Register Today! RCPA 2026 Annual Membership Meeting on June 2
Key Details for First Rural Health Transformation Program Grant Opportunities
At midnight on May 1, 2026, the Department of Human Services will open applications for the first opportunity to receive Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding. $25M of grants will be awarded, with a $1M maximum per qualified hospital, healthcare provider, and rural health facility for equipment, supplies, renovations, or structural improvements.
Key Details:
- Application Dates: May, 1 2026 – June 1, 2026, or until the authorized funding cap has been met, whichever is sooner.
- Total Available Funding: $25 million
- Payment Amounts: $10,000 – $1,000,000
- Qualified Entities: Hospitals, healthcare providers, or rural health facilities within specific regions
To receive an RHTP payment, qualified entities must complete and submit the eligibility certification. The payment must stabilize or enhance rural health care access, promote rural well-being, and fall under one of the six initiatives in the Department’s federally approved RHTP application:
- Aging and Access;
- Behavioral Health;
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Transportation;
- Maternal Health;
- Technology and Infrastructure; or
- Workforce
Please note, this RHTP payment is an initial opportunity. If you do not qualify for this RHTP payment and want to apply for funding for other purposes, a future opportunity may be a better fit.
See the PA Bulletin announcement here. Please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp with any questions.
Devereux/TCV Community Services Opens STAIRS Intensive Residential Treatment Program in Homestead
Basics of Medicaid HCBS Infographic
ADvancing States, in partnership with the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities and the National Association of Medicaid Directors, is excited to share a new infographic on the purpose, value, and impact of Medicaid HCBS. This resource includes an overview of key services, facts, and figures on HCBS utilization and spending, and trends and growth through rebalancing efforts. ADvancing States encourages members to use and share this infographic as a foundation for conversations about Medicaid HCBS. Use this link to view and download the infographic.
RCPA Member Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh to Host Grand Opening of New Welcome Center on May 4
RCPA member Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh has announced that it has moved its main office from the South Side to Scott Township. They are happy to invite everyone to the Grand Opening of the Emmaus Community Welcome Center! Grand Opening events will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and Monday, May 4, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The events will include light food and beverages, tours of the new space, and an opportunity to learn more about the Emmaus mission and services.
All are welcome, and Emmaus would love to see you there (along with your families or others who may be interested in Emmaus)! The building is fully accessible, and parking will be available on site. If you’re able to join, please RSVP using this link, so that they are able to estimate attendance:
Emmaus Community Welcome Center Grand Opening RSVP
Last Call for IPRC Webinar “Family-Centered Care” on April 27
Family-Centered Care: One Organization’s Revolutionary Approach to Include Families in All Aspects of Care
Due to a widespread technical malfunction, this webinar was rescheduled from Monday, April 20, to Monday, April 27. If you wished to attend the webinar and were unable to make the April 20 date, you can now register for April 27 at 1:00 pm!
Monday, April 27, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT;
11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT
Register Here
Donna Provenzano, Director of Family-Centered Care
Donna Provenzano is the Director of Family-Centered Care at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has thirty-nine years of experience in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families at Children’s Specialized. Donna serves on several hospital leadership committees and councils and provides administrative and operational management of Family-Centered Care and Volunteers. She supervises and partners with Family Faculty staff and coordinates with the Family Advisory Council. Donna has presented both nationally and internationally on Patient- and Family-Centered Care. Under Donna’s leadership, her department received the IPFCC Family-Centered Care Partnership Award for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in 2022. Donna has received additional leadership certifications from the Harvard Business School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College.
Linda Waddell, Family Faculty Manager
Linda Waddell is the Family Faculty Manager at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has been employed at the hospital as a Family Faculty since June of 2008 and a member of the Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Family Advisory Council since 2014. On behalf of the hospital, Linda has presented with her team on Patient- and Family-Centered Care at regional, national, and international conferences. Most recently, Linda was a member of a panel that presented at the 2024 RISE Summit “Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): A Look into Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Program in NJ and Beyond.” Linda participates in various hospital committees and is also a member of the IPRC Steering Committee, where she provides a family member’s perspective for discussions and decision-making.
Linda was the 2019 recipient of the Lester Z. Lieberman Humanism in Healthcare Award and received the IPFCC 30th Anniversary 2022 Partnership Award on Social Determinants of Health. Linda received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Kean University. Linda’s first experience with Children’s Specialized Hospital began in 1999, receiving multiple services for her newborn, medically fragile baby. She became an expert in the experience of pediatric rehabilitation through caring for her daughter with medical complications.
