The Provider Alliance

11/03/2025

🧠💻 Registration is now open!

2025 Dual Diagnosis Conference, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS).

📅 Date: November 19, 2025
🌐 Format: One-day virtual conference
💰 Cost: Free to attend!

👉 Be sure to complete the pre-registration form to gain access to the virtual platform. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate!

🔗 Click to register:

Get tickets online for 2025 Dual Diagnosis Conference here.

11/03/2025

🗳️ TPA Weekly Poll Question! We Value Your Input! 🗳️

This week, 🗓️ ODP released guidance 📄 and resources 💡 to ensure Medicaid recipients 🏥 maintain eligibility for services ✅. Members have reported lost revenue 💸 related to Medicaid eligibility interruptions ⚠️. We would like to hear about your experiences 🗣️.

Poll Question: Have you provided services for which you were not reimbursed due to Medicaid eligibility?

🔗 Click to answer:

10/31/2025

📣 ICYMI!!

🤖 AI is transforming healthcare across Pennsylvania!

At the Temple Lung Center, doctors are using artificial intelligence to turn CT scans into detailed 3D lung models—helping detect disease earlier and plan treatments more precisely. 🫁✨

But with innovation comes responsibility. 🛡️ Lawmakers are calling for new guardrails to ensure AI supports — not replaces — human providers. Patients must know when AI is used, clinicians must stay in control, and safeguards are needed to prevent bias, errors, and data risks. ⚖️

💬 The takeaway: AI’s potential in healthcare is enormous — but so is the need for trust, transparency, and accountability.

🔗 Read more: https://whyy.org/articles/artificial-intelligence-health-care-pennsylvania/

Health systems and insurance companies are using artificial intelligence to analyze CT scans and MRIs, update electronic health records and review coverage decisions.

10/29/2025

📋The results are in from ANCOR's 6th annual survey of the ways community-based providers of disability services are feeling the impact of the direct support workforce crisis.

📊 In August and September 2025, ANCOR surveyed 🗂️ 469 community-based providers of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services 🧩 across 48 states 🗺️ and the District of Columbia 🏛️.

✅ Click to see results!!

Troubling findings from ANCOR's sixth annual survey of the ways community-based providers of disability services are feeling the impact of the direct support workforce crisis.

10/28/2025

🚨 Government Shutdown Threatens Disability Providers 🚨

Across the country, disability service providers are running on fumes — facing staff shortages, delayed payments, and growing uncertainty as the federal government shutdown looms. ⏳

These organizations support some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, yet they’re being pushed to the brink. 💔

👉 Learn how this crisis is unfolding and what it could mean for providers, families, and people with disabilities:

🔗 https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/government-shutdown-has-disability-providers-running-on-fumes/31701/

Nearly a month into the federal shutdown, some organizations aiding people with disabilities are starting to scale back services as the effects begin to mount.

10/27/2025

🌟 Nominate a DSP for ANCOR’s 2026 Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards! 🌟

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the heart of the I/DD community 💛—empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, and thrive independently.

Each year, the ANCOR DSP of the Year Awards celebrate these everyday heroes 👏 who go above and beyond—whether by creating person-centered supports, fostering self-advocacy 💬, or mentoring peers to strengthen our field.

✨ By submitting a nomination, you:

✅ Honor the dedication and impact of DSPs
✅ Help elevate their visibility and voice
✅ Advance awareness and advocacy for the I/DD community

🗓️ Nominations due: October 31, 2025
🏆 Honorees announced: January 2026
🎉 Celebration: ANCOR Connect ’26 in Boston, MA

👉 Click here to nominate a DSP today! https://www.ancor.org/direct-support-professional-of-the-year-awards/?_zs=8kG2m1&_zl=dt2PA

An annual celebration of nearly five dozen of the nation's leading direct support professionals and the impact they have in communities

10/27/2025

🗳️ TPA Weekly Poll Question! We Value Your Input! 🗳️

📣 Last week we reported the Edith L. Trees 💰$12M grant to Duquesne University 🎓 to establish the Institute for Disability Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA) 💡.

During Friday’s TPA Membership Meeting 🤝, we discussed the recent collaborations at Pitt 🧠 and CMU 🤖 promoting tech, innovation, and AI, and the impact this might have in Human Services 💼.

📊 Poll Question:

Do you believe that university-led initiatives developed outside the traditional provider system will help increase capacity and innovation within Pennsylvania’s ID/A system? 🏛️

Click here to vote!

