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Children's Services

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The 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive is packed with more than just engaging workshops led by informative speakers. RCPA will host a wide variety of events throughout the week at the Hershey Lodge, granting attendees access to networking events, receptions, and more! By registering today, not only will you reserve your spot to interact with local and national leaders in health and human services, but you will gain access to:

  • Our Welcome Reception, which offers a great chance to network with RCPA staff and your colleagues.
  • Gentle Yoga and Breathwork, which will be hosted Wednesday morning for those who enjoy an early morning workout routine.
  • Our Association Awards Luncheon, where we recognize those who stand above the rest and lead those in the industry.
  • Carelon Connections Hall’s Opening Reception and Connections Hall Luncheon, which will include food, the chance to see and learn about the latest products and services in health care, and our event game, with a possibility to win a multitude of prizes.
  • An Agency Leadership Discussion Panel on Wednesday in the Crystal A room with Jack Phillips, Novak Strategies; Paul Dlugolecki, Brier Dlugolecki Strategies; and Jenn Tyler, Wojdak Government Relations. Come discuss, ask questions, and get the latest information on PA state budget developments, including the impact of the budget on providers and strategies providers are utilizing.
  • The RCPA PAC Silent Auction, for those interested in donating to a good cause!
Registration will end before we know it — the deadline to register is Friday, August 29, 2025. View the Registration Brochure for complete details, or register here and reserve your spot today!

Opportunities for sponsorships and advertising are still available to organizations that are interested, but EXHIBIT BOOTHS ARE OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT! We are grateful to all our sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who help make the conference happen. Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.

View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!

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Image by Dirk Wouters from Pixabay

Thank you for your participation in Pennsylvania’s rural health ecosystem, including those who attended a regional rural health summit. As a next step, DHS is gathering information, concepts, and additional ideas to shape the Commonwealth’s Rural Health Transformation Plan and reflect what they heard from rural providers, partners, and residents.

What DHS is asking for:

  1. Information and concepts in these summit-affirmed areas: Maternal Health, Mental and Behavioral Health, Aging and Access, Transportation and EMS, and the Rural Healthcare Workforce.
  2. Other ideas that improve access to care in rural communities, even if they fall outside those five areas.

Who can submit:

  • Hospitals and health systems;
  • Healthcare professionals;
  • FQHCs and rural health clinics;
  • State offices of rural health;
  • Grantees providing services in rural areas;
  • Healthcare leadership and administrators;
  • Healthcare consumers;
  • Community action organizations;
  • Public and private business owners and organizations;
  • EMS and transportation providers;
  • Behavioral health, aging, and disability services partners, county commissioners, and other local or state government representatives, single county authorities, economic development organizations, professional organizations, community-based and faith-based organizations, philanthropy, and higher education and health provider training partners; and
  • Other interested parties.

What to include:

Information to assist DHS in enhancing and transforming rural health, including core concepts, target problems, or opportunities for improvement, intended impact and success metrics, evidence or prior experiences, feasibility of ideas for rural settings, partners, costs and resources, innovation or adaptation, and sustainability.

Submit by: August 29, 2025
Find the Form Here
Questions or Accessibility Needs: Email

DHS may use the information gathered through this process in the development of future implementation; however, the Departments do not guarantee that this will occur.

Respondents should be aware that the responses will be public information and that no claims of confidentiality will be honored. DHS is not requesting, and does not require, confidential, proprietary information, or other competitively sensitive information to be included as part of a submission. Ownership of all data, material and documentation originated, prepared, and provided to the Departments during this process will belong exclusively to the Departments.

Please contact your RCPA Policy Director with any questions.

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With a little less than a month before kick-off, RCPA is excited to announce a new keynote speaker in our lineup at the 2025 Annual Conference Strive to Thrive! We will now be kicking off our conference with Al Guida, JD, Owner of Guide Consulting Services, Inc., to discuss Impacts of Federal Issues on the Human Services System. Guida is a nationally recognized advocate and strategist who has provided valuable federal policy and regulatory solutions for Guide Consulting Service’s health care clients in the provider, technology, and public health sectors. He has helped clients realize measurable goals in mental health parity, biomedical research, child poverty, and child welfare, and his legislative portfolio includes successful collaborations with major Congressional committees, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Working together, the Guide Consulting Services team have established and secured funding for Mental Health First Aid, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and the 988 National Suicide Prevention Coordinating Office. In 2024, Guida was recognized as one of DC’s 500 Most Influential People.

