Editorial: Bipartisan Push to Strengthen PA’s Disability Care System Must Succeed
DSP
ODP Shares List of Resource Accounts
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-055. This communication provides ODP stakeholders with information to access various emails (resource accounts) that can help address many common questions or issues that arise through the use of ODP services. These resource accounts have been created to better assist stakeholders in contacting specific ODP departments to gain information and support.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) In-Person Seminar 2025 for Western Region on July 9
TOPIC: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview and Practical Application
On behalf of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), due to a widespread power outage when we were scheduled to conduct the Western Region ASD Seminar in April, we have decided to hold an additional session. We welcome anyone interested to register for this event!
Reminder: This seminar satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting. Please see more details below on Continuing Education Credits.
Over the years the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations. This seminar will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the seminar.
Who should attend?
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings. Professionals supporting individuals in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated, Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS), and Community Living waivers are encouraged to attend.
Where and when will sessions be held?
- July 9, 2025, PaTTAN West, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all DSPs, Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), and program managers.
- This training also fulfills 6100 annual training requirements.
*After logging into your MyODP account, completion of the Demographics Form is required before being able to register for a session.
Please contact the Bureau of Autism Training inbox with questions.
Reminder for Enhancing Access to Specialized Care: The Impact of the STAT Waiver Service and BH Services
Enhancing Access to Specialized Care: The Impact of the STAT Waiver Service and BH Services
Free Webinar for RCPA members
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register Here
This session will explore the impact of the STAT (Specialized Telehealth and Assessment Team) service in Pennsylvania, focusing on its role in improving access to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Key data will highlight how STAT connects individuals to specialists trained to meet their unique needs and its positive impacts on both individuals and Direct Support Professionals (DSP).
A discussion with Barber National Institute will showcase how they use StationMD services for STAT and Behavioral Health support. The provider will share how StationMD enhances behavioral health care for individuals with I/DD, while offering valuable support to DSPs by providing timely guidance in complex situations.
Lastly, this session will emphasize how STAT and StationMD services complement each other to improve access to care and to enhance the quality of life for individuals with I/DD.
Presenters:
Matthew Kaufman, MD, FACEP, Chief Executive Officer, StationMD
Thad Jackman, Senior Director of Residential Services, Barber National Institute
Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:
- Describe the role of the STAT Waiver Service in providing individuals access to specialized clinicians 24/7 to meet their unique needs;
- Analyze the impact of StationMD Behavioral Health services in enhancing the timely delivery of expert support for their behavioral and developmental needs; and
- Discuss how the integration of STAT and StationMD Behavioral Health services collaboratively address barriers to care and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with I/DD.
Certificates of attendance are available to RCPA members who attend this webinar; anyone interested in a certificate should contact Cathy Barrick. To apply for CEs, you will need to register for the RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive and indicate you attended the webinar in your CE packet, which will be made available on the mobile app.
Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for details, or visit the RCPA Conference website for information on workshops, sponsors, exhibitors, and more!
New Skill Building Trainings for DSPs Now Available on MyODP
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-048. This communication advises stakeholders of the release of two new skill building trainings for Direct Support Professionals (DSP).
Introduction to Skill Building introduces why it is important for direct supporters to teach skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. Services offered through the ODP waivers are habilitative. DSPs have a direct role in assisting participants in acquiring, maintaining, and improving skills that individuals need to live more independently and have meaningful participation in their communities. The training introduces why it is important for DSPs to teach skills to individuals and focuses on how to build skills so that individuals are safe, healthy, and have a good life in their community. This course is now available on MyODP and offers .5 credit hours. This is a prerequisite to the new Skill Building Basics course.
Please view the announcement for instructions on how to access the trainings.
Enhancing Access to Specialized Care: The Impact of the STAT Waiver Service and BH Services
Enhancing Access to Specialized Care: The Impact of the STAT Waiver Service and BH Services
Free Webinar for RCPA members
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register Here
This session will explore the impact of the STAT (Specialized Telehealth and Assessment Team) service in Pennsylvania, focusing on its role in improving access to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Key data will highlight how STAT connects individuals to specialists trained to meet their unique needs and its positive impacts on both individuals and Direct Support Professionals (DSP).
