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ID/A Associations Develop Unified Budget Ask
RCPA has partnered with several other ID/A associations to develop a unified budget ask to send to Governor Shapiro. RCPA, The Provider’s Alliance, The Arc of PA, PAR, MAX, and The Alliance sent a letter asking the governor to include $430 million in the 2023/24 state general fund budget proposal to significantly improve the wage rates for the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who provide care to individuals with ID/A. This funding, along with its federal match, is crucial because the ID/A system is in crisis. Nearly 60,000 Pennsylvanians with ID/A are at risk of losing or experiencing a reduction of essential services because there are not enough DSPs to care for them. The letter outlines several specific challenges in the ID/A system.
The letter was also sent to Dana Fritz, Chief of Staff; Lindsey Mauldin, Deputy Chief of Staff; The Honorable Uri Monson, Secretary of the Budget; The Honorable Akbar Hossain, Secretary of Policy and Planning; The Honorable Mike Vereb, Secretary of Legislative Affairs; and The Honorable Valerie Arkoosh, Secretary, Department of Human Services.
PA House Republicans Announce Committee Chairs
The PA House Republican leadership team has just announced committee chairs for the 2023/24 season. You can view the full listing below:
- Rep. Steve Mentzer (R-Lancaster) – Aging and Older Adult Services
- Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams) – Agriculture and Rural Affairs
- Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) – Appropriations
- Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Montour) – Children and Youth
- Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Northampton) – Commerce
- Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver) – Consumer Affairs
- Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) – Education
- Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) – Environmental Resources and Energy
- Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York) – Ethics
- Rep. Keith Greiner (R-Lancaster) – Finance
- Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) – Game and Fisheries
- Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) – Gaming Oversight
- Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) – Health
- Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) – Human Services
- Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) – Insurance
- Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) – Judiciary
- Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) – Labor and Industry
- Rep. Mindy Fee (R-Lancaster) – Liquor Control
- Rep. R. Lee James (R-Venango/Crawford) – Local Government
- Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) – Government Oversight
- Rep. Carl Walker Metzger (R-Somerset) – Professional Licensure
- Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie) – State Government
- Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Armstrong/Clarion) – Tourism and Recreational Development
- Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) – Transportation
- Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Franklin/Huntingdon) – Urban Affairs
- Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks) – Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
Head Injury is Associated With Doubled Mortality Rate Long-Term, Penn Study Finds
RCPA Provider Member Inquiry Regarding Use of Medical Marijuana in Facilities
RCPA Member Step By Step Welcomes Lynn Miller as VP of Business and Program Development
Step By Step is delighted to announce Lynn Miller has become their Vice President of Business and Program Development.
Eric Lindey, President/CEO of Step By Step shared: “We are thrilled to have Lynn join the Step By Step team! Her work throughout Pennsylvania and the US is well documented and we look forward to developing new services and partnerships with other providers that will continue our mission under Lynn’s direction.”
Lynn most recently served as the national senior justice/WRAP associate and consultant at Advocates for Human Potential. Prior to joining Advocates for Human Potential, Lynn accepted the state’s first position as the Department of Correction’s Mental Health Advocate, where she was responsible for advising the Secretary of Corrections on improvements to the prison’s behavioral health care services, including services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and dually diagnosed individuals. Lynn also served as the Chief of Staff in the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS).
Lynn has a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral science and earned her Master of Health Education degree from the Pennsylvania State University. She is also a member of the state’s trauma informed initiative, which is intended to guide the Commonwealth and service providers on what it means to be trauma-informed and healing-centered.
RCPA extends our sincere congratulations to Ms. Miller and we look forward to working with you!
Life After Lockdowns: RCPA Member Wellspan Philhaven Sees Increase in Mental Health Services After Stress of Past Few Years
Free RCPA Member Training on Feb. 28: Moral Injury — Distress, Reframing, and Repair
BHSL Survey for Personal Care Home & ALR Administrators
On an annual basis, the Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) provides approximately 500 hours of training for Personal Care Home (PCH) and Assisted Living Residence (ALR) administrators and staff. In order to help maximize the impact of BHSL’s training programs, members are requested to complete a ten question survey. Survey results will be kept anonymous and will be used to shape their training programs in 2023 and beyond.
This survey is intended only for administrators and staff of a licensed PCH/ALR. The survey is optional; however, your participation is strongly encouraged. The survey will be available until February 28, 2023.
Questions should be directed via email.
Behavioral Health Division Update: Get Involved With Work Groups and Committees
RCPA’s Behavioral Health Division committees and work groups are the foundation of our legislative and advocacy efforts on behalf of members. Member involvement in these groups provides unique perspectives on operational and service-level experiences that shape our positions and strategies.
There are larger bi-monthly Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Adult and Children’s Mental Health Division meetings that include stakeholder updates and discussions. DDAP, OMHSAS, OCYF, and guest speakers from across the continuum of human services typically participate in these meetings. Additionally, we have several active specific work groups that include:
| SUD Committees | Adult MH Committee |
|---|---|
| Opioid Treatment Programs | Adult Mental Health Steering Committee |
| Centers of Excellence | 988/Crisis Services |
| SUD Regulatory Reform | ACT Program |
| SUD Legislative | Regulatory Reform |
| Children’s MH Committees | Combined SUD/MH Committees |
| Children’s Steering Committee | Telehealth |
| IBHS Work Group | Criminal Justice |
| Children’s Residential Services | Value-Based Purchasing |
| School-Based Behavioral Health | ICWC/CCBHC |
| Early Intervention | Workforce |
| Family-Based Services Ad Hoc Group |
Several of the groups are open only to provider members, while others include any interested member. Participation in the groups is open to individuals that you feel best fit the needs of your organization. If you would like to participate in any of the committees or work groups, please contact your Behavioral Health Division Directors Jim Sharp or Jason Snyder. We look forward to collaborating with you in the future.
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