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Authors Posts by Emma Sharp

Emma Sharp

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has shared an upcoming learning opportunity from the Youth and Family Training Institute (YFTI) for professionals across child and family serving systems.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 12:00 pm, YFTI will present Managing Team Dynamics: Fluid Facilitation in Family Driven Teaming. This webinar introduces the concept of fluid facilitation, the practice of adapting facilitation strategies in real time rather than rigidly following a plan. Participants will explore how responsive facilitation supports respectful dialogue, helps navigate conflict, and guides teams toward shared understanding, integrated solutions, and shared ownership, even when meetings become challenging.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Notice and interpret changes in participation, emotion, and momentum during team meetings;
  • Adapt facilitation approaches to support inclusive, respectful discussion;
  • Respond to conflict and imbalance while keeping meetings constructive and on track; and
  • Promote shared ownership and follow-through within team processes.

This session is designed for facilitators, coordinators, clinicians, family navigators, and system partners engaged in Family Driven Teaming.

Registration information is available here. Please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Specialist Emma Sharp with any questions.

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Grant funding symbol. Beautiful wooden table. Business financing and grants concept. Copy space.

At midnight on May 1, 2026, the Department of Human Services will open applications for the first opportunity to receive Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding. $25M of grants will be awarded, with a $1M maximum per qualified hospital, healthcare provider, and rural health facility for equipment, supplies, renovations, or structural improvements.

Key Details:

  • Application Dates: May, 1 2026 – June 1, 2026, or until the authorized funding cap has been met, whichever is sooner.
  • Total Available Funding: $25 million
  • Payment Amounts: $10,000 – $1,000,000
  • Qualified Entities: Hospitals, healthcare providers, or rural health facilities within specific regions

To receive an RHTP payment, qualified entities must complete and submit the eligibility certification. The payment must stabilize or enhance rural health care access, promote rural well-being, and fall under one of the six initiatives in the Department’s federally approved RHTP application:

  • Aging and Access;
  • Behavioral Health;
  • Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Transportation;
  • Maternal Health;
  • Technology and Infrastructure; or
  • Workforce

Please note, this RHTP payment is an initial opportunity. If you do not qualify for this RHTP payment and want to apply for funding for other purposes, a future opportunity may be a better fit.

See the PA Bulletin announcement here. Please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp with any questions.

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Shot of a smiling little boy sitting in a white chair and holding his teddy bear while talking to a child psychologist

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) has released #14-559: Residential Services for Children and Youth proposed regulations.

The Department is proposing to update the licensure requirements for children and youth facilities by revising Chapter 3800 to clarify that it does not apply to child residential facilities, secure residential facilities, or secure detention facilities for youth. Instead, the Department is proposing three new, updated regulatory licensure chapters for children and youth facilities: Chapter 3900 (relating to child and youth facility requirements), Chapter 3910 (relating to child residential facilities), and Chapter 3920 (relating to secure residential and secure detention facilities for youth). The purpose of the rulemaking is to update the requirements to strengthen and improve the minimum health and safety standards for these facilities to protect the health, safety, and well-being of children and youth receiving care.

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) will be accepting public comments for the proposed regulation until July 7, 2026. RCPA will convene a regulatory review team to analyze the proposed regulatory package and prepare public comments. Please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp if you are interested in joining the regulatory review group.

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Building Cultures of Safety: Trauma-Responsive Leadership Across the Juvenile Justice System and Foundations of Trauma-Informed Leadership
Virtual Workshop
March 31, 2026
9:00 am – 11:00 am

The Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (JCJC) is presenting a training opportunity with William Kellibrew for professional development designed to earn training credits while strengthening skills and knowledge.

This workshop establishes a shared understanding of trauma’s impact within juvenile justice settings and its influence on behavior, staff dynamics, and leadership responses. Participants will examine the core principles of trauma-informed and trauma-responsive practices while reflecting on their own leadership styles, stress reactions, and organizational culture. Through guided discussions and case examples, participants will begin developing strategies to promote safety, trust, and resilience across teams.

Register here for the virtual workshop.

Please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.

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The Mental Health Safety Net (MHSN) Coalition is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. The Coalition’s first advocacy bulletin discusses the critical areas of funding for the FY 2026/27 budget, including community mental health, school-based services, crisis intervention services, Behavioral HealthChoices programs, and impacts associated with the implementation of H.R. 1.

The full letter can be read here.

RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meetings that will be occurring throughout the budget season. These meetings will serve to update the group on strategy, activities, and engagement opportunities.

Also note that the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition will also be participating in the RCPA Capitol Day on Wednesday March 25, 2026, with the event starting at 10:00 am in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.

Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions or if you would like to join the Coalition.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) has developed a communications toolkit available at DHS’s website to help Pennsylvanians understand SNAP work and reporting requirements as well as how to meet them.

SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) services are important for Pennsylvanians who are applying for or receiving SNAP and who must meet federal work and reporting requirements because these services will help them meet the requirements.

SNAP recipients must work, volunteer, or participate in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours each month) AND report to PA DHS they are meeting this requirement. If SNAP recipients do not meet the work and reporting requirements, they can only receive three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period.

Please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.

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Over the past few months, there have been important changes to SNAP that may affect Pennsylvanians’ eligibility for the program.

To help SNAP recipients and those who work with them understand what’s new, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted a new video to their YouTube channel. The video explains changes to SNAP over the past six months, including who is subject to new work and reporting requirements, how to meet those requirements, and tools that are available to help Pennsylvanians meet the requirements.

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