The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the publication of bulletin 00-26-04 “Handbook for Claim and Service Documentation” (see attachments to this email).  Please note the effective date of this bulletin is January 1, 2027. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance on documentation needed to substantiate a claim and guidance on the service documentation processes. There are some new requirements in this bulletin which include:

• The provider’s full name or MPI must be included on service notes. 
• For services delivered in a facility-based setting or if there is a staff ratio greater than 1:1, the names of all professionals who delivered services must be documented in the service note. 
• Service notes must indicate the general names of locations in the community where services were delivered such as the name of a restaurant, park, or community activity. Documenting “community” or “other” does not meet this requirement.
• Providers of Residential Habilitation, Life Sharing, and Supported Living services in the Consolidated, Community Living or Adult Autism Waivers must include start and end times of when the individual is receiving services or unpaid support that are not included in the residential service in the service note.  A description of what occurred during these times is not required to be included in the residential service note. 
• Service note and documentation requirements have been updated for Supports Coordination Organizations to align with Performance-Based Contracting changes that will be effective January 1, 2027.
• If there is a discrepancy of more than 25% between utilization of services and authorization of services during the period of time covered by the progress note, there must be an explanation in the progress note that describes the reason for the discrepancy and whether adjustments in the back-up plan and/or service provision will be made to ensure needed and authorized services are provided at the duration and frequency noted in the ISP.
• Services in the attachments have been updated to reflect recently approved waivers such as the addition of the Specialty Telehealth and Assessment Team service and American Sign Language – English Interpreter service.

Attachment 1: Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is excited to announce the publication of bulletin 00-26-03 “Targeted Support Management (TSM) Service” (see attachments to this email). This bulletin communicates and clarifies the requirements for TSM including some new requirements which include:

• Clarification of the assessment activities required for re-evaluation of level of care; and
• Requiring a medical evaluation be completed every 3 years.

 Please note that the Handbook for Claim and Service Documentation will also be published in the very near future and will include claim and service documentation requirements for TSM.  Some of the requirements in both bulletins will be covered in the “Billing Updates for Support Coordination Organizations In-Person Training” scheduled for September and October throughout the state.  ODP will assess ongoing training needs related to TSM and publish training opportunities identified.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-088 - Newly Released: The Certified Investigator (CI) Program Spotlight Quarterly Newsletter. The purpose of this communication is to communicate to the above Stakeholders that the Temple University Harrisburg Certified Investigator Program and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) have released the August 2026 issue of the quarterly newsletter, The CI Program Spotlight.

Effective immediately, OVR will no longer authorize Phase 2 – Job Placement at the same time as Phase 1 – Job Development. Phase 1 will be authorized while the customer is actively engaged in Job Development. Phase 2 will be authorized once a job offer and anticipated start date have been identified.

When a customer receives a job offer, the CRP must notify the VRC as soon as the job offer and anticipated start date are known and provide the required placement information. Prompt notification is critical so that OVR has sufficient time to authorize Phase 2 before the customer begins employment and necessary job coaching can be available beginning with the customer's first day of work. If the assigned VRC is unavailable and the customer’s start date is approaching, the CRP should contact the VRC Supervisor. If the VRC Supervisor is also unavailable, the CRP should contact the District Office Supported Employment Coordinator for assistance. The current SE Coordinator List is always available in the CWDS Help Center by searching “Coordinator List – Supported Employment.” If the CRP is unable to reach the VRC, VRC Supervisor, or SE Coordinator, the CRP should contact the appropriate OVR District Office using the OVR Office Directory and ask to speak with the supervisor on duty that day regarding the time-sensitive Phase 2 authorization.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached Health Alert, Confirmed Measles Cases in Pennsylvania Alert Update.  Please review the attached Health Alert for important updates related to Measle cases in Pennsylvania and information on precautions and action steps if you have symptoms of Measles or believe you have been exposed to a person who has Measles.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-087 - New Address for the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals (BHA) in Harrisburg. The purpose of this communication is to inform stakeholders of the new address for the BHA office in Harrisburg.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-086 - Notice of a Change to the Federal Reimbursement of Transportation Costs Effective July 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. The release of this communication obsoletes ODP Announcement 26-005.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 26-073 - Adult Autism Waiver AAW Provider Information Table Update and attachment, Adult Autism Waiver Provider Information Table Updated July 1, 2026. The purpose of this communication is to announce to all stakeholders that the most recent version of the AAW Provider Information Table is now available. This announcement is being reissued with a corrected link for the attachment: AAW Provider Information Table. Additionally, several links within the Provider Information Table were corrected and Appendix B: AAW Travel Policy Related to Service Definitions was updated. This communication obsoletes and replaces ODP Announcement 25-002, Adult Autism Waiver Provider Information Table.

Attached is the September 2026 training and events calendar. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance in sharing it widely.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communication, ODPANN 25-096 - Now Available Updated SCO PBC 2027 FAQ. The purpose of this communication is to notify stakeholders that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has published an updated FAQ for SCO-PBC.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is excited to announce the Fourth Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). PCBI is a unique, interactive, educational experience which occurs over a nine-month period (March 2027 - November 2027). DHS strives to bring exceptional speakers who engage participants in a wide range of topics designed to better support children with complex needs and their families. Some of the topics include infant mental health, leading through change, multisystem 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.

A formal invitation with additional details and an interest survey will be distributed on 9/1/2026. Each person must complete the PCBI Year 4 Interest Survey by 10/6/2026 to express interest and confirm their ability to attend all sessions. There are a limited number of spaces available for participants. Persons submitting an interest survey will be notified through email by 11/4/26, as to their admission status.

Developing and Implementing Effective Skill Building Plans

This five-part training reviews the development of a Skill Building Plan with an example and digs deeper into the process. Skill Building Plans are an essential tool in community services because they are designed to provide a clear, individualized roadmap for helping people gain new abilities and become more independent. Skill Building Plans are designed to communicate and address the specific needs and goals of the person and ensure that the support provided is tailored to what matters most to the person, when they need that support, and in the way that best supports their learning and independence.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 26-084 – Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin and attachments, Individual Support Plan (ISP) Manual and Summary of Major Changes Made to ISP Requirements for Processes. The purpose of this communication is to announce the release of the ISP Manual that includes changes needed to align with the implementation of Performance Based Contracting for Supports Coordination and recently published communications. This communication obsoletes ODP Announcement 046-17: Discontinuation of Life Sharing Ineligible Fees, ODP Announcement 19-090: Continued Guidance: Community Participation Support, ODP Announcement 21-025: Respite for a Participant Receiving Life Sharing Services, ODP Announcement 23-092: Community Participation Support (CPS) and Day Habilitation Teleservices Codes, ODP Announcement 24-051: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments, ODP Announcement 24-091: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments, ODP Announcement 24-126: New American Sign Language – English Interpreter Service Codes, ODP Announcement 25-012: Updates to the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Bulletin Attachments, and ODP Announcement 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 26-067 – Operational Guidance as a Result of the Dunkelberger vs. Department of Human Services (DHS) Court Decision – UPDATED and attachment Requirements and Timeframes for Updated Common Law Employer and Managing Employer Agreements in the ODP Participant-Directed Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) UPDATE. The purpose of this communication is to provide additional information and operational guidance as a result of the Dunkelberger v. DHS court decision. This communication obsoletes ODPANN 23-041 – Maximum Number of Hours per Week of In-Home and Community Support and/or Companion Services that Relatives and Legal Guardians May Provide and ODP Communication Memo 068-16 – Scheduling Support Service Workers to Work More than 40 Hours per Week in the Consolidated and P/FDS Waivers.