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Authors Posts by Jim Sharp

Jim Sharp

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RCPA would like to congratulate Jonathan Rubin and Amy Grippi on their new positions with the Department of Human Services. We look forward to collaborating in the future, to continue improving the quality of life for our children across the Commonwealth.


(From DHS Secretary Teresa Miller)

DHS Staffing Update

I am excited to announce that Jonathan (Jon) Rubin will join the Department of Human Services as the Office of Children, Youth, and Families’ Deputy Secretary. Jon has led Bucks County’s Housing and Human Services division since 2014, overseeing the county’s child welfare agency, behavioral and developmental health programs, drug and alcohol services, mental health and developmental programs, housing services, and Area Agency on Aging.  As director, Jon has focused on creating a more integrated approach to Housing and Human Services’ work, encouraging two-generation, whole-family focuses and facilitating public-private partnerships and generative program development.

Jon started his career spending 15 years with the Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services agency, beginning as a social worker and eventually serving four years as a child protective services manager. He has also worked to strengthen the child welfare system on a state level, working at the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center, providing technical assistance and training to children and youth agencies around Pennsylvania, and later with Deloitte as a senior consultant and child welfare subject matter expert, helping implement the Child Welfare Information Solution project. Jon has also worked at the national level supporting child welfare systems across the country when he served as an Organizational Effectiveness Consultant for the American Public Human Services Association.

Jon will join DHS on November 4. At that point, Amy Grippi will transition into a new role, Child Services Executive Director, in the Secretary’s Office. This role will focus on synthesizing initiatives and priorities around child services and create a stronger bridge between OCYF and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Amy will be focused on strengthening services provided to children around Pennsylvania, including our work to implement the enterprise case management system and Family First, increasing the incorporation of predictive analytics and trend analyses through improved data collection, and other initiatives.

I think this new role will be an invaluable asset to help enhance and support the work done at DHS and at the county level, and I know Amy’s skills and experience will help us do more to support children and families around Pennsylvania.

I want to thank Amy for her tireless work and leadership as OCYF’s Acting Deputy Secretary over the last few months, and I am so excited to welcome Jon to the agency. I look forward to seeing the good work that DHS and OCYF will accomplish as we move forward.

Thank you,
Secretary Teresa Miller

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Concept of important day, reminder, organizing time and schedule - red pen marking day of the month on a calendar

The next RCPA Children’s Committee meeting, originally scheduled for October, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 21, due to the OMHSAS Central Region IBHS Training. We apologize for the inconvenience; however, many members will need to attend the IBHS sessions.

The meeting on November 21 will have the Steering Committee from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, followed by the Children’s Committee meeting in the afternoon, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm. The invitation for this November meeting will be forthcoming. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding. Please contact Jim Sharp, RCPA Children’s Division Director, with any questions.

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Please note that the September 30 Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) webinar has been moved to October 4 due to Rosh Hashanah. If you have already registered for this WebEx, you should have received an updated notification today. Also, both the October and November WebEx will be taped and available for later viewing.

If you have questions you believe will be helpful in developing the upcoming trainings and FAQ, please submit them to this email as well as RCPA Children’s Division Director, Jim Sharp. We recommend you register for these webinar and regional trainings ASAP!

Statewide Webinars
Friday, October 4, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
WebEx: Provide general information regarding the regulations as well as the process for licensure and enrollment
Please register for IBHS Statewide Webinar on Oct 4, 2019, 9:00 AM EDT here.

Wednesday, November 20, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
WebEx: Provide a statewide summary of the regional forums and address additional implementation details
Please register for IBHS Statewide Webinar on Nov 20, 2019 1:00 PM EDT here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Regional Forums
OMHSAS will host regional forums to continue discussing IBHS implementation. All forums will take place from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and include a break for lunch.

WESTERN REGION, October 11
George Junior Republic
233 George Junior Road, Grove City, PA 16127
Please register by contacting Phyllis Knott or call 412-880-0488

CENTRAL REGION, October 16
Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1
400 North St, Harrisburg, PA
Please register by contacting Angela Douglas or call 717-346-5943

SOUTHEAST REGION, October 21
Norristown State Hospital Building 33 in the Multi-Purpose room
1001 Sterigere St, Norristown, PA 19401
Please register by contacting Julie Croce or call 610-313-5844

NORTHEAST REGION, October 22
John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
150 Mundy Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA  18702
Please register by contacting Leigh Ann Ksiazek or call 570-963-4944

In accordance with legislation that passed in 1972, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is required to develop a State Plan and to update it annually. The department has posted a request for public comments on the 2019–2022 draft state plan. Comments are due Monday, September 16 to Jordan Lewis. We request that members also copy RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp on any comments submitted to DDAP. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Sharp.