With the current confusion and chaos surrounding federal policies, Medicaid, future funding, and their effects on the health and human services landscape, you won’t want to miss this informative opener!

Following Al Guida will be Pennsylvania’s DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh. Attendees will shift their focus from the federal level to the state, with the DHS Secretary highlighting key issues facing PA providers, including trends, impacts of federal policy at the local level, and current initiatives related to Performance-Based Contracting and value-based purchasing.

All this and more on the very first day of the Conference! Register today to reserve your seat, and view the Registration Brochure for complete details regarding our schedule, booking a hotel room, and more!

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RCPA is proud to be at the forefront of developments in health and human services, and we strive to present information covering a wide variety of aspects within the industry. At our 2025 Annual Conference Strive to Thrive, attendees will expand their knowledge of topics impacting their consumers, providers, insurance, IT teams, compliance, and more! Register today to reserve your seat, and view the Registration Brochure for complete details.

For your convenience, we have compiled the list of workshops by topic, highlighting just how much we plan to cover during our stay at the Hershey Lodge! Please note that some workshops may discuss more than one set of topics. Use this as a guide, see what interests you, and make sure you register today!

AI, Data, and Technology:

  • W16 | Organizational and Individual Benefits of Becoming Technology First
  • W24 | AI in Action: Empowering Better Care and Financial Health
  • W32 | Technology First: A Journey, Not Just a Destination
  • W38 | Using Video Monitoring Effectively to Promote Safety
  • W48 | Technology, Human Capacity, and an “Everyday Life” in Employment
  • W51 | Best Practices in Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral Healthcare
  • W56 | Beyond Metrics: Leading With Connection in a Data-Driven World
  •  W63 | Empowering Independence: Transforming Lives With Remote Support — A Provider’s Journey Through Person-Centered and Agency Perspectives

Autism and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities:

  • W18 | Growing Through Connection: Managers Leading With Heart, Building Relationship-Driven I/DD Services
  • W26 | Solving the DSP Hiring Crisis: Strategies for Recruitment and Retention Success
  • W29 | Life Sharing for Children With Medically Complex Conditions
  • W35 | Dual Diagnosis Treatment Team: An Integrated Community Treatment Model for Dually Diagnosed Individuals
  • W37 | Innovations in Family Engagement to Improve Experience and Outcomes
  • W47 | Health Equity for People With IDD in the Community
  • W54 | From Recognition to Intervention: Addressing Anxiety-Related Challenges in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
  • W59 | Independence and Wellness Through Employment

Behavioral, Children’s, and School-Based Health:

  • W05 | Research to Practice: Using an Evidence-Based Digital Tool to Improve Executive Function Among Students
  • W07 | Care Navigator: Helping the Community Transition Home After Inpatient Hospitalization
  • W08 | The Final Rule on 42 CFR Part 8: One Opioid Treatment Program’s Adjustments to the New Regulations and Q&A
  • W12 | Whether We Realize It or Not, FASD Affects Us All
  • W14 | The Power of Peers and Partnership: Response to Substance Use Crisis
  • W20 | Enhancing CCBHC Effectiveness: Four Essential Tools for Success
  • W22 | Quality Improvement Strategies to Adopt State-Wide Policy Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
  • W28 | Staff Experience of Safety in a Civilian Crisis Response Program
  • W40 | Janus: A Reimagining of Mental Health Housing and Support
  • W55 | Where Did All the Meth Come From? Strategies and Tactics for Dealing With the Next Epidemic
  • W61 | Understanding Peer Support From a Clinical Perspective
  • W62 | Transformative Triage: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Crisis Intervention and Client-Centered Care
  • W64 | Moving Beyond Training: Strategy-Based Approaches to Decreasing Behavior Incidents

