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Drexel University Behavioral Healthcare Education (BHE) will be hosting their second Annual One-Day Summit “Hot Topics: Trends and Challenges in Behavioral Healthcare,” on Friday, May 29, 2026, which will be held virtually via Zoom. The BHE team invites you to submit an abstract for a 60-minute workshop, which will consist of 50 minutes for the presentation and 10 minutes for questions and answers.

The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, February 27, 2026.

Please note: Although presenters will not be financially compensated for their presentations, all presenters are invited to attend the entirety of the summit, earning the maximum number of continuing education credits free of charge.

For more details and the proposal submission form, refer to the BHE Conferences website.

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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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The 2026 RCPA Annual Conference Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities will be held September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. RCPA’s Conference Committee is seeking 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 rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and autism. 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 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced that WellKids by RCPA Member PA Health & Wellness will join the network of managed care organizations that offer health coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This marks the first CHIP re-procurement since 2013, expanding the number of affordable health coverage options for children and teens in Pennsylvania. Effective January 2026, CHIP will operate a network of nine managed care organizations, providing comprehensive health coverage for eligible children across the state.

CHIP serves children and teenagers up to age 19 who are not eligible for Medicaid, offering health coverage for free or at a low cost based on family income and providing a variety of insurance plans to best meet a family’s needs. WellKids by PA Health & Wellness will provide a full range of services, including preventative, routine, urgent, and emergency care for physical and behavioral health, as well as coverage for dental, vision, and pharmacy services.

Contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is excited to announce the Third Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). PCBI is a unique, interactive, educational experience which will occur monthly from March 2026 to October 2026. DHS strives to bring exceptional speakers who engage participants in a wide range of topics designed to better support children and families with complex needs across the Commonwealth. Some of the topics include infant mental health, leading through change, multisystemic planning, impact of trauma on children and families, vicarious trauma among professionals, expressive therapies and much more. PCBI also strives to incorporate the voices and experience of the children and families using these supports and services at every juncture. PCBI is open to professionals across systems with an interest in learning more about supporting children with complex needs and system change.

Please review the invitation to apply for more details and to complete the interest survey. Interest surveys must be completed by January 29, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by February 5, 2026 via email. Contact RCPA Behavioral Health Policy Associate Emma Sharp with any questions.

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In response to the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ (OMHSAS) proposed Regulation #14-558: Mental Health Procedure RCPA, in partnership with its members, has submitted public comments.

The proposed regulations align the Department’s regulations with the Mental Health Procedures Act by adding definitions of “business associate” and “covered entity,” and adding those entities to the list of parties to which the Department may disclose confidential information.

RCPA did request that OMHSAS provide further clarification on the impacts and intersects of the proposed standards for youth and parental consents outlined in Act 65.

RCPA fully supports the proposed regulations that will align departmental regulations with Act 32 of 2022 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requirements.

We look forward to working with the Department in the communication and ongoing implementation of the proposed regulatory changes, including the release of a Regulatory Compliance Guide after final promulgation. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Services Director Jim Sharp.

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From the National Council for Mental Wellbeing

As RCPA continues to support efforts to realign Pennsylvania’s integrated behavioral and physical health initiatives with the return to the CCBHC model, our partners at the National Council have issued this advocacy alert on recent legislation expanding States opportunities in serving our vulnerable communities.

This opportunity will focus member reach out to our Senators about a new bipartisan bill that would help sustain and expand access to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Pennsylvania and across the country.

S 3402 would give states and organizations the ability to continue growing the behavioral health workforce, expand services for older adults and people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and help more communities establish CCBHCs.

Right now there are three co-sponsors in the Senate. If enough people contact their Senators, we can keep the momentum going!

TAKE ACTION

We also included some more detail about the legislation via the above “take action” link if you’d like to dive deeper. The letter takes about 1–2 minutes to send. If you want to call your Senators’ offices and  leave a message too, we made a script for you to use – just follow the prompts on the page.

If you have any questions please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Services Director Jim Sharp.

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