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RCPA will be holding the Annual Membership meeting webinar on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 10:00 am. Please register here to participate in the meeting webcast. This year’s agenda and the 2020 Annual Meeting minutes are available for review.

This year’s Annual Meeting highlights guest speakers Meg Snead and Andrew Barnes. Ms. Snead was recently nominated to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Human Services. Mr. Barnes is the Department of Human Services’ Executive Deputy Secretary. We look forward to their presentation on critical issues facing the Commonwealth and human services, as well as thoughts regarding their new roles within the administration and a discussion of issues that face providers.

In addition, the RCPA Nominating Committee has nominated RCPA member CEOs/Directors to serve as directors and officers of the RCPA Board of Directors. Please VOTE HERE in advance of the Annual Meeting for the election of RCPA Board of Directors and Officers.

We look forward to your registration and participation.

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This just released from the U.S. DOL:

Guidance seeks to help protect an estimated $9.3T in assets.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced new guidance for plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record keepers and plan participants on best practices for maintaining cybersecurity, including tips on how to protect the retirement benefits of America’s workers. This is the first time the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has issued cybersecurity guidance. This guidance is directed at plan sponsors and fiduciaries regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and plan participants and beneficiaries.

As of 2018, EBSA estimates that there are thirty-four million defined benefit plan participants in private pension plans and 106 million defined contribution plan participants covering estimated assets of $9.3 trillion. Without sufficient protections, these participants and assets may be at risk from both internal and external cybersecurity threats. ERISA requires plan fiduciaries to take appropriate precautions to mitigate these risks.

Today’s guidance comes in three forms:

  • Tips for Hiring a Service Provider: Helps plan sponsors and fiduciaries prudently select a service provider with strong cybersecurity practices and monitor their activities, as ERISA requires.
  • Cybersecurity Program Best Practices: Assists plan fiduciaries and record-keepers in their responsibilities to manage cybersecurity risks.
  • Online Security Tips: Offers plan participants and beneficiaries who check their retirement accounts online basic rules to reduce the risk of fraud and loss.

“The cybersecurity guidance we issued today is an important step towards helping plan sponsors, fiduciaries and participants to safeguard retirement benefits and personal information,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Ali Khawar. “This much-needed guidance emphasizes the importance that plan sponsors and fiduciaries must place on combatting cybercrime and gives important tips to participants and beneficiaries on remaining vigilant against emerging cyber threats.”

The guidance announced today complements EBSA’s regulations on electronic records and disclosures to plan participants and beneficiaries. These include provisions on ensuring that electronic recordkeeping systems have reasonable controls, adequate records management practices are in place, and that electronic disclosure systems include measures calculated to protect Personally Identifiable Information.

Learn more about the department’s work.

April 14, 2021
Release Number
21-358-NAT
Contact: Michael Trupo
Phone Number 202-693-6588
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Donna Martin
American Network of Community Options and Resources
Alexandria VA
(401) 965-9411
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The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking input on ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities.

Share your ideas, review community input, and comment on others’ ideas. Your feedback will be used by the department to identify solutions for overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, communities, and identities. It will also inform future programs and funding opportunities that equitably deliver vital employment services and supports to all. Submissions will be accepted through April 26, 2021. You can submit ideas, comments, and votes here.

This effort is co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Women’s Bureau.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash


Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, telework became part of the “new normal” for many employees in businesses of all sizes. Across the nation, it enabled people to continue to perform their duties from home or other approved worksites. It also prompted many employers to assess their telework policies and practices, with an eye toward the post-COVID-19 era.

Generally, telework is offered at an employer’s discretion, but for some employees, it may be considered a reasonable accommodation under disability nondiscrimination laws. Therefore, it’s advisable for employers to adopt an integrated telework policy applicable to all employees, including employees with disabilities, in order to prevent confusion and inefficiency.

To help employers establish such policies, the ODEP-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) recently published a policy brief, “Adopting an Integrated Telework Policy for Employees With and Without Disabilities.”

This brief clarifies the relationship between a general telework policy and a disability-specific telework policy and presents a framework for adopting policies related to telework as a reasonable accommodation. It also features links to relevant resources and checklists for employers to follow when developing or evaluating their telework policies for maximum effectiveness, now and in the years to come.

To learn more, download the brief or visit the EARN website.

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Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

As you may know from this announcement, nominations are open for a Region 3 Board representative to the National Council. This region includes Pennsylvania, and currently we have two representatives on the NatCon Board: me and Susan Blue, CEO of Community Services Group.

I did want to alert RCPA members of our strong relationship with the Maryland Association, Community Behavioral Health (CBH), as seen in their joining our upcoming Annual Conference. And this year, CBH has nominated and endorsed Arthur Ginsberg as the Region 3 representative for the National Council’s Board. Arthur brings well-rounded experience in the behavioral health field to the Board. He has leadership experience at organizations in both inpatient and outpatient settings in behavioral health, as well as deep experience in the field serving individuals with developmental disabilities.

Arthur’s professional experience includes robust participation in provider associations. He served on the Board of ANCOR and led the DC chapter. He has also served on CBH’s Board since 2018.

I would like to ask each of you to consider supporting Arthur for this nomination and Board seat. It would well serve our partnership with Maryland and allow for a continued strong voice at the NatCon Board level. Arthur’s CV is available here for your review.

Thank you,
Richard S. Edley, PhD
President/CEO
Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA)

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This week’s resource update includes quick-links, hotlines, and detailed instructions to help you better serve families in preventing and reporting child abuse. For additional kinship related resources and tips, please visit www.kinconnector.org or call 866-546-2111 for support.


Child Abuse Prevention and Resource Links:

Thank you again for partnering with us to prevent child abuse and help families thrive!

Sincerely,
Your team at PA KinConnector

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