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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-047: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and Temple University Harrisburg — Certified Investigator Initial Certification Course Delivery Questionnaire. This communication asks stakeholders to complete a survey to gain input on future delivery methods for the Certified Investigator Initial Certification course.

The short questionnaire will help determine the path moving forward for scheduling in-person and virtual CI Initial Certification courses. ODP would like to hear from current CIs, previous CIs, organization management, administration, and leadership.

Please review the announcement for a link to the survey.

Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shares ODPANN 23-046: Infection Control Procedures and Mitigating the Spread of Infectious Diseases with an NICC Team Consulting Flyer and Mission Statement. This announcement has two purposes:

  • First, to draw attention to the revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) describing how to determine if a facility should be considered a healthcare or a non-healthcare congregate setting.
  • The second purpose is to provide updated guidance to providers of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) home and community-based services (HCBS) and Private Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IDs) for development of policies related to infection control procedures.

Please review the announcement and attachments for further information and detail.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared ODPANN 23-045: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Waiver Reserved Capacity Letters. This announcement provides guidance that clarifies instructions on how Administrative Entities (AEs) should maintain the waiver capacity of ODP waiver participants who are temporarily unable to receive waiver services due to requiring a short-term stay in a hospital (medical/psychiatric), nursing home, or rehabilitation care facility and are expected to return to the community. It includes the following attachments:

Please review the announcement and attachments for additional details.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing ODPANN 23-044: Now Open: Registration for Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course. The purpose of this announcement is to communicate that registration for the July–December 2023 CI Initial Certification Course classes (also known as cohorts) is now open on MyODP. View the announcement for a course description and registration details.

Today, June 5, members of the Coalition for the Preservation of Employment Choice and RCPA urged the PA General Assembly to preserve protections and programs meant for those with IDD, including preserving Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Those speaking detailed how a loss of such programs would limit those with IDD to education and workplace options.

Richard Edley, PhD, President and CEO of RCPA, defended the programs, stating, “When you systematically limit choice, you are taking away a basic principle of helping people with disabilities.”

Also speaking at the rally was Colleen Stuart, CEO of Venango Training and Development Center, Inc., President of the Coalition for the Preservation of Employment Choice, and incoming Board Chair for RCPA. Colleen spoke of those with IDD in the workforce and education, asserting, “Without adequate rates that cover the cost of services, they will lose this choice, as providers will not be able to maintain.”

George Gwilliam of Cori’s Place, who also serves as an RCPA Board Member, was present, as well, speaking on behalf of those with IDD who would be impacted by the loss of protections.

Read the full press release here.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shares details on a free online course from PaTTAN “The Nuts and Bolts of Job Coaching.” This course is geared towards paraprofessionals, other support staff, teachers, transition coordinators, special education directors, or anyone interested in this topic. Please review the flyer for dates, registration information, and course content.

Many people feel at a loss as to how to best provide support to individuals with a dual diagnosis (individuals with an Intellectual Disability and Autism with co-occurring mental health issues and challenging behaviors) to lead healthy, happy, and meaningful lives. The Capacity Building Institute (CBI) offers an in-depth learning opportunity to professionals across the entire service partnership, including direct support staff and supervisors, supports coordinators/case managers and supervisors, agency trainers, managed care organizations, behavior specialists, psychiatrists, professional counselors and therapists, and dual diagnosis treatment teams.

Directed by Gregory Cherpes, MD, ODP Medical Director, and Dr. Beth Barol, CBI brings together a select group of professionals to learn with a faculty of national experts and speakers. CBI training is presented by the Co-Directors of the Institute in conjunction with an array of highly experienced practitioners and innovators in the field.

Information on how to express interest in participating, session information, and requirements are identified in the invitation to apply.

The Capacity Building Institute will meet once a month for a two-day session beginning September 2023 and ending May 2024. Five sessions will be live and in-person, and four will be live and virtual. There is no option to attend virtually when the session is live and in-person.

ODP Announcement 23-043 shares that the proposed amendments to the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers and proposed rates for select services are available for public review and comment. There is a 30-day public comment period that starts on May 27, 2023, and ends on June 27, 2023, at 11:59 pm.

These proposed changes are scheduled to take effect November 1, 2023. ODP is also making available for public review and comment the rate setting methodology and fee schedule rates for select services in the waivers that are scheduled to take effect January 1, 2024.

The waiver amendments in their entirety can be found here.

Additional fee schedule rates are being added for:

  • Group music therapy, art therapy, and equine assisted therapy services provided through the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers.
  • Needs Group 5 Residential Habilitation services provided through the Consolidated Waiver and Life Sharing Without Day Services provided through the Consolidated and Community Living Waivers.

The new Specialty Health Assessment and Coordination service in the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers will be reimbursed monthly as a vendor service based on the cost that the provider charges to the general public. The rate changes proposed above are planned to become effective January 1, 2024.

In addition, ODP proposes to adopt the temporary enhanced rates for CPS and Transportation Trip as the fee schedule rates on November 1, 2023.

Information regarding the proposed waiver amendment changes and rates, including how to provide comments, can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, Volume 53, Number 21, published on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Comments and requests for copies of this notice and documents may be submitted to ODP via email. Comments submitted should use subject header ”Waiver and Rate Comments.” There are also webinars scheduled to provide public comment.

RCPA will be asking members for their input to our comments as well and will schedule a meeting to review this information shortly. If you have any questions or comments that you would like to be sure we include, please contact Carol Ferenz or Cathy Barrick.