WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST
                          October 2, 2015
Stay up to date on news stories, upcoming training opportunities events and resources by continuing to receive our Weekly News Digest. 
Stay up to date on news stories, upcoming training opportunities events and resources by continuing to receive our Weekly News Digest. 
News and Coming Events!
There is still Time!  Click the link to buy tickets or buy them at the door. We can't wait to see you there.  
In This Issue
SAVE THE DATE
  
Saturday Oct. 17, 2015 8:00AM to 4:00PM 
Learning, networking and promoting your services to
Families from the Philadelphia area.
Click here for more information  
  
  
Stay Connected
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is planning five Listening Sessions at sites across the Commonwealth along with two conference calls to allow all stakeholders the opportunity to voice ideas for updating and improving the Intellectual Disability Waivers.
 
ODP's Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers expire on June 30, 2017, requiring ODP to apply for renewals.  As a result, ODP is in the initial stages of discussions for updating and changing the waiver content.  In preparation, we are asking our stakeholders for their ideas and suggestions.  ODP has scheduled five Listening Sessions at local sites across the Commonwealth to allow our stakeholders to voice their input.  There will also be two conference calls conducted to allow individuals who are not able to attend a local session to add their ideas.  Registration is required at each session (local or conference call). Initial comments will be limited to 5 minutes so everyone who has comments will have an opportunity to give them.
  
ODP is in the early stages of developing the Waiver Renewal for the Person/Family Directed Support and Consolidated Waivers. In preparation, we would like to hear your ideas.  We are offering these sessions so that we can hear what changes you would like to have considered during the writing of the Waiver applications. These Listening Sessions do not replace the public forums that will be offered after the Waiver is drafted and prior to submission to CMS.
  
If you would like to register for one of the conference calls, click the date you would like to register for to complete that registration.
  
To Register CLICK here
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REGISTER NOW
  
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University

DATE: October 21, 2015 Wednesday TIME: 9:30 AM to noon*  (Registration starts 8:30 AM) LOCATION:   Harrisburg Hilton / 1 N 2nd Street / Harrisburg, PA  17101
For location directions/information -  Tel: 717-233-6000

About the presentation:
A sense of belonging is critical to our well-being. David believes that a source of suffering for many people is not their experience with disability, but rather the isolation that often results from the experience of disability. This workshop will examine the importance of relationships in our lives and ideas for helping people to build positive, enduring relationships.

*Special reception: At 12:30, join us for a light lunch and gallery talk facilitated by David at the Capitol Rotunda for the photo/audio exhibit Here. Stories from Selinsgrove Center and KenCrest Services- with an introduction from Nancy Thaler, Deputy Secretary, Office of Developmental Programs and Kevin Dressler, Director of State Operated Intermediate Care Facilities. 

About the presenter:

David Pitonyak is interested in positive approaches to difficult  behaviors. He believes that difficult behaviors are "messages" which can tell us important things about a person. Understanding the "meaning" of a person's difficult behaviors is the first step in supporting the person (and his or her supporters) to change. David has consulted with families and professionals in the U.S., Canada, England, Ireland and the Netherlands. He lives in Blacksburg, VA with his wife and two sons.
  
at http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/miniseries/
  • Lecture is free but registration is required.
  • Requests for accommodations must be submitted by October 5, 2015
  • Act 48 credits available and Permission to offer Social Work CEs has been requested
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Email: iod@temple.edu 
Tel: 215-204-1356 (voice) 
215-204-1805 (TTY)
  
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National
Medicare Education Week
  
Confused about Medicare? You're not alone.
Understanding Medicare with National Medicare Education Week
Did you know?
  • One in five Medicare beneficiaries describes Medicare as confusing.
  • Most can't identify what Medicare Parts A, B, C and D cover.
That's what we learned from the Medicare Made Clear Index, a 2013 survey of 1,000 older adults.
And that's why UnitedHealthcare created National Medicare Education Week. September 15 - 21 is set aside each year for activities designed to help people learn about Medicare.
  
One Week, One Goal: To Help Make Medicare Easier to Understand
You get to choose the Medicare coverage you want - when you first enroll and every year after that during Medicare Open Enrollment, Oct. 15 - Dec. 7.
Making an informed choice takes know-how and some time.
Interested? How much time do you have right now?
Spend a little time, and make your next Medicare decision with confidence
  
 
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To Register CLICK here
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Registration Open for Free Pennsylvania Disability Employment and Empowerment Summit
  
Harrisburg, PA - The Governor's Cabinet for People with Disabilities today announced the opening of registration for the Pennsylvania Disability Employment & Empowerment Summit (PADES).

The summit aims to bring together employers, related government agencies, service providers, and people with disabilities to discuss challenges, opportunities, case studies of programs of excellence, advancements in adaptive technology, supports, suggestions for systems improvements, and other important topics. This year will feature two events: October 27, 2015, at the Wyndham Grand Downtown in Pittsburgh and November 13, 2015, at Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster. There will be guest speakers, breakout sessions, a job fair, and much more. Registration will continue through October 13.

