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Message from ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens:

It is a great source of pride for me that my career in this field began with work as a direct support professional (DSP). More than 30 years ago I was a DSP, first in a private family home and then in residential programs. I know firsthand how difficult the work can be, how exhausting it can be when pulled in to work extra shifts because of staffing shortages. I also know how rewarding it can be when you support someone to live life the way they want or help them achieve something they have worked for, no matter how big or small that achievement is.

The work of DSPs is challenging work. Here in the commonwealth, with our commitment to the vision of Everyday Lives for people with disabilities, we ask a great deal of our DSPs. We ask DSPs to support people with their often complicated medical and behavioral needs and with their physical, social and emotional needs. We ask DSPs to assist people to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with others in the community. We ask DSPs to support people, regardless of how high their support needs are, to live Everyday Lives like any other Pennsylvanian.

With this background, I am pleased to share with you Governor Shapiro’s proclamation that September 10-16 is Direct Support Professional Week honoring the profession and DSPs throughout the commonwealth.

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The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Center for First-Episode Psychosis (FEP) programs is partnering with the Central East Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTCC) for a one-day training on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 9:00 am – 4:00pm. The session is titled, “Recognizing and Responding to Emerging Psychosis in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Training Workshop for Community Mental Health Providers.”

This free event will take place in Philadelphia and may be attended virtually or in person. Visit here to register. If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Vatza, HeadsUp Education and Telehealth Manager, via email.

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Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

The PA Department of Human Services and PA Care Partnership are excited to announce the 21st Children’s Interagency Conference is scheduled for April 22 – April 25, 2024, at the Penn Stater Hotel, State College, PA. The conference theme is “Shine The Light on Mental Health – Building Youth Wellness & Resilience.”

Hosted by the PA Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health Services and the PA Care Partnership, the conference brings together Pennsylvania’s Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) and System of Care (SOC) partners providing behavioral health services. The conference will provide an excellent opportunity for providers, county administrators, youth, family members, practitioners, and educators to learn about changing trends, promising and best practices, resources, and various system of care activities across Pennsylvania. The conference will also add a national perspective on a variety of issues, including government, family peer, early childhood, youth leadership, and school-based mental health.

See the Save the Date flyer, and please share it with your contacts and invite them to attend. Visit the conference website for additional information. For questions or more information, contact our contract meeting planner Katrina Harris at 610-494-8044 or via email.

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced that Public Partnerships, LLC, has been selected as the new statewide Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) for Financial Management Services (FMS) for Fee for Service OLTL-administered programs related to Request for Application RFA 07-21.

The VF/EA performs fiscal-related functions for the operation of participant direction for multiple home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers managed by OLTL. The intent of FMS is to reduce the employer-related burden for participants while making sure Medicaid and Commonwealth funds used to pay for services and supports are managed and disbursed appropriately as authorized. The new contract became effective September 1, 2023.

Questions regarding the new vendor or anything related to this announcement should be directed to OLTL via email or by calling 800-932-0939, option 2, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a recent announcement that provides eligible providers with the application to receive supplemental funds as part of the ongoing systemic recovery of services for people with an intellectual disability and autism. You can view the announcement here. Eligible providers who are interested in receiving these supplemental payments must complete the application and submit it to Rick Smith by September 30, 2023.

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The meeting documents from the September 6, 2023, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting are now available. The documents include the agenda, transcript, and PowerPoint presentations. You can find the documents below:

The next MLTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2023, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the PA Department of Education’s Honors Suite at 333 Market St. in Harrisburg, PA. The option to participate via webinar is also available. To participate via webinar, please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Remote captioning and streaming services will be provided; if you require these services, please visit the remote captioning and streaming services link.

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Image by Dirk Wouters from Pixabay

On May 25, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2023-09 — Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults. This Executive Order directs the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to lead the Master Plan for Older Adults, a state-led, stakeholder-driven, 10-year strategic planning resource that can help states transform their infrastructure and coordination of services for older adult and disability populations.

The Department of Aging has been leading stakeholder listening sessions and presenting at various venues across the state in order to gather input and comments that will support the development of the master plan. Visit here to see the dates and times of virtual listening sessions planned in September; included in these sessions is a PowerPoint presentation.

Members are encouraged to contribute what you think should be the plan’s priority goals, objectives, and initiatives to support the highest quality of life for older adults. Comments can be shared here, via email, or by mail to Pennsylvania Department of Aging c/o Master Plan, 555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.  

Members are also encouraged to complete the Needs Assessment Survey, which is designed to capture the experience of older adults and adults with disabilities. The survey will remain open until September 30, 2023.

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It’s your last chance to claim early bird registration for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity, as early bird rates end this Friday, September 8! Be sure to take a look at our registration brochure, where you’ll see our full lineup of speakers, sessions, and workshops as well as information on reserving your hotel room and more! You won’t want to miss earning CEs with workshops such as:

  • What We Know About the Effectiveness of FBMHS: Implications for Service Delivery
    • Discover how FBMHS improved functionality for adolescents with SED as well as how to use the ESFT Logic Model as a framework for discussing clinical implications.
  • Don’t Forget the Pharmacist! Impact of the Innovative Collaboration Between Woods Services and Synergy Pharmacy on Patients With ID/A
    • Learn about strategies that enhance quality of care and improve safety for a complex population through a dynamic panel discussion highlighting the work of Woods’ clinical teams and its partnership with Synergy.
  • Independence and Wellness Through Employment
    • Identify strategies of person-centered employment readiness and seeking, and deconstruct the complex process of identifying jobs beyond the “usual entry level” positions for a whole-person approach to employment.
  • Building the Framework: The Interactions of Ethics, Bias, & Cultural Humility
    • Create a foundation for client-centered care by taking an introspective exploration of ethical principles, bias, and cultural humility.
  • Sustainable Development Preventive Planning in Mental and Behavioral Health
    • Experience participatory planning by being grouped into simulated communities and analyzing risk factor data to inform decisions to protect children and youth from developing mental and behavioral disorders.
  • Moving From Great Resignation to Great Retention
    • Develop policies and procedures that support employee wellbeing while using behavioral assessments to improve talent management.
  • Adapting Interventions for Neurodiversity Effectiveness
    • Learn about interventions, modifications, and adaptations for family-based, PCIT, and education systems to improve outcomes for children affected by FASD, their families, and the support providers who work with them.
  • Suicide in a Chaotic World
    • Examine strategies and possible solutions to prevent suicide in the workplace as well as the general community, with an emphasis on the importance of conversation, language, and listening to help those who are having thoughts of suicide by connecting through hope.
Register today!

In addition to an impressive roster of speakers, our 2023 Conference will have an exciting array of sponsors and exhibitors. We thank those who have signed on thus far! **NOTE: EXHIBIT BOOTHS ARE SOLD OUT.** If you are interested in sponsoring, visit here for more details or contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions you may have. Keep up-to-date and register today for #rcpaconf!

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