September Resource and Advocacy Newsletter

Summer Adventures at SBR

Our individuals had a wonderful summer and shared some of their amazing adventures with us. From zip-lining and bowling to gardening, crafting, and much more, it was great to see everyone’s experiences in their community. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves, and don’t forget: there is still time to fit in one or two additional summer adventures!

DSP Week is September 13–19, 2026!

We can’t wait to celebrate our DSPs! There will be an NADSP Breakfast on Tuesday, September 15, to celebrate our recently certified DSPs, as well as an information session for DSPs interested in learning more about the NADSP Certification Program.

We will also be hosting a DSP Block Party on Wednesday, September 16, with games, crafts, prizes, chair massages, and more!

More information and registration can be found on Bamboo, or you can register below:

DSP Block Party Registration

Family Town Hall: Beth and Elsie Want to Hear from You!

September’s Family Town Hall will look a little different this month! Beth and Elsie will create a space for families to talk about what really matters. This includes any changes you wish to see within the system and how SBR can be a driving force in supporting our families.

As parents, Beth and Elsie know firsthand the struggles families face and understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges within our system.

This will be a leadership-free session, so come ready to share your thoughts, questions, comments, and ideas. We want to hear from you!

You can register to attend the meeting here.

SBR Town Hall

September Birthdays

We wish the happiest of Birthdays to:

Cecelia Julius, Kathleen Ryan, Jannie Rollerson, Kemoni Savage Bradsher, Jamal Brinkley, Jordan Summers, Timothy Mullin, Paula Grochowski, Teneya Terry, Sylvia Green, Caira Weeks, Elizabeth Treffeisen, Tina Rizzi, Donald Oaddams, Jr., Eileen Marie Cinque, Samuel Scott, Deysjah Bell-Townes, Dwaun Tomoney, Andrea Staley, Rhonda Murrille, Eric Roberts, Cathleen Ficco, Providencia Ortiz and Darrell Jones.

September Employee Anniversaries

Congratulations to the following employees on their work anniversaries:

Francesco Tieri III — 20 Years

Ayanna Norman-Smith — 15 Years

Sharnelle Blain — Years

Shuania Williams — 5 Years

Timothy Mullin — 5 Years

Angela Amoriello — 1 Year

Wayne Petersen — 1 Year

Judy Boone — 1 Year

Lucas Barber — 1 Year

Social Media Posts for September

Help us celebrate! We want to highlight the people, moments, and activities that make our SBR community special. If you have photos that capture these celebrations, we’d love for you to share them with us! Here are some of the photos we’re looking for:

National Friendship Day

Sunday, August 2, 2026, was National Friendship Day. At SBR, we believe friendship should be celebrated every day!

We were thrilled to see Ms. Dottie, a retired, long-time DSP from SBR, reunite with her friends, Jonathan, Francine, and Leo, for a trip to the movies. Moments like these remind us that connection is at the heart of a meaningful, everyday life!

Updated Gold Book Now Available

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has updated the Gold Book. This book is an essential resource for navigating IDD/A services in Pennsylvania. It covers the service system, the LifeCourse framework, and planning action steps for now and in the future.

Review the Latest Version Here

Special Thanks to Governor Shapiro

Governor Shapiro is a champion of disability rights in Pennsylvania. He is doing his part to uphold the principles of Olmstead, protect benefits, and ensure individuals can continue to live and thrive in their communities.

Please take a moment to read the letter he has written to his constituents. You can read the full letter here:

Read the Full Letter

Social Security Adds New Compassionate Allowances

Social Security has added 14 new diagnoses to the Compassionate Allowances list. Compassionate Allowances allow certain SSI and SSDI claims to be processed more quickly based on the severity of the condition. You can view the full list here:

View the Full List

Speaking for Ourselves-Self-Advocacy Group

Join self-advocates from across Pennsylvania to discuss and take action on issues impacting the disability community. Individuals, staff, and families are welcome to attend.

Meetings are held via Zoom on the third Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is September 16 at 6:30 PM.

The meeting link can be found on the SBR Activities Calendar here or on the attached flyer.

ODP Survey

The Arc of Pennsylvania wants to learn whether you are able to use your waiver funding and, if so, how much you are able to use. They are seeking information from Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their family members who are currently enrolled in one of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) waivers that primarily support people with autism and/or intellectual disabilities: Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support.

Your feedback can help provide a better understanding of how waiver funding is being accessed and used. Fill out the survey below:

ODP Survey

Protect Medicaid and SNAP for Pennsylvania’s Children

Medicaid and SNAP provide essential support to school-aged children throughout Pennsylvania. Medicaid can help provide speech therapy, occupational therapy, and wraparound services for students receiving special education services in a school setting. SNAP also helps eligible families access free or reduced-price school meals.

Take Action Here

New Medicaid Work-Rules

New Medicaid work rules are slated to begin in January. Read more from The Arc about the changes and how you and your loved ones may be impacted here.

Disability Summit

Join us at the Disability Summit on October 7 and 8 at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Learn more about this two-day event here.

Did You Know?

Did you know you can send a text to 9-1-1 in an emergency? Check out the 7th Police District’s Advisory Council’s infographic on contacting 9-1-1 to learn more about this important safety feature.