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
April is recognized as Workplace Violence Awareness Month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Workplace violence is the act or threat of violence, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assaults directed toward persons at work or on duty. 76% of workplace violence
April is Autism Acceptance Month. Please help the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) share the proclamation signed by Governor Josh Shapiro that celebrates the contributions of Pennsylvanians with autism. Governor Shapiro highlights the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting individuals with autism in the proclamation, stating: WHERAS, there are more than 55,000 children and adults
Through a cooperative agreement with the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), ACL has launched a new center to improve support for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who have mental health conditions. This center will focus on capacity building by supporting state agencies with policy development,
