';
Featured
Featured posts

0 799

Novitas Solutions, Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Pennsylvania, will conduct a webinar that will focus on the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) coverage and documentation requirements. Representatives from Novitas will examine common errors identified by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) program, and recent medical review activities, and outline resources and best practices to improve compliance with Medicare program requirements for IRF services. The webinar will be held from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Additional information, including registration, is available here.

The Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have announced a Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, More Than a Smile: Why Oral Health Matters.

This session will provide an Empowering Presentation on Oral Health and Disability Care! Learn from experts behind Special Outreach Services (SOS), an oral health education program for caregivers of people with disabilities, and Special Smiles, Ltd., a dedicated dental clinic providing anesthesia-supported care for individuals with disabilities. This presentation will dive into the powerful connection between oral health and overall wellbeing — plus, you’ll walk away with practical, proven strategies to improve daily oral hygiene for individuals. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore inspiring stories, impactful outcomes, and the meaningful history of two organizations making a real difference.

The Virtual Session will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

REGISTRATION LINK: Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released communication ODPANN 25-043. This communication shares the updated Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Manual, which includes changes related to the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy initiative.

Updates include:

  • Updated message from the Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs;
  • Defining “Immediate Need”;
  • Who should have a PUNS;
  • Who should not have a PUNS;
  • Who should not have an Emergency PUNS; and
  • Paper PUNS forms and signatures are not required.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.

Free webinar for RCPA Members

Date: Wednesday June 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Registration Link

This session will address strategies for navigating system changes, such as integrated care, value-based purchasing, and performance-based contracting. By focusing on how these shifts impact organizational structures and employee performance, we will equip participants with the tools to manage transitions successfully. Attendees will learn how to leverage executive functioning skills like adaptability, planning, task prioritization, and time management to align employee goals with organizational targets and drive success in results-driven environments.

Join speaker Stina Borth, MA, Executive Function, Performance and Neurodiversity Specialist Stina Borth, the founder and CEO of Keymaker Services Inc., is a dedicated expert in productivity and life skills development, focusing on empowering youth and young adults to succeed academically, socially, and in their future careers.

Stina provides corporate training to organizations looking to optimize productivity and communication. Her approach to workplace training helps teams build more effective communication, streamline task management, and enhance collaboration, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

With a background grounded in both academic theory and practical, real-world application, Stina’s work creates lasting impacts across a wide range of individuals — from students to professionals—by helping them develop the tools and strategies they need to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:

  • Assess system changes in business practices, including integrated care and value-based purchasing, and evaluate their impact on employee performance and executive functioning.
  • Develop strategies for adapting to system changes that optimize organizational performance, focusing on skills such as adaptability, decision-making, and planning.
  • Create framework for supporting employees through performance-based initiatives, helping them develop the executive functioning skills necessary to succeed.

Certificates of attendance are available to RCPA members who attend this webinar; anyone interested in a certificate should contact Cathy Barrick. To apply for CEs, you will need to register for the RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive and indicate you attended the webinar in your CE packet, which will be made available on the mobile app.

Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for details, or visit the RCPA Conference website for information on workshops, sponsors, exhibitors, and more!

Some breaking news from ANCOR:

Late yesterday, we learned that House Leadership has postponed two mark-ups, one being with the E&C committee – until probably the week of 5/12/25. This is helpful, because it gives us more time for outreach and advocacy AND gives us time to prep statements for release following the actual mark-up!

The list of resources below is intended to be shared with your representatives!

Information is available on the Vigil to Protect Medicaid — in DC May 7 & 8 — come if you can, but this event is also being live streamed.

This date still applies, despite the delayed mark-up.

We will share more info as we get it — including the links for the renewed Action Alert, but please reach out if you have any questions!

Donna Martin, M.Ed., CAE (she/her)
Vice President, State Partnerships & Innovation
ANCOR
113 South West Street, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
571.781.0456
ancor.org

TrueNorth Wellness Services announces the appointment of Chuck Smith as Interim CEO, while the Board of Directors begins a search for the next Chief Executive Officer. Along with Chuck, the leadership team of Cheryl Jones (CFO), Elspeth Williams (COO), and Senior Directors Michelle Shearer, Erin Glenn, and Cori Reed will continue to be available to stakeholders and staff alike. During this transition, we remain committed to the same level of quality and responsiveness that you’ve come to expect from TrueNorth. As we recognize the milestone of delivering services for 50 years, we are looking forward to the exciting possibilities that the future holds for our organization.

On Wednesday, May 7, ANCOR will be taking part in a 24-hour Vigil to Protect Medicaid in Washington, DC to share stories about how Medicaid is a critical lifeline for people with disabilities and why Congress should oppose cuts to the Medicaid program. This vigil will likely coincide with the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup of legislation that could lead to deep cuts to Medicaid.

You are invited to join us at this vigil for any time during the 24 hours that begins on May 7 at 1:00 pm and ends on May 8 at 1:00 pm. There will be a rally to kick off the vigil and a rally to close the vigil.

ANCOR will also be hosting a one-hour block where we will share stories about how Medicaid supports people with disabilities, families, and our communities. That hour will be on May 7 from 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm. We especially encourage you to join us for that hour and share your stories!

Details for the Medicaid Vigil:

  • Where: Washington, DC: The pathway at 3rd Street and the National Mall, directly across from the Capitol building
  • When: Wednesday, May 7 at 1:00 pm – Thursday, May 8 at 1:00 pm
  • Rallies: A rally will take place on May 7 at 1:00 pm and on May 8 at 12:00 pm
  • Story Sharing Hour: ANCOR will be hosting a story sharing hour at 8:00 pm on May 7

For more details from our partners, see the Ultimate Guide to the Medicaid Vigil 2025. If you are able to attend and want to share your story, please email Elise Aguilar.

Please share this with your networks, especially with people you support, family members, direct support professionals, and others!

RCPA is excited to share our growing list of sponsors and exhibitors who are committed to supporting our 2025 Conference Strive to Thrive! This event, which will be held September 9 – 12 at the Hershey Lodge, is a highlight for the PA health and human services fields. We would like to thank the organizations who have committed their support already; you can view them below as well as on our Conference website!

The conference is only four months away! We will soon be assigning booth numbers to exhibitors, and there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths. Don’t delay! View this year’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertiser Brochure, which features detailed lists of all the ways your organization can thrive at our conference. These include networking opportunities in Connections Hall and new sponsorship items, such as the registration table!

Sign Up Now!
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 August 20. The association looks forward to welcoming you at the conference! Space and opportunities are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservation is considered complete without payment. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!