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Life Unites Us is hosting a webinar at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 25, titled “Uniting Provider Communities: Improving Access to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Services for Older Pennsylvanians.” The webinar will cover Pennsylvania aging programs and services, the integration of behavioral health and addiction services, their delivery methods, and available resources within the aging network. Registration is available.

Life Unites Us is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research at Penn State Harrisburg, and the nonprofits Shatterproof and The Public Good Projects. It aims to end stigma and improve access to addiction treatment and recovery by bringing together organizations fighting the opioid epidemic.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Step By Step, Inc. Acquires 10 Residential Programs Formerly Operated by Goodwill Industries of NEPA, Expanding Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Wilkes-Barre, PA– Step By Step, Inc., a leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of 10 Residential Programs formerly operated by Goodwill Industries of NEPA. This acquisition includes 10 residential properties, enabling Step By Step to serve 35 individuals in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. The completion of this acquisition represents a significant milestone in Step By Step’s growth and reinforces their dedication to fostering independence and opportunity for their clients.

Eric Lindey (CEO/President of Step By Step) expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating, “We are honored to have the opportunity to serve and support these individuals and their families. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our mission of helping each individual succeed in life. We are dedicated to maintaining the continuity and quality of care that Goodwill has provided, ensuring a seamless transition for everyone involved.”During the acquisition process, Step By Step prioritized minimizing disruptions for the individuals and their families. The agency successfully preserved their homes, furnishings, and retained the trusted and familiar staff. The focus is to create a nurturing environment where these individuals can continue to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.

“We are deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of care and ensuring that every individual receives the support they need to reach their full potential,” added Eric Lindey. “We are excited about the growth opportunities this acquisition brings for Step By Step, as we continue to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.”

The acquisition was finalized on June 30, 2023, and as of July 1, 2023, Step By Step officially assumed the role of service provider for the acquired residential programs. Step By Step would like to express gratitude to the staff, board of directors, and executive team for their dedication and hard work throughout the process.

About Step By Step:
Step By Step, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation devoted to providing community support services to children and adults in Pennsylvania with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, mental health disorders, and/ or substance use disorders.

Established in 1977, the agency today provides services to over 2,000 individuals in four regions across more than a dozen Pennsylvania counties.  Throughout its history, Step By Step, Inc. has maintained a progressive view of the potential of individuals with disabilities.

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RCPA invites members to participate in the Coalition for the Mental Health Safety Net meeting on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. You can register for the meeting here. Please note that if you previously registered for the July 12 meeting, you will need to register again. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Allison Brognia.

The Coalition is open to all stakeholder groups, and we encourage members to participate in these efforts of joint advocacy in protecting and preserving our mental health service delivery system. If you would like to join the coalition or have any questions, please contact Jim Sharp.

Temple University Harrisburg will be offering some no-cost training options that are approved to meet Personal Care Home (PCH) and Assisted Living Residence (ALR) Administrator annual training requirements. The training sessions that will be offered in the fall include:

Interested individuals need only to register for one session for each topic. Please read the training announcements in full before registering to ensure you can meet the participation requirements.

Please only register for these sessions if you are sure you will be able to complete them, as participation is limited for each course. If you register and later discover you are unable to participate, please cancel your registration to create space for other participants.

If you have any questions about these trainings or if you require assistance with registration, you can email Temple University. If you would like information about additional trainings available for PCH and ALR administrators, please contact the Bureau of Human Services Licensing Operator Support Hotline via email.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is offering an online training module “Anxiety Disorders & Substance Use Disorder (SUD): Research-Based Strategies & Treatments.” The training covers effective treatments for individuals with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness meditation. It includes interactive elements and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. To access the training, create or log in to your account on the TrainPA website and search for “PA-DDAP: Anxiety Disorders & SUDs” under courses. You can email DDAP’s training inbox or call 717-736-7452 for inquiries.