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Children's Services

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

With the completion of the training for the Cost Report and Personnel Roster documents, it is time to begin completing both, as the deadline is set for January 16, 2024. Completed documents should be uploaded using the PA EI Rate Study website’s “Submit Data” tab.

The following resources are available on the PA EI Rate Study website:

  • Cost Report and Personnel Roster Workbooks;
  • Cost Report and Personnel Roster Instructions;
  • Cost Report and Personnel Roster FAQ; and
  • Cost Report and Personnel Roster Recorded Training.

Questions about next steps? Attend a Cost Report and Personnel Roster Office Hour. Available time slots are listed below:

If you have any questions, please send them electronically or contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Thursday, February 8, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MST, 10:00 am – 11:00 am PST

Please join us as the IPRC hosts special guests from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. They will discuss practical strategies rehabilitation clinicians can employ to optimize care for Autistic individuals in medical settings.

Meghan Keenan, MOT, OTR/L
Meghan Keenan is a Senior Occupational Therapist and an Occupational Therapy Site Manager for the Greenspring Campus at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. She graduated with a Masters of Occupational Therapy from Temple University in 2004 and is currently working on her post profession doctorate at the University of Montana. While she has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, for the past 14 years, she has specialized in providing care for Autistic children at Kennedy Krieger Institute through the Center for Autism and Related Disorders. Meghan is passionate about caregiver training for the families she works with and eliminating barriers to care, so patients and their families can successfully engage in meaningful occupations.

Jessica Pontius, MS, CCC-SLP
Jessica Pontius is a Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in diagnostics and treatment of Autism, particularly in toddlerhood through adolescence. She graduated with her Master of Sciences in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University in 2021. Jessica’s primary areas of interest are in early childhood diagnostics and adolescent executive functioning and literacy. She currently works in the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Implement strategies to support communication needs of Autistic individuals;
  • Provide communicative support to Autistic patients to promote patient-centered care;
  • Implement interaction strategies when caring for Autistic individuals;
  • Implement environmental accommodations to support sensory and motor needs of Autistic individuals;
  • Provide support to family for self-care needs during a hospital or clinic stay; and
  • Identify the need for a safety plan.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all members of the rehabilitation team including medical staff, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, licensed psychologists, mental health professionals, and other interested professionals.

Level: Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

Register

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The PA Provider Advocacy Coalition, an organization that constitutes a variety of PA providers and advocates across all fields, recently sent a letter to the Shapiro Administration regarding the FY 2024/25 budget. RCPA signed onto the letter, which calls for rate adjustments and investments in Medicaid services in order to address the current workforce crisis. The Coalition states in the letter:

We recognize that addressing these workforce challenges will require a sustained, coordinated, multi-faceted public and private sector response. Earlier this year, our coalition met with representatives of your administration to recommend the creation of a Health Care Workforce Council to help lead this multiyear effort. However, there is one aspect of this overall problem that is relatively straightforward—chronic underpayment by the Medical Assistance program.

RCPA will continue to keep our members informed of updates. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

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RCPA recently joined over a dozen PA associations in delivering a joint letter to the Shapiro Administration requesting investments be made in behavioral health services for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 budget. As noted in the letter, which was compiled by the PA Provider Advocacy Coalition:

The mental health system all too often is unable to deliver the right care, at the right time and in the right setting. We recognize that there is no simple fix and that a sustained, multiyear effort by all stakeholders—the commonwealth, counties, providers, insurers, and advocates—is necessary to rebuild and create a mental health system for the 21st century.

RCPA will continue to keep our members informed of updates. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

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Thursday, January 18, 2024
10:30 am – 11:30 am EST; 9:30 am – 10:30 am CST;
8:30 am – 9:30 am MST; 7:30 am – 8:30 am PST
Register

Jo Barta, MD
Analise Ludwig, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA
Graham Scheck, PhD, CCC-SLP

Speaker/Panelist Bios:

Jo Barta, MD

Dr. Barta is a self-proclaimed “triple gopher,” having completed her undergrad, Medical School, and residency training all at the University of Minnesota. She went on to pursue a fellowship in Craniofacial & Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital & University of Washington before being recruited back to the Twin Cities. She is currently the division leader for the Craniofacial & Pediatric Plastic Surgery team at Gillette Children’s Hospital, St. Paul, MN, and a surgeon for the cleft and craniofacial team at the University of MN.

Dr. Barta is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She holds an academic position as an adjunct and associate professor for the University of Minnesota Medical School and is actively involved with many national and international societies for cleft and craniofacial care. She enjoys running, volunteering on surgical trips, traveling, and spending time with family.

Analise Ludwig, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA

Dr. Ludwig is an Audiologist with a Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Minnesota and a Certification of Clinical Competency in Audiology. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She participates in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, and the American Academy of Audiology, and she is a former president of the Minnesota Academy of Audiology. She has participated as a member of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Speech-Language and Audiology Advisory Council.

Dr. Ludwig’s goal is to provide comprehensive, flexible, and family-centered audiologic care. She works collaboratively with children, adults, and their caregivers to maximize hearing ability so patients can engage in and enjoy everyday life. In her free time, Dr. Ludwig enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and chihuahuas, playing the violin, cooking Italian food, and running.

