Three associations representing community intellectual disability/autism (ID/A) and behavioral health (BH) services providers released a study today that provided a comprehensive review of the ID/A and BH Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce, the crisis within the workforce, and means to address the crisis. The study identified the need for investment in this workforce as the most important step state policymakers can take to address the workforce crisis.
See the full press release here, which also includes a link to the study being referenced. Contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director of Government Affairs, with any questions.
RCPA President & CEO Richard Edley interviewed with WITF on July 14 regarding the latest version of the federal Senate BCRA and the impact it would have on drug & alcohol services
RCPA has been working with a multi-association group to oppose the federal proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA)/ Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). We previously sent a letter to Senators Casey and Toomey and are now planning a letter to the editor and press conference. The effort has been led by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of PA (HAP), but has been a very collaborative initiative, and RCPA will be speaking at the press conference along with several other associations. We encourage you to attend this event which is being held at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday, July 19 at 11:00 am. For additional information contact Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs.
Terry Madonna interviewed Richard Edley on June 1, 2017, for the political/public policy TV program Pennsylvania Newsmakers. Edley discussed several topics with Mr. Madonna, including the state budget/funding for health and human services, the increasing opioid crisis, and unification of state agencies. Video streaming of the entire program is available here (Richard Edley’s segment begins at 13:00). @terrymadonna
RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley was interviewed by Comcast Newsmakers (video) on February 7, 2017, prior to Governor Wolf’s 2017/18 budget address. Edley discussed the RCPA provider members, services they offer to those in need, as well as challenges they face with increased legislation and decreased federal/state funding.
RCPA released the following statement to the media following
Governor Wolf’s 2017/18 budget address:
HARRISBURG (February 7, 2017) — In today’s budget address, Governor Wolf outlined his proposal to consolidate four existing departments into one new, unified Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services (PA-HHS). RCPA applauds the governor’s commitment to restructuring state government and how the Commonwealth delivers services to Pennsylvania’s aging population, as well as Pennsylvanians with intellectual and physical disabilities, mental health, and substance use disorders. According to RCPA’s President and CEO Richard S Edley, “RCPA is eager to partner with the governor and his staff on this monumental transformation of state government. RCPA’s diverse membership is generally supportive of the governor’s proposal to create a new Department of Health and Human Services. Our members and staff look forward to providing information and recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly regarding areas relating to unfunded mandates, duplication of services, and modernizing and streamlining the regulatory process.”
******
Media contact: Sharon Militello, RCPA Director of Communications
(717) 364-3280 • [email protected]
About the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA):
With more than 300 members serving well over 1 million Pennsylvanians annually, Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) is among the largest and most diverse state health and human services trade associations in the nation. RCPA provider members offer mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injury, residential, and rehabilitation services for children, adolescents, and adults through all settings and levels of care. Visit www.paproviders.org for more information.
###
Prev