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Authors Posts by Richard Edley

Richard Edley

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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.

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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.

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Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

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.

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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.

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Photo by Joshua Golde on Unsplash

An overall ranking 1–13 indicates lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care. An overall ranking 39–51 indicates higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. The combined scores of all 15 measures make up the overall ranking.  The overall ranking includes both adult and youth measures as well as prevalence and access to care measures. See full article and list of all states’ rankings here.

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