Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) is Pennsylvania's statewide Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) for both the ODP and OLTL programs. When a participant chooses self-direction, PPL handles the financial and administrative side — payroll, taxes, worker enrollment, and budget reporting — so the participant can focus on directing their own care. 

In an AWC model, the provider agency is the employer of record and retains administrative overhead from the participant's budget. In PPL's VF/EA model, the participant becomes the Common Law Employer — with full authority to hire, set wages, and manage their worker. More of the authorized budget reaches direct support hours, and the participant retains greater control over their care.  

For ODP, self-direction is available to participants enrolled in the Consolidated Waiver or the PFDS Waiver who live in their own home or a family member's home. For OLTL, self-direction is available through the OBRA Waiver and the Act 150 Program. Participants must be able to fulfill employer responsibilities or have a surrogate who can act on their behalf. 

A referral to PPL is appropriate once a participant has confirmed interest in self-direction and eligibility has been established. The Supports Coordinator submits the referral, and PPL begins enrollment for both the participant and their chosen worker. Referral guides for ODP and OLTL are available to download above. 

 Yes, and this is one of the most meaningful aspects of self-direction. Participants can hire a family member, friend, or neighbor as their Support Service Professional (ODP) or care worker (OLTL), provided that person meets eligibility requirements and clears a background check. PPL manages the background check process as part of enrollment. 

PPL works to complete enrollment as efficiently as possible. Services cannot begin and workers cannot be paid until PPL issues a Good to Go confirmation — meaning all required paperwork is complete and the worker is set up in the payroll system. Coordinators and brokers can contact PPL directly to check enrollment status for their participants. 

No. Supports Broker services (service code W7096) sit outside the PFDS individual budget cap of $47,000 per fiscal year. This means brokerage does not reduce the hours available for direct support — making it a high-value service that strengthens the participant's overall plan without drawing down their budget. 

PPL handles payroll processing, tax withholding and filing, worker eligibility verification, enrollment paperwork, and regular budget reports. The participant — or their surrogate — remains responsible for scheduling, approving timesheets, and managing the employment relationship day to day. Supports Brokers play a key role in helping participants navigate those responsibilities confidently.

PPL provides participants and their support teams with regular budget reports showing authorized hours, hours used, and remaining balance. Coordinators and brokers can use this information to adjust support plans proactively and ensure participants stay within their ISP authorizations throughout the fiscal year. 

ODP team: 1-800-249-0861 or PAODP-CS@pplfirst.com, Monday through Saturday. OLTL team: 1-877-908-1750 or cs-oltl@pplfirst.com. A dedicated Supports Broker support line is also available — contact PPL directly to be connected to the right PA program team.