BLOG

Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Health Alert: 2026 Cold Weather Alert

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached Health Alert, 2026 Cold Weather Alert. Please review the attached Alert for important information on precautions to prevent cold-weather-related health risks.

REMINDER: Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Registration Deadline

Registration Deadline Approaching
 
Announcing the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Year 3!
 

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is excited to announce the Third Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). PCBI is a unique, interactive, educational experience which will occur monthly from March 2026 to October 2026. DHS strives to bring exceptional speakers who engage participants in a wide range of topics designed to better support children and families with complex needs across the Commonwealth. Some of the topics include infant mental health, leading through change, multisystemic planning, impact of trauma on children and families, vicarious trauma among professionals, expressive therapies and much more. PCBI also strives to incorporate the voices and experience of the children and families using these supports and services at every juncture. PCBI is open to professionals across systems with an interest in learning more about supporting children with complex needs and system change. 

Please review the attached flyer for more details and to complete the interest survey.  Interest surveys must be completed by January 29th, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by February 5, 2026 via email.

ODPANN 26-013 Older Adult Daily Living Center Clarification

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-013 Older Adult Daily Living Center ClarificationThe purpose of this communication is to clarify when a provider licensed under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2380 is required to also obtain licensure as an Older Adult Daily Living Center (OADLC) from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA).

Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series (DDPCS) February 2026

Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series
Bringing America Greatness - Serving the Disability Community with Cultural Competency/Do No Harm
February 19, 2026 - 10:00am – 1:00pm
 
Session Description:
Cultural Competency is necessary for every American, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, economic status, disability or handicap. Being different does not guarantee the ability to relate positively to our diversity, in a personal or professional way. This training will help develop skills that focus on living-working-playing-learning together. These skills must be practiced and learned across all sectors of our society. Emphasis will be placed on equity as a right for all Americans embraced by leaders of people everywhere from birth to adulthood. Thus, cultural competency as a skill set is both beyond, but essential to diversity and inclusion efforts, providing a chemistry for “greatness” in America.
Session is free, but registration is required, attendance is on a first come, first served basis.
Please Review the attached flyer for additional details
 
The session will be offered virtually via the Zoom© platform. The Zoom link for joining the session will be sent to the email you used to register. This link will be unique to your registration. Please do not share this link.
 
 
For questions on registration, email: [email protected]
 

ODPANN 26-012 Newly Released Lesson - Using Root Cause Analysis in the Development of Corrective Actions

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-012 Newly Released Lesson - Using Root Cause Analysis in the Development of Corrective Actions. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of a new online lesson, Using Root Cause Analysis in the Development of Corrective Actions.

ODPANN 26-011 Open for Public Comment - Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) 5-Year Renewal

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-011 Open for Public Comment Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) 5-Year RenewalThe purpose of this communication is to inform all interested stakeholders of the opportunity to submit public comments on the proposed renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective July 1, 2026. The public comment period starts on January 17, 2026, and ends on February 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

ODPANN 26-010 Quality Management (QM) Recertification for ODP QM Certificate Holders

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-010 Quality Management (QM) Recertification for ODP QM Certificate Holders. The purpose of this communication is to advise that those who achieved QM certification/recertification during calendar year 2024 are due for recertification by December 31, 2026.

Office of Developmental Programs' (ODP) February 2026 Training and Events Calendar Reissue - Corrected Links

The previous release of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) Training and Events Calendar had an incorrect link. Attached please find the Training and Events Calendar for February 2026. This update contains a corrected link for the Public Comment Session - Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Renewal webinar scheduled for February 9, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

 

ODPANN 26-009 ODP Provides Written Notice of Provider Requalification Requirements

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-009 ODP Provides Written Notice of Provider Requalification Requirements. The purpose of this communication is to inform all waiver providers and vendors whose last digit of their Master Provider Index (MPI) number is 6, 7, 8, or 9, as well as new providers who enrolled in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, that they must submit their qualification documentation to their Assigned AE and/or ODP’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP). This documentation is due between February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. 

ODPANN 26-008 The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Provides Written Notice of AAW SCO Requalification Requirements

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-008 The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Provides Written Notice of AAW SCO Requalification Requirements. The purpose of this communication is To inform all AAW SCOs, whose last digit of their Master Provider Index (MPI) number is 6, 7, 8, or 9 as well as new SCOs who enrolled in the AAW during fiscal year 2024-2025, that they must submit their qualification documentation to the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) between February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026.

