RCPA News is a premier industry resource compiled by the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association for the health and human services communities.
RCPA News is a premier industry resource compiled by the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association for the health and human services communities.
Dr. Levine is currently physician general for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine. A graduate of Harvard College and Tulane University of School of Medicine, Dr. Levine has worked in the field of adolescent medicine since 1988. As Physician General, Dr. Levine advises the governor and the secretary of health on health policy, and participates in the decision-making process of other executive departments on medical and public health-related issues.
At the Department of Health, Dr. Levine has focused on Pennsylvania’s need to increase its childhood vaccination rates. The Department of Health’s “Don’t Wait. Vaccinate.” campaign urges all children to be fully vaccinated before they start school. Vaccines are among the most effective and safe tools available for preventing harm and death to children. Under Governor Wolf’s leadership, the Department of Health is working to ensure that we not only have ‘schools that teach’ but ‘healthy schools that teach’ in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Levine also serves as a lead in the Commonwealth’s efforts to combat the largest public health crisis in PA, the prevalence of opioid overdoses and deaths. Every day, Pennsylvania loses at least seven citizens to overdose deaths. Earlier this year, Dr. Levine signed a standing order to ensure that first responders, such as the Pennsylvania State Police and municipal fire companies, can carry and administer naloxone, a life-saving over-dose reversal medication. Dr. Levine worked with expert stakeholders to create opioid prescribing guidelines for dentists and doctors. She continues to support the work by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, to ensure that treatment is available and opioid dependent individuals receive a facilitated referral, called a ‘warm hand-off,’ to recovery treatment.
Additionally, Dr. Levine will continue to utilize her position as physician general to call attention to the prevalence of eating disorders, the importance of suicide prevention among young people, and the significance of successful adolescent sexual health programs.
RCPA Govt Affairs Director Jack Phillips is quoted in this article on the Stopgap Budget for Pennsylvania.
On Friday (September 18), Stan Mrozowski informed RCPA staff and others that he had relinquished his position as Director of the Children’s Bureau at the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). Dr. Mrozowski noted that “there have been discussions recently in the Department of Human Services about the role of the Bureau and the decision has been made to make a change.” In his farewell message, Stan noted that “I leave with immense satisfaction about the many accomplishments over the past 12 years during which I have been the Director of the Children’s Bureau. I have very few regrets – mostly only that we did not do even more to help children and families in the Commonwealth. I also leave with appreciation for having worked with so many fine people who truly care about youth and families. I will truly miss the friendship and the collegiality that has made the work so rewarding.” RCPA will follow up with OMHSAS leadership to explore and report on any other changes that are planned for their management of children’s behavioral health services in the future.
An op-ed from Richard Edley, regarding the effects of the delayed state budget on health and human services providers and those that they serve, was published in the Lancaster Newspapers, both in print and online on August 16. Edley was also mentioned in an editorial on this topic in the same day. RCPA continues to work hard for its members and their communities, spreading the message that we must do everything possible to help ensure the continuation of vital services to our most vulnerable residents in the Commonwealth.
RCPA Members are invited to attend a symposium sponsored by the Pennsylvania History Coalition Honoring People with Disability (PHCHPD) on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at the Elwyn Archives, Conference Center — Room 317, in the Elwyn Administration Building, 111 Elwyn Road, Elwyn, PA 19063.
Registration information and more details available here.
As you have heard, registration is open for the 2015 RCPA Conference at Seven Springs, October 6 – 9. We hope you have plans to join us; the schedule is filled with excellent speakers. We also know that you are being asked to register and pay for the conference at a time when many are feeling the tremendous negative impact of the delayed state budget.
For this reason, RCPA is offering full provider members the opportunity to register for the conference now and defer payment until after the state budget is passed, or an interim stopgap measure is in place (an emergency solution for which we continue to push). All attendees from full provider members are eligible for this offer.
To take advantage of this conference payment deferral offer, please complete a print version of the conference registration form. Do not register electronically through the online system, which requires payment to be collected. Rather, print and complete the form, noting your request for this deferral, and send it to Tieanna Lloyd in the RCPA office via fax to 717-364-3287 or email. RCPA will then invoice members 90 days after the budget is approved or a stopgap measure is in place to allow time for cash flow to stabilize.
We look forward to seeing you in October!