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The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program offers up to $250,000 in student loan repayment for eligible professionals who commit to six years of full-time work providing direct SUD treatment or recovery support at an approved facility. The program is open to a range of providers, including medical, behavioral health, and peer support professionals.

Applications are due July 10, 2025. Learn more and apply.

The Mental Health Safety Net Coalition is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. The Coalition’s second advocacy bulletin, which was sent to the General Assembly, discusses the behavioral health workforce shortage and the challenges that they face. The full letter can be read here.

RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm. This meeting will serve to update the group on strategy, activities, and engagement opportunities.

Please contact RCPA Policy Analyst Emma Sharp with any questions or if you would like to join the Coalition.

Message to Supports Coordinators:
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the following information as part of the Annual Review Update process. It is essential to ensure each individual’s demographic information is accurate and current. Please take a few extra moments during your review to verify that all details are up-to-date and correctly documented.

HCSIS Navigation

  • Consumer Demographics: Individual > Demographics > Demo
  • Consumer Addresses: Individual > Demographics > Address
  • Contacts: Individual > Demographics > Contacts

Completion Guidelines
Please confirm that the following details are correct to the best of your knowledge:

Consumer Demographics

  • Living Situation
  • County of Residence
  • Educational and Vocational Status
    • Ensure this is consistent with the information listed under Education/Vocational and Employment/Volunteer sections within Functional Information.
  • Telephone Number (if applicable)

Consumer Addresses

  • Residential Address
  • Mailing Address (if applicable)
  • Email Address (if applicable)

Consumer Contacts

  • Contact Name
  • Relationship to Individual
  • Mailing Address (if applicable)
  • Phone Numbers (if applicable)
  • Email Address (if applicable)
  • Preferred Contact Method
  • Notes

Accurate information not only supports effective service planning and coordination — it also plays a key role in ensuring a smooth transition as we prepare for Enterprise Case Management (ECM) implementation. Thank you for your attention to detail and your continued commitment to delivering high-quality supports.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your ODP Regional Office.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) has made an additional update to the Documentation of Medical Evaluation (DME) forms. In Section 10, “Body Positioning / Movement – Level of Assistance for Ambulation or Transfers,” an option for “none” has been added.

Providers are advised to dispose of any previous versions of the updated forms. The most current versions are located below and will replace the forms on the BHSL website. You can differentiate the forms by looking at Section 10 or by referencing the date at the bottom right corner of each page, which will now be 7/25.

The PCH form is the HS 2136, and the ALR form is the HS 2148. Reminder: These forms must be utilized for all medical evaluations, effective July 1, 2025. The forms may also be used immediately.

Details of the forms were discussed during the June 12 webinar. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the BHSL website.

Additional questions regarding this should sent electronically.

The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association Political Action Committee (RCPA PAC) is asking members to consider making a personal contribution to the PAC. With these donations, we have been successful in supporting legislative leadership who understand the severe challenges facing many of our providers. These representatives are willing to stand up for our issues as we fight to move Pennsylvania forward.

We urge you to view our 2025 Legislative & Administrative Priorities to see how RCPA is working, and will continue to work, for you. We are able to achieve these goals thanks to our members’ dedication and contributions.

Make an online contribution and advocate for yourself today. While the request is voluntary, we encourage you to make a contribution of $100, $250, $350, $500, or more to the RCPA PAC. If you are interested, you can also consider making a recurring monthly donation.

If you have any questions regarding the RCPA PAC or making a donation, please contact Jack Phillips, Director, Government Affairs.

TOPIC: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview and Practical Application

REGISTER TODAY

On behalf of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), due to a widespread power outage when we were scheduled to conduct the Western Region ASD Seminar in April, we have decided to hold an additional session. We welcome anyone interested to register for this event!

Reminder: This seminar satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting. Please see more details below on Continuing Education Credits.

Over the years the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations. This seminar will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the seminar.

Who should attend?
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings. Professionals supporting individuals in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated, Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS), and Community Living waivers are encouraged to attend.

Where and when will sessions be held?

  • July 9, 2025, PaTTAN West, 9:30 am 2:30 pm

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

  • This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all DSPs, Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), and program managers.
  • This training also fulfills 6100 annual training requirements.

*After logging into your MyODP account, completion of the Demographics Form is required before being able to register for a session.

Please contact the Bureau of Autism Training inbox with questions.