A discussion with Barber National Institute will showcase how they use StationMD services for STAT and Behavioral Health support. The provider will share how StationMD enhances behavioral health care for individuals with I/DD, while offering valuable support to DSPs by providing timely guidance in complex situations.
Lastly, this session will emphasize how STAT and StationMD services complement each other to improve access to care and to enhance the quality of life for individuals with I/DD.
Presenters:
Matthew Kaufman, MD, FACEP, Chief Executive Officer, StationMD
Thad Jackman, Senior Director of Residential Services, Barber National Institute
Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:
- Describe the role of the STAT Waiver Service in providing individuals access to specialized clinicians 24/7 to meet their unique needs;
- Analyze the impact of StationMD Behavioral Health services in enhancing the timely delivery of expert support for their behavioral and developmental needs; and
- Discuss how the integration of STAT and StationMD Behavioral Health services collaboratively address barriers to care and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with I/DD.
Certificates of attendance are available to RCPA members who attend this webinar; anyone interested in a certificate should contact Cathy Barrick. To apply for CEs, you will need to register for the RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive and indicate you attended the webinar in your CE packet, which will be made available on the mobile app.
Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for details, or visit the RCPA Conference website for information on workshops, sponsors, exhibitors, and more!
DSPs: Talk to Those You Support About Physical Activity
Direct Support Professionals (DSP) make a lasting difference in the lives of those they assist, helping individuals of all ages and abilities rise above challenges, embrace new opportunities, and live healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Move Your Way® campaign promotes easy to use, evidence-based physical activity guidance from the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Share the recommendations with those you support and inspire them to get more active.
Start the conversation!
When you bring up physical activity, it helps to keep the tone friendly and encouraging. Try these quick conversation starters.
How much physical activity do you get in an average week?
Meet people where they are. Once you have an idea of their current activity level, you can suggest small changes to help them get more active.
Are there activities you’d like to be able to do?
Would they like to run in a 5K? Climb stairs more easily? Explore more outdoor activities? Knowing their motivations can help you work together to set achievable goals. DSPs have the creativity and compassion to modify activities that align with each person’s physical abilities, ensuring they can participate safely and feel proud of their achievements—no matter their starting point.
See the DSP Move Your Way flyer for more tips on starting the conversation.
How can you Move Your Way?
Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts. And it all adds up. Find what works for you! Walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, and stretching are just a few suggestions for weekly movement. Adults need a mix of physical activity to stay healthy. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week, and muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days a week. Do activities that make your muscles work harder than usual.
Kids and teens ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes every day. Most of it can be moderate-intensity aerobic activity.
At least 3 days a week, encourage them to step it up to vigorous intensity. As a part of their 60 minutes, they also need muscle-strengthening at least 3 days a week and bone-strengthening 3 days a week.
What’s Your Move?
Do you have a weekly movement routine or are you just getting started? Share your story with us!
Send an email with a subject line of “Move Your Way” and ODP may feature your story on MyODP News Online!
Please be sure to fill out the Department of Human Services (DHS) Media Release Form to send with your story!
Autism Spectrum Disorder In-Person Seminar 2025 — Registration Now Open!
TOPIC — Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview and Practical Application
Over the years the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations. This seminar will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the seminar.
Who should attend?
- Direct Support Professionals, Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings; and
- Professionals supporting individuals in Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated Person/Family-Directed Support Waiver (P/FDS), and Community Living.
Where and when will sessions be held?
- April 1 – PaTTAN East, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- April 24 – PaTTAN Central, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- April 30 – PaTTAN West, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), and program managers.
This training also fulfills 6100 ongoing training requirements.
*After logging into your MyODP account, completion of the Demographics Form is required before being able to register for a session.
Please contact the Bureau of Autism Training inbox with questions.
Supporting Healthy Sexuality for People With IDD Replay — Relias Webinar on Feb. 27
Funding Main Focus of Luzerne County Providers Association’s Annual Legislative Breakfast: Event Co-Moderated by Richard Edley, President/CEO of RCPA, and Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs
