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Authors Posts by Naomi Wallerson

Naomi Wallerson

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has launched MyOMHSAS, its enterprise learning management system, providing tailored training modules and resources on behavioral health topics. Accessible to everyone, MyOMHSAS offers courses like Suicide Prevention in Care Management, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, Transgender Resources, and Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP)/System of Care (SOC), with more modules planned for the future, such as Anti-Ageist Practices, Cultural Humility, and Working with LGBTQ+ in the Community.

To access training modules, users need to register and log in on the MyOMHSAS website. For inquiries or suggestions, contact OMHSAS via email. If you have additional questions, contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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In response to the escalating number of nonviolent offenders requiring competency restoration, Treatment Advocacy Center is offering a free training session titled “Dismiss Upon Civil Commitment With AOT: One Alternative to the Competency Restoration Crisis.” This session delves into Pennsylvania’s civil commitment law and the implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). Learn from community leaders and explore the benefits of AOT over competency restoration. Register for the July 30 session in Butler or the August 1 session in Allentown. CLEs, CJEs, and CEUs available.

View the flyer for more information.

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ADvancing States invites you to register for the 2024 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference, celebrating significant milestones this year: the 60th anniversary of ADvancing States and the 40th anniversary of the HCBS Conference. The event gathers leaders and policymakers in the field of aging and disabilities to discuss and share practices that enhance state systems delivering long-term services and supports for individuals of all ages and abilities. Scheduled from Monday, August 18, to Friday, August 22, 2024, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, the conference offers over 190 sessions, along with breakfast, lunch, and networking opportunities, including a Gala Dinner on Wednesday, August 21. Additionally, a virtual conference will be available on Wednesday, September 11, and Thursday, September 12, featuring on-demand sessions with live speaker Q&A, accessible from home at a reduced rate. For more details or to register, visit the in-person registration or virtual conference information pages.

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The Juvenile Court Judges Commission (JCJC) is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Professional and Youth Award Programs, with the awards ceremony taking place at the James E. Anderson Pennsylvania Conference on Juvenile Justice from November 6–7, 2024, at the Hilton Harrisburg. Professional awards include the Residential Program of the Year, Community-Based Program of the Year, and the Meritorious Service Award for notable service to at-risk youth and advancements in juvenile justice. Youth awards comprise the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Creative Expression Contest, which features categories like Poster, Written (essay, poem, story), and Mixed Media (dance, song, audio, video, photography), themed “The Real Story: My Battle, My Strength.” Nominations are due by July 29, 2024.

For more information or to nominate, visit the JCJC website. You can also contact Angel Stewart at 717-783-7835 or via email, or Keysla Rodriguez at 717-783-6263 or via email.

If you have any other questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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A new bulletin addressing revisions to the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) has been released by the Commonwealth Court. This bulletin specifically focuses on clarifying the legal standing of certain provisions, notably the “lifetime employment ban” for individuals with criminal convictions. Enacted in 1987, OAPSA aimed to protect Pennsylvania’s older population from exploitation, neglect, and abuse, establishing a program for their safeguarding, including those in mental health inpatient and residential facilities. However, subsequent amendments in 1996 introduced a permanent employment ban for individuals convicted of certain crimes. Despite this, a 2015 ruling by the Commonwealth Court found this provision unconstitutional, citing violations of due process guarantees under the PA constitution.

The full bulletin, titled “Bulletin OMHSAS-24-03 Employment Bans in OAPSA,” can be accessed here. Further inquiries regarding OMHSAS-24-03 can be directed to OMHSAS via email. You can also contact RCPA Policy Director and COO, Jim Sharp, with any additional questions.

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The Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence has announced the Vamos por Más Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Empowerment and Leadership Academy 2024–2025. This innovative 12-month program aims to select up to 10 behavioral health services personnel from community-based organizations serving Hispanic and Latino populations. Participants will have the opportunity to access mentorship and leadership skill-development sessions, focusing on various behavioral health-related topics. These include fostering culturally responsive leadership, driving system changes to enhance the well-being of Latino communities, and strengthening advocacy skills for Hispanic and Latino populations. Additionally, the program emphasizes building cross-sector partnerships between communities and behavioral health systems. Healthcare providers, including those in substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery, are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity.

Applications can be submitted here. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2024.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is hosting its annual Recovery Month Kick-Off event on September 12 at Soldiers and Sailors Grove in Harrisburg. The focus of the 2024 kick-off will be total wellness in recovery. To participate in the event, complete the survey by June 28 to indicate if you or your agency would like to provide an interactive activity (such as yoga, music therapy, or meditation) or have a resource table. Space is limited, so responses will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will take place outdoors, with a rain date of Sept. 13. It will be held at the venue located on the fountain side of the state capitol building between Commonwealth Avenue and State Street.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) is hosting a virtual session with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Philadelphia Division to discuss pharmacy best practices in ordering and dispensing controlled substances, particularly medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) like buprenorphine. This session, scheduled on Wednesday, April 24 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, aims to address concerns raised during PA DOH’s Fall 2023 listening sessions on patient access to controlled substances. Participants can register for the session using this form and are encouraged to submit questions in advance by Friday, April 19, 2024. Even if unable to attend, individuals can still submit questions for a later response. Please submit inquiries via email. This collaborative learning opportunity is crucial, and recipients are encouraged to share the invitation with interested parties.

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The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has announced multiple in-person clinical supervision skills trainings occurring in the upcoming months in various locations. These sessions, aimed at enhancing clinical supervision skills and providing tools for working with supervisees, will take place on May 20–24 at Courtyard by Marriott in Lancaster, and June 10–14 at Holiday Inn Express Grove City in Mercer. Additional sessions are planned for July, October, and November in different regions. Each training is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily, with a registration fee of $300. Registration is limited and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested individuals can download the registration form from the Training Management System (TMS).

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The 2024 Virtual Dual Diagnosis Conference, titled “Full Diagnosis: Impact of Trauma, Physical Health, and Metabolic Health,” will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Hosted by The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the conference features nationally recognized speakers who will explore various perspectives on these crucial issues. Featured speakers include Dale Adair, MD, FAPA, Syard Evans, PhD, Beth Barol, Stacy Nonnemacher, Self Advocates United as 1, Brandi Kelly, PhD, and Dan Dubovsky. Registration for the conference is open.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Director of Mental Health, Jim Sharp.

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