Milestone HCQU West Blog - News, Resources, and Innovative Ideas & Supports

November 4, 2026

Medication Safety Matters: Preventing Medication Errors in IDD/A Support Services

Supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (IDD/A) is both a privilege and a responsibility. For example, caregivers, direct support professionals, and family members play a vital role in promoting health, independence, and safety. Particularly, ensuring medications are administered correctly is one of the most critical aspects of this responsibility. Even a small mistake can impact an individual’s health, safety,...

Community/Everyday Life

October 28, 2026

Down Syndrome Association of the Valley

Michele Jones is the President of Down Syndrome Association of the Valley (DSAV). DSAV serves Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania as a regional support group. When I met with her she was excited to share some of the opportunities that DSAV has to offer people with Down Syndrome and their families. Down Syndrome Association of the Valley provides everything from...

Community/General/Resources

October 21, 2026

The Gold Standard of Resources: ODP Releases the Fifth Edition of the Gold Book

The service system can be daunting, confusing and overwhelming for many people who need to access it. The Office of Developmental Programs, or ODP has worked diligently to ensure that people are given resources to help lessen the task of finding answers about their care. The mission of ODP “is to support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities and their families to...

General/Resources

October 14, 2026

Down Syndrome Awareness

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month and did you know that in our region we are lucky enough to have the Adult Down Syndrome Center (ADSC) at UPMC? It is one of only ten centers in the United States. Dr. Peter Bulova runs the clinic; he is also the Co-Director of Magee Center for Women with Disabilities. The center is...

General/Resources

October 7, 2026

Say that Again. Hear like a Pro.

Do you ever consider how much we depend upon our sense of hearing? Just think about how much is learned and experienced about the world around us by this one sense’s input. We recognize our loved one’s voices, and by their tone can often read their feelings. We know when an ambulance or fire truck is coming by its siren....

General/Technology

September 30, 2026

Saving the Spectrum: What to Know About Suicide Prevention

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. At a meeting I remember overhearing people talking about the increased rate of suicide in people on the autism spectrum. It was not a statistic I was aware of and it peaked my interest. The Stats As a system we know that those we support have a higher rate of psychiatric disorders than the...

General

September 23, 2026

Control Blood Sugar with Oral Medication and Urinary Output

Did you know there is a class of medication which can help keep blood sugar under control by increasing the amount of sugar in the urine? This class of medication is called SGLT2 inhibitor (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2). They work inside the body targeting the kidneys to prevent reabsorbing sugar back into the bloodstream. This allows excess sugar to be eliminated out...

Resources

September 16, 2026

Pennsylvania Check Out Your Library! More than a Great Read.

Blame it on being a 90s kid in Pennsylvania (PA) with full access to PBS (public broadcasting station) if you like, but a part of me still thinks libraries are magical places. Maybe it was LeVar Burton’s introductions to the world through books, sniffing mysteries with a Jack Russel Terrier named Wishbone, or this catchy song from Arthur Read. Fast...

General

September 9, 2026

America The Beautiful: National Park Adventures Made Accessible

The National Parks are offering an Access Pass that is free for US citizens, or permanent residents, with permanent disabilities. This is part of the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Series. Many of the national parks have these passes available on site, but not all of them. Obtain an Access Pass by completing the online...

Community/Resources

September 2, 2026

Need for Speed! Speed Friending That Is.

Did you know there is an upcoming event called “speed friending”? Maybe you are like me and you’ve seen entertaining depictions of speed dating in tv shows. You know the scene. Two people sit across from each other and have only a few minutes to start asking questions and sharing a little about themselves to each other. Then when the...

General