RE: Virtual Termination of/Massive Changes to Community Integration (CI) service for adults on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities being served through the OBRA waiver in Pennsylvania & upcoming service changes in the renewed OBRA waiver. Click here for link to draft of renewed OBRA waiver.

The Office of Long Term Living has issued a Bulletin describing the redefinition of Community Integration (CI) services in the renewed OBRA waiver as a short-term occasional service, essentially eliminating what has been a core support service for adults with autism, and other adults being served through the OBRA waiver. This change will take effect April 1, 2012. Click here for link to Bulletin.

Everyone receiving services through the OBRA waiver needs to discuss this change with their SC immediately. The SC will help ensure your service provider is aware of these changes as well as the upcoming renewed OBRA waiver changes in services.

Encourage your SC & service provider to read the renewed OBRA waiver available on DPW website & ensure they are ready for this service change & other changes including significant changes to BT (Behavior Therapy) service.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - Let YOUR voice be heard!

(copy & pasted from OLTL email Sept. 30, 2011) “Attached, please find an Office of Long Term Living Bulletin regarding Community Integration Services. This bulletin establishes changes to the COMMCARE, Independence and OBRA waivers and Specialized Services/Peer Counseling Evaluation of Durable Medical Equipment Grant Providers. Changes reflected in the bulletin will go into effect on October 1, 2011 for new OLTL waiver participants and on January 1, 2012 for participants with current approved ISPs. Affected parties will receive notification today about webinars to be held to review these changes. Questions should be referred to OLTL’s Bureau of Individual Support at 717-787-8091.”

Ogden Gardens: a new construction home for four (4) adults with autism/ASD in West Philadelphia, PA, opened in June 2011!

Ogden Gardens is a 3,100 square foot, home for four (4) adults with autism/ASD. It is now completed & residents moved-in in mid June 2011.

    Each resident has his/her own bedroom, his/her own
bathroom, and his/her own sitting area. Residents share living,
dining, kitchen and sensory rooms. The home also includes office
for staff and residents and common bathroom. A porch, back patio and
off-street parking ring this masonry traditional style home.

Autism Living and Working financed this home with the following funds:

    •  A grant of $598,870 from the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), winning a national competition
within the Section 811 Program
    •  A grant of $310,000 from the City of Philadelphia Office of
Housing and Community Development

    Ogden Gardens will be the nation’s first house, exclusively for
adults with autism/ASD, using HUD Section 811 funds!

    Following selection of the residents, HUD will continue to
provide operating funding to meet utilities, management, maintenance,
insurance. Monthly rent for each resident will not exceed 30% of
his/her gross monthly income. The owner, ALAW (Autism Living And
Working, Inc.) will pay all of the utilities.

    The house is located in West Philadelphia; we will send updates
to our mailing list regarding dates for: ribbon cutting ceremony for Ogden Gardens!

    Many thanks to AALIVE for a very generous donation to help furninsh the bedrooms & sitting areas!

    Please give what you can for this project, be sure to note “Ogden
Gardens” on your check or in note area if donating online, and
remember that your donation of any amount is not only tax deductible,
but very much appreciated!

    Please email alaw@autismlivingworking.org or call 267-322-5800
with any questions.

You will notice throughout this website that within the text, some words are underlined in black. This indicates a "hyperlink", or live link to another website outside of the ALAW website; If you click on this link you will be directed to this outside website, which is not produced by ALAW, nor does ALAW have any control over that sites' content and/or information contained therein. We try to link to the source material when possible, and when not possible link to the most impartial material available on the internet.