National Study on Children’s Liability Insurance Released; RCPA Exploring Possible Captive/Risk Retention Solutions
The Tragic Consequences of PA’s Failed Mental Health System
Engage With National Leaders at the 2025 RCPA Annual Conference!
RCPA may be based in Pennsylvania, but our conference covers topics and features speakers from across the country! Register today, join us at the Hershey Lodge September 9 – 12, 2025, and reserve your room online while the room block is available. By registering, you gain the opportunity to engage with these provocative keynote speakers as they touch on topics that affect all facets of health and human services across the nation:
- Karen Weeks, Founder of Shine at Work, will analyze how to create an organizational culture that supports people’s wellbeing;
- Judge Victor Reyes, Retired Judge and Master Life Coach, will define mindfulness and evaluate its impact in leadership roles;
- Michael Cohen, Duane Morris LLP, will provide insights on how to make one’s workplace open and accessible for as many as possible to prevent workplace harassment;
- Kory Shrum, Bestselling Author and Podcast Host, will deconstruct common self-care myths and provide a practical framework for sustainable self-care practices; and
- Donna Martin, Vice President, State Partnerships & Innovation, ANCOR, and Mohini Venkatesh, Chief of Staff, Strategic Leadership, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, will dive into national trends in health and human services policies and workforce issues.
View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule and speakers. Be sure to check the RCPA Conference website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors. Register today!
In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! We are grateful to all our sponsors and exhibitors who help make the conference happen. 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.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors! We are grateful for your support!
Take Advantage of Early Bird Rates for the 2025 RCPA Annual Conference!
RCPA’s 2025 Conference Strive to Thrive will be held in Hershey September 9 – 12, 2025. Early bird rates for registration end August 8! Be sure to register today and take advantage of the early bird rates!
RCPA is proud to host those who lead PA in health and human services at our Annual Conference. This year, DHS Secretary Valerie Arkoosh will be presenting as our kickoff plenary speaker on September 9. Throughout the week, we will hear updates from various departments and leaders of DHS, including:
- ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens;
- OLTL Deputy Secretary Juliet Marsala;
- DDAP Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus; and
- OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Jennifer Smith.
View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule and speakers. You can also register directly here. Be sure to check the RCPA Conference website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors.
In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! We are grateful to all our sponsors and exhibitors who help make the conference happen. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, all information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. You can contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors! We thank you for your support!
OCYF Announces ACF Title IV-E Federal Review for PA
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Children’s Bureau will be conducting a Title IV-E Federal Review for Pennsylvania (PA) in July of 2026. These reviews are mandatory every three (3) years and includes a systematic monitoring of the Title IV-E Foster Care Program. This program provides the cost of foster care maintenance, administrative expenses to manage the program, and training for staff and foster parents. PA’s period under review (PUR) will begin this October 1 and last through March 31, 2026. A random sample of 100 cases of youth in Foster Care will be selected.
In essence, the review considers:
- Judicial determinations regarding reasonable efforts and child’s best interest;
- Timely court hearings and determinations;
- Voluntary placement agreements;
- Responsibility for placement and care vested with state agency;
- Eligibility for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) under the state plan in effect July 16, 1996;
- Placement in a licensed foster family home or child-care institution; and
- Safety requirements for the child’s foster care placement.
What does this mean for you? The Children’s Bureau will review County and Provider case files of the selected child and all their placement detail. The records must be able to show compliance with Federal Regulations as well as the Child Protective Services Law. The review includes the licensing of all agencies with particular attention on:
- Criminal Clearances for all staff, including those who are not child serving and those who are no longer employed;
- No lapse in licensing where Title IV-E claims were made (particularly in single foster homes);
- Fingerprints provided prior to the licensing date;
- Safety Considerations document for staff and foster parents with criminal charges or critical incidents;
- All trainings required for staff and foster parents having been completed; and
- Clearances for Household Members by 30 days after their 18 birthday.
As such, on August 4, 2025, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, OCYF will be offering a virtual training option to learn more about this review. OCYF will complete the following:
- Review details expected during the review;
- Brainstorm PA’s strengths and areas in need of improvement;
- Create tools to ease document collection; and
- Address communication gaps.
