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Authors Posts by Sharon Militello

Sharon Militello

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As communications director, Sharon Militello is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the association website and social media pages; editing and preparation of communications; preparing and running webcasts; cultivating media relations; and maintaining relationships with technology support vendors.

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On Friday (September 18), Stan Mrozowski informed RCPA staff and others that he had relinquished his position as Director of the Children’s Bureau at the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). Dr. Mrozowski noted that “there have been discussions recently in the Department of Human Services about the role of the Bureau and the decision has been made to make a change.” In his farewell message, Stan noted that “I leave with immense satisfaction about the many accomplishments over the past 12 years during which I have been the Director of the Children’s Bureau. I have very few regrets – mostly only that we did not do even more to help children and families in the Commonwealth. I also leave with appreciation for having worked with so many fine people who truly care about youth and families. I will truly miss the friendship and the collegiality that has made the work so rewarding.” RCPA will follow up with OMHSAS leadership to explore and report on any other changes that are planned for their management of children’s behavioral health services in the future.

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This week, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo will introduce a stopgap budget proposal that will fund the entire state budget for four months from July 1, 2015 until October 31, 2015. The funding level will be the same as the state budget for fiscal year 2014/15, for those four months.

RCPA has been advocating for a short-term funding bill as negotiations continue on a final budget.  RCPA is pleased with this proposal, because many of our members are not as financially strong as they were last time the Commonwealth had a late budget, so they are having more difficulties staying solvent. As a result, many individuals who rely on human services programs already may not be receiving the quality services that our members provide.

RCPA is strongly encouraging members to contact their local representatives and encourage her or him to sign onto Rep. DiGirolamo’s co-sponsorship memo, “Stopgap Budget Proposal.”

Contact Jack Phillips with questions.

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RCPA received notice today from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) that the decision has been made to discontinue the STAR data system. The discontinuation will occur in mid-September. More information regarding next steps will be provided soon.

Below is the information sent out by DDAP this afternoon:

“The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will discontinue utilization of STAR as the database to gather and report TEDS data to SAMHSA in September 2015.

We are planning to shut down STAR at 11:59 pm on September 15, 2015. You will have until then to enter and update information as follows:

Admissions:

  • All admissions that occur through August 31, 2015 must be entered into STAR by September 10, 2015.
    • Providers should continue to enter into STAR any related documents for these admissions, such as screens, PCPC/ASAM, etc.
  • Admissions that take place on or after September 1, 2015 should not be entered into STAR. We will provide additional details in the coming weeks of how and when to report admission information to us.

Discharges:

  • All discharges associated with August 31, 2015 and earlier admissions should be entered into STAR if the discharge happens by September 10, 2015.
  • All other discharges should be held until further information is provided.

If you have any questions, please contact the STAR Helpdesk at 717-783-8200.”

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ODP Updates

The Office of Developmental Disabilities has released the following information:

  • Announcement #067-15: Save the Date: ODP Year 8 Cost Report Training Date for Waiver Residential Service Provider Staff; Monday, September 21 at 1:00 pm. Watch for more details.
  • Announcement #068-15: ODP’s Quality Management Certification Program: Leadership Resources Available: QM Module 104, Part 2: Virtual QI Teams.
  • Announcement #069-15:
    Continue

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MEET YOUR SECRETARY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & INDUSTRY:
Kathy M. Manderino

Secretary Manderino

RCPA asked the following questions, to help members become more acquainted with Secretary Manderino, and we thank the secretary for her responses:

  1. What are your priorities in your new state position?
  2. What are your goals for your department/office?
  3. What issues will you be addressing your first year?
  4. What do you feel are obstacles to achieving your goals?
  5. How will you work with the appropriate stakeholders as you move the system forward?

Working to serve people in need remains a cause dear to my heart. As a former board member for the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association’s predecessor PCPA, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to discuss my goals for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I).

Governor Tom Wolf’s vision for Pennsylvania is jobs that pay, schools that teach, and government that works. That vision fits the mission of the L&I to a “T,” and dovetails with L&I’s mission to provide jobs that pay for every Pennsylvanian of every ability, education, and training to match those jobs, and the efficient and effective delivery of services.

A key L&I priority this year is the implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA. It is an historic collaboration between L&I and workforce development stakeholders statewide to reinvent the state’s workforce development programs. The end goal is to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market, and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

While there are always some hurdles to implementing change within any state agency, my approach is to address issues by focusing on what can be accomplished – versus what can’t. I’ve charged my team at L&I to be a “can do” agency dedicated to making positive improvements and changes to existing programs that benefit and support Pennsylvania’s workers and employers.

Especially because of my past advocacy work and experience at Intercommunity Action Inc., I’ve taken a keen interest in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Improving services for transition age youth and selecting a permanent director for the Hiram G. Andrews Center and implementing a strategic vision for its future success is another of my first-year priorities. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our OVR management team, and its dedicated stakeholders, to implement our vision to help people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment and independence.

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An op-ed from Richard Edley, regarding the effects of the delayed state budget on health and human services providers and those that they serve, was published in the Lancaster Newspapers, both in print and online on August 16. Edley was also mentioned in an editorial on this topic in the same day. RCPA continues to work hard for its members and their communities, spreading the message that we must do everything possible to help ensure the continuation of vital services to our most vulnerable residents in the Commonwealth.

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