Mental Retardation / Intellectual Disability
A Change in Nomenclature
On July 1, 2010, the Allegheny County DHS Office of Mental Retardation / Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) became the DHS Office of Intellectual Disability (OID).
The name change coincides with the movement to replace the term mental retardation (MR) with intellectual disability (ID). Recently, the Pa. Department of Public Welfare changed the name of the Office of Mental Retardation to the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), Bureau of Supports for People with Intellectual Disabilities. ODP oversees services at the state level for people with mental retardation. At this time, mental retardation remains the term used by ODP as the diagnosis that is the criteria for receiving services through the MR service system.
Eligibility requirements for participation in Supports Coordination and/or waiver programs are not affected by the name change. In addition, the MR service delivery system continues to operate according to the philosophies of Person-centered Supports, Self Determination and Everyday Lives.
Training Opportunities
The Office of Intellectual Disability is committed to designing learning opportunities for individuals receiving MR services as well as their family members and caregivers, and professionals who support them. Certificates of completion are provided at all sessions. Hours can be used by Direct Support Professionals as in-service training hours. For more information about upcoming workshops view the 
list of learning opportunities or call Tamara Siegert at 412-253-1596.
Key Communicators
Key Communicators receive emails from OID that include information about system changes, resources, trainings and community 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 the Key Communicator Sign-Up form.
MiRage
The Pa. Joint Committee on Older Persons with Mental Retardation is comprised of County Teams. MiRage, the Allegheny County Aging/MR Team, is a collaboration coordinated by OID and Area Agency on Aging, 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 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.
Please contact us at mirage@dhs.county.allegheny.pa.us for more information or to be added to the MiRage Messenger distribution list.