Pennsylvania employers will share current information about career opportunities, learn the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities, network with peer businesses that value individuals with disabilities, and conduct interviews with qualified candidates on-site.

For more information, visit www.padesummit.org .  
  
   MEDIA CONTACT :   Kait Gillis, DHS, 717-425-7606
 
                                   Sara Goulet, L&I, 717-979-7462  
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The Strengthening Families Program
  
Raising children can be a challenge for all families....
The SFP is here to help families tackle those challenges
 
For Families with children newborn thru 5 years old
 
A 14 week program for parents and children held once per week.
Parents and children meet separately and then together during each session.
Parents and children are able to learn ways to
  •          Build a strong and loving family that works and has fun
  •          Build social connections with other families
  •          Enhance knowledge of parent and child development build healthy social and emotional development of children
Free Event
Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia
Northeast Family Services Center
7340 Jackson Street Philadelphia, Pa 19136
Call to Pre-register 215-624-5920
New Classes begins on September 28, 2015 10 am to 12 pm
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Philadelphia Employment Stakeholder Meeting
This event is for people supported by Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, family members, Supports Coordinators, and ALL stakeholders interested in moving employment forward!
  
Click here to Register
  
RESOURCES
 
Education Law Center

 

CLICK here for more information

 

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The Gold Book 2013
Understanding the Office of Developmental Programs in Pennsylvania: Intellectual Disability and Autism Services
Click here for printable copy
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The Tech Toolbox
The Arc's Tech Toolbox is a place to find, share, rate and review technology for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).
  
The need for a service that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) access technology has long been apparent and The Arc decided to step in to help centralize resources in this field. Through a partnership with the Comcast Foundation, The Arc was able to create the TechToolbox. Staff from across The Arc's chapter network came together to design a one-stop-shop, peer- reviewed directory of technology products that are effective for people with I/DD. Through this directory, chapter staff, people with I/DD, and the general public can find, review, and post examples of technology tools that work well for them. There are already over 500 apps and devices in Tech Toolbox, and the list will continue to grow with your input! Tech Toolbox is supported by a grant from the Comcast Foundation
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Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) Releases
Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual
PHLP has expanded and updated its Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual. Intended for health care advocates and the general public, this manual describes eligibility for Pennsylvania's Medicaid Assistance (or Medicaid) program in plain language. Readers will learn Medicaid coverage "categories" as well as the program's income and resource counting rules.

The updated Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual can be found here.
  
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Get $50 in groceries for $20 and community service. Fresh produce packages available for $15. Accepts SNAP (food stamps) and farmers' market vouchers
 
For 25 years SHARE has worked to create stronger, healthier communities through its mission of providing good, affordable food to all. Over the years, the needs of its communities have evolved. Opportunities to expand its reach to more individuals and families has led SHARE from its beginnings as the SHARE Food Package program to a leader in the food relief system providing an array of services. At its core, the SHARE Food Package program is larger than ever, but is now accompanied by emergency relief programs, fresh food packages, dinner and nutrition programs, and urban agriculture.
  
For more information CLICK HERE 
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College Resources for Students with Disabilities
  
Prospective college students with disabilities will find that many campuses are equipped with offices and services that address accessibility, accommodation, and assistive technology for a diverse range of needs. Student services offices and disability coordinators at many colleges work to make campuses inclusive environments through specialized advocacy, support, and academic services.
  
CLICK HERE for more information
  
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The Health Federation of Philadelphia
Early Head Start Program
Serving zip codes: 19120, 19121, 19122, 19124, 19126, 19132, 19133, 19140 and 19141
 
EHS Mission Statement: To support the growth and development of parents
as they support the growth and development of their children.

 
Health Federation of Philadelphia
El Programa Early Head Start
  Ofrecemos servicios a los siguientes códigos postales:
19120, 19121, 19122, 19124, 19126, 19132, 19133, 19140 y 19141

 
Mision de Early Head Start:  Apoyar el crecimiento y desarrollo de los padres mientras
ellos apoyan el crecimiento y desarrollo de sus niños
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Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention Intake Referral Unit -
Call 215-685-4646
 
Philadelphia Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS) coordinates the Infant Toddler Early Invention Program in Philadelphia!
  
The Infant Toddler Early Intervention program serves children from birth to three years of age who have a developmental delay. This Program is a state and federal entitlement for eligible children and is provided at no cost to families in Pennsylvania.
  
Referrals come directly from parents or family members, and from hospitals, doctors' offices and clinics, and other agencies serving children. Once a child is referred, an IDS Early Intervention Intake Coordinator contacts the family to complete the intake application. The Coordinator then assigns the child and family to service coordination. ChildLink, the service coordination organization, works closely with the family and the Early Intervention Provider Agencies to identify and deliver the needed services.
  
See Sections II-D and V of the 2014 IDS Directory of Services and Supports for more detailed information.
  
Vision for Equality, Inc.
lbrown@visionforequality.org
718 Arch Street, 6N
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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