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Folders with the label Applications and Grants

The following Grant opportunities are now open in PCCD’s Egrants System:

Funding Announcement Title: 2019/20 School Safety and Security – Competitive
Plan Year: 2019
Release Date: 9/9/2019
Due Date: 11/4/2019
Concept Papers Required: No
Competitive/Noncompetitive: Competitive
Amount Announced: $33,780,000.00

 

Funding Announcement Title: 2019/20 School Safety and Security – Meritorious
Plan Year: 2019
Release Date: 9/9/2019
Due Date: 11/4/2019
Concept Papers Required: No
Competitive/Noncompetitive: Non-Competitive
Amount Announced: $18,720,000.00

 

Funding Announcement Title: 2020 Community Violence Prevention/Reduction
Plan Year: 2019
Release Date: 9/9/2019
Due Date: 11/4/2019
Concept Papers Required: No
Competitive/Noncompetitive: Competitive
Amount Announced: $7,500,000.00

To view the details regarding this solicitation and others, please click on the funding announcement title listed above. You can view detailed documentation regarding these funding announcements by clicking on the Funding Announcement Title on the screen.

You must be registered with PCCD to access the Egrants System. If you are not registered, visit the website and select Register. Once your registration is accepted, select the Login button. Enter the User ID and Password established when you registered, and Login to the system through the Egrants Production link. Then you will see the User Management Profile Details page. You must save this information in order to access the system.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced two new Grant Initiative Funding Opportunities.

19-02 – Community Recovery Support Services

DDAP is accepting applications for Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) who will expand or enhance recovery support services to individuals with opioid use disorder. Such services include the delivery of recovery coaching through Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS), telephonic supports, the provision of education and employment supports; e.g. job coaching, resume writing, engagement in GED services, etc. Applications must be submitted by October 3, 2019 at 5:00 pm.

19-03 – Opioid Prevention in Higher Education  

DDAP is accepting applications from nonprofit, accredited colleges, universities, post-secondary institutions of higher education, and collegiate collaboratives within Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on preventing and reducing opioid use disorder. The primary goal of the effort is to prevent and reduce use and misuse of opioids by college students. Applications must be submitted by October 3, 2019 at 5:00 pm.

Questions can be submitted via email. For more information, visit the Funding Opportunities page on the DDAP website.

The school was one of 35 selected by the National Council for Behavioral Health with support from Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.

Philadelphia, PA (September 9, 2019) – Pennsylvania was selected as one of the first expanded pilot sites for teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA). The program will be hosted at Roxborough High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this fall. The training is the first of its kind developed for high school students in the US.

“This first-of-a-kind program will truly make a difference in our communities, and we are excited that our state was chosen to introduce teen Mental Health First Aid to local communities,” said RCPA President/CEO Dr. Richard S. Edley, a member of the National Council for Behavioral Health — which represents 3,100 member organizations across the United States. “It is our hope that this training program will encourage students to take action when they spot early signs of a problem and empower them to support a friend who may be in distress or struggling with a mental health or substance use issue, so they can get the help and treatment they need.”

tMHFA is an in-person training designed for high school students to learn about mental illnesses and addictions, particularly how to identify and respond to a developing mental health or substance use problem among their peers. Similar to CPR, students learn a 5-step action plan to help their friends who may be facing a mental health problem or crisis, such as suicide.

The course specifically highlights the important step of involving a responsible and trusted adult. To ensure additional support for students taking the training, Roxborough High School has also trained a number of school staff in Mental Health First Aid for Adults Working with Young People.

“We’re thrilled Roxborough High School is one of the first US high schools to participate in teen Mental Health First Aid,” said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health. “Teens trust their friends, so they need to be trained to recognize signs of mental health or substance use problems in their peers. The number one thing a teen can do to support a friend dealing with anxiety or depression is to help the friend seek support from a trusted adult.”

“With teen Mental Health First Aid, we like to say, it’s okay to not be okay,” said Lady Gaga, co-founder of Born This Way Foundation, as she spoke with 16 students who completed the first tMHFA pilot in eight schools across the country.

