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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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The PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) hosted a Supports Coordination Organization (SCO) Forum to provide status updates and data related to the recently completed desk review for Performance-Based Contracting. All PBC submissions have been scored, and results will be emailed to SCOs shortly, with final results published on the DHS website in January 2026. The new contract cycle is effective from January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Pay-for-Performance (P4P) and Portal Feedback

  • P4P Updates: Capacity building investments continue, with $3.835 million available for Credentialing and another $3.835 million available for Technology. A total of 45 SCOs submitted for at least one of these two investments.
  • MyPBC Portal: ODP requested feedback on SCOs’ experience using the new MyPBC Portal for submissions.

Notification Letters and the Critical Resolution Process

Notification letters regarding determination are now being sent, which will include a list of any performance measures the SCO did not meet.

  • Mandatory QM Plans: SCOs with unmet measures are required to create and implement a Quality Management Plan (QMP) to meet the standards before the next PBC submission period.
  • Resolution Deadline is Strict: The most crucial detail shared is the deadline for challenging an unmet measure determination. SCOs will have only seven calendar days from the receipt of their determination letter to initiate the Resolution Process.
  • Process Guidance: The Resolution Process is strictly for submitting existing documentation that was inadvertently omitted or contained typographical errors to refute ODP’s determination. This is not an opportunity to create new materials solely to meet the standard, and newly created policies, plans, or comments on the process will not be reviewed.

Top Unmet Measures

The presentation included a breakdown of the top unmet measures across all SCOs, highlighting specific compliance challenges:

Measure Measure Description Number of SCOs Unmet Percent of SCOs Unmet
PCP.01.2 90% compliance with monitoring frequency by waiver type 38 73%
QDI.01.6 Restrictive procedure data is 86% accurate as compared to the most current BSP. 30 58%
RN.01 Register in PA Navigate Resource Platform as a CBO 15 23%

QDI (Quality Data Integrity) Measures: The purpose of QDI measures is to stress that SCOs are the primary source of data collection, and data integrity is essential for data-driven policies. ODP plans to drop these measures over time as performance improves.

  • For QDI.01.1 (Demographic Data), ODP focused on Completeness (86% threshold) this cycle, as checking for both ‘Complete AND Accurate’ resulted in nearly every SCO failing the measure. The threshold is set to increase to 93% for the FY 2027/28 contract cycle.
  • The target for PCP.01.2 (Monitoring Frequency Compliance) is 90% (P/FDS: once every three months; Consolidated/Community Living: once every two months). This threshold is also scheduled to increase to 93% in the FY 2027-2028 contract cycle.

Restrictive Procedures and Dissatisfaction Measures

  • Restrictive Procedures (RP): ODP presented details on the calculation for QDI.01.6, which compares the restrictive procedure checkbox in HCSIS against the most current Behavior Support Plan (BSP) summary text. Data showed a continued overall decrease in the rate of Restrictive Procedures incidents from 2022 to 2024.
  • Dissatisfaction Measure: For the Dissatisfaction Measure, ODP will utilize the data submitted by SCOs (the number of individuals who chose another SCO due to dissatisfaction and the reasons why) to establish a baseline for the measure and determine how to proceed with it in the future.

The presentation slide deck can be found here. SCO Providers are encouraged to continue to submit feedback and questions to ODP via the PBC Inbox.

For questions or comments, please contact Tim Sohosky.

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Message from the Office of Developmental Programs:

The Office of Developmental Programs is excited to announce the launch of a new Provider Innovation Series — an exclusive opportunity for the Provider community to showcase and be recognized for their innovations, new and ongoing, in support of the everyday lives of those we serve. We believe in the power of peer learning and support, and we look forward to showcasing your innovative practices that drive quality.

This exciting new series will premiere during the Everyday Lives conference (May 12–14, 2026), as selected Providers will have the opportunity to join ODP’s Director of Training & Communications, Rochelle Troutman, to present their innovative program, policy, or practice to their peers.

Presenters will also be celebrated for their innovation and leadership in the field with a showcase on MyODP News, a certificate of appreciation, and a digital badge, which can be added to email signatures and displayed on their website and social media.

