9 – Erie, Erie County
  • September 10 – Warren, Warren County
  • September 13 – St. Mary’s, Elk County
  • September 17 – Greensburg, Westmoreland County
  • September 20 – Kittanning, Armstrong County
  • September 27 – DuBois, Clearfield County
  • October 17 – Butler, Butler County

The LifeCourse Framework training and events at both the PA Family Network and SAU1 are free, but registration is required through the organizations. For more information about PA Family Network’s workshops, visit here. For more information about SAU1’s events, visit here.

To learn more about the LifeCourse Framework, visit here.

To learn more about DHS’s Office of Developmental Programs, visit here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Erin James – 7174257606

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Registration for Impact, the 2019 RCPA Annual Conference, is now open. Early bird rates are available through August 31. This year’s conference theme is:

  • The Impact providers make on families and individuals using services;
  • The Impact made in their communities; and
  • The Impact made in their state.

The robust conference agenda brings ample opportunities to learn and dialogue, with stellar speakers to offer a variety of valuable, timely information. This event features more than 65 workshops; a keynote; three stimulating and thought-provoking plenaries; a vibrant Exhibit Hall; networking events; time to interact with colleagues; and opportunities for creative thinking to inspire passion and drive change. And don’t forget your favorite leisure suit for the Studio 54 dance party Thursday evening!

An interactive registration brochure has been prepared for download to provide essential information on the go. Links in the brochure are internal to the document as well as external to the conference website to provide additional information. The conference website is available with complete information on all scheduled activities, and details about workshops, exhibitors, and other events.** Online registration is available and may be reached directly from this link or through the conference website.

Mark your calendars for September 24—27 to join RCPA President and CEO, Richard S. Edley, PhD, along with the Conference Committee, Board of Directors, and staff at the Hershey Lodge. Questions about the conference may be directed to Sarah Eyster, Conference Coordinator, or Tieanna Lloyd, Conference Registrar.

**The conference website is constantly being updated, so check back for the most current information.

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