The 2024 Pennsylvania Regional Collaboratives For Supporting Families Summit sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) was held August 14 and 15, 2024. Pennsylvania’s Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families are naturally-connected communities in which ODP stakeholders from all walks of life create local networks of support for the families of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or autism.

August’s summit was held virtually over two days. Over 100 members of PA regional collaboratives joined the virtual event, which featured a keynote presentation from Bob Sattler of Support Development Associates, and sessions on a range of topics including housing, lifesharing, aging family caregivers, early intervention and more.

On the final day, the Supporting Families Statewide Leadership team presented Engagement Champion awards to two regional collaboratives:

• Greene County
• Lehigh Valley

Recipients were chosen using the principles of diversity, inclusion, integration, and growth as the rationale for understanding that “Community Engagement” is defined as “a strategic process with the specific purpose of working with identified groups of people, whether they are connected by geographic location, special interest, or affiliation to identify and address issues affecting their well-being.” 

ODP thanks Pennsylvania’s Regional Collaboratives for their vital work in supporting families across the Commonwealth!