Invitation to RCPA Members for ParetoHealth Captive Information Sessions
Training for Child Residential Facility Staff Announced
Through a contract with the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA), the Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) is supporting a specialized training on the reporting requirements for incidents involving children served in Child Residential and Day Treatment Facilities. This training is designed for child residential facility staff, their related purchasing entities, law enforcement agencies, OCYF Regional Office Reps, MCO staff, and staff of other entities that interact with Child Residential and Day Treatment Facilities.
Title of Training: Reporting Requirements for Children Served in Residential Care Facilities
Training Hours: Three (3) Hours
Format: Live Virtual
Register for an Upcoming Training:
Training Summary:
This training is for providers and other child serving entities and clarifies what allegations must be reported to ChildLine as suspected child abuse and/or HCSIS as a reportable incident, and further clarifies when an alternative plan of supervision must be put into place. This training also teaches minimal facts interviewing skills to better determine when to make a report, and then explains how those reports of suspected child abuse are categorized and handled at ChildLine. Lastly, internal follow up recommendations and communication are discussed. Other entities that interact with these 3800 facilities are also welcome to attend – OCYF Regional Office Reps, Law Enforcement, MCOs, etc.
This training mirrors the information outlined in the OCYF Bulletin # 3800-21-01 issued January 19, 2021, and is meant as additional training (not a replacement for the mandated reporter training).
Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions.
HHS Budget Hearing Scheduled in House Committee on June 24
The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on June 24, 2025, regarding the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget. The hearing will begin at 10:00 am, and Secretary of HHS Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is expected to serve as witness and provide testimony on the President’s proposed budget.
The hearing is open to the public and will be livestreamed online using the link above.
OMHSAS Updated Bulletin: Administration of Psychotropic Medication to Individuals Over Objection
OMHSAS is announcing the publication of OMHSAS-25-03 Administration of Psychotropic Medication to Individuals Over Objection in State Mental Hospitals, updating the procedures for determining when to administer psychotropic medications over objection in the State Mental Hospitals through the establishment of an additional appeals process.
OMHSAS-25-03 supersedes 99-85-10 Administration of Psychotropic Medication to Protesting Patients, meaning that 99-85-10 remains in effect, but OMHSAS-25-03 takes precedence over it.
**Importantly, 99-85-10 applies to both state mental hospitals and community providers, but OMHSAS-25-03 applies only to state mental hospitals.**
OMHSAS-25-03 and forms may be found at the links provided below:
- OMHSAS-25-03 – Administration of Psychotropic Medication to Individuals Over Objection in State Mental Hospitals
- OMHSAS-25-03 – Attachment A – Medication Over Objection Appeal Process
- OMHSAS-25-03 – Attachment B – MEDICATION OVER OBJECTION APPEAL FORM
Please submit any questions regarding this bulletin via email.
Access the Free Webinar Recording of “How to Protect What You’ve Earned in Uncertain Times”
Registration Now Open for the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive!
Registration is now officially open for the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive! The conference offers inspiring keynotes and plenaries, over sixty workshops, live updates from both state and national partners, and the ability to interact with exhibitors and sponsors in our Connections Hall! View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule, presenters, current sponsors, and a message from RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley. You can also register directly here.
All conference information is also available on the RCPA Conference website. Be sure to check the website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors. Our mobile app, which we are proud to share is once again being sponsored by Millin, will become available closer to the time of conference and will contain CE information, a detailed agenda, and more!
In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! Opportunities still available include but are not limited to coffee and refreshment breaks, our Awards Luncheon, entertainment, and meal sponsorships. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, all information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.
View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!
Mental Health Safety Net Coalition Meeting Schedule Announced
RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition. These meetings serve to update the group on strategy, activities, and engagement opportunities. Members can participate via Teams; information on how to join can be found below.
The Coalition will be meeting on the following dates:
- Monday, June 16, 2025
- Monday, June 23, 2025
- Monday, June 30, 2025
- Monday, July 14, 2025
All meetings will be scheduled for 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm.
The coalition will be sending out legislative advocacy bulletins to General Assembly legislators and stakeholders weekly, and we encourage members to participate in these efforts of joint advocacy in protecting and preserving our mental health service delivery system.
If you would like to join the coalition or have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp.
Join the Meeting
Meeting ID: 211 809 369 905 4
Passcode: vx7LQ2iS
Dial in by phone
+1 689-206-0441,,217672043# United States, Orlando
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 217 672 043#
RCPA Member Orientation Webinar on July 10
RCPA is excited to host a membership benefits webinar on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 10:00 am, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that occur throughout the year.
Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Items we will review include the below and much more:
- Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
- Discuss the 2025 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
- Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
- View the RCPA member-only website;
- Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
- Understand the value of the National Association and ANCOR memberships included with RCPA membership.
Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.
RCPA Requests Support for PAC Silent Auction
RCPA is excited to once again host the RCPA PAC silent auction, which will be held in conjunction with the 2025 RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive. The silent auction will take place outside Connections Hall, and we are looking to attract the attention of over 700 attendees, including registrants, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors. The money raised helps to support the RCPA PAC; these funds provide financial support to state legislators who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our issues and priorities.
We are requesting your consideration in assisting us by providing a donation of an auction item. We are hoping to secure a variety of items that will be enticing to all members. All donations are greatly appreciated and can be something as simple as a gift certificate for a restaurant to a basket of sorts (candy, movie night, grilling items, cooking theme, etc.). We are also accepting items such as jewelry, designer handbags, tickets to college or professional sporting events, golf items, and sports memorabilia.
Please contact Christine Tartaglione by August 25, 2025, if you would like to donate any items. Thank you for your consideration of our request. We hope we can count on your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Sign On: Oppose Cuts to Medicaid & Marketplace Health Coverage in House Budget Bill
RCPA, in its partnership with the PA Health Access Network (PHAN), is asking organizations to consider signing on to their new letter, which opposes cuts to Medicaid and Pennie. The latest proposal in Congress would take healthcare away from 600,000 Pennsylvanians who receive their coverage through Medicaid or Pennie. This is a separate letter than was previously shared with members in February; we ask your organization to join PHAN and show your opposition to potential cuts. This new communication reflects some of the specific areas that will be impacted.
Enter your information to publicly sign on to the letter on behalf of your organization. Please note: this sign-on page is for organizations only. Please contact Bill England with any questions or if you do not want to be listed publicly.
RCPA continues its state and federal advocacy efforts for state mental health funding and preserving Medicaid funding. If you are interested in joining the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp.
Thank you for all you do in working to preserve Pennsylvania’s healthcare.
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