This site contains important information regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine. Please share this information widely. Attachment 1: COVID-19 Vaccine Information from PA DOH

ACL and CMS host a monthly webinar series that invites subject matter experts and practitioners from across the home-and-community-based services (HCBS) spectrum to share insights and best practices to develop […]

Choices and decisions made by the person you support – what’s in it for you? We are going to talk about checking yourself. That is, how do you support someone […]

This guidance was developed to support AEs to facilitate discussions with providers about staffing contingency plans in anticipation of extreme stresses on residential providers during and after the surge of […]

The Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the release of Bulletin 00-20-04, Participant-Directed Services: Agency With Choice Financial Management Services Model. This bulletin […]

ODP is happy to announce the publication of the Communication and…Series with over 25 different diagnoses included! The goal of this series is to provide information on how each diagnosis […]

The Office of Developmental Programs invites administrative entities to review the newly published Reference Manual on Community Healthchoices. The manual is designed to assist administrative entities in navigating technical issues […]

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is providing guidance for responding to signs and symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination in healthcare personnel (HCP). Strategies are needed for healthcare facilities to appropriately evaluate […]

The Department of Human Services would like to be sure you are aware of this interim plan and are able to provide feedback relevant to your work and the people […]

Per ODP Announcement 20-032, 55 Pa. Code Chapters 2380, 2390, 6100, and 6400 provide that a staff person can administer medications to individuals if the staff person successfully completes an […]

Today is the launch of the DHS CARES Act Funding Tracking Tool for the Act 24 Final Report. Starting today, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) providers can begin completing their […]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS) requires a statewide processto ensure SCOs are qualified to render services to waiver-funded individuals. ODP is replacing the previous AAW SCO requalification process […]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS) requires a statewide processto ensure providers are qualified to render services to waiver-funded individuals. ODP continues to align processes whenever possible, therefore, the […]

Can you simply coax or convince people to change their habits and behaviors? Sure, but not when you are looking to create behaviors and habits that will stick around for […]

The purpose of this document is to: • Provide recommendations to enable Life-Sharing agencies to assist host homes with understanding and applying the guidance • Provide recommendations relating to individual […]

This announcement provides guidance to Community and Life Sharing Home providers about how to apply updated COVID-19 testing guidance and infection control procedure guidance issued by the Pennsylvania Department of […]

ODP has developed the following Holiday Safety Poster based on Center for Disease Control (CDC) and PA Department of Health (DOH) recommendations. Please refer to this poster this holiday season […]

ODP is happy to announce the publication of the Communication and…Series with over 25 different diagnoses included! The goal of this series is to provide information on how each diagnosis […]

This document reflects ongoing efforts as well as areas of focus for new or enhanced strategies for the Initiative Coordinator and leadership team for the fiscal year 2020-2021. It is […]

With new modeling projecting 22,000 new COVID-19 cases per day in Pennsylvania in December, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced new targeted mitigation measures […]

Do you support an individual who uses VGC? This mode of communication can be described as a natural response to wanting to communicate, including all forms of gestures. Join the […]

The holiday season is fast approaching while COVID-19 cases are surging across the commonwealth. ODP encourages all stakeholders to observe the holidays through safe celebration as guided by our state […]

To communicate additional and updated guidance through version 3 of “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About ODP’s Requirements During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Attachment 1: ODP Announcement 20-108: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Version […]

ODP is happy to announce publication of our first online Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) training module! Over 8,000 individuals supported in the ODP system have VGC listed as their primary […]

As of last week, ODP has not received interim reports from 334 providers who received Act 24 funds. If your agency MPI is on the attached excel file, we have […]

On May 29, 2020, Governor Wolf signed Act 24 of 2020, which allocates funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act – also known as the CARES […]

To provide updated issuance and effective dates for the revised Incident Management Bulletin and subsequent changes to the Enterprise Incident Management system. Attachment 1: ODP Announcement 20-107: Revised Timeline for Incident […]

To inform ODP AAW SCOs and providers that Quarterly Summary Reports (QSRs) are being replaced by Quarterly Progress Notes (QPNs). Attachment 1: ODP Announcement 20-100 REMINDER: Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) […]

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance distributing the attached communication, ODPANN 20-103: Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) New Individual Support Plan (ISP) Signature Form and accompanying attachment. This […]

We have posted PowerPoints and resources from the PATC presentations, as well as personal stories shared by individuals with ASD. If you did attend PATC 2020, and have not yet […]

On July 27, 2020, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) facilitated an overview meeting with Administrative Entities (AEs) and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs) on Electronic Visit Verification (EVV). ODP communicated […]

To provide updated PRE resources and to announce revisions to the PRE tool in QuestionPro and an upcoming Virtual Targeted Training (VTT) that will replace the existing PRE training module currently […]

The purpose of this communication is to notify SCOs enrolled in the AAW of a change to the service note fields in HCSIS Attachment 1: ODP Announcement 20-058: Additional Fields in […]

