What to Watch: Shapiro Will Pitch First Budget as Governor
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 to Host Webinar Featuring Sen. Phillips-Hill and Rep. Grove on Integration of Health Services in PA — March 14
RCPA Member Woods Services to Host Employee Engagement Symposium on February 16
Join Lydia Dawson, Erin Drummond, Marco Giordano, and Toni Pergolin as they present the Employee Engagement Symposium, moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm EST
Virtual Event
Register Here
Description:
How do you promote workplace practices and cultures that lead to satisfied employees and improved business outcomes in the health and human services sectors? How do you draw on employees’ knowledge and ideas to improve and grow services? Our panelists will address these questions and share their best strategies for successful employee engagement. This symposium is moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of RCPA member Woods Services.
Thriving Through Transformation Symposia Series:
This symposium is the second in a series of four symposia that stem from key themes in the newly released book Thriving Through Transformation: A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector by Woods Services. For more about the book and the series, see below.
Visit here to purchase a paperback copy of the book.
Visit here to download the free digital version.
Learn more about the speakers, agenda, and registration details here.
The 2023 Pennsylvania Government Relations Power 100: RCPA Members UPMC and Woods Services Listed
Workers Who Serve People With Disabilities Must Earn More: Letter to the Editor by RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley
Workers Who Serve People With Disabilities Must Earn More
By Richard Edley, RCPA President/CEO
Read the print version in the Harrisburg Patriot-News, January 19, 2023
Providers who care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) are being pummeled by a workforce shortage driven by low wages and high vacancy and turnover rates.
RCPA partnered with The Arc of Pennsylvania and The Provider Alliance to have the Center for Healthcare Solutions examine the state’s ID/A workforce. The survey evaluated critical data on pay practices, hourly wages, scheduled positions, filled positions and separations for more than 9,000 employees representing 40 positions in 52 organizations.
The findings are stark.
Wages for direct support professionals who help ID/A children and adults with their basic daily living needs average $16.61 per hour, less than some fast-food restaurants. The turnover rate for DSPs is 38%, with providers reporting a vacancy rate of 28%. The numbers are similar for other residential and program supervisors.
The study also found that 14% of all DSP hours are paid at an overtime rate, and 41% of providers are now engaged in a more costly practice of contracting for staffing services to manage the workforce shortage.
Because human services like ID/A are funded primarily by Medicaid, providers cannot raise prices like private businesses to pay higher wages. So chronic underfunding by the state only
exacerbates these operational challenges.
ID/A providers simply do not have the staff they need to serve the thousands of Pennsylvanians receiving or waiting for critical services.
This is a system that is strained past its breaking point, and it needs our support now.
Report: ID/A Worker Shortage Fueled by Low Wages, High Turnover — RCPA President & CEO Richard Edley Quoted
RCPA Joins PA Providers in Supporting Funding for BH Commission Recommendations
RCPA Member Woods Services to Host Social Innovations Journal Symposium on January 12 — Register for Free!
Vision, Strategy and Culture of Innovation: A Symposium for the Health and Human Services Sector
Thursday, January 12, 2023
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm EST
Virtual Event
REGISTER NOW
Please join RCPA member Woods Services for a 90-minute virtual panel on the topic of Vision, Strategy, and Cultivating a Culture of Innovation in the health and human services arena. Moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of Woods Services, a dynamic panel comprised of national and regional experts will be covering trends and data relevant to the field and this topic. How do these experts carry out their vision for their organization? What is their best thinking on developing and executing vision and strategy for their organization? And what does it mean to an organization to establish a culture of innovation? Join us to learn what it takes to succeed from the best in the field.
Thriving Through Transformation Symposia Series
This symposium is part of a bigger symposia series offered through the Social Innovations Partners online platform that will highlight key themes in Woods’ book, Thriving Through Transformation, A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector. These themes are relevant to all in the health and human services and social sectors. Developing and driving a clear and consistent vision for change and creating and executing meaningful strategic and tactical plans were the foundation for the transformation Woods experienced as described in the book, while establishing a culture of innovation has ensured that we remain a dynamic leader in the field.
Learn more about the speakers, agenda, and registration details here.
Why You Should Care About IDD Managed Care — Webinar With RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley and XtraGlobex President Fady Sahhar on Dec. 14
RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley Named to Gov.-Elect Shapiro’s Human Services Advisory Committee
Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis have announced the members of seven Transition Advisory Committees, “which will advise the incoming Administration and prepare to advance Governor-Elect Shapiro’s top priorities.” Richard Edley, President and CEO of RCPA, has been named to the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee. Several RCPA members, associates, and partners have also been named across the committees. Per the announcement:
“Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis have assembled a diverse and experienced team of Pennsylvania leaders and policy experts to advise their transition on a wide array of different policy areas to help move the Commonwealth forward. From public safety to economic development, the Transition Advisory Committees will play a key role in ensuring the Administration is ready to tackle these priorities.”
Read the full press release here.
Prev