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Children's Services

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RCPA continues to seek proposals for the 2026 Annual Conference Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities, which will be held September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. RCPA’s Conference Committee is looking for workshop proposals in every area for possible inclusion, particularly those that assist providers in developing and maintaining high-quality, stable, and effective treatments, services, and agencies in an industry where change is constant. The committee looks for presentations that:

  • Discuss strategies for C-Suite leadership to advance their organization with adapting to challenges and opportunities;
  • Provide guidance on building a culture of a committed workforce, including recruitment and employee development as well as effective remote workforce strategies;
  • Highlight new policy, research, and treatment initiatives, such as the use of artificial intelligence and technology in service provision;
  • Provide specific skills and information related to individual and organizational leadership development and enhancement;
  • Discuss advanced ethics practices and suicide prevention; and/or
  • Address system changes that affect business practices, including integrated care strategies, value-based purchasing, performance-based contracting, acquisitions and mergers, and alternative payment models.

The committee welcomes any proposal that addresses these and other topics essential to brain injury, medical rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, autism, and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities. Members are encouraged to consider submitting, and we highly encourage you to forward this opportunity to those who are exceptionally good speakers and have state-of-the-art information to share.

The Call for Proposals (featuring a complete listing of focus tracks) and accompanying Guidelines for Developing Educational Objectives detail requirements for submissions. The deadline for submissions is COB Monday, March 23, 2026. Proposals must be submitted electronically with the form provided; confirmation of receipt will be sent. Proposals submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

If the proposal is accepted, individuals must be prepared to present on any day of the conference. Workshops are 90 minutes in length. If the topic requires an in-depth presentation, a double session can be scheduled for a total of 180 minutes. At the time of acceptance, presenters will be asked to confirm the ability to submit workshop slides and handouts electronically two weeks prior to the conference. Individuals unable to meet this expectation may not have their materials available to participants during the conference.

Individuals are welcome to submit more than one proposal; however, we ask that you submit no more than three total. Notification of inclusion for the conference will be made via email by Monday, May 11, 2026. Questions may be directed to Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched a new website for the PA Rural Health Transformation Plan, containing information on goals as well as links to the full plan and news updates.

While a formal RFP process has not yet been released, providers can submit the following inquiry form. This brief survey provides each organization with an opportunity to introduce your agency and services you offer, ask questions regarding the Rural Health Transformation Plan, and identify the Rural Care Collaborative region(s) where you and/or your organization is based or provides services (see map below). Once submitted, DHS will review and respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

Providers and stakeholders may also sign up for updates on the Rural Health Transformation Plan.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp.

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RCPA will reengage with all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition. The Coalition is focused on developing strategies, activities, and engagement opportunities to support behavioral health funding in the Commonwealth.

The Coalition will have its first meeting on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. This meeting will give the group an opportunity to review last year’s budget, Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget, and initial strategies for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27. It will also give us an opportunity to develop questions for legislators for the DHS budget hearings in late February and early March. Register for the meeting by contacting Emma Sharp, RCPA Policy Associate.

As the group continues to meet, we will develop our overall advocacy blueprint to ensure the communication of our message and stakeholder engagement is focused on protecting and preserving our mental health service delivery system.

The meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams; information will be sent to those interested in the Coalition. RCPA invites all to participate. If you would like to join the Coalition or have any questions, please contact Emma Sharp.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a revised Medicare Learning Network (MLN) booklet that contains revisions to telehealth and remote monitoring. Specific changes noted in this publication include:

  • The addition of a resource link for the latest telehealth information;
  • Additional information on how to suppress a practitioner’s home address in PECOS;
  • The removal of telehealth frequency limitations for subsequent inpatient, nursing facility, and critical care consultations;
  • Permanently allowing teaching and supervising physicians to supervise through virtual presence;
  • Continued payment to Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) for medical telehealth services through December 31, 2026;
  • Starting in CY 2026, only adding services to the Medicare telehealth services list on a permanent basis;
  • The addition of 5 new CPT and HCPCS codes to the Medicare telehealth services list; and
  • For CY 2026, updates to the:
    • Medicare Economic Index; and
    • Originating site fee.

