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Authors Posts by Hayley Myer

Hayley Myer

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The 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity plans to start off strong with a full lineup of workshops addressing current trends and ideas in health and human services. Held at the Hershey Lodge October 10 – 13, the conference will showcase a wide range of topics and host plenty of opportunities for CEUs. Our full brochure is available, and we’re starting off the week with sessions that include:

  • The Milieu Therapist Residency Program
    • Learn about UPMC Western Behavioral Health’s MT Residency program for bolstering staff confidence and increasing retention.
  • Restrictive Practices Across the States: Strategies to Advocate for Change
    • Listen to a panel of experts discuss the restrictions and inequities found in HCBS as well as practical solutions to tackling them.
  • Becoming a Data-Driven Provider: 10 Steps to Creating a Data-Driven Culture
    • Learn about Mainstay Life Services’ development of a “Data-Driven Culture,” including the initial state of infrastructure and tools used for implementation.
  • Devereux Ascend Career Accelerator Program
    • Explore professional development paths and ideas for your employees through the Devereux Ascend Career Accelerator Program.
  • Increasing Dental Care Access for the I/DD and ND Population With Visual Supports and Video Modeling
    • Discover new ways of using visual, audio, and video supports to support those with ID/A in accessing and addressing dental care.
  • The Happy Valley FitLink Approach to Inclusive Wellness
    • Improve health outcomes for those with neurodiversity and ID/A with daily fitness goals and activities.
  • OLTL Updates and Quality Initiatives
    • Engage with OLTL leadership to discuss quality initiatives, FY 2024 priorities, and more.

Be sure to register now to see these workshops in person and earn continuing education credits!

In addition to an amazing roster of speakers, our 2023 Conference will have an exciting array of sponsors and exhibitors. We thank those who have committed to our conference thus far! If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, visit here for more details. You can also contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions you may have.

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Today, June 5, members of the Coalition for the Preservation of Employment Choice and RCPA urged the PA General Assembly to preserve protections and programs meant for those with IDD, including preserving Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Those speaking detailed how a loss of such programs would limit those with IDD to education and workplace options.

Richard Edley, PhD, President and CEO of RCPA, defended the programs, stating, “When you systematically limit choice, you are taking away a basic principle of helping people with disabilities.”

Also speaking at the rally was Colleen Stuart, CEO of Venango Training and Development Center, Inc., President of the Coalition for the Preservation of Employment Choice, and incoming Board Chair for RCPA. Colleen spoke of those with IDD in the workforce and education, asserting, “Without adequate rates that cover the cost of services, they will lose this choice, as providers will not be able to maintain.”

George Gwilliam of Cori’s Place, who also serves as an RCPA Board Member, was present, as well, speaking on behalf of those with IDD who would be impacted by the loss of protections.

Read the full press release here.

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RCPA held a Legislators’ Breakfast at the Capitol today, April 26, to discuss issues related to health and human services as well as to meet the new legislators. We thank everyone who attended, including Rep. Mike Schlossberg and Rep. Joanne Stehr, who both spoke with RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley.

 

 

 

 

 

RCPA Policy Directors were also in attendance. Policy Director Jason Snyder spoke with Sen. Christine Tartaglione, while Policy Directors Jim Sharp and Carol Ferenz spoke with Rep. Stephen Kinsey. Carol Ferenz then spoke with Rob Labatch of RCPA member Hope Enterprises, Inc. and Rep. Paul Takac. Policy Director Melissa Dehoff was also busy speaking with several representatives and members, including Rep. Lisa Borowski, Rep. Tarik Khan, Bridget Lowery of RCPA member Success Rehabilitation, Inc., and Jack Poplar of RCPA member Acadia Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alongside RCPA Policy Directors was Board Member Susan Blue of Community Services Group. She spoke with several legislators, including Rep. Nancy Guenst, while Policy Director Jack Phillips spoke with Nick Troutman, who serves as Chief of Staff for Senator Yaw.

 

 

 

 

 

RCPA thanks its members who attended and spoke one-on-one with those who can shape the policies affecting health and human services. Employees of RCPA member Chimes Holcomb made an appearance, in addition to Hope Enterprises, Inc., Acadia Inc., and Success Rehabilitation, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

We thank everyone who attended and supported our Legislators’ Breakfast. It was an incredible experience discussing health and human services in the Commonwealth while meeting all the new faces! We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature.

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RCPA hosted our 2023 Capitol Day today, April 24, on the steps of the Capitol outside the Main Rotunda. Our rally focused on the need for funding in health and human services to combat the workforce crisis as well as an increase in training for staff and advocacy for telehealth, amongst other issues. You can view our 2023 legislative and administrative priorities here.

Those who spoke at our rally included RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley (left) and RCPA SUD Treatment Services Policy Director Jason Snyder (right). The two spoke of insufficient funding, overbearing regulations, and other issues deeply affecting human services providers in the Commonwealth.

 

Also in attendance were Rep. Mike Schlossberg (left), Rep. Dan Miller (center), and Rep. Doyle Heffley (right). We thank them for their attendance and for showing support to those who work in health and human services.

 

Lloyd Wertz, Executive Director of Family Training and Advocacy Center (left), and Sherri Landis, Executive Director of The Arc of PA (right), were also in attendance. Both spoke passionately on the challenges facing those working in health and human services.

 

 

 

Last but not least, we thank those on the ground who do the hard work and who came out to support our efforts today. We especially thank Conference of Allegheny Providers (CAP) and KenCrest for their advocacy! We hope these efforts bring light to the work that you do for your communities.

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Today, on April 24, RCPA held its 2023 Capitol Day outside the Main Rotunda of the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA. RCPA members Conference for Allegheny Providers (CAP) and KenCrest both came prepared with signs of support and advocacy for legislative reform and funding for health and human services. This includes funding for DSPs and staff training as well as decreasing administrative burden. We thank them and everyone else who came out today and showed support for those who work in these critical services!

You can view RCPA’s 2023 legislative and administrative priorities here.

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