Family Faculty at Children’s Specialized Hospital are paid positions held by parents and family members whose children have received or are still receiving services at Children’s Specialized Hospital Inpatient, Outpatient, or Long-Term Care sites. Their own day-to-day experiences provide a unique perspective, understanding, and empathy for families going through similar situations. Family Faculty partner with staff and families to build a respectful and understanding relationship by listening, providing insights, and encouraging positive communication between staff and families.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will identify strategies to:
- Embed Patient- and Family-Centered Care into your organization;
- Cultivate respectful partnerships and collaboration with leadership, staff, and families;
- Include families in education and training of staff at all levels; and
- Engage families and staff in creating valuable resources.
Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.
MHSN Coalition Sends Letter to General Assembly on Pathways to Partnership in School-Based Mental Health
Governor Shapiro has made student mental health a priority, investing nearly $400 million in school-based mental health and school safety since January 2023. The proposed 2026/27 budget includes a continued investment of $111 million for school safety and mental health supports, with $100 million of these funds allocated through the Pennsylvania Commission of Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) as a non-competitive grant.
Student mental health continues to be the largest instructional challenge in schools, with more than 80% of school districts reporting that a shortage of qualified mental health care providers is the biggest challenge in connecting students to the care they need. Despite significant investments, why can students not access the mental health care they require to thrive?
The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) and the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition members urge the Pennsylvania General Assembly to consider these blueprint recommendations. Never before have we had the opportunity to fund and act so decisively.
The full letter can be read here.
The Mental Health Safety Net Coalition is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meetings that will be occurring throughout the budget season.
The next Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 6, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions or if you would like to join the Coalition.
OCDEL Issues Update on Mass Claims Adjustment
The Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) notified all County Early Intervention (EI) Programs and Providers that they will perform one final Mass Claims Adjustment on April 21, 2026.
As a result of the final analysis of the denied claims file, they were able to identify that many of the denied claims can be processed again and should result in a Paid claim. This final Mass Claims Adjustment will significantly reduce the manual efforts for both the County and EI Provider.
Immediately following this final Mass Claims Adjustment, a revised and final report of denied claims will be issued to all County EI programs to distribute to their contracted providers.
Reminder of Next Steps:
- Using the newly published Fiscal Year 2025/26 Fee Schedule — File NEW claims on or after March 9, 2026, that contain a date of service on or after July 1, 2025.
- Using the newly published Fiscal Year 2025/26 Fee Schedule — Adjust claims filed on or after March 9, 2026, that contain a date of service on or after July 1, 2025, if the OLD fee schedule was used.
The Bureau thanks all stakeholders for their patience as they work to streamline the process and expedite the payments for provided Early Intervention services.
IPRC Webinar “Palliative Care Through the Rehab Continuum” to Be Held May 14
Palliative Care Through the Rehab Continuum: Caring for Children With Complex Needs
Thursday, May 14, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT;
10:00 am – 11:00 am MDT; 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT
Register Here
Kara Monnin, PhD
Kara Monnin is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) and Ohio State University’s School of Medicine in Columbus, OH. She provides clinical services across multiple inpatient units, including Complex Healthcare, Inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and acute care services (PICU, Trauma/Surgery/Neurosurgery). Dr. Monnin also serves as a member of the Advanced Illness Management/Palliative Care Team at NCH, and she specializes in traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation populations, and children and adolescents with complex medical needs.
Ryan Jenkins, MD
Ryan Jenkins is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and a pediatric hospice and palliative medicine physician on the Advanced Illness Management Palliative Care Team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He provides inpatient, outpatient, and home-based palliative and hospice care to patients and families across the Nationwide Children’s healthcare system. His academic work includes the teaching of primary palliative care skills to learners of different disciplines and backgrounds.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:
- Engage with palliative care providers (in the full scope of their practice) throughout the spectrum of illness, not just at end of life;
- Recognize common medical and psychological paradigms at key stages of illness;
- Understand how the goals of medical care after a significant neurological illness can change over time to include elements of recovery, stabilization, and/or prioritizing comfort; and
- Identify key takeaways for practice across the rehab continuum.
Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.
Notice Regarding IPRC Webinar “Family-Centered Care”
Due to a widespread technical outage, IPRC will need to reschedule the “Family-Centered Care” webinar that was scheduled for today, April 20, at 11:00 am. The new date and time will be Monday, April 27, at 1:00 pm. If you have already registered, you do not need to re-register.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please contact Cindi Hobbes if you have any questions.
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