ODPANN 26-007 Upcoming Trainings for Professionals, Individuals and Families about ODP’s Life Sharing Waiver Service

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-007 Upcoming Trainings for Professionals, Individuals and Families about ODP’s Life Sharing Waiver Service. The purpose of this communication to support ODP’s efforts to expand the use of the Life Sharing service, as this service is rated as having one of the highest satisfactions by individuals for having an everyday life (IM4Q data) by announcing two ODP webinars to provide education and an explanation about the Life Sharing service.

ODPANN 26-005 UPDATED Notice of Change to Federal Reimbursement of Transportation Costs Effective January 1 2026

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-005 UPDATED Notice of Change to Federal Reimbursement of Transportation Costs Effective January 1, 2026.  The purpose of this update is to clarify calculation methods for the new federal reimbursement for transportation costs. All updated information will appear in red underlined font.

 

Read More

ODPANN 26-006 Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability Autism (IDA) Provider Applicants

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-006 Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability Autism (IDA) Provider Applicants. The purpose of this communication is to provide a clear, step-by-step process for new provider applicants seeking qualification under the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) ID/A waivers. The steps flow in the order they must be completed, making it easier for providers and AEs to follow the required sequence from PAO through qualification, enrollment, and service authorization. 

 

Read More

Performance Based Contracting (PBC) Quarterly Provider Forum 2026 Schedule - Residential Providers

This forum is provided to support provider preparedness. The Office of Development Programs (ODP) will review the quarterly forums and discuss data presented to the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Provider Performance Review Subcommittee.  ODP will also review the emerging themes or trends with the implementation of performance-based contracting.
 
Audience:
Residential Providers
 
Date:
March 11, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Registration:
 
Date:
June 10, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Registration:
 
Date:
September 9, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Registration:
 
Date:
December 9, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Registration:

Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Invitation

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is excited to announce the Third Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI).  PCBI is a unique, interactive, educational experience which will occur monthly from March 2026 to October 2026.  DHS strives to bring exceptional speakers who engage participants in a wide range of topics designed to better support children and families with complex needs across the Commonwealth.  Some of the topics include infant mental health, leading through change, multisystemic planning, impact of trauma on children and families, vicarious trauma among professionals, expressive therapies and much more.  PCBI also strives to incorporate the voices and experience of the children and families using these supports and services at every juncture.  PCBI is open to professionals across systems with an interest in learning more about supporting children with complex needs and system change. 

 

Read More

ODPANN 26-005 Notice of Change to Federal Reimbursement of Transportation Costs Effective January 1 2026

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-005 Notice of Change to Federal Reimbursement of Transportation Costs Effective January 1 2026.  The purpose of this communication is to provide notice of the rate change, as well as instructions for Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs) on how to add transportation mileage to the vendor screen. It also instructs direct service providers on how to submit claim adjustments, if applicable.

 

Read More

ODPANN 26-004 Provider Qualification Process

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-004 Provider Qualification ProcessThe purpose of this communication is to share the updated Provider Qualification Process. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require a statewide process to ensure providers are qualified to render services to waiver-funded individuals. The Provider Qualification Process described in the attached communication outlines the steps the Assigned Administrative Entity (AE) and provider must follow to meet these requirements and the steps Supports Coordinators (SCs) take to transition individuals if needed. This communication does not describe the qualification process for SC organizations.

Portal Training for Residential Service Providers

MyPBC Portal Training for Residential Service Providers
Training for Residential Service Providers on the MyPBC Portal features and functionality.
Who should attend?
Residential Service Providers
Date:
February 5, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Register:

Children's Trust Fund RFA Grant Opportunity

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the following message:

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is pleased to announce the Request for Application (RFA) for the Children's Trust Fund (CTF) grants. The CTF Board has identified the following funding priorities to be explored by communities as they seek to create or grow community-based primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs and projects:

Read More

ODPANN 26-003 Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication ODPANN 26-003 Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments.  The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the ISP Manual that includes changes due to the January 1, 2026 amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living and Person/Family Directed Support waivers.
 
Please review the announcement for more details.
ATTACHMENTS: