SBR In the Community
March was a busy month for SBR, filled with job fairs, transition fairs, and a trip to Harrisburg!
Our HR team met with students and discussed the roles of DSP and Behavior Specialist at career fairs hosted by Penn State Abington, Manor College, and Temple University. Chris W. attended Roxborough High School’s Transition Fair, and Beth and Michael M. attended the My Inclusive Post High School Resource Fair at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. It was great to meet with students and families to discuss how SBR can be a resource for students transitioning out of high school.
Paula Grochowski, HCBS Executive Director attended the PAR Policy Conference and participated in a graduation ceremony celebrating her completion of the Leadership Excellence Program on March 24. Paula also didn’t miss the opportunity to advocate for individuals within the ID/A community, as well as DSPs, with legislators at the State Capitol.
Beth O’Connell, Resource Advocate was joined by Jen Fischer, from Vision for Equality, Senator Joe Picozzi, and Representative Joe Hohenstein to proclaim March 24, 2026, as Profound Autism Day. Families and self-advocates from across the state shared their stories, struggles, and highlighted the need for more funding, research, and changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to better represent those with profound autism.
DSP Town Hall
Our next DSP Town Hall will be held virtually on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Our DSP Town Halls are a great opportunity to get together with other DSPs, discuss all the exciting things happening at SBR, benefits updates, and any changes within the ID/A system! If you attend outside of your working hours, you will receive an hour of administrative time. Register below to receive the link closer to the meeting.
Art Show is Fast Approaching
Our Art Show is scheduled for Friday, May 8 at Father Judge High School. There is still time to submit artwork, which can be done here. Individual and group projects are encouraged and welcomed.
We will also be hosting craft days on April 8th, 14th, and 30th at 1:00 PM at the SBR office for SBR community art pieces for the show. Click here to secure your spot.
Additionally, we are asking for pictures of you at your favorite neighborhood location. It could be of you out on your street, at your favorite store, restaurant, park, or other landmark. You can submit pictures to your supervisor, Beth via email, or to the HR Department. Please remember to include the zip code with your submission.
All submissions will be entered for a chance to win $100!
Irish Craft & Karaoke Day
On Thursday, March 12th, SBR hosted an Irish Craft & Karaoke Day! It was a great time filled with friends, music, a shamrock dream catcher project, green mocktails, tasty treats, and lots of laughs. Thank you to everyone who came out to make this a special get-together!
Move Your Way!
The weather is getting nicer out, and it is the perfect time to work on your step goals! Fluehr Park, on Grant Ave., has a great track with a woodsy feel that goes around the entire park. It is about a mile or 2,000 to 2,500 steps. Take your time, enjoy the fresh air, and stay active!
SBR also hosts Chair Zumba on Mondays at 12:00 pm at the SBR office, as part of Wellness Mondays.
April is Autism Acceptance Month
SBR celebrates and honors April as Autism Acceptance Month. SBR is committed to the Acceptance, Inclusion, and Advocacy of individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
🌟Autism is a journey, not a disorder 🌟
April Birthdays
We wish the happiest of Birthdays to Safee Caldwell, Clay Siler, Lanora Wells, Rendell Gordon, Danielle Ulysse, Dawn Cheatham, Annemarie Loney, Janette Ryan, Luis Cruz, Francine Sposaro, April Crespo, Gina Manson, Jillian Fries, Tyisha Davis, Kristian Ali, Karen Crawford, Arlene Giddins, Li He, Cynthia Armstead, Cindy Curley, Clarence McFadden, Keicha Rahatt, Mariakutty Mathews, Donna Smith, Melissa Williams, Kristin Presel, Jennifer Pearson, Rosa Pressley, Kathleen Smith, Avery Harris, Alexis Bowman, Lucas Barber, Michelle McGinty and Matthew Kulak!
April Employee Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following employees on their work anniversaries:
Donald Oaddams, Jr. — 10 Years
Cecelia Julius — 1 Year
Jabrina Slaughter — 1 Year
India Walker —1 Year
AACOP Art Show
SBR’s friend Colleen Ott, from the Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia (AACOP), who was recently inducted into the St. Hubert Hall of Fame, will be hosting an Art Show at CHOP on April 25, 2026. The AACOP is a non-profit serving the Philadelphia area and provides inclusive, safe spaces for individuals to experience community through the arts. If you would like to enter a piece in the show, you can register here or contact Beth at: Beth@supportivebehavior.com.