Brain Injury:

  • W44 | The Cutting Edge of the Neuroscience of Music: Clinical Applications in Neurorehabilitation
  • W52 | A Review and Discussion About the Funding Available for Brain Injury Services in PA
  • W60 | Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT): Developing Tools to Empower Individuals With TBI Throughout the Rehabilitation Process

DHS Offices and Items:

  • W01 | Office Of Developmental Programs Policy Updates and Forecast for 2026
  • W23 | PA Navigate: Connecting Pennsylvanians to Needed Social Services
  • W31 | Updates and Discussion With the Office of Long-Term Living
  • W42 | Behavioral Health Treatment in Pennsylvania: Where We Are, Where We Are Going
  • P01 | State of the State

Ethics:

  • W50 and W58 | Imposter! Ethical Practice, Competence, and Being a “Good Enough” Practitioner Parts I Part II

Financial Management, Medicaid, and Value-Based Purchasing:

  • W02 | How To Survive a Payer Billing Audit — Straight From an Auditor’s Mouth
  • W27 | The Benefits of Measurement-Based Care and Its Economic Impact on Return on Investment
  • W34 | Expanding Revenue Beyond Medicaid: New Funding Strategies for I/DD Providers
  • W46 | Building Centralized Procurement for Decentralized Behavioral Health Organizations

Government and Advocacy:

  • W39 | Building Sustainable Community Advisory Councils for Impactful Legislative Advocacy
  • P02 | National Outlook: The Turbulent Landscape of 2025/26

Suicide Prevention:

  • W10 | A Systemic Focus for Treating Homicide-Suicide Behaviors

Trauma-Informed Care and Wellness:

  • W13 | Addressing Healthcare and Transportation Barriers for Vulnerable Populations
  • W19 | Creating a Trauma-Informed Workplace in a Tri-Pillared Organization
  • W43 | Trauma-Informed Care Works: Striving and Thriving in a Forensic Program

Workplace Culture, Leadership, and Management:

  • W03 and W11 | Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Parts I and II
  • W04 | Thriving Through Performance Development
  • W06 | Building a Team-Based Culture: Not Your Average Team Approach
  • W09 | The Role of Culture in Merger & Acquisition Strategy and Success
  • W15 | Promoting Staff Engagement and Growth Culture
  • W17 | Empowering Change Through Leadership, Workforce Development, and Innovation
  • W21 | Turning Internal Communications Objectives Into Action
  • W25 | The Shift of Trust: Reduce Turnover and Create a Culture of Collaboration
  • W30 | Leveraging a Multidisciplinary Team in the Development and Delivery of Treatment Outcomes
  • W33 | Whole Brain Living: Reflective Reacting as a Means of Achieving a Wiser Result
  • W36 | Generative Listening: A Transformative Approach to Developing Inclusive Leadership
  • W41 | Leadership Gold – How to Be a Leader Worth Following
  • W45 | Use of Self: Integrating Awareness, Recognition, and Mindfulness Into Everyday Practices at Your Organization or Agency
  • W49 | Mastering Difficult Conversations to Build Thriving Cultures
  • W53 | Empowering Neurodivergent Professionals: Supporting Disability Disclosure and Workplace Success
  • W57 | Future-Proofing Leadership: Succession Planning for Health & Human Services
  • K01 | Building Organizational Culture and High Performing Healthy Teams
  • K02 | Applying Resilience and Mindfulness to Enhance Leadership
  • K03 | The EEOC is NOT Messing Around: Harassment Prevention in 2025 and Beyond
  • K04 | Rediscovering You: How to Reconnect, Recharge, and Rise
View the Registration Brochure for a full listing of each day’s workshops and events as well as how to register!

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The FFY 2026/27 Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (CMHSBG) Draft Pennsylvania Application is now available for public comment. The CMHSBG is federal block grant funding that assists states in providing community-based services to adults with Serious Mental Illness and children with Severe Emotional Disturbance. This application provides a review of the current strengths and needs in the Pennsylvania mental health system and plans priority areas for improvement. The priorities were developed in consultation with representatives from the Pennsylvania Mental Health Planning Council. The CMHSBG Application public comment period will remain open until August 25, 2025.

