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
The Pennsylvania Family Network (PAFN) recently certified all of their advisors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Charting My LifeCourse. Charting My LifeCourse introduces self-advocates to the building blocks of Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) which allows them to mentor peers in using the tools. The Charting the LifeCourse framework was created by the University of
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has detected a recent growth in reports of stolen SNAP and TANF benefits in the Erie and Western PA regions due to suspected EBT card skimming. Although these types of fraudulent activities are on the rise nationwide, the recent wave of scams in PA are depleting
Heather Radcliffe became a Direct Support Professional (DSP) three years ago. Before that she worked for an online clothing retailer in a warehouse. She was looking for more meaningful work, and deep down she knew she would love being a DSP. “My husband, actually, had already been working for SPIN,” Heather recounts,
Technology First SHIFT announced this week that KenCrest has earned their Technology First Reaccreditation. Organizations earning SHIFT’s highest level of recognition complete comprehensive education requirements and undergo a rigorous evaluation process. SHIFT Accredited organizations demonstrate their ability to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible through the successful adoption of
The LifeCourse Nexus is offering two training workshops for those who are looking to build capacity with the LifeCourse Framework. What is the LifeCourse Framework? The Charting the LifeCourse framework was created to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what
It's hot out there!! Did you know that temperatures can impact how well we communicate with each other? Since it’s summertime, let’s talk about heat. When people are overheated, some ways it can affect their communication are: The heat causes physical symptoms, like nausea or dizziness, that make it hard to focus.
ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens caught up with Paul Smith of Lycoming County after a summer bocce ball tournament. Paul, a Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete, saw an ad in the paper and joined the program roughly two years ago. Since then, Paul, with the help of coach Lester Loner and the Athlete
August 6, 2024 between 10 AM and 2 PM ODP and the Temple Institute on Disabilities invites you to join a free event aimed at teaching participants about different types of Assistive Technology (AT). Assistive Technology refers to products, equipment, and systems that enhance learning, working, and daily living for individuals with
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) celebrated Sports & Fitness Month with Erie Athletics, Erie's adult Special Olympics chapter. In May, ODP joined Erie Athletics team members Dion, Mary Ellen, Roy, Nicole, and their coach, Natalie, for track and field practice where they worked on javelin, shotput, standing long jump, and distance