The purpose of this communication is to announce that the Heightened Scrutiny Onsite Tools for Residential Service Locations have been finalized and posted. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is […]

Session opportunities are 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on February 25 and 28. To register, email cwtpreg@pitt.edu. Visit www.dhs.pa.gov or email ra-PWFamilyFirst@pa.gov for more information. Attachment 1: Department of Human […]

A copy of the Provider Agreement for Participation in Pennsylvania’s Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support, Community Living Waivers and Adult Autism Waiver and accompanying letter from Deputy Secretary for Developmental Programs […]

On February 14, 2019, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released Bulletin 00-19-01, OVR Referral Process for ODP Employment-Related Services. Attachment 4 to […]

The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify the storage, use, and administration of medical marijuana in facilities licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and Pennsylvania Department of […]

To announce that requested clarification has been developed regarding Medication Administration requirements in 55 Pa. Code §§6100.461 – 6100.469. Attachment 1: 20-014 New ODP Regulation Update Clarification Regarding Medication Administration […]

To announce the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for Personal Care Services bulletin is available for review and public comment. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59pm on March 16, 2020. […]

To disseminate information regarding the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) change to the minimum qualification requirements to provide Benefits Counseling in the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS waivers. Attachment 1: […]

Please find attached the Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for Individuals Receiving Targeted Support Management, Base-Funded Services, Consolidated, Community Living or Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waiver Services (the ID/A Waivers), or […]

The Chapter 6100 regulations and revised versions of Chapters 2380, 2390, 6400, and 6500 became fully effective on February 1, 20201. The Pennsylvania Code has been officially updated to reflect […]

The Provider Closure Notification Form (DP 1061) is used to ensure that all ODP waiver and system requirements are met for any provider who no longer intends to provide ODP […]

The purpose of this bulletin is to announce the release of the Chapter 6400 Regulatory Compliance Guide (RCG) (6400) for implementation starting February 3, 2020. Attachment 1: ODP Releases Chapter […]

To inform Administrative Entities (AEs) of their role in conducting initial Level of Care (LOC) determinations for the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) Adult Autism Waiver […]

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released notification on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 of the new Provider Agreement effective January 1, 2020. The attached letter from ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin […]

Attached please find the new Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Provider Agreement. Effective January 1, 2020, the Provider Agreement must be filled out and submitted by the legal entity of […]

To announce the release of the Modified Medication Administration course. This course is a requirement under the Chapter 6100 regulations for individuals supporting a family member in an unlicensed Lifesharing […]

To explain changes to the process of administering the SIBr in the AAW. Attachment 1: ODPANN 19-166: Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Population (BSASP) Required Program Assessment: Changes […]

To inform all stakeholders that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has updated the Fair Hearing Request Form (DP 458) and replaced older versions on MyODP and the Department of […]

Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Interviews to include Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) To provide SCs and SC Supervisors information regarding IM4Q interviews and to notify SCs and SC Supervisors that […]

To provide information to agencies interested in enrolling as a direct provider orOrganized Healthcare Delivery System (OHCDS) provider of the Transportation serviceadded to the AAW with an anticipated effective date […]

This Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) communication is to inform all interested parties providing services in the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), and Community Living Waivers of the process ODP […]

Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania’s mandatory managed care program for individuals who are 21 years of age or older and have both Medicare and Medicaid or receive long-term services and […]

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) issued ODPANN 19-127, Investigations by an ODP-Certified Investigator Required by Chapter 6100: ODP’s Expectations and Implementation Strategy. The announcement contained a typographical […]

To announce that registration is open for Business Partners to begin the process for moving to e-CIS access. Attachment ODP 19-115 Updated: e-CIS Business Partner Access – Registration Open

To announce that EVV training registration is now open for providers, provider agencies and AWCs who will use the DHS Sandata EVV system and that ODP-specific EVV technical guidance is […]

Registration is now open for the upcoming Community HealthChoices (CHC) Fall Educational Provider Sessions for Phase Three regions. Attachment Community Health Choices Fall Provider Session Registration

Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania’s mandatory managed care program for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) and Medicaid. CHC also covers individuals 21 years […]

The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of Version 3 of the Community Participation Support Question and Answer Document. Please review the announcement and the question and […]

For more information about service coordination in CHC, please view the attached fact sheet. Attachment Community Health Choices Fact Sheet: Service Coordination

To address identification of staffing ratios for facility time in the provision of the Community Participation Support service. Attachment ODP 19-098: Clarification on Identification of Staffing Ratios for Facility Time in […]

To provide information to interested parties on revisions to the annotated ISP and its impact on the documentation of staffing support provided to people receiving residential habilitation services in waiver […]

To provide continued guidance, including a timeline for transitional activities, regarding the July 1, 2019 requirement in the Community Participation Support and Day Habilitation service definitions that each individual be […]

This Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Announcement communicates the launching of ODP’s Online Provider Profiles to all stakeholders. The announcement also includes registration information for ODP webinar training sessions for […]

