On Tuesday, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, M.D., director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities for research supported by the National Institutes of Health. The decision was made in consultation with Robert Otto Valdez, Ph.D., the director of the Agency for
Earlier today, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Bacerra announced at a press conference that the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has proposed updated regulations to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits disability discrimination by recipients of federal funding. The proposed update
SAPNA is the Self Advocacy Power Network for All. It is a project of the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). SAPNA is managed by Self Advocates United as 1 (SAU1), a PA non-profit run by and for people with disabilities. SAU1's mission is to support the self advocacy of people with disabilities
Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an official proclamation dedicating the week of September 10th through September 16th, 2023 Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. The proclamation, available to read here, recognizes the vital contributions DSPs provide to address the physical and mental health of individuals with disabilities, as well as veterans and
Draeger Medical, Inc. is recalling its Carina Ventilators due to the presence of contaminants in the device’s airpath. The contaminants exceed acceptable levels if used by pediatric patients for more than 30 days. During testing, the firm found polyether polyurethane (PE-PUR) in the airpath of the Carina ventilator. This results in the
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) in collaboration with Mercer Government Human Services Consulting have released an initial report on the Behavioral Health Telehealth Services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism Project. The project seeks to: Outline recommendations to optimize
September is FASD Awareness Month (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder). This is an expansion of FASD Awareness Day that has been held each year on September 9th since 1999. People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy and the challenges of individuals
Funding opportunity - Children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) Bullying Prevention and Safe Relationships (BPSR) Program The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Family Health is pleased to announce a request for applications for its Bullying Prevention and Safe Relationships program. GOALThe Bullying Prevention and Safe Relationships (BPSR) Program
The third annual publication of the Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals has been released! The purpose of this guide is to offer resources in one central location for those who support or care for someone who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind and receives supports
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for a statewide contract with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for its PA SWTCIE Grant InVEST Project has been re-issued. Interested parties should access information regarding this opportunity through the link below. The InVEST Project is seeking to increase competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals who are