Join Rochelle Troutman, along with ODP’s Deputy Secretary, Kristin Ahrens for an informational webinar to learn more about this opportunity on December 2 from 9:00 am – 9:30 am EST. The webinar will be recorded and made available on MyODP. Selected presenter(s) will be announced in early February and will receive support as they prepare.

Register for the Informational Webinar

Don’t miss this opportunity to demonstrate your impact! We encourage all Provider organizations, large and small, to consider what innovations they may like to share, and look forward to both learning more about — and sharing with others — your innovative work!

Proposals will be accepted from December 1 — January 5. ODP will select providers to present based on the provider’s innovative practices, and encourages providers to use ISAC Recommendations and Strategies to identify areas of innovation.

To submit an application, please complete the survey.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared Bulletin 00-25-05.  The purpose of this bulletin is to establish the ODP policy on communication and assure all individuals have an effective way to communicate in order to express choice and ensure health and safety.  Please review the Bulletin and accompanying attachment for additional information.

In accordance with ODP’s Everyday Lives: Values in Action, individuals and their families identified several areas of importance for increasing the overall quality of their lives. One of those priorities is communication. It is ODP’s goal that every person has an effective way to communicate in order to express choice and ensure health and safety. All forms of communication should consider and include the individual’s language preferences and use of current technology.

Comments and questions regarding this bulletin should be directed to the appropriate ODP Regional Program Office.

Visit the Office of Developmental Programs website for more details.

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Message from PA DHS:

Under new federal rules, to keep or become eligible for SNAP benefits, some recipients will have to meet work requirements that include working, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours each month) AND report that they are meeting these work requirements.

To help SNAP recipients and applicants find out if they need to meet this requirement, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) has launched a new online screening tool.

By answering a simple set of yes or no questions, SNAP applicants and recipients can find out if they need to meet the work requirements, if they are already meeting the work requirements, or if they are eligible for an exemption.

The screening tool is not a final determination of whether someone is meeting the work requirements or is eligible for an exemption, but it can help recipients and applicants have a more informed conversation with their caseworker.

The new work requirements will apply to Pennsylvanians who:

  • Are between 18-64 years old;
  • Do not have a dependent child under 14 years old; and
  • Are considered physically and mentally able to work.

In addition, being a veteran or a current or former foster youth age 18–24 will no longer be an exemption.

Some people may still be exempt from work and reporting requirements if they meet a different exemption. You can learn more about these work reporting requirements, who they affect, and more about exemptions at DHS’s website.

State Budget Investments Help Fight Food Insecurity

Pennsylvania’s charitable food network and our agricultural community are vital to keeping our neighbors and communities fed. Governor Shapiro’s 2025/26 budget delivers major investments to combat hunger, strengthen the charitable food network, and support Pennsylvania farmers. The budget includes a historic $11 million increase for food security, including:

  • $3 million for the State Food Purchase Program and $1 million for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS);
  • $2 million for a new state Food Bucks program to supplement SNAP; and
  • $5 million in new funding to Pennsylvania food banks.

Help Us Spread the Word

PA DHS has developed a communications toolkit to help Pennsylvanians understand the changes happening to SNAP.

We ask RCPA members, advocates, and stakeholders to view and share the toolkit, which includes sample text, social media posts, and more.

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From Chaos to Clarity: How Human Service Leaders Bring Order to Oversight
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
12:00 pm ET
Register Here

Keeping up with inspections and licensing requirements can feel like an endless chase — especially when each site or program has its own system. Many organizations are finding new ways to bring structure, visibility, and calm to these responsibilities, even with limited resources.

Join us on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 12:00 pm ET for From Chaos to Clarity: How Human Service Leaders Bring Order to Oversight, a live webinar co-hosted by RCPA and PUPS Software. This session brings together leaders for an open, practical conversation about streamlining inspections, licensing, and operational readiness.

Featured Panelists:

  • Jim Sharp, Chief Operating Officer & Director of Mental Health Services, RCPA
  • Savannah David, Service Director – ID/A NE Region, Step By Step, Inc.
  • Morgan Gerety, Director of Maintenance, Caring, Inc.

We’ll talk about:

  • Practical steps to bring consistency and visibility to inspections and licensing;
  • How to move from paper and spreadsheets to digital processes without overwhelming your team;
  • Real examples of accountability and readiness in action; and
  • Lessons learned from organizations that replaced annual scrambles with steady progress.