Contact information for Licensed Adult Training Facilities and Vocational Facilities that relocate an existing service location to a new service location . Attachment ODP 19-084: Delay for Requirements Regarding the […]

To announce the availability of an updated version of the required SPeCTRUM training for AAW and ACAP providers and SCOs, and to outline the requirements and timeframes for providers and […]

To inform all waiver providers and vendors that a modification in the Office of Developmental Programs Provider Enrollment will take effect July 1, 2019. Attachment ODP 19-069: Reissue 2– Process […]

To announce that an updated version of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Contact Information for ID/Autism Coordinators is now available. Attachment ODP 19-048: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Contact […]

These documents are intended to provide updated guidance related to the following Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Waiver employment services: • Advanced Supported Employment • Supported Employment • Small Group Employment • […]

The purpose of this communication is to inform providers, SCOs and other reporting entities who have a responsibility to file incidents in EIM of the functionality of EIM Alerts they […]

The purpose of this announcement is to inform Supports Coordinators (SCs) and Supports Coordination Supervisors (SC Supervisors) of the addition of email notifications when there is a system-generated alert in […]

This communication provides an overview about the process to implement reserved capacity for participant direction transfers in the Consolidated, Community Living and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers (hereafter referred to […]

ODP is pleased to announce that the Certified Investigator Training Program vendor, Temple University of Harrisburg (TUH), has established a Quality Investigations Unit. This unit will be conducting Certified Investigator […]

To announce new documentation requirements within the Individual Support Plan (ISP).These requirements are part of the implementation of a settlement agreement, whichpertains to services received by individuals through the Consolidated […]

ODP is pleased to release the following report: “Improving the Quality of Residential Services.” For an overview and explanation, ODP encourages you to read and share the attached announcement with […]

For more information about CHC for ODP service providers, view the attached fact sheet. Attachment ODP Providers & CHC Fact Sheet

This Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Communication is to inform all interested parties of revisions in the Residential Habilitation vacancy management process that pertains to Harry M. class members. Attachment […]

This Health Alert is intended to make all providers, staff and other caregivers aware of this serious issue of choking. All should become familiar with resources to aid in the […]

To inform providers that ODP is requiring newly enrolling providers of Residential Habilitation services to complete the ODP-approved Dual Diagnosis Training curriculum. This applies to new Residential Habilitation providers who […]

To notify Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Supports Coordinators (SCs) that raw score information from the Scales of Independent Behavior- Revised (SIB-r) should now be entered in QuestionPro. Attachment BAW 18-13 […]

To announce the availability of webcasts on Charting the LifeCourse material. Attachments 039-18 : Charting the LifeCourse Webcasts Now Available on MyODP

The purpose of this announcement is to release a Community Participation Support (CPS) template to assist in addressing both CPS authorization issues for Fiscal Year (FY) 17-18 and CPS authorization […]

This ODP communication is intended to provide clarification regarding the provision of discrete Respite services for individuals who are authorized to receive Life Sharing services as well as clarification on […]

To provide guidance to interested parties on team discussions and documentation of staffing ratios and guidance on Supplemental Habilitation in Residential Habilitation services. Attachment 026-18 : Clarifications on Residential Service […]

To communicate the availability of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) Manual and accompanying appendices. Attachment BAW18-01 Admin Notice: Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) Manual Now Available

To communicate a new restrictive procedure plan indicator in the Behavioral Support Plan (BSP) Attachment BAW17-37 Admin Notice: New Restrictive Intervention Plan Indicator

The purpose of this announcement is to remind the audience of the training requirements established by the Harry M Settlement agreement, and to provide updated information about how to access […]

The purpose of this communication is to inform providers that the seventh module of the required Community Participation Supports training is now available on MyODP.org and to provide additional information […]

The purpose of this communication is to inform providers that the sixth module of the required Community Participation Supports training is now available on MyODP.org and to provide additional information […]

The purpose of this communication is to inform providers that the fifth module of the required Community Participation Supports training is now available on MyODP.org and to provide additional information […]

The purpose of this communication is to inform providers that Module 4 of the required Community Participation Supports training is now available on MyODP.org and to provide additional information on […]

To announce that ODP is reissuing Communication 084-17 because ODP has updated and rereleased a “SIS™ Urgent Request Process Quick Tips Sheet” and posted it on MyODP Training and Resource […]

To announce the addition of two new ODP courses on MyODP: 1. “Foundations of Person Centered Thinking.” 2. “Overview of Dementia Capable Care for People with Intellectual Disability” professional development […]

This ODP communication is intended to provide clarification on changes to residential services as specified in the approved Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers effective July 1, 2017. Attachments […]

The purpose of this communication is to inform providers that the second and third modules of the required Community Participation Supports training is now available on MyODP.org and to provide […]

To inform AAW Supports Coordinators (SC) of the requirement to receive and document verbal consent from the participant when the Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) requests certain revisions to the […]

The purpose of this communication is to inform providers that the first module of the required Community Participation Supports training is now available on MyODP.org and to provide additional information […]