Pennsylvania public guide · Official sources checked July 25, 2026Sources · Report a correction
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A parent-first guide to Pennsylvania adult services

Turn Pennsylvania’s DD system into the next action you can complete.

Choose the situation that fits. Every action shows where to start, what to prepare, what happens next, what proof to save, and who to contact when progress stops.

No accountNo answers transmitted or savedOfficial sources firstNot an eligibility decision
Immediate danger? Call 911. For behavioral-health crisis, call or text 988 and ask about the county’s crisis intervention services.

Human help at any point

Pennsylvania starts locally

Use the Pennsylvania DHS county directory to identify the Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities program serving the person’s county. Ask for intellectual disability and autism registration or the assigned supports coordinator.

Find the county MH/ID office

Build a Pennsylvania action plan

Which situation is closest?

Your county is used only to label the plan and point you to the official county MH/ID directory. It is not sent or saved.

Browse without the form

All six Pennsylvania starting situations

JNY-PA-03

Waiver or ACAP application is moving into eligibility and planning

Functional eligibility, Medical Assistance, program enrollment, supports coordination, and the individual plan must each be completed and documented.

Read the step-by-step guides
  1. Complete the pathway-specific functional and Medical Assistance eligibility steps.
  2. Confirm supports coordination and begin the individual planning process.
  3. Confirm the exact program, service set, and enrollment conditions before choosing providers.

JNY-PA-04

Enrolled or planning services; comparing authorization, rates, and providers

A service in a plan, an ODP fee schedule, a directory listing, provider willingness, actual capacity, and individual fit are different facts.

Read the step-by-step guides
  1. Confirm the authorized service, amount, unit, program, and controlling rate evidence.
  2. Build a provider shortlist from the correct official directory or catalog.
  3. Verify provider capacity, authorization match, safeguards, and individual fit.

JNY-PA-06

Urgent need, safety concern, or authorized service breakdown

Immediate danger, behavioral-health crisis, provider failure, authorization disputes, and increased unmet need require different routes.

Read the step-by-step guides
  1. Use 911 for immediate danger or Pennsylvania 988 and county crisis services for behavioral-health crisis.
  2. Document and escalate an authorized-service breakdown through the provider and supports coordinator.
  3. Update PUNS and the individual plan when needs, risks, or caregiver capacity change.

Provider evidence

Listing is not availability

These examples demonstrate the evidence standard. They are not recommendations. Directly verify service, geography, license when applicable, current capacity, safeguards, staffing, quality, and individual fit.

Official listing example

Focus Behavioral Health Inc.

Listed service: Multiple services listed in the Adult Autism Waiver catalog

Area: Counties shown in the current catalog

Official listingCheckedAccepting inquiriesUnknownActual openingUnknownQuality / fitNot evaluated

Open the official source

Official listing example

Empowered Horizons LLC

Listed service: Respite listed in the Adult Autism Waiver catalog

Area: Counties shown in the current catalog

Official listingCheckedAccepting inquiriesUnknownActual openingUnknownQuality / fitNot evaluated

Open the official source

Official listing example

Everyday Community Resources LLC

Listed service: Residential services listed in the Adult Autism Waiver catalog

Area: Counties shown in the current catalog

Official listingCheckedAccepting inquiriesUnknownActual openingUnknownQuality / fitNot evaluated

Open the official source

Transparency

Pennsylvania official-source register

SourceOwnerStatusCheckedReview
Adult Autism Waiver Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25monthly
Apply for the Medicaid Adult Autism Waiver Pennsylvania DHScurrent2026-07-25monthly
County Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities Offices Pennsylvania DHScurrent2026-07-25monthly
Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25monthly
Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25quarterly
Prepare to Meet Your Supports Coordinator Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25quarterly
Autism Services and Adult Program Pathways Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25monthly
Adult Community Autism Program Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25monthly
Apply for Medicaid Benefits Pennsylvania DHScurrent2026-07-25monthly
Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry / OVRcurrent2026-07-25monthly
Find Intellectual Disability and Autism Providers Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25weekly
Adult Autism Waiver Provider Catalog Pennsylvania DHS / HCSIScurrent2026-07-25weekly
ODP Service Rates Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25monthly
Policies and Procedures for ODP Fair Hearings and Appeals Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25quarterly
Pennsylvania Crisis Intervention Pennsylvania DHScurrent2026-07-25monthly
Individual Eligibility for ODP Waivers Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25quarterly
Social Security Information for Parents and Guardians U.S. Social Security Administrationcurrent2026-07-25quarterly
Supplemental Security Income U.S. Social Security Administrationcurrent2026-07-25quarterly
Referring Children to County Intellectual Disability and Autism Programs Pennsylvania Department of Education / DHScurrent2026-07-25quarterly
Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations Pennsylvania DHS / ODPcurrent2026-07-25monthly