Whether your team is just getting started or already modernizing oversight, you will walk away with useful ideas, peer insights, and tools to support your next steps.

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From Pennsylvania Capital-Star “Pa.’s Rural Health Application Reveals Priorities in Federal Funding Request,” November 20, 2025:

Pennsylvania is hoping to secure its own slice of a $50 billion rural health fund in the face of federal Medicaid cuts, with a focus on bolstering a beleaguered workforce and expanding health access for more than two million people.

The Rural Health Transformation Fund was a last-minute addition to President Donald Trump’s summer budget bill that imposed Medicaid work requirements and cut upwards of $51 billion in funding to the commonwealth over the next decade. That new fund is worth roughly 37% of the estimated lost Medicaid funding in rural areas…

The 67-page application requests up to $200 million in annual funding over the next five years, totaling $1 billion. Its six focuses include: technology and infrastructure, workforce, maternal health services, behavioral health services, aging and access, and emergency medical services and transportation.

The U.S. Department of Human Services is expected to award funding by the end of the year.

Key objective targets are:

  • Access to care: More than 85% of Pennsylvanians can get a routine primary care appointment within four weeks and urgent care appointments within one week.
  • Digital connectivity and telehealth: More than 85% of rural hospitals and clinics will have broadband and telehealth functionality. More than 50% of rural hospitals and clinics connected via Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources.
  • Workforce adequacy: Reduce rural hospital vacancy rates by 10% for key direct care roles. Add three new rural training programs.
  • System sustainability: More than 60% of systems partnered with rural Community Health Centers for specialty care.
  • Health outcomes: Reduce the number of pregnant women living in rural areas with inadequate prenatal care by 20%.

From the PA Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Application:

Pennsylvania’s rural health transformation strategy is grounded in a balance of statewide coordination and regional leadership and collaboration. Pennsylvania’s “Health Hub” state agencies (Human Services, Health, Aging, Insurance, Drug and Alcohol Programs), and other partner agencies will establish clear strategic priorities focusing on access, workforce, maternal health, aging, behavioral health, EMS and infrastructure. Pennsylvania will leverage statewide technical expertise, evaluation, and financial oversight and support. Strong regional rural care collaborative will be composed of a roster of regional stakeholders that prioritize local needs, develop effective local sustainable solutions, and leverage existing resources and assets.

Pennsylvania will leverage established regional entities that coordinate regional economic development. These Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance (PREP) organizations are long-standing, quasi-governmental organizations that convene regional stakeholders, administer federal and state grants, collect local data, report outcomes, and catalyze public and private partnerships for regional economic development. They bring established governance structures, convening power, and a track record of successful cross-sector collaboration. PREPs (Figure 2) will convene regional stakeholders to create Rural Care Collaborative (RCCs) to align initiatives with regional economic planning and development – making the RHTP investments sustainable and promoting long-term partnerships.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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An upgrade to the MyODP LMS is scheduled to begin at 10:00 pm today, Monday, November 24, 2025. This outage will impact all training courses currently available on MyODP. All users should complete any lesson modules, quizzes, or exams and be logged out of any training or courses by 10:00 pm or their progress may be lost. Overall course progress and all course completions will be saved. Please plan accordingly for all your training needs for the week of November 24, 2025 – December 2, 2025. It is planned that MyODP will be available by 12:00 pm on December 2.

Please see ODP Announcement 25-100 for additional details regarding the upgrade.

Registration is now available to attend a walkthrough of the MyODP Upgrade and Enhancements. ODP will show visual changes to the LMS, enhancements, and the new MyLearning Transcript report that is now available. The Transcript report will be the primary record of course completion for MyODP coursework.

The walkthrough will be held on Tuesday, December 9 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Please visit here to register. There are a limited number of seats available; however, the session will be recorded and will be available on MyODP shortly after the live session concludes. View ODP Announcement 25-104 for further details.

For questions regarding registration for the webinar, please contact ODP Outreach via email.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an update to ODPANN 25-075. This announcement informs stakeholders of updates to the Implementation Guide. All changes are highlighted in red within the communication. The attachment to this communication replaces Appendix C: Supports Coordination Minimum Activity for Billing. Each document referenced in this announcement can be found at MyODP’s website under Performance-Based Contracting. Please review the announcement for additional details.

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