March 25, 2026 Meeting Minutes - PHLP Updates, Summer Camps

PALS Meeting Minutes

March 25, 2026 9:30 a.m.

Virtual Meeting using Zoom

Open Forum

Open Forum allows participants to share experiences, ask questions, and provide resources in a mutually supportive setting.

PHLP Updates

The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) March Newsletter the PHLP announced a recent update to some of their guides and fact sheets, along with adding a few new ones. See below:

2026 Income & Resource Limits for Medicaid and Other Health Programs

GLP-1 Medications & Medicaid Coverage in Pennsylvania

Interim Assistance: Temporary Medicaid Coverage While You Wait for a Hearing Decision

Accessing HCBS When Income Appears Too High

Accessing the CHC Waiver: An Advocate's Guide to Eligibility

Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) Guide

You can find these and more online in the PHLP Resource Library.

Summer Camps

We talked Extended School Year Services (ESY) and local summer camps for children with disabilities. Below are a few. If you know of a local summer camp we have missed, please reach out to us and we will include it here.

*Update 03.31.26: Mary Evrard, Community and Communications Liaison Coordinator

Allegheny County Department of Human Services (AC DHS)  Office of Developmental Supports (ODS) just sent out an email blast with the following document including camps and other activities document includes possible financial help.

CAMPS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES (ODS).pdf

Download PDF • 530KB

"Sometimes individuals with disabilities and their families lack the financial resources to access critical special needs support. The Charitable Residual Program provides supplemental support and services for children and adults with disabilities who are unable to pay for the services or supports on their own. These funds are to be utilized when all other sources of funding have been exhausted."

ACEing Autism ACEing Autism is on a mission to help children with autism to grow, develop and benefit from social connections and fitness through affordable tennis programming, uniquely meeting individual needs while filling a national void for this growing and underserved population.

Camp AIM Camp AIM (Achieving Inclusion through Movement) is a specialized YMCA day camp designed for children with special needs, located in Carnegie, Pittsburgh.

Camp GROWS (Gaining Real Opportunities for Work Skills) has partnered with the Sewickley Creek Greenhouse to provide students with opportunities to practice real life job tasks. Contact ldacorey@outlook.com for more information.

Camp Laugh-a-Lot Camp Laugh-A-Lot is an inclusive day camp hosted by Arc Human Services, designed for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and mental health challenges.

Evolve Coaching Future Camp At Future Camp Autistic and Neurodivergent learners come together for two weeks of creative and performing arts. 12+

Firefly Camps The summer developmental camping program provides a traditional camp experience for individuals with spina bifida and related disabilities.

Glade Run ESY Zelienople Student IEP goals are targeted, monitored and reported to school districts.

Glade Run Adventures Camp Specialized Adventures Camp is for children ages 8-18 in need of social skill development.

JCC PGH Day Camps J&R is proud to promote a camp environment where children of different abilities can have a positive camp experience. 

S.P.E.A.K. Summer Program for the Education of Autistic Kids

The Woodlands The Woodlands offers day and overnight camps to accommodate all ages and all abilities.

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PALS Calendar of Events

PALS shares notices for many in-person and virtual events from local, regional, and national organizations, including webinars, support groups, research opportunities, and activities for children and teens. Updated weekly, the PALS Calendar is a valuable resource. Please email your additions to palsfcinfo@gmail.com.

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Next Meeting: April 29, 2026 9:30 a.m. Virtual Meeting using Zoom.

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