Members are encouraged to review the booklet for more details on these changes.

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PITTSBURGH (January 19, 2026) – McAuley Ministries, the grant-making foundation of Pittsburgh Mercy, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award: Erikka B. Grayson and Belinda “Ms. Bee” Upsher.

Established in 2019, the award honors residents of Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland, the three communities historically served by the Sisters of Mercy and now envisioned as the Mercy Corridor. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify what it means to be a “good neighbor” through volunteerism, community organizing, and acts of kindness. Each year, two honorees are selected – one young adult (ages 18-39) and one adult (ages 40 and over) [read full release].

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From Chaos to Clarity: The Definitive Client Engagement Case Study
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm CST / 1:00 pm EST
Featuring: Eastern Shore CSB & Qualifacts
Visit Here to Register

Behavioral health organizations are under increasing pressure to do more with less — reduce avoidable rework, improve access to care, and deliver a better client experience without adding staff. In this case-study webinar, Eastern Shore Community Services Board (CSB) shares how they turned fragmented processes into a streamlined, measurable client engagement strategy.

By implementing Qualifacts’ Client Engagement solutions, Eastern Shore CSB modernized intake, communication, and follow-up workflows — keeping care moving, reducing delays, and improving operational clarity across the organization.

Join this webinar to hear directly from the team at Eastern Shore CSB as they walk through what changed, how it changed, and the tangible impact on day-to-day operations.

In this webinar, we will:

  • Break down the highest-friction steps in client workflows — including intake, communication, and billing readiness — and show how Eastern Shore standardized them;
  • Explore how automated reminders and follow-ups created a consistent client engagement cadence that reduced no-shows and drop-offs;
  • Demonstrate how integrated client portal and telehealth workflows expanded access without increasing headcount;
  • Show how accelerating signatures and statements in-portal helped maintain billing momentum and avoid downstream delays; and
  • Share practical takeaways behavioral health organizations can apply immediately to improve efficiency and client experience.

Featured Speakers

Stephen Hopkins
EHR Systems Administrator, Eastern Shore CSB
Stephen has been with Eastern Shore CSB for eight years and manages all EHR configuration, reporting, virtual care, and client engagement solutions. With a background in Information Technology, he has successfully led the organization’s use of Credible and Credible Client Experience Solutions — driving meaningful improvements in portal adoption, engagement, and telehealth delivery.

Sarah Taylor, RN
Product Specialist II, Qualifacts
Before joining Qualifacts, Sarah spent 16 years as a registered nurse supporting mental health clients across emergency, crisis stabilization, and in-home care settings. She brings hands-on clinical experience and deep implementation expertise to her role, helping organizations maximize the value of Qualifacts’ EHR and client engagement platforms.

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Businessman and team work using a Laptop Computer with Webinar E-business Browsing Connection and cloud online technology webcast concept, business concept

Thursday, January 22, 2026
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CT;
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm MT; 12:00 pm – 1:00 PT
Register Here

You asked, and we listened! Based on attendee feedback, IPRC is offering a follow-up presentation to pair with the information presented on January 6, 2026. This webinar will provide information on the new Disorders of Consciousness Program Standards in greater detail.

Please join us as IPRC again hosts special guest Terry Carolan from CARF International to explain the new Disorders of Consciousness Program Standards.

Presenter Bio:

Terrence Carolan
Terrence Carolan, Managing Director of the Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services accreditation areas at the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), has more than 20 years of experience as a provider, administrator, and educator in the human services field. Terry joined CARF after working in clinical and administrative leadership positions within Select Medical’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Division and the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation since 2001. Terry was a CARF surveyor for 10 years and holds a degree in physical therapy from Simmons College in Boston. He also recently completed his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Discuss the CARF International Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) Program Standards in detail; and
  • Identify the process for applying for Accreditation for a Disorders of Consciousness Specialty Program.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team; attendees do not need to be CARF Certified in order to attend.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

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