Update: OMHSAS HCBS Workforce Gap Funds
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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will be hosting a two-part Mental Health Awareness Event next Monday, May 23, 2022.
This two-part event will kick off with a press conference with Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead and OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Kristen Houser in the Capitol Media Room at 10:00 am. Afterwards, the Dennis Marion Award Ceremony and State Hospital Staff Recognition will take place at Strawberry Square at 1:00 pm.
Please see the flyer for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
RCPA is pleased to support and celebrate Pennsylvania’s participation in the #WeHealUS national campaign during Mental Health Awareness Month.
#WeHealUS is a grassroots campaign that honors May as Mental Health Awareness Month by amplifying the hard work of individuals, organizations, and local/state governments building resilience and healing. Nationwide, more states and municipalities are embracing trauma-informed and healing-centered policies and practices because resilience grows through healthy and informed relationships.
#WeHealUS was the brain child of stakeholders in Illinois and Pennsylvania — pioneering states that have become “healing-centered” with public and private partnerships working outside the box to promote trauma awareness. The Illinois Light Initiative has launched an Illinois Healing Capacity Building Center to unify trauma education, training, and programming. HEAL PA is an innovative mix of state agency representatives and community stakeholders tasked with implementing the Trauma-Informed PA Plan across the commonwealth. #WeHealUS is further supported by the national Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP).
Take a look at the Pennsylvania calendar of #WeHealUS activities as well as the #WeHealUS campaign toolkit for this month. We encourage everyone to share this information widely with your networks, as the events are open for all to attend! Sample social media posts are included in the toolkit.
RCPA remains an active member of the Heal PA trauma-informed initiative. You can contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp with any questions or comments regarding this initiative.
The memorandum “Guidance Regarding Maintaining Confidentiality When Sharing Information With Schools” is being issued to advise County Children and Youth Agencies (CCYAs) about information sharing with Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
As of this date, CCYAs are advised to utilize the Placement Notification Form to notify LEAs of a student’s entry into foster care or change in foster care placement. CCYAs should NOT provide court orders, adoption decrees, resource parent stipend amounts, the name of a person who reported abuse or neglect of a child, the substance use history and treatment of a student (without a signed specific release form), or other information that is not relevant to the academic needs, safety, or well-being of the student. The information should only be disclosed to the individuals providing support to the child.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the education of children served by OCYF, please contact OCYF via email, contact the appropriate regional office, or contact RCPA Children’s Director Jim Sharp.