“Together, Born This Way and the National Council have put this program in eight schools. I know for certain that I’m not stopping here,” Lady Gaga continued. “I want the teen Mental Health First Aid program in every school in this country.”

“Through this pilot, Roxborough High School is taking an important step towards ensuring their students are able to recognize when a friend or peer might be struggling and to feel confident that they know what to do to help,” said Cynthia Germanotta, president and co-founder of Born This Way Foundation. “Knowing how to spot the signs that someone in our lives is experiencing a mental health challenge and understanding how we can support that person is a basic life skill we all need to have — especially teenagers.”

tMHFA is an evidence-based training program from Australia. The National Council adapted the training with support from Born This Way Foundation and Well Being Trust. The pilot program is being evaluated by researchers from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health to assess its effectiveness. The training will be made available to the public following analysis of the pilot study. For more information, please contact Shemiah Cooper.

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Please find the details below regarding participation in the upcoming IBHS training opportunities. If you have questions you believe will be helpful in developing the upcoming trainings and FAQ please submit them to this email as well as RCPA Children’s Division Director, Jim Sharp. We recommend you register for these webinar and regional trainings ASAP!

Statewide Webinars
Monday, September 30, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
WebEx: Provide general information regarding the regulations as well as the process for licensure and enrollment
Please register for IBHS Statewide Webinar on Sep 30, 2019, 1:00 PM EDT here.

Wednesday, November 20, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
WebEx: Provide a statewide summary of the regional forums and address additional implementation details
Please register for IBHS Statewide Webinar on Nov 20, 2019 1:00 PM EDT here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Regional Forums
OMHSAS will host regional forums to continue discussing IBHS implementation. All forums will take place from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and include a break for lunch. 

WESTERN REGION, October 11
George Junior Republic
233 George Junior Road, Grove City, PA 16127
Please register by contacting Phyllis Knott or call 412-880-0488

CENTRAL REGION, October 16
Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1
400 North St, Harrisburg, PA
Please register by contacting Angela Douglas or call 717-346-5943

SOUTHEAST REGION, October 21
Norristown State Hospital Building 33 in the Multi-Purpose room
1001 Sterigere St, Norristown, PA 19401
Please register by contacting Julie Croce or call 610-313-5844

NORTHEAST REGION, October 22
John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
150 Mundy Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA  18702
Please register by contacting Leigh Ann Ksiazek or call 570-963-4944

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This week we had the opportunity to meet with Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) Acting Deputy Secretary Amy Grippi and her staff to review the current OCYF Bulletin 00-19-02, “Notification Protocol for Formal Licensing Action and Incidents.”

As part of the discussion, RCPA provided a list of concerns and recommendations regarding the language outlining the notification of stakeholders as it related to staff removal from childcare duties based upon an approved plan of supervision.

RCPA supports the goal to ensure safety, transparency, and efficient practices within the scope of the bulletin, but the unintended operational consequences of this part of the notification process has created logistical issues that deem review. At this time, OCYF will engage stakeholders to review the current language and its collateral systems impact. The goal to create a notification process that balances the importance of information dissemination to those directly impacted, that is effective in scale and scope, and within the CPSL reporting standards, is supported.

Additionally, RCPA joins the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services (PCCYFS) in supporting the language change below, submitted to OCYF for consideration by Juvenile Detention Centers and Alternative Programs (JDCAP) Executive Director, Wayne Bear.

“This letter is to inform you that in accordance with OCYF policy, a staff has been removed from child care duties based upon an approved plan of supervision pending the outcome of an investigation into an allegation.”

RCPA is grateful for the opportunity to engage in this process with OCYF, as well as future systems initiatives. We will continue to update our members on the status of any changes or issuance of bulletins regarding this topic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), will be hosting eight regional Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Summits this fall. The purpose of these summits is to promote awareness of MAT options for opioid use disorder and to increase the number of practitioners using the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in an office-based setting.

Participants in the summits will include physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, as well as administrative and clinical support staff in their practices. Other industry stakeholders could also benefit and are welcome to attend.

A web page has been established on DDAP’s website which includes the summit dates, counties in each region, and Save the Date flyers for each summit. This web page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Attendance is free, and registration will open in early September. Another email will be sent when registration opens. Questions can be directed to this email.