National Council Election for Board of Directors — Voting is Open
Richard Edley
Dr. Richard Edley is the lead executive for RCPA and is responsible for all aspects of operations and direction for the association. His professional career began in 1988 and most recently he was president and CEO of PerformCare/Community Behavioral HealthCare Network of Pennsylvania, Inc., a national, full-service, behavioral health managed care organization.
RCPA Policy Staff Update
RCPA would like to officially announce that Jack Phillips, RCPA Director of Government Relations, has accepted a new position as Director of Government Affairs at Novak Strategic Advisors in Harrisburg, PA. Jack will be continuing his work with RCPA while assuming this new role. In most ways, members should see no change; presence at division meetings, updates at general meetings, oversight of the government relations meetings/calls, and lobbying activities at the Capitol will continue as before.
What this does offer is an opportunity for Jack to expand his reach in Harrisburg, and he has worked closely with RCPA on this transition to make this as seamless as possible. RCPA will also have access to other resources at Novak as needed. Please offer your congratulations to Jack on this new endeavor.
Wolf to Lift Mitigation Orders Memorial Day, Masking Order Once 70% of PA Adults Fully Vaccinated
Pennsylvanians ages 16 and older who want a vaccine are urged to get one
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf administration, in coordination with the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, announced today that mitigation orders except masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 AM.
The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Face coverings are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home. In accordance with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians are not required to wear a mask during certain activities.
“We continue to make significant progress in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and as more Pennsylvania adults get vaccinated and guidance from the CDC evolves, we can continue to move forward with our reopening efforts,” Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam said. “I encourage Pennsylvanians to take the critical steps needed to put this pandemic behind us by getting vaccinated, follow through with both doses if you receive the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, and continue to take steps like masking, frequent hand washing and sanitizing and social distancing.”
Requirements such as testing and reporting new cases will remain in place for hospitals and long-term care facilities. Maintaining requirements for hospitals and long-term care facilities will allow Pennsylvania to continue to closely monitor COVID-19 spread while lifting other restrictions.
The Department of Health recommends that Pennsylvanians refer to CDC guidance and recommendations regarding ongoing COVID-19 safety measures and procedures.
These updates will not prevent municipalities and school districts from continuing and implementing stricter mitigation efforts.
“With millions of Pennsylvanians getting vaccinated, it’s time to plan the transition back to normal,” said Sen. Art Haywood. “Hospitalizations and deaths are down. This action today is a key step forward.”
“While the restrictions that were put in place at the outset of the pandemic have been a major source of frustration for many Pennsylvanians and businesses, it is the collaborative work of this bipartisan Task Force that is allowing us to finally roll back the restrictions and get back to normal life,” said Sen. Ryan Aument.
“I’m thrilled after more than a year that we are able to lift these restrictions so that we can move to more normal life,” said Rep. Tim O’Neal. “This will help grow our economy and assist our small businesses that have sacrificed so much due to COVID-19. Thank you to Pennsylvanians who have chosen to be vaccinated. Your efforts have helped us arrive at today.”
“I am proud of the progress we have made with vaccinations throughout Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Bridget Kosierowski. “Lifting mitigation orders on Memorial Day and announcing that masking orders will be lifted once 70 percent of Pennsylvania’s adults are fully vaccinated are all benefits from following the scientific medical research and data. Many sacrifices had been made over the past year while we waited for help. The help is now here in the form of a vaccine and we must do everything we can to encourage everyone to receive their vaccination so we can overcome this pandemic. Let’s follow the science, because it’s the path to us all returning to normalcy.”
The governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic remains in place.
All Pennsylvanians ages 16 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. The provider map is available on the Department of Health’s website. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
More information is available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
MEDIA CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo
A New Era at the National Council Begins
Dear Board Members:
In just a few hours, NatCon21 will officially kick off, uniting thousands of health care professionals online to learn, network and raise their voices. They will also witness an important moment in our history, one you helped shape through your leadership, feedback and support. On May 5, as we close NatCon21, we will officially announce our name change to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
As you know, a lot of time, research and consideration was put into selecting this name. We wanted one that holds true to our history, reflects our role, acknowledges change and honors the contributions of the hard-working members who are the foundation of the National Council. We believe we’ve found it. Our new name more aptly reflects the work we do, ensures greater inclusivity, helps us reach more people in new ways, and better articulates our impact and aspirations.
“Mental wellbeing” makes a powerful statement that summarizes our passion and purpose. It means thriving regardless of a mental health or substance use challenge. It represents resilience, strength and recovery. It’s a phrase that promotes the importance of preventive care and the need to increase access to life-saving services. And it’s a powerful reflection of who we are and what the proud members of this organization do daily.
Moving forward, with your ongoing support, we will own this phrase. We will embody it through our actions. We will build the narrative behind it. And we will commit to making mental wellbeing a reality for everyone, everywhere. That means ensuring equitable access to care, building capacity for mental health and substance use treatment organizations and continuously promoting mental wellbeing as a core component of health and health care.
We are excited to be on this journey with you, and we are grateful for your support as we welcome a new era at the National Council together. For new brand resources, please visit our webpage.
Regards,
Chuck Ingoglia
President and CEO
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
TheNationalCouncil.org
RCPA Member Webinar ADDED Special Presentation on Employee Retention Credit April 26
The next RCPA Member Update webinar is scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021 from 2:00 pm–4:00 pm. We previously announced that Jen Swails, Budget Secretary, will be presenting and available for Q&A/discussion.
