ODP April External Training and Events Calendar is Now Available
ODP
AAW Removal of Residential Habilitation — Life Sharing Ineligible Rate
ODP Announcement 23-027 announces that the Residential Habilitation (Life Sharing) Ineligible Rate will be removed from the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective July 1, 2023. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is continuing to align the AAW with the other ODP waivers. This alignment includes the removal of procedure code W7234. This procedure code will be removed from HCSIS, and providers will be unable to bill this procedure code within PROMISe for dates of service on and after July 1, 2023.
For questions, please contact the appropriate ODP Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) Regional Office.
Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Resource Guide Now Available
ODP Announcement 23-026 announces the release of a new Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Resource Guide. The guide is available online.
Providers are responsible for compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) services, as well as local, state, and federal regulations and laws applicable to the services provided.
The guide is designed as an online-only document with links to pertinent regulations, bulletins, communications, forms, websites, and other materials necessary to support AAW providers in the quality provision of services. The online format will allow ODP to update the guide in a timely manner as needed.
Please contact your ODP Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) regional office with any questions.
ODP Releases FY 2021/22 Annual Data Report
ODP Announcement 23-029 releases the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021/22 Annual Data Report. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created this statistical report so that all stakeholders can review the number of individuals ODP serves, settings where they live, what services are provided to them, and the costs of those services. While these facts and figures are important, they provide a limited view of the service system. They allow us to assess growth in the programs provided, types of services that are prioritized, and how we are investing in people.
In addition to this report, ODP publishes an annual report on strategies and performance measures developed by the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), as well as various other reports that target specific topical areas or strategies (e.g., waiting list, employment, etc.). All of these are used to comprehensively assess the system.
Access the FY 2021/22 Annual Data Report here. Please send any questions you have electronically.
Open for Public Comment: Proposed Revision to ARPA Funded Initiative for Supporting Individuals and Families
ODP Announcement 23-030 announces a 30-day public comment period on a proposal to expand funding made available to Administrative Entities (AEs)/Counties to support individuals and families on the waiting list to allow for pursuit of innovative strategies and provide alternatives to Community Participation Support (CPS) services.
Staffing shortages and the lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a decrease in the availability of CPS services for some individuals. Spending for Respite and Family Support Services made available to individuals on the waiting list through the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Spending Plan approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is lower than projected in the majority of counties.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is requesting public comment on the following proposal that would allow AEs to repurpose unspent ARPA respite dollars to develop and fund innovative alternatives to traditional CPS. ODP will review and consider all comments received by 11:59 pm on April 10, 2023, in developing a final proposal for use of these ARPA funds. Public comment may be submitted through one of the following methods:
- Electronic submission via email.
- Written submission through mail, addressed to: Julie Mochon, Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs 625 Forster Street, Room 510, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Questions about this communication should be sent electronically.
Join ODP for the Employment Regional Symposium
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is inviting leadership professionals from Administrative Entities (AEs), Support Coordination Organizations (SCOs), Providers of Supported Employment Services and Day Habilitation, and Providers of Community Participation Support (CPS) to attend a 1-day Employment Symposium. The Symposium will be held regionally across the Commonwealth on April 25, May 4, and May 12 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm with a boxed lunch provided.
The goals of the Regional Employment Symposium are to:
- Provide a platform for networking, information/resource sharing, and best practices for employer engagement;
- Identify strategies for engaging employers on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities using a dual-customer approach; and
- Initiate an improvement process by creating goals and best practices to reach and increase employment rates for people with disabilities.
Agenda:
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Opening Remarks by Kristin Ahrens, ODP Deputy Secretary, and Ryan Hyde, Executive Director for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Panel discussion featuring an individual from that region with lived employment experience, along with their support team that got them to competitive integrated employment.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Small group discussions to network, share experiences of engaging in community integrated employment, resources, and tools.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Keynote address: Cultivating Relationships With Employers, by Stephen Martynuska. Stephen is a consultant from Sheetz, Inc.
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Small group discussion with the opportunity to report out to the larger group on takeaways from the day, as well as sharing resources and tools for engaging employers.
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Closing remarks/wrap-up by Kristin Ahrens and Ryan Hyde.
Please register for the location nearest you. Only register for one session. You must complete a Demographics Form before selecting the session you wish to attend, and please identify any dietary restrictions or allergies on your Demographics Form. You must also indicate if you need accommodation(s) as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Reasonable efforts will be made to meet the need.
| Date | Venue | Registration Closes |
| April 25, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN Central 6340 Flank Road Harrisburg, PA 17112 |
April 18, 2023 |
| May 4, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN West 3190 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, PA 15238 |
April 28, 2023 |
| May 12, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Bucks County Community College 275 Swamp Road Newtown, PA 18940 |
May 6, 2023 |
There is a limited number of seats at each location, and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In addition to your initial registration confirmation, you will receive an email with specific instructions about the location of the symposium one week prior to your scheduled event.
As a reminder, please be respectful of others. If you are not feeling well the day of the event, do not attend. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain respectful distance from others so that everyone can participate and feel comfortable.
Enhanced Rates for CPS and Transportation Trip to Be Continued as Part of Regular Fee Schedule
During the Department of Human Services budget review this morning, Acting Secretary Arkoosh shared that part of the budget plan is to continue the enhanced rates for CPS and Transportation Trip. RCPA has confirmed that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) plans to publish the CPS and transportation rates for continuation beginning November 11, 2023, as part of the regular fee schedule. We will share more information as it becomes available.
ODP Releases 2022 Annual Waiting List Report
ODP Announcement 23-028 shares that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has published its 2022 Annual Waiting List Report. The waiting list is comprised of individuals who are eligible to receive services and supports through ODP’s four home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers; however, due to insufficient waiver capacity, the state cannot currently meet their needs.
In this report, you’ll find information regarding ODP’s strategies and initiatives to address the problem. The report also demonstrates the progress that has been made since 2015 to reduce the number of individuals on the waiting list
Please send any questions you may have electronically.
Supports Broker Re-Certification Virtual Training Registration Now Open
ODP Issues Guidance for Returning to or Discharge From CPS Services
ODP Announcement 23-025 provides guidance regarding a person-centered process to discuss and begin planning for a return to, or discharge from, CPS services for those individuals who previously indicated that they wanted to continue to receive CPS but have not yet chosen to resume the service. Read the announcement for full details.
Prev