RCPA’s 2024/25 membership year begins July 1, and this week marks the beginning of our membership renewal period. You can download the membership applications directly from the RCPA website on our Join/Renew page. Dues are owed by July 1, 2024.
Please contact Tieanna Lloyd at (717) 963-3609 or via email with any questions, and thank you for your continued support of the association. We look forward to working with you during the 2024/25 membership year!
On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be an eclipse event and parts of Pennsylvania will have a view of a total solar eclipse. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is reminding everyone that it is not safe to directly view an eclipse with the unprotected eye. Severe eye damage or blindness can occur. It is only safe to view an eclipse through specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Regular sunglasses, even if they are very dark, will not protect your eyes. Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the lenses will instantly cause severe eye injury.
When considering any outdoor activities during the eclipse, be aware that some individuals may not understand the risk for eye damage and blindness by looking at the sun without protect eyewear or may be at risk to remove their protective eyewear.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has created a website with information about safe eclipse viewing.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced two days of interactive training webinars that will cover Medicare basics. The webinars will be offered on April 16 and 17, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm. Attendees can attend one or both days, and space is limited. CEUs will not be offered. The topics for the webinars include:
Day 1 — Medicare enrollment and eligibility; SSA and CMS roles and responsibilities; cost and coverage under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); why enrolling on time is important; and an overview of Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies.
Day 2 — Medicare drug coverage (Part D); Medicare Advantage Plans; coordination of benefits; how to detect and report suspected Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse; and different resources to help you find answers to Medicare policy and coverage questions.
To register for these events, visit the CMS National Training Program website. The webinars will be recorded and posted to the NTP website. To view the recordings, visit here.
College of Direct Support Webinar — Discover How DirectCourse Can Revolutionize Your Organization
April 18, 2024
10:00 am
Register
This webinar is for providers within the state of PA who oversee a workforce that provides services and supports to individuals with disabilities in their home and/or employment setting. Discover how, through DirectCourse, you can educate and empower Direct Support Professionals (DSP) to do their best work for the individuals they support in your community.
What DirectCourse Offers:
Our Commitments:
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has released an updated Child and Adolescent Social Service Program (CASSP)/System of Care (SOC) directory. This is now available in the most current version by county. You can access it here.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-034. The purpose of this announcement is to inform all interested persons of the availability of the latest annual report that assesses provider compliance with the federal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule for ODP. Please view the announcement for additional information and details.
The next Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee (LTSS) meeting has been scheduled for May 8, 2024, as a hybrid event, with both in-person and webinar with remote streaming options available to attendees. The meeting will be held from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Honors Suite, 1st Floor, at 333 Market Street Tower, Harrisburg, PA.
Register for the webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has released the OMHSAS-24-01 Restraint Seclusion and Exclusion Bulletin, updating policies on restraint, seclusion, and exclusion in state mental hospitals to reduce these practices. This bulletin supersedes OMHSAS-09-06, necessitating adjustments in local hospital policies. Changes include shifting from “manual hold” to “physical restraint” terminology and clarifications in definitions. It strictly prohibits mechanical and chemical restraints, allowing physical restraint only as a last-resort emergency measure with detailed guidelines on application, documentation, and debriefing protocols. The emphasis is on individualized care, de-escalation techniques, and personnel training to ensure the humane and judicious use of physical restraint.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) April 2024 Stakeholder Webinar is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 3:00 pm � 4:00 pm. You can now register for the meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
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