Intellectual Disability / Mental Retardation
Services for persons with a diagnosis of mental retardation are provided through the DHS Office of Intellectual Disability.
Important Resources regarding the DHS Office of Intellectual Disability (OID)
DHS Office of Intellectual Disability brochure
The current Office of Intellectual Disability Annual Plan and Budget is available along with past years' annual plans and budgets.
OID Fact Sheets are brief explanations of important subjects regarding the DHS Office of Intellectual Disability and the MR / ID service system, especially in Allegheny County. Fact Sheets include How to Register for Mental Retardation Services and Eligibility for MR Services.
Key Communicators
Key Communicators receive emails from OID that include information about upcoming OID workshops as well as resources and other events. To get the most up-to-date information about all of these features, please sign up to be added to our Key Communicator email distribution list by completing and mailing or faxing the form or emailing your information to us. Details on the
Key Communicator Sign-up form.
OID Outreach
OID staff is available to provide presentations or host information tables for schools and community, parent and professional groups. Please contact Mary Figlar at 412-253-1251 or mfiglar@alleghenycounty.us .
OID Learning Opportunities
OID is committed to designing learning opportunities regarding subjects of particular interest for individuals receiving MR/ID services as well as their family members and caregivers, and professionals who support them. Certificates of completion are provided at all sessions. Hours may be used by direct support professionals as in-service training hours. For more information about upcoming workshops please contact Mary Figlar at 412-253-1251 or mfiglar@alleghenycounty.us .
Upcoming workshops
All sessions below will include information for those of all ages considering the challenges of planning for employment, day activities, learning, growing and maintaining benefits throughout adulthood. Specific material for secondary transition planning is also included as well as breakout sessions for transition-age youth.
Exploring Employment and Day Activities, Saturday, January 14, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Planning for employment including the role of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Information on internships, volunteer positions and structured day activities will also be shared.
Exploring Post-Secondary Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities, Saturday, February 11, 2012, 9:00 a.m.to12:30 p.m.
Employment training programs and lifelong-learning for personal growth will be explored.
Exploring Benefits Planning, Saturday, March 3, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This workshop will assist participants in understanding benefits such as social security and medical coverage, including considerations of employment on benefits.
Other Important Resources
Websites of Interest related to Intellectual Disabilities
OID Quality Management Plan lays out action plans to ensure that targeted objectives in the areas identified by the Pa. Office of Developmental Programs and OID are met.
Everyone Communicates – What you need to know to support people to communicate
As part of the Quality Improvement Initiative on Communication, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Communication Work Group developed a brochure to raise awareness about communication and resources available for Pennsylvanians with complex communication needs.
Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) monitors the satisfaction and outcomes of people receiving services in the mental retardation system.
Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Reports
Reports generated by the system that measures the quality of MR services. The assessments are gathered by independent people in the community from individuals receiving services and their families.
Publications for Self-advocates and Families
ODP bulletins and other documents compiled by the Pennsylvania Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and Families.
Locating a Provider
- Home and Community Service Information System (HCSIS) Supports and Services Directory (SSD)
HCSIS is a web-based statewide system shared by the Offices of Developmental Programs (ODP), county MR programs, Supports Coordination Organizations providers and the community to offer information on MR services and supports.
- How to Choose a Mental Retardation Services Provider
The Pa. Department of Public Welfare (DPW) online directory of licensed mental retardation services facilities and operations in Pennsylvania. Provider profiles are designed to serve as a reference primarily for individuals and families so that they may choose mental retardation service providers based on information that is important to them.
- Provider Reporting System
Information to help consumers of mental retardation services select the best providers. NOTE: Users must read and accept the terms of the disclaimer that opens first to view the list of providers.
MiRage
The Pa. Joint Committee on Aging and Intellectual Disability is comprised of County Teams. MiRage, the Allegheny County Aging-MR/ID Team, is a collaboration coordinated by OID and Area Agency on Aging (AAA), providing resources to people who are committed to meeting the needs of individuals with mental retardation / intellectual disability as they age. The team is generally comprised of OID and AAA staff, AAA care managers, MR Supports Coordinators, a Health Care Quality Unit (HCQU) representative and service providers from both systems.
MiRage provides education and networking opportunities to MR Supports Coordinators and AAA Care Managers and other stakeholders throughout the year. The MiRage annual conference is offered each spring and provides all stakeholders information and resources about current topics effecting seniors with MR.
Information is also shared through the MiRage Messenger E-blast. This correspondence allows the team to provide a variety of links to systems including Aging, MR Services, Social Security as well as community resources and MiRage updates to anyone interested in the resource.
Please contact us at mfiglar@alleghenycounty.us for more information or to be added to the MiRage distribution list.