The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared that Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) has been selected as New Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA). PPL will begin providing services effective January 1, 2024. Please view the announcement for additional details.
Don’t wait any longer — time is running out to take advantage of the early bird registration rate for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity! Early bird rates end Friday, September 8, 2023. You can view our registration brochure to see our exciting lineup of sessions, keynote speakers, and activities, including networking and Connections Hall events, as well as information on booking your hotel room. Complete the brochure and reserve your seat at the early bird discount rate today!
We also wish to extend our thanks to those organizations that have already contributed and shown their support! Please note that all exhibitor booths have been reserved! However, you can still sponsor and advertise by completing our sponsor/exhibitor brochure today! As a reminder, sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by September 8. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Concussion Training for Coaches. The training provides important information to assist coaches identify signs and symptoms of possible concussions and steps to take if one occurs.
The objectives of the training include:
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) has announced that they will be offering a 4-part review course for individuals preparing to become Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). This 4-part Review Course will cover the topics found in Essentials of Brain Injury Guide, Edition 5.0; however, it is highly recommended that you obtain the study materials and prepare prior to taking the CBIS Review Course and the CBIS Exam. Acquiring the CBIS is essential for staff to demonstrate that they are well-informed about providing brain injury rehabilitation services.
FALL 2023 COURSE DATES: September 27, October 4, October 11, and October 18
TIME: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration Deadline: September 6, 2023
REGISTRATION PROCESS
You can email BIAPA for more information.
Students with disabilities in Pennsylvania will now receive free support through the public education system for an additional year beyond what current policy dictates, The Associated Press reported. Under a settlement announced Thursday, the state’s Department of Education will change its policy to allow students with disabilities to continue in K-12 public education until they turn 22. Previously, students would age out of the program at the end of the school year, during which they turned 21. Students who turned 21 during the 2022/23 school year and were considered to have aged out will also have the option to re-enroll in public school this year, according to the settlement. The new policy takes effect September 5.
September is FASD Awareness Month (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder). This is an expansion of FASD Awareness Day that has been held each year on September 9 since 1999. People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy and the challenges of individuals and families living with FASD. The first awareness day was celebrated on 9/9/99. This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, the safest option is to abstain from alcohol.
Statistics show that approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, and the rates of drinking during childbearing age are substantial; thus, there is ongoing risk of having children born who are affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol (Finer & Zolna, 2011; Green, McKnight-Eily, Tan, Mejia, & Denny, 2016). The estimated prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is conservatively around 1%; however, a recent study in North America found rates as high as 4.8% of the school-age population is affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, indicating a significant public health concern (May et al., 2014; May et al., 2015). While research continues to be completed regarding this public health concern, September is a month we honor all who are living with FASD. We must remember to spread the word that the best information is 0-4-9. Zero alcohol four nine months. Please take time to join a social media group or an activity in your community to spread the word!
Please support RCPA and its members in celebrating FASD Month to bring awareness, education, and advocacy to this critical issue affecting children and families. If you have any questions or want to assist in promoting FASD Month, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
The Mental Health Planning Council, under the direction of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), has extended the survey on delivering Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) until September 22, 2023. Agencies may access the provider survey directly and view the flyer for more details. Feedback will be de-identified and compiled by the Family Satisfaction Team of Montgomery County to be shared with relevant stakeholders and survey participants.
RCPA, on behalf of our members and those they serve, continues our efforts advocating for children, families, and practitioners delivering IBHS services. We respectfully ask our members to share this survey with families they are currently serving. The information will be utilized to examine challenges and opportunities in creating more viable pathways to IBHS services. Feel free to also share this information with other providers in your network of stakeholders.
If you have questions, please contact Clare Higgins or RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) aims to end overdose deaths globally, fostering stigma-free remembrance and recognizing the pain experienced by families and friends. This campaign raises awareness about the grave public health crisis posed by overdoses, igniting discussions and actions based on evidence-backed strategies for prevention.
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones participated in a poignant memorial event at the state capitol this morning, Thursday, August 31. She highlighted the transformation of the Capitol steps into a temporary memorial, signifying the enduring memories of loved ones. Dr. Davis-Jones emphasized embracing emotions authentically on this day. Her call to action urges collective responsibility to honor lives lost, emphasizing overdose preventability and the hope of recovery from addiction. Additionally, she shared resources aligned with IOAD’s theme and addressed equity-related dimensions of the overdose crisis, including how racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected. Resources provided by DDAP include:
General Resources:
IOAD Resources:
Equity-Related Resources:
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), in partnership with Temple University Harrisburg, is hosting the 2023 Behavioral Health Crisis Planning Symposium from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Thursday, September 14 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey. This event focuses on offering recovery-oriented support for individuals with behavioral health issues in community-based settings. The symposium aligns with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care and will showcase successful crisis approaches from other states, offering insights into SAMHSA’s vision for an accessible crisis care continuum. The symposium targets various stakeholders, including county leaders, service providers, advocates, law enforcement, and more. To register, visit this link.
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