To register for this virtual training option, please fill out the form here. Please note that the form mentions an in-person option, but OCYF will now only be offering the virtual option.
Please feel free to contact Caitlin Robinson with any questions regarding the registration of this training. Thank you in advance for your participation in this meeting. OCYF appreciates your partnership and cooperation as they move closer to critical audit for PA.
Reminder: Developing a Multi-State, Multi-Diagnosis Youth Advisory Council — Webinar on August 6
Hearing All Perspectives: The Development of a Multi-State, Multi-Diagnosis Youth Advisory Council
Free RCPA Members-Only Webinar
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register Here
This presentation will discuss the formation of a novel and innovative version of a standard Youth Advisory Council (YAC). This particular YAC adds a twist to the traditional means of involving youth by creating a council combining voices of individuals served who have two very different diagnoses: those with an emotional/behavioral disorder (EBD) and those with an autism/intellectual disability (ASD/IDD). Spanning across three states, this internal YAC has been established to hear the voices of and to teach leadership principles and skills to those who are receiving the services offered by Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.
Presenters:
- Amy Kelly, MBA, MNM, National Director of Family Engagement, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
- Judy Starr, JD, Deputy General Counsel, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:
- Describe the value of constituents’ voices from services and programs provided, regardless of individual communication type, cognitive ability, or diagnosis;
- Discuss how to engage leadership and staff to support and sponsor a youth/constituent advisory council; and
- List some “lessons from the journey” with do’s and don’ts when developing a youth advisory council.
Certificates of attendance are available to RCPA members who attend this webinar; anyone interested in a certificate should contact Cathy Barrick. To apply for CEs, you will need to register for the RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive and indicate you attended the webinar in your CE packet, which will be made available on the mobile app.
Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for details, or visit the RCPA Conference website for information on workshops, sponsors, exhibitors, and more!
Pennsylvania Nears Finish to Enter Counseling Interstate Compact
The Intensive Model of Therapy — IPRC Webinar on September 4
The Intensive Model of Therapy for Children With Neurological or Movement Disorders
Thursday, September 4, 2025
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
Presenter Bio: Amy O’Donnell
Amy O’Donnell is a pediatric physical therapist at The Children’s Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Washington & Jefferson College and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. Amy joined The Children’s Institute in 2012 and has since specialized in pediatric physical therapy care.
Her first exposure to the intensive therapy model came during her student training, and she became actively involved in the program following its expansion to her clinic location in 2014. In 2019, she was named the program coordinator. Amy has co-authored both qualitative and quantitative research articles on the Intensity Program at The Children’s Institute, with both publications appearing in Pediatric Physical Therapy journal.
Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:
- Define and discuss benefits of episodic care and family centered care;
- Define and discuss benefits of intensive therapy model; and
- Discuss different types of intensive therapy models and strategies to implement into your clinic.
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.
National MLTSS Health Plan Association Submits Comments on Provider Taxes Proposed Rule
On July 14, the National MLTSS Health Plan Association submitted comments on the “Preserving Medicaid Funding for Vulnerable Population – Closing a Health Care-Related Tax Loophole” proposed rule. Per the Association:
This rule proposes to refine how CMS evaluates whether a health care-related tax is considered “generally redistributive.”
In our comments, we noted that we appreciate CMS’ efforts to strengthen the oversight and quality of Medicaid programs but raised concerns about the timelines and administrative burden on states, as well as the potential impact on individuals receiving long term-services and supports (LTSS).
The recommendations included:
- Extending the transition period to three years for all states.
- Providing clear implementation guidance and technical assistance to states.
- Postponing finalization of the rule until further research and data analysis on provider-related taxes and impacts are conducted.
Read the full letter here.
In Pennsylvania, this rule would impact participants’ funding of approximately $1B in federal matching funds for HealthChoices, Community HealthChoices, and Behavioral HealthChoices. No immediate action is required. If you have any questions, contact Fady Sahhar.
News Updates from RCPA Member Children’s Service Center of Wyoming Valley
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