PA Advocacy Priorities
The Provider Alliance, along with Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR), along with other advocacy groups, recently released their 2026 Advocacy Priorities. Some key points are:
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Increase provider rates yearly to combat inflation.
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Keep money in our system and not overfund institutions (There are currently 5 campuses being funded, 3 are vacant, and they serve fewer than 400 people.)
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Eliminate the waiting list and ensure everyone receives all the services and support they need.
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Remove barriers to day services, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make our current system more responsive, transparent, efficient, and sustainable.
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How can you help? Take a look at the advocacy tool kit available here and respond to SBR requests for pictures, stories and advocacy event invitations.
The Arc of PA Advocacy Day
The Arc of Pennsylvania will be holding an Advocacy Day in Harrisburg on May 5, 2026. The day will consist of legislator visits and a press conference addressing advocacy priorities. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested in attending, please register here by 5:00 PM on April 27, 2026.
After you register, please reach out to Beth (beth@supportivebehavior.com) and let her know you are attending, as there may be an opportunity to carpool.
Are You Registered to Vote?
The Pennsylvania Primary Election is fast approaching.
On May 19, 2026, PA residents will vote within their party lines to determine who will face off against each other in November.
The last day to register to vote is May 4, 2026.
You can register to vote online here. You can also download and print the voter registration application and mail it in.
Speaking for Ourselves Survey Link
The self-advocates of Speaking for Ourselves are working with students from Temple University to develop a web-based game to help prepare for transitioning out of high school and into adulthood.
Please take a moment and help their cause by filling out a brief survey here.
Planning for Peace of Mind
Thinking about you and your loved one’s future is hard because many of us live day to day.
The Arc has planning tools available to assist with thinking about future care needs.
Check out their tool kit here.
Are You Looking for a New Car?
The Commonwealth Vehicle Auction is being held on April 14, 2026. There are 200 vehicles up for auction that were used as part of the Commonwealth’s fleet of vehicles. You can see what is available here, and find more information about the event and requirements for bidding and payments here.
It’s Vacation Planning Time!
Vacations are a great way to help the individual you support spend down and stay within the asset limits for Medicaid. Get a jump start on vacation planning now by visiting the Autism of the Seas website here. They are now offering beach vacations! You can also check out Exceptional Tours here and Special Vacations here. Don’t lose out on a summer of fun and risk losing Medicaid because of an overage.
The Philadelphia Autism Project Conference Planning Committee is Looking for Autistic Voices
The Philadelphia Autism Project is looking for more Autistic voices to join their conference planning committee. Come out, have fun, and have your voice heard! The committee meets monthly, for one hour, via Zoom. See the flyer for more information, and if you are interested in joining, reach out to phillyap@drexel.edu or call 215-571-3209 for more information.
Important Dates
Take a look at the calendar below for important dates and links to events happening this month!
April 1–30, 2026 – Autism Acceptance Month
April 5, 2026 – Easter Sunday
April 6, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Chair Zumba (Wellness Mondays) – SBR Office
April 8, 2026 – 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Craft Day at the SBR Office – SBR Office
Register here.
April 10, 2026 – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Pat Lyons’ Art Group Art Show – Ivyland Presbyterian Church
April 13, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Chair Zumba (Wellness Mondays) – SBR Office
April 14, 2026 – 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Craft Day at the SBR Office – SBR Office
Register here.
April 16, 2026 – 1:00 PM
Speaking for Ourselves Monthly Self-Advocacy Meeting
April 17, 2026 – 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Top Hat Shindig – $12.00
April 20, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Chair Zumba (Wellness Mondays) – SBR Office
April 21, 2026 – 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
SBR DSP Town Hall – Virtual
Register here.
April 25, 2026 – 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
AACOP Art Show at CHOP
April 27, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Chair Zumba (Wellness Mondays) – SBR Office
April 30, 2026 – 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Craft Day at the SBR Office – SBR Office
Register here.
