Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced Kristin Ahrens’, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), appointment to board member-at-large at the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS). Kristin was elected by her peer state directors to help shape the work of NASDDDS in assisting member state agencies in building person-centered and culturally and linguistically appropriate systems of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Under Ahrens’ leadership, DHS’ ODP serves more than 58,000 Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism. Ahrens has worked to expand DHS’ support for people with intellectual disabilities and autism increasing the number of individuals enrolled in ODP’s home and community based service waivers by more than 4,100. She has also overseen the Commonwealth’s increased ability to serve individuals in the community by modernizing program regulations and strengthening county infrastructure and staffing to accommodate the growth in the intellectual disabilities and autism home and community-based waiver programs.

In September, at the direction of Governor Shapiro, DHS began updating the data used to set rates for home and community-based services for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism. This process is needed to ensure that the rates for home and community-based services enable providers to set wages that support and retain qualified, dedicated staff who help individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. This reassessment is the latest effort by the Shapiro Administration to support and advocate for the intellectual disabilities and autism community. NASDDDS represents the nation’s agencies that provide services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Their work promotes leadership, systems innovation, and the development of national policies that support home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities and their families. For more information, visit www.nasddds.org.