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Close-up of Hands holding pens and making notes at the conference

The Prevention Practitioners Network is hosting an in-person training from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Sunday, September 14, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh to provide clinicians with the first risk assessment and management tool for targeted violence that can be used by mental health professionals working in generalist settings.

Offered in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital and Eradicate Hate’s Prevention Practitioners Network, the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Strengths, Needs, and Risks: Assessment & Management Tool (T-SAM) offers mental health professionals a collaborative, client-centered approach to assessment and management of risk for both adults and children. An evidence-based, suicide-focused therapeutic framework known as the Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS) informed development of the T-SAM.

Harm toward others is a known risk, yet mental health professionals working outside of forensic settings have few, if any, tools they can use to assess and manage violence risk to inform risk assessment and treatment planning.

Boston Children’s Hospital will provide eight continuing education credits for licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. More information, including registration, is available here.

The 31st Annual Gaudenzia “Building a Brighter Tomorrow, Generation to Generation” Women and Children’s Conference will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Best Western Premier Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA. Registration is scheduled to open by September 2, 2025.

The conference is a collaborative effort with the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. The focus of the conference is addressing the significant issues around substance use disorder (SUD), women, pregnant women, and families.

Each year, the conference attracts a multi-disciplinary audience of more than 300 SUD treatment professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, case managers, addictions counselors, and other professionals in the addictions field. The Gaudenzia Women and Children’s Conference is known across the region as the leading educational event for this specific demographic.

The conference flyer provides details for those interested in exhibiting or sponsoring this year’s event.

Contact Jackie Felker for more information.

The FFY 2026/27 Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (CMHSBG) Draft Pennsylvania Application is now available for public comment. The CMHSBG is federal block grant funding that assists states in providing community-based services to adults with Serious Mental Illness and children with Severe Emotional Disturbance. This application provides a review of the current strengths and needs in the Pennsylvania mental health system and plans priority areas for improvement. The priorities were developed in consultation with representatives from the Pennsylvania Mental Health Planning Council. The CMHSBG Application public comment period will remain open until August 25, 2025.

Please access the application using the Webbgas Citizen’s login using the below credentials.

  • Login: citizenpa
  • Password: citizen

Submit any comments on this application to the CMHSBG Resource inbox.

RCPA is open to submitting members’ comments and feedback via our organization’s response to the public feedback process. If you would like to have RCPA submit comments on behalf of your agency, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.

The Mental Health Safety Net Coalition (MHSN) is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. This week’s communication urges the General Assembly to end the budget impasse to ensure the system’s ability to provide care. Without a budget, community mental health services will not receive any payment, putting vulnerable Pennsylvanians at risk.

The full letter can be read here.

Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions or if you are interested in joining the coalition.

Today is your last chance to take advantage of early bird registration rates for the RCPA 2025 Annual Conference Strive to ThriveRegister today to reserve your seat and guarantee your access to:
  • Over sixty workshops that tackle the latest in technology, workplace culture, and health care initiatives;
  • National keynote and plenary speakers who will discuss issues ranging from the federal landscape to personal well-being;
  • Networking opportunities in Connections Hall, featuring over 90 exhibitors with the latest industry products and services (as well as some exciting game prizes!); and
  • Opportunities to connect with RCPA staff and other industry leaders to discuss all that is happening in health and human services.
View the Registration Brochure to see a full listing of events, workshops, and activities. Additionally, by registering today, you will be able to access the mobile app prior to the conference, gaining the ability to view webinar recordings, create your personalized schedule, and make early connections with sponsors and exhibitors.
Early bird registration ends TODAY! Register here!
Opportunities for sponsorships and advertising are still available to organizations that are interested, but EXHIBIT BOOTHS ARE OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT! We are grateful to all our sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who help make the conference happen. Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.
View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!

We are excited to announce Hill Day 2025!

Hill Day will span two days, with a Public Policy Institute Program on October 7 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, and meetings on Capitol Hill slated for October 8.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country and share your important stories directly with the people who represent you in Washington, D.C.

Last year, RCPA members received the opportunity to learn and develop their lobbying skills through the Public Policy Institute sessions and put them to work meeting with Pennsylvania legislators in a series of meetings and roundtables. The experience was invaluable and created a pathway to advocating in their home districts and events like the RCPA Capital Day.

While Hill visits are open to all, space will limit the Public Policy Institute to 400 registrants.

As RCPA will once more serve as Team Captains for the Pennsylvania delegation, we ask that, when you register, you also contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp. RCPA will be coordinating and communicating with members as the event proceeds.

Register Here

Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging; however, hotel rooms can be booked through the Omni Shoreham Hotel at a discounted group rate once you have registered. Group transportation between the hotel and Capitol Hill will be offered at set times.

Note on potential shutdown: If Congress does not reach a spending agreement by September 30, there may be a government shutdown starting October 1. D.C. offices will remain open, however, and staff meetings can still occur. More updates will be provided if a shutdown appears likely.

More details will be forthcoming.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Questions:

Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Information Session for Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs)

This webinar series will provide details on specific performance standards for Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) for Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO). Each session will cover the required reporting, data source, data collection, and guidance for each performance standard. These sessions will each be unique in content and build upon one another. SCO staff are encouraged to attend all four sessions. All sessions will be recorded and made available on MyODP’s website.

Registration
Select the sessions below you wish to register for. You will have to register for each session individually. SCOs are encouraged to attend all sessions.
Note: Registration information for session one was released earlier this week. If you previously registered for this session, you do not need to reregister.

Virtual Office Hours

Virtual Office Hours (VOH) for SCOs to speak with the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) leadership about PBC. Questions and concerns related to the summit materials and rollout will be addressed.