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Policy Areas

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is offering a webinar on the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program on May 21, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. Register here.

A PA ABLE savings account gives individuals with qualified disabilities and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage eligible individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.

Some of the agenda topics will include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how a PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.

OLTL Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organization (MCO) staff, and any individuals who work in employment supports are encouraged to participate in this webinar, as it will help them understand the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants they serve.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact OLTL via email.

Questions regarding this webinar should be directed to Randy Loss, OLTL.

RCPA Member Inglis’s Regional Housing Coordinators (RHC) offer a variety of FREE webinars each month on Zoom, focused on understanding and navigating the affordable housing system and resources for people with disabilities in housing.

If the training times listed below do not work for your organization, you can always use their Information and Referral form to request a private training.

  • Home Modifications: Thursday, May 15, at 1:00 pm
  • Navigating Income-based Housing Options: Tuesday, May 20, at 12:00 pm
  • Introduction to Housing Concepts: Thursday, May 29, at 11:00 am
Register With Their Training Calendar Here!

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Novitas Solutions, Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Pennsylvania, will conduct a webinar that will focus on the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) coverage and documentation requirements. Representatives from Novitas will examine common errors identified by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) program, and recent medical review activities, and outline resources and best practices to improve compliance with Medicare program requirements for IRF services. The webinar will be held from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Additional information, including registration, is available here.

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have announced a Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, More Than a Smile: Why Oral Health Matters.

This session will provide an Empowering Presentation on Oral Health and Disability Care! Learn from experts behind Special Outreach Services (SOS), an oral health education program for caregivers of people with disabilities, and Special Smiles, Ltd., a dedicated dental clinic providing anesthesia-supported care for individuals with disabilities. This presentation will dive into the powerful connection between oral health and overall wellbeing — plus, you’ll walk away with practical, proven strategies to improve daily oral hygiene for individuals. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore inspiring stories, impactful outcomes, and the meaningful history of two organizations making a real difference.

The Virtual Session will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

REGISTRATION LINK: Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released communication ODPANN 25-043. This communication shares the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual, which includes changes related to the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy initiative.

Updates include:

  • Updated message from the Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs;
  • Defining “Immediate Need”;
  • Who should have a PUNS;
  • Who should not have a PUNS;
  • Who should not have an Emergency PUNS; and
  • Paper PUNS forms and signatures are not required.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.