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This week, the Pennsylvania House and Senate held leadership elections for the upcoming 2025–26 legislative session. The biggest changes are within the House Republican Caucus. RCPA looks forward to working with the leaders in all four caucuses.

The results of the leadership elections are as follows:

Senate Republicans

  • President Pro Tempore Designee Kim Ward (Westmoreland)
  • Majority Leader Joe Pittman (Indiana)
  • Majority Whip Ryan Aument (Lancaster)
  • Majority Appropriations Chairman Scott Martin (Lancaster)
  • Majority Policy Chairman Dan Laughlin (Erie)
  • Majority Caucus Chairman Kristen Phillips-Hill (York)
  • Majority Caucus Secretary Camera Bartolotta (Beaver/Greene/Washington)
  • Majority Caucus Administrator Lisa Baker (Luzerne/Susquehanna/Pike/Wayne/Wyoming)

Senate Democrats

  • Minority Leader Jay Costa (Allegheny)
  • Minority Whip Tina Tartaglione (Philadelphia)
  • Minority Appropriations Chairman Vince Hughes (Philadelphia/Montgomery)
  • Minority Policy Chairman Nick Miller (Lehigh/Northampton)
  • Minority Caucus Chairman Maria Collett (Montgomery)
  • Minority Caucus Secretary Steve Santarsiero (Bucks)
  • Minority Caucus Administrator Judy Schwank (Berks)

House Democrats

  • Speaker Designee Joanna McClinton (Philadelphia)
  • Majority Leader Matt Bradford (Montgomery)
  • Majority Whip Mike Schlossberg (Lehigh)
  • Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris (Philadelphia)
  • Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizarro (Erie)
  • Majority Caucus Chairman Rob Matzie (Beaver)
  • Majority Caucus Secretary Tina Davis (Bucks)
  • Majority Caucus Administrator Leanne Krueger (Delaware)

House Republicans

  • Minority Leader Jesse Topper (Bedford)
  • Minority Whip Tim O’Neal (Washington)
  • Minority Appropriations Chairman Jim Struzzi (Indiana)
  • Minority Policy Chairman David Rowe (Union)
  • Minority Caucus Chairman Martina White (Philly)
  • Minority Caucus Secretary Clint Owlett (Tioga)
  • Minority Caucus Administrator Sheryl Delozier (Cumberland)

If you have any questions, please contact Jack Phillips.

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Checklist concept - checklist, paper and pen

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-112 and the NCI®-IDD SoTW Provider List 2024. ODP will participate in the 2024 National Core Indicators® Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI®-IDD) State of the Workforce (SoTW) survey. In preparation, ODP requests that eligible providers review the provider list to verify that the appropriate contact information for completion of this survey is listed.

It is recommended a provider Human Resources or Payroll Director complete the survey in collaboration with executive leadership. If the information is not correct or if a provider employing DSPs in 2024 is not listed, please contact ODP to provide the information by Friday, December 13, 2024.

ODP will issue additional information about participation prior to the survey’s online portal being available in February 2025.

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Two dates available, with content being the same in both sessions:

Select the preferred link above to register.

Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is designed to present learners with an overview of the CtLC person-centered framework. It will provide a general awareness of the guiding principles and tools presented by a Certified CtLC Presenter. This training is designed for anyone who is interested in learning about the CtLC Framework and will be led by Lisa Meyer and David Forbes.

After the CtLC training, participants will be able to:

  • Define the core belief of the CtLC Framework;
  • Identify how CtLC principals and tools can enhance decision making, problem solving, and self-advocacy in individuals; and
  • Describe ways CtLC is applied.

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is working on developing Regulatory Compliance Guides (RCG) for each licensed level of care to support their commitment to quality in licensing. The RCG is a tool for providers, OMHSAS staff, and the public to better understand the regulations.

This Regulatory Compliance Guide is a companion piece to 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5200. It is intended to be a helpful reference for these regulations. The explanatory material contained in this guide in no way supplants the plain meaning and intent of the regulations set forth in Chapter 5200.

OMHSAS issued the first version of the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic RCG in November 2021. Today, they are reissuing an updated Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic RCG. The changes made were primarily to language and updates based on comments received on the original document.

Feedback or questions on the RCG can be sent electronically.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp.

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My Body, My Choice: Recognizing and Respecting the Body Autonomy of People With IDD
Thursday, December 5, 2024
2:00 pm ET
Register Here

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the right to lead healthy, fulfilling lives within their chosen communities. This includes expressing their sexuality safely and being able to access sexuality education on topics of choice.

Join Relias December 5 at 2:00 pm ET as they explore the importance of recognizing and respecting the body autonomy of people with IDD.

Learning objectives

  • Explore the concepts of body autonomy, ways to support and respect the body, and the significance of supporting the rights of people with disabilities.
  • Develop the skills to create and sustain safe spaces that empower individuals with IDD to openly discuss their bodies.
  • Discover effective strategies to empower individuals with disabilities to advocate for their rights and establish personal boundaries.

Register Here

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Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Jenn Newell has built a career in public service, with nearly 25 years in various roles focused on supporting individuals with substance use disorders. She began her journey in 2000 as a Case Manager at the Dauphin County Department of Drugs and Alcohol. In 2002, she transitioned to the Commonwealth as a Drug and Alcohol Program Representative in what is now the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), where she has since taken on multiple positions of increasing responsibility.

During her tenure at DDAP, Jenn served as the Director of the Bureau of Quality Assurance and Administration, providing strategic leadership and oversight for fiscal, administrative, and programmatic functions. Her diverse responsibilities encompassed budget management, rate setting, procurement, grants oversight, quality improvement, data management, implementation of IT systems solutions, training, and human resources. In 2012, DDAP evolved into a cabinet-level agency, witnessing a remarkable budget increase of approximately 300%. Jenn held responsibility for managing these funds, expanding services to vulnerable populations, and meeting the rigorous federal and state demands for data collection and reporting. Her leadership style blends stability with compassion, ensuring her team delivers exceptional customer service to stakeholders and individuals in need.

Jenn holds a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services Education with a minor in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She is also a proud graduate of the Commonwealth’s Leadership Development Institute, class of 2015.

A lifelong resident of central Pennsylvania, Jenn now lives in Enola with her husband and two children. She is deeply committed to her family and community, passionately volunteering at her church in various roles to foster connection and support for those around her.

Jenn has agreed to meet RCPA members at our January 2025 IDD meeting.

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