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Hello Self Advocates and Allies!

The Governor Has made April Autism Acceptance Month!!

Read the Proclamation below and keep reading for the latest news from SAU1 and across the state

IMPORTANT! ADVOCATES PLEASE READ

Friends-

Disability Rights Pennsylvania is sharing an urgent action alert.

Disability and civil rights organizations are calling on Congress to stand against the SAVE Act (HR 22) and any bills that make voting harder for people with disabilities. The SAVE Act has already passed the U.S. House, and the U.S. Senate is going to start debate and voting on this March 17th!

Millions of voters will face new barriers when trying to vote, including:

• People with disabilities

• Older adults

• People with limited transportation

• People who do not have easy access to documents

These bills would:

• Require hard-to-get documents (like a passport or birth certificate) to register to vote

• Limit vote-by-mail, which many people with disabilities rely on

• Limit who can provide help to voters with disabilities, including with mail ballots

There is no evidence that noncitizen voting in federal elections is a widespread problem. But there is clear evidence that policies like these can block eligible voters from voting and conflict with longstanding protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Voting Rights Act.

How you can help!

Please tell Congress to reject these bills and protect accessible voting.

Upcoming SAU1 Events

Join us Friday April 17th to get your questions answered by ODP.

Power Talk with ODP is monthly chat with staff from the PA Office of Development Programs (ODP), the government office that oversees and funds those supports and services. People with ID/A can speak up with ODP while staff and others are welcome to listen and learn.

Our call starts with reviewing the questions we sent to ODP for this call.

What questions or concerns do you have about supports and services for people with intellectual disabilities and or autism (ID/A) in PA? Please email them to christine@sau1.org by April 8th for this month's call.

After the ODP staff leave, stay to talk about what we heard, and offer questions to send to ODP for next month.

📅 Date: Friday, April 17th

🕙 Time: 10:30–11:30 AM

THE LATEST NEWS FROM ODP

Life Sharing Resources Now Available on MyODP

The office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the release of new and updated resources available through MyODP

to support Life Sharing services. These materials have been developed to enhance the quality, consistency, and effectiveness

of Life Sharing services provided to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism across Pennsylvania.

In alignment with the mission of ODP, resources are intended to inform providers along

with individuals and families about Life Sharing and support person-centered approaches across all Life Sharing settings.

Key Updates Include:

·        Resource materials for providers, families, and Support Coordinators

·        Guidance reflecting current service definations and rates

·        Tools to support effective person centered service planning

·        Recorded webinars about Life Sharing services

ODP remains committed to ensuring that individuals receiving services experience

safe, supportive, and meaningful living environments. These resources are an important step in advancing that commitment

and fostering continuous improvement across the system.

We encourage all providers, families, and partners to review and utilize these materials as part of their ongoing efforts to deliver high-quality Life Sharing services.

Resources can be accessed by clicking the link below

Or by navigating to home.myodp.org -> clicking the “Resources” tab at the top of the page -> then selecting “Life Sharing” from the drop-down menu

NOTICE: This confidential message/attachment contains information intended for a specific individual(s) and purpose. Any inappropriate use, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If received in error, notify the sender and immediately delete the message.

You are Invited:

ID/A Waiver Renewal Listening Sessions

The Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) waivers are required to be renewed with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) every five years.

The Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers—collectively known as the ID/A Waivers—are scheduled for renewal effective July 1, 2027.

ODP invites you to participate in an upcoming listening session as part of the renewal process.

Please join Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens and Director of Policy, Julie Mochon for a general overview of the ID/A Waivers and the renewal process during one of the two sessions listed below.

Attendees will have the opportunity to share valuable feedback and insights to help strengthen the Waivers and enhance the services provided through them.

Stakeholder input gathered during these sessions will play an important role in informing the ID/A Waiver renewal process.

Registration is required for each session.

Due to limited space, we ask that you only register for one session. 

Interested in providing Feedback?

When registering for a session, you will be asked if you would like to provide verbal comments. Registrants can participate without providing comments.

If you register to provide comments, on the day of the session a moderator will share additional instructions about using the virtual meeting features.

When your name is called, you will have 3 minutes to provide your input.

Click link below to register:

AN UPCOMING EVENT- For Professional Allies!