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RCPA PAC Golf Outing

RCPA will be hosting our Fall Golf Outing to support the RCPA PAC on Monday, September 8, 2025, in conjunction with the 2025 RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive. Conference attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and presenters can now register to participate in the RCPA PAC’s Golf Outing at the Colonial Golf & Tennis Club at 4901 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112. Registration and lunch will be held from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, with the shotgun start beginning at 12:00 pm.

Sponsorships are available for this worthwhile cause. We hope you will consider becoming a golf outing sponsor; it’s a great way for your organization to receive name recognition as well as an opportunity to support the RCPA fundraiser!

PAC Silent Auction

Not a golf fan, or looking for more ways to advocate for yourself via the RCPA PAC? Consider donating to the PAC Silent Auction at the 2025 RCPA Annual Conference. This event will take place outside Connections Hall, and we are looking to attract the attention of over 700 attendees, including registrants, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors. The money raised helps to support the RCPA PAC, which provides financial support to state legislators who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our issues and priorities.

We are requesting your consideration in assisting us by providing a donation of an auction item. We are hoping to secure a variety of items that will be enticing to all members. All donations are greatly appreciated and can be something as simple as a gift certificate for a restaurant to a themed basket (candy, movie night, grilling items, cooking theme, etc.). We are also accepting items such as jewelry, designer handbags, tickets to college or professional sporting events, golf items, and sports memorabilia.

Please contact Christine Tartaglione by August 25, 2025, if you would like to donate any items. You can also contact her with any questions regarding the Fall Golf Outing or if you have any general questions regarding the silent auction. Thank you for your consideration of our request.

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Join Representative Dan Miller for a series of Virtual Lunch & Learn Sessions to see what the upcoming changes to Medicaid and SNAP may look like. Experts and advocates from Just Harvest, J Badger Consulting, Pennsylvania Health Action Network, Pennsylvania Health Law Project, St. Clair Health, and more will be on hand to help lead the discussion! Hear from experts and advocates how recent federal changes are likely to impact access and create challenges for the people who rely upon the generational promises they represent.

Visit here for more information.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-076. This announcement informs all stakeholders that the 2023–2024 IM4Q Statewide Report and Facts and Resources for People with Disabilities, Family Members, and Advocates, has been added to the IM4Q section at MyODP’s website. Please review the announcement for information on how to access these reports.

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting an in-person workshop “Implementing the Revised 42 CFR Part 8 Regulations in Opioid Treatment Programs,” from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 12 at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. Register online by Friday, August 8.

This full-day, in-person workshop will review the revised federal regulations for opioid treatment programs (OTP) and provide practical guidance for implementation. Topics will include:

  • Overview of the 42 CFR Part 8 updates;
  • FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD);
  • Practitioner discretion in care delivery; and
  • Screening, admission, and assessment protocols.

Who should attend: Clinical, counseling, and administrative OTP staff

Continuing education:
 Eligible participants will receive a certificate for 8 CME/CEU credits (practitioners, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare providers).

If you have any questions, please send them electronically.

September 9 will be here before you know it — don’t miss your opportunity to register for the RCPA 2025 Conference Strive to Thrive and claim your early bird discount! By registering today, you guarantee your spot for over sixty workshops, live updates from both state and national partners, and inspiring keynote and plenary speakers. View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule and speakers.

Early bird registration ends August 8, and hotel room discounts end August 11, so reserve your seat and hotel room today!

A limited number of exhibit booths and sponsorship opportunities remain! Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, ASAP for details if your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference. All information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. The deadline for being recognized in conference materials and onsite displays is August 10, so be sure to complete your contract as soon as possible!

View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!

Beyond Inclusion: Thriving in the Community
September 30 – October 1, 2025
Hosted Virtually

The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced that registration is now open for the 2025 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC). The virtual conference will be hosted on September 30 and October 1. The theme for this year’s conference is Beyond Inclusion: Thriving in the Community. PATC will include presentations and panels from subject matter experts, providers, self-advocates, and families. This conference provides professionals working directly with individuals with autism across the lifespan with tools, strategies, and resources to help provide the most effective support.

Who Should Attend:
Professionals looking to increase their knowledge of and/or ability to support individuals with autism across the spectrum and the lifespan. PATC welcomes all professionals supporting individuals with autism in Pennsylvania, in all systems.

Register and Learn More:
*Please note: You may be prompted to create a MyODP account before you can register for the conference.

Call for Artists:
PATC is pleased to invite artists on the autism spectrum to exhibit their artwork virtually during the conference. They are looking for artists on the autism spectrum to showcase their art in a virtual “art gallery.” Artwork includes:

  • Paintings;
  • Drawings;
  • Photography;
  • Jewelry;
  • Greeting cards;
  • Pottery; and
  • Fabric crafts.

The art show will consist of artwork supplied by artists and will be linked to ODP’s website.
If you are interested in exhibiting your work, please submit your work here.

The Pennsylvania Rural Health Association (PRHA) has released the 2025–2030 Pennsylvania Rural Health Plan, which is a comprehensive roadmap to improve the health and well-being of rural residents across the state.

The plan was developed with input from rural community leaders, health professionals, academic institutions, and policymakers to identify key priority and action steps to address the unique health challenges and opportunities in Pennsylvania’s 48 rural counties. Primary focuses include access to care, behavioral health, oral health, maternal health, workforce development, broadband connectivity, and health equity.

The 2025–2030 Pennsylvania Rural Health Plan can be found here.

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is extending the pause on the implementation of OMHSAS-25-02 Bulletin: Voluntary and Involuntary Commitment Forms, which was originally in place until August 27, 2025. OMHSAS is appreciative of all the stakeholders who took time to submit their comments and questions on the updated forms. Based on those comments, OMHSAS is planning to make further revisions to the MH 783 form that will require issuing a new bulletin.

The pause on the implementation of OMHSAS-25-02 will remain in effect until an updated bulletin is issued with the new MH 783 form. OMHSAS anticipates that the updated bulletin will be completed by the end of 2025, and the new bulletin will also have a separate effective date from the issue date to allow counties and providers to update their electronic systems, print new paper forms, and otherwise prepare for the transition to the updated forms. Counties continue to have the choice to use the prior forms or continue with the new forms issued in OMHSAS-25-02 until a new bulletin is issued. Providers, law enforcement, and other individuals using these forms should defer to their county mental health office in determining which version to use.

Along with the updated bulletin and MH 783 form, OMHSAS will be issuing an FAQ document to address questions they received on the forms more broadly and will be holding a Q&A session for stakeholders before the effective date of the new bulletin.

Questions may be sent electronically.