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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced a Statewide Quarterly Positive Approaches & Practices Virtual Meeting on October 12, 2023. It will be held from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm and will be regarding “Navigating Crisis Intervention in Human Services.” View the flyer for complete details.

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This is a reminder that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared an announcement that provides eligible providers with the application to receive supplemental funds as part of the ongoing systemic recovery of services for people with an intellectual disability and autism. You can view the announcement here. Eligible providers who are interested in receiving these supplemental payments must complete the application and submit it to Rick Smith by September 30, 2023.

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Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Mind Your Brain Foundation recently announced they will join forces with Beechwood NeuroRehab, a brain injury provider who is part of the Woods System of Care that provides lifelong care to individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and critical mental health needs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This collaboration will provide information on policy and advocacy at their conference on November 4, 2023, from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.

This conference provides an opportunity for survivors, advocates, and providers to gain the skills they need to make a difference for the other 1.7 million people who sustain a traumatic brain injury annually through collaboration, information sharing, and education so that we can collectively become a more powerful voice to improve rehabilitation services to this community.

Please contact Louise Flaig at 215-756-4674 if you need wheelchair accessibility accommodations or if you have any questions relating to this event. Additional information can be accessed at Mind Your Brain Foundation’s website as well as the registration page.

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Registration for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity will be closing this Friday, September 29, 2023, so register today to reserve your seat! By registering, you will gain access to engaging workshops for CE credits, networking opportunities in Connections Hall, and live entertainment. When launched, the conference app will also become available, so you can create your schedule, engage with exhibitors, participate in our Connections Hall game for prizes, and more! View the registration brochure for full details, and note that hotel rooms are quickly filling, so if you have difficulties making your reservation, please contact Carol Ferenz. Register directly to claim your seat at the conference today!

We also wish to extend our thanks to those organizations that have contributed and shown their support. View our full list of sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Hershey Lodge!

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) has made the Medical Assistance (MA) and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care Quality Strategy (MCQS) for the Commonwealth available for public review and comment. The MCQS is an updated version of the previous strategy submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in December 2020 and accounts for the ongoing post-pandemic delivery system pressures that have affected how managed care organizations (MCOs) deliver care. The MCQS may be viewed online. Comments may be submitted via email, and those received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered. Additional information is available on the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

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RCPA members are encouraged to participate in the ID/A Workforce Compensation study conducted by and in collaboration with the Center for Healthcare Solutions. The Center for Healthcare Solutions performed the survey that we supported last year, as well. This study is being done jointly with several other statewide and regional associations, and we are hoping that providers across Pennsylvania will participate in order to provide adequate data for use in advocacy efforts to improve conditions for our workforce. This also presents an opportunity to have comparative data.

The scope of this survey and the report generated from it will address compensation practices for 46 positions, including Direct Support Professionals (DSP), supports coordinators, frontline supervisors, clinical positions, program specialists, facilities staff, and administrative personnel. It will also provide data on staff vacancies and turnovers that continue to impact care and services across Pennsylvania.

Any ID/A employer in Pennsylvania is eligible to participate in the survey and will receive the published report, which will also be provided to the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). As always, CFHS follows all FTC/DOJ guidelines to de-identify data and maintain confidentiality. If you are a member of multiple associations, you only need to complete the survey once.

Two files are included: the input form and the general instructions for filling out the input form. Completed surveys may be emailed to Steve Forest or uploaded via SFTP (information included in the instructions) by Friday, September 22. The published report is expected to be issued on Friday, October 6.

Additionally, the workshop to review the survey on Thursday, September 7 was recorded and can be viewed if you would like more information.

Steve Forest, MPH | Director, Data Analysis and Special Projects
Center for Healthcare Solutions (formerly the Healthcare Council of Western Pennsylvania)
11279 Perry Highway, Suite 505 | Wexford, PA 15090 (new address)
Phone: 878-217-1764 | Email

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September is FASD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder) Awareness Month. This is an expansion of FASD Awareness Day that has been held each year on September 9 since 1999. People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy and the challenges of individuals and families living with FASD. The first awareness day was celebrated on September 9, 1999; this day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, the safest option is to abstain from alcohol.

We hope you will take the time to review this month’s FASD Newsletter and share with your networks. RCPA wishes to highlight FASD Month for its members to bring awareness, education, and advocacy to this critical issue affecting children and families. If you have any questions or want to assist in promoting FASD Month, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

2023 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference
#PATCIGNITE2023
November 7 – November 9, 2023

PATC will be conducted virtually for three days. The schedule includes presentations and panels from subject matter experts, providers, self-advocates, and families. Personal narratives will be interspersed throughout the conference in an effort to highlight the perspective of the individual.

This conference offers professionals working directly with children and/or adults with autism the tools, strategies, and resources to provide the most effective support.

Register Here

Full admission is $10.00 for professionals and allows access to all conference sessions over all three days. Admission is cost-free for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

For additional information about the conference, and access to resources, personal stories, and other features during the conference, please visit MyODP.

Registration questions? Email for details and assistance.

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