Please access the application using the Webbgas Citizen’s login using the below credentials.

  • Login: citizenpa
  • Password: citizen

Submit any comments on this application to the CMHSBG Resource inbox.

RCPA is open to submitting members’ comments and feedback via our organization’s response to the public feedback process. If you would like to have RCPA submit comments on behalf of your agency, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.

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The Mental Health Safety Net Coalition (MHSN) is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. This week’s communication urges the General Assembly to end the budget impasse to ensure the system’s ability to provide care. Without a budget, community mental health services will not receive any payment, putting vulnerable Pennsylvanians at risk.

The full letter can be read here.

Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions or if you are interested in joining the coalition.

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Today is your last chance to take advantage of early bird registration rates for the RCPA 2025 Annual Conference Strive to Thrive! Register today to reserve your seat and guarantee your access to:
  • Over sixty workshops that tackle the latest in technology, workplace culture, and health care initiatives;
  • National keynote and plenary speakers who will discuss issues ranging from the federal landscape to personal well-being;
  • Networking opportunities in Connections Hall, featuring over 90 exhibitors with the latest industry products and services (as well as some exciting game prizes!); and
  • Opportunities to connect with RCPA staff and other industry leaders to discuss all that is happening in health and human services.
View the Registration Brochure to see a full listing of events, workshops, and activities. Additionally, by registering today, you will be able to access the mobile app prior to the conference, gaining the ability to view webinar recordings, create your personalized schedule, and make early connections with sponsors and exhibitors.
Early bird registration ends TODAY! Register here!
Opportunities for sponsorships and advertising are still available to organizations that are interested, but EXHIBIT BOOTHS ARE OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT! We are grateful to all our sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who help make the conference happen. Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.
View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!

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We are excited to announce Hill Day 2025!

Hill Day will span two days, with a Public Policy Institute Program on October 7 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, and meetings on Capitol Hill slated for October 8.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country and share your important stories directly with the people who represent you in Washington, D.C.

Last year, RCPA members received the opportunity to learn and develop their lobbying skills through the Public Policy Institute sessions and put them to work meeting with Pennsylvania legislators in a series of meetings and roundtables. The experience was invaluable and created a pathway to advocating in their home districts and events like the RCPA Capital Day.

While Hill visits are open to all, space will limit the Public Policy Institute to 400 registrants.

As RCPA will once more serve as Team Captains for the Pennsylvania delegation, we ask that, when you register, you also contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp. RCPA will be coordinating and communicating with members as the event proceeds.

Register Here

Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging; however, hotel rooms can be booked through the Omni Shoreham Hotel at a discounted group rate once you have registered. Group transportation between the hotel and Capitol Hill will be offered at set times.

Note on potential shutdown: If Congress does not reach a spending agreement by September 30, there may be a government shutdown starting October 1. D.C. offices will remain open, however, and staff meetings can still occur. More updates will be provided if a shutdown appears likely.

More details will be forthcoming.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Questions:

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) has entered into a Settlement Agreement to resolve a federal class action lawsuit concerning mental health and child welfare services for Pennsylvania youth who are adjudicated dependent and have mental health disabilities. This case affects all Pennsylvania youth under the age of 21 who now, or in the future, are adjudicated dependent and have diagnosed mental health disabilities. The settlement will involve additional requirements from county children and youth agencies, county mental health systems, as well as requirements on the Primary Contractors and Behavior Health Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (BH-MCO). BH-MCOs, Primary Contractors, and County Mental Health Administrators have been separately notified.

The settlement will impact community-based as well as residential children’s services for this population of youth, and it has not been determined fully how these services will be funded in the County or Health choices system, though DHS is charged with requesting CMS to cover these or a portion through Federal funding.

The proposed settlement agreement can be read here. The settlement agreement will not be finalized until objections have been heard and the agreement receives approval by the judge. PA DHS will communicate more details and timelines in the coming weeks as the settlement is finalized.

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

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