Following this presentation, RCPA has teamed up with Synergi Partners, the largest privately-owned tax credit and business incentive processer, to bring you the latest information surrounding the CARES Act Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The ERC allows businesses and non-government nonprofit organizations, including health and human service providers impacted by COVID-19, to receive a refundable, above the line Federal payroll tax credit.
Many human service providers are unaware that they may qualify for the ERC. During this webinar we will discuss eligibility, the expansion and extension of the ERC, compare the differences between 2020 and 2021 legislation, and showcase how the ERC can potentially benefit your organization.
- RCPA – CARES Act ERC Misconceptions
- RCPA – CARES Act ERC Flyer
- RCPA Member – Request Analysis / Prospective Referral Form
Please register here to attend this webinar. If you have previously registered for this meeting to hear the Secretary Swails portion, you do NOT need to register again. We look forward to your participation!
RCPA Member Webinar on April 26 Featuring Jen Swails, Budget Secretary
The RCPA Member Update webinar scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021 from 2:00 pm–4:00 pm will include a presentation from Secretary of the Budget Jen Swails, who will discuss several issues, including the impact of the American Rescue Plan on state revenue and programs, particularly those programs related to health and human services. There will also be an opportunity for discussion and question and answers.
Ms. Swails has a strong background in health and human services, having served as a senior analyst for various state government fiscal offices prior to being named Budget Secretary. She has presented before at RCPA meetings, and we are pleased to have her available for this discussion.
Please register here to attend this webinar. We look forward to your participation!
RCPA Annual Membership Webinar Featuring DHS’ Meg Snead and Andrew Barnes
RCPA will be holding the Annual Membership meeting webinar on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 10:00 am. Please register here to participate in the meeting webcast. This year’s agenda and the 2020 Annual Meeting minutes are available for review.
This year’s Annual Meeting highlights guest speakers Meg Snead and Andrew Barnes. Ms. Snead was recently nominated to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Human Services. Mr. Barnes is the Department of Human Services’ Executive Deputy Secretary. We look forward to their presentation on critical issues facing the Commonwealth and human services, as well as thoughts regarding their new roles within the administration and a discussion of issues that face providers.
In addition, the RCPA Nominating Committee has nominated RCPA member CEOs/Directors to serve as directors and officers of the RCPA Board of Directors. Please VOTE HERE in advance of the Annual Meeting for the election of RCPA Board of Directors and Officers.
We look forward to your registration and participation.
National Council 2021 Spring Board Elections — Nominations Requested
As you may know from this announcement, nominations are open for a Region 3 Board representative to the National Council. This region includes Pennsylvania, and currently we have two representatives on the NatCon Board: me and Susan Blue, CEO of Community Services Group.
I did want to alert RCPA members of our strong relationship with the Maryland Association, Community Behavioral Health (CBH), as seen in their joining our upcoming Annual Conference. And this year, CBH has nominated and endorsed Arthur Ginsberg as the Region 3 representative for the National Council’s Board. Arthur brings well-rounded experience in the behavioral health field to the Board. He has leadership experience at organizations in both inpatient and outpatient settings in behavioral health, as well as deep experience in the field serving individuals with developmental disabilities.
Arthur’s professional experience includes robust participation in provider associations. He served on the Board of ANCOR and led the DC chapter. He has also served on CBH’s Board since 2018.
I would like to ask each of you to consider supporting Arthur for this nomination and Board seat. It would well serve our partnership with Maryland and allow for a continued strong voice at the NatCon Board level. Arthur’s CV is available here for your review.
Thank you,
Richard S. Edley, PhD
President/CEO
Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA)
Telehealth Services Are Crucial for Care – Letter to the Editor from RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley
Two Harrisburg Associations Focus on Equitable Telehealth Care with New Program
Central Penn Business Journal, April 2, 2021
By: Ioannis Pashakis
April 2, 2021 12:27 pm
Two Harrisburg health care associations were awarded a total of $250,000 in grant money as part of a national initiative to make access to telehealth services more equitable.
The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) and the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) announced this week that they will be using the funds to work with legislators and support strategies to ensure that as telehealth services expand as a way for patients to receive care from home that it is done equitably.
The initiative follows all-time highs in telehealth usage following the COVID-19 pandemic as providers shifted to virtual care during quarantine.
“Without being able to meet face to face in many cases, telehealth platforms quickly became the service delivery vehicle for providers, consumers, stakeholders, and payors,” said Dr. Richard Edley, president and CEO of RCPA. “As with every crisis, these challenges opened our eyes to new opportunities. But we still have a long way to ensure telehealth expands in an equitable way for providers and the communities we serve.”
RCPA and PACHC are two of six associations spanning eight states to be awarded the funding through the Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net. The Delta Center, based in San Francisco, is a national collaborative created to foster innovation in value-based care and payment through policy initiatives.
RCPA is one of the country’s largest health and human services state associations with 350 member agencies and PACHCS represents and supports over 350 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).
As part of the grant, the two organizations will:
- Drive policy and practice changes to ensure access to quality physical and behavioral services and improve integrated care through telehealth.
- Partner with legislators and stakeholders to develop telehealth standards throughout the Commonwealth.
- Support actionable strategies to address the social determinants of health
- Share consumer feedback to develop training and technical assistance, health literacy campaigns and language supports.
“The integration of physical and behavioral health is critical to the future success of delivering high quality health care services to the patients of Federally Qualified Health Centers and behavioral health providers across the commonwealth,” said Cheri Rinehart, PACHC president and CEO. “The incorporation of telehealth services in the delivery of care was essential throughout the pandemic and will continue to be a crucial tool for providers to use in delivering whole person care for the communities they serve.”
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