Do you believe that university led initiatives developed outside the traditional provider system will help increase capacity and innovation within Pennsylvania’s ID/A system?

10/26/2025

🚨 Webinar Alert for I/DD & Behavioral Health Leaders! 🚨

💡 Expanding Revenue Beyond Medicaid: New Funding Strategies for I/DD Providers

🗓️ October 28, 2025
🕑 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

As Medicaid funding remains stagnant, it’s more important than ever for providers to diversify revenue streams and strengthen financial resilience. Join ANCOR's Platinum Partner Core Solutions for a powerful session that uncovers non-traditional funding opportunities that align with your mission and sustain your impact.

💬 What You’ll Learn:

• How to identify alternative funding sources across federal, state, and municipal levels
• Ways to assess alignment with your organization’s goals and services
• Steps to successfully secure new revenue streams

🎙️ Presenters:

Terence Blackwell, Former CEO, Chimes International
Jon Trigg, SVP Sales & Marketing, Core Solutions

Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink your funding strategy and position your organization for long-term success.

👉 Register today! https://www.ancor.org/partner-presentation/expanding-revenue-beyond-medicaid-new-funding-strategies-for-i-dd-providers/

As Medicaid funding remains stagnant, behavioral health and I/DD providers must explore innovative ways to diversify revenue streams. This webinar, hosted by ANCOR Platinum Partner Core Solutions, will uncover non-traditional funding opportunities that can enhance financial sustainability while stay...

10/24/2025

📰 ICYMI!!

🧠💙 New research on Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) — the leading genetic cause of autism and intellectual disability — shows that children with greater cognitive challenges often face higher levels of 😟 anxiety, 😔 mood disorders, and 💥 behavioral issues.

🌈 The message is clear: we must build holistic supports that nurture both the mind 🧩 and emotions 💛 — creating truly inclusive, person-centered care.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding the complexities surrounding intellectual disabilities and their association with behavioral comorbidities. One prominent area of

10/23/2025

📰 ICYMI!!

🩺 Improving Health Risk Screening in IDD Services

A new Helen Journal article highlights how one agency boosted staff knowledge and workflows using the Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) — helping identify health risks earlier for adults with IDD.

📊 Key wins:

✅ 100% of nurses trained
✅ 18% increase in HRST awareness
✅ 100% staff satisfaction after training

💡 Barriers like turnover still challenge consistency, but this QI initiative proves that targeted training + structured workflows = better outcomes.

Let’s keep investing in our frontline teams to prevent crises and improve health equity for people with disabilities.

🔗 https://helenjournal.org/october-2025/improving-processes-in-health-risk-screening-among-staff-serving-adults-with-intellectual-amp-developmental-disabilities

Stephanie Rancich DNP, RN, CNL; Bridget O’Brien DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; Olanrewaju Abayomi BSN, RN’ Sarah H. Ailey PhD, RN, CNE FAAN: “ People with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities on average die younger and have more health problems than people without IDD.1,2 Especially if...

10/23/2025

💼✨ NDEAM 2025: Disability Employment & Savings Success Stories

🗓️ Tuesday, October 28 | ⏰ 1:00 – 2:15 PM EDT | 💻 Online Event

Join the final session of PA ABLE’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month series as we celebrate the power of work, savings, and independence! 🙌

Hear directly from individuals with disabilities who are thriving in their careers and using ABLE accounts to reach personal goals — from buying cars 🚗 and homes 🏡 to pursuing college 🎓, music 🎹, and even rock concerts 🎸!

Don’t miss these inspiring stories of empowerment and financial freedom. 💪💰

👉 Click here to register: 7323fbef-ca13-4918-aeb7-5772d92ab759@aff0f5b6-7ab3-4f66-b46c-0b7d250ad998" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/7323fbef-ca13-4918-aeb7-5772d92ab759@aff0f5b6-7ab3-4f66-b46c-0b7d250ad998

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

10/22/2025

🌟💡 ICYMI!

Duquesne University is launching a first-of-its-kind institute for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — powered by a multi-million-dollar gift from The Trees Charitable Trust. 🎓💛

The institute will focus on wellness, employment, and community inclusion, marking a major step toward bridging higher education and human services. For ID/A providers, it’s a reminder that innovation and partnership are key to advancing person-centered outcomes. 👏
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/17/university-to-create-first-of-its-kind-institute-for-those-with-intellectual-disabilities/31687/

Backed by a multimillion-dollar donation, the institute will promote wellness and opportunities for people with IDD with programming related to employment, assistive technology, advocacy and more.