A limited number of scholarships for in-person or virtual attendance for youth/young adults and family/caregivers are being offered to attend the 2024 PA Community of Practice Transition Conference. The PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and PaTTAN are pleased to offer a limited number of in person or virtual youth/young adult and
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh recently published two opinion pieces highlighting the historic investments for intellectual disability and autism (ID/A) services and the ID/A workforce in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 proposed budget. At events across the Commonwealth, Secretary Arkoosh has met with advocates, families, caregivers, and direct support
During the 2024 Charting the LifeCourse Showcase held in Kansas City, Missouri, two representatives of Pennsylvania’s support professional cohort were recognized for their work. Pam Schaefer, Training and Development Senior Analyst at KenCrest, and Jack Butler, Director of Person-Centered Supports at Achieva each received awards at the national conference recognizing their innovative
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services rule (Access Rule). The Access Rule will strengthen the home and community-based services (HCBS) that make community living possible for millions of people. It includes important new requirements related to the direct care workforce, health and
April is recognized as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Communication is typically impacted by ASD. Some of those impacts may include… Limited or different eye contact Difficulty noticing and understanding non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures Varying abilities to use speech as communication Trouble communicating about subjects not of special
November 5-7, 2024 The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites you to save the date for the 2024 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference! The conference will be held virtually from November 5th to November 7th 2024. More details, as well as registration information to follow. Do you know an artist or storyteller? Encourage
Governor Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation recognizingApril 18, 2024 as Move Your Way Day The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and Governor Josh Shapiro’s office invite you to Move Your Way! To acknowledge the National Day of Exercise and ODP’s new campaign to encourage physical activity, Governor Josh Shapiro has signed the
Nicholas “Nick” Smith, member of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) will be testifying in front of the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging on the topic of “The Long-Term Care Workforce: Addressing Shortages and Improving the Profession” on Tuesday, April 16, 10:00 AM. Nick is
On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be an eclipse event, and parts of Pennsylvania will have a view of a total solar eclipse. The Office of Developmental Programs is reminding everyone that it is not safe to directly view an eclipse with the unprotected eye. Severe eye damage or blindness can occur. It
On March 15, 2024, Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) released a health advisory about the CDC New Respiratory Virus Guidance (which is a general guidance for community settings). Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) provides this guidance based upon available information and is subject to change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