Graham Schenck, PhD, CCC-SLP

Dr. Schenck is a Craniofacial Speech Scientist and Outpatient Lead SLP at Gillette Children’s in St. Paul, MN. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Graham has over eleven years of clinical and research experience in cleft palate and craniofacial differences. He specializes in the assessment and treatment of resonance disorders, speech sound disorders, and feeding/swallowing disorders across the lifespan. Graham’s current research lines include MRI and 3D imaging to evaluate the velopharyngeal complex and examining the efficacy of NMES dysphagia treatment in children with cerebral palsy.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Define, identify, and briefly describe complex medical diagnoses that require multidisciplinary care from an accredited craniofacial team;
  • Describe typical craniofacial team composition and roles of team providers (e.g., plastic-craniofacial surgery, speech-language pathology, and audiology); and
  • Describe surgical and rehabilitation pathways for medically complex patients with craniofacial differences, including functional restoration of anatomy, airway management, and principles of feeding, speech, and hearing assessment and treatment.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all members of the rehabilitation team, including medical staff, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, licensed psychologists, mental health professionals, and other interested professionals.

Level: Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

Register

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Image by succo from Pixabay

**Editor’s note: This story contains references to sexual abuse, domestic violence, and murders of children.

When a child development professional first told Inaya that they would be filing a Childline report on behalf of her toddler, she felt both relieved and terrified.

The Pittsburgh mother of one was fearful her then-husband would hurt her child once she disclosed the abuse, but her worry poured out to the child development professional. “One weekend I broke down before her because of what had been happening, and she then told me that, ‘You and your daughter are no longer safe here,’” said Inaya, whose real name is being withheld out of concern that publicity might result in negative consequences.

View the full article here.

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Villanova, PA – December 6, 2023 – Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, one
of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of behavioral healthcare, today announced Clarence D. “Clay” Armbrister has been elected chair of the organization’s National Board of Trustees at the organization’s November meeting.

A trustee since 2013, Armbrister most recently held the role of co-chair of the Board.

“For the past 10 years, Devereux has benefitted from Clay’s expertise in the areas of education, finance, law and government. We also continue to innovate and enhance our programs and services as a result of Clay’s invaluable guidance as a beloved Devereux parent and family member,” said Devereux President and CEO Carl E. Clark II. “His steadfast commitment to our organization – and the individuals and families we serve – is nothing short of inspiring.”

“I look forward to working with Clay in this new capacity to continue advancing our mission and providing the highest quality and most compassionate care for the children, adolescents and adults we support every day,” Clark added.

Devereux requires its National Board of Trustees to include a minimum of five family members, which ultimately helps inform and enrich the Devereux Family Standard. This standard is Devereux’s touchstone principle which demands that, at all times, its programs, practice settings and systems of care match the high levels of quality and compassion of those we would choose for our own family members. Currently, six national Trustees are also Devereux family members.

“I am humbled and honored to be entrusted to help lead an organization that has been so important to our family,” said Armbrister, whose son began receiving educational services through Devereux’s former Kanner Learning Center (now Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services) in 1997, and currently receives support from Devereux’s Pennsylvania Adult Services center. “My family and I feel very confident in Devereux, its mission and its future. I will continue to look to my fellow Trustees, and Devereux’s management team, for their leadership and guidance to set and execute the strategic vision for the organization, making sure we deliver on its policies and practices, none of which are more important than the Devereux Family Standard.”

Armbrister assumes the role of chairman of the Board from Christopher D. Butler, who moved into the role of co-chair. “I am incredibly grateful for Chris’ thoughtful and insightful leadership, service and camaraderie during his six years as chairman,” noted Clark. “His vision and outstanding service to our organization have made a significant and positive impact across our entire continuum of care, and I am excited to continue working with Chris as co-chair of our Board.”

About Clarence D. “Clay” Armbrister

Clarence D. “Clay” Armbrister holds more than 40 years of leadership experience across
the private and public sectors. He has served at all levels of education, including senior administrative and leadership positions at several universities and colleges. In addition to his background in education, Armbrister has held executive positions in law, government and finance.

Most recently, Armbrister was the 14th president of Johnson C. Smith University, from 2018 until his retirement in 2023. He began his professional career in 1982 at the Philadelphia law firm of Saul, Ewing Remick & Saul, working his way up to partner. Armbrister left the firm in 1994 to become Philadelphia city treasurer under former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. From 1996 to 1998, he worked for the Philadelphia School District as managing director, fulfilling the roles of both chief financial officer and chief operating officer, He returned to the private sector in 1999 with PaineWebber (now UBS), advancing to the position of director in the Municipal Securities Group.

Armbrister’s strong belief in the transformative powers of education prompted him to join Temple University in 2003, where he advanced to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer. From there, he held the following positions in education leadership: senior vice president and chief of staff at Johns Hopkins University (2011), and president of Girard College (2012 to 2018). He also was an adjunct faculty member at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. In addition, Armbrister served as former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter’s chief of staff, from 2008 to 2011.

Armbrister earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. His long history of board and volunteer service, in addition to Devereux, includes serving on the boards of: Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HASI), and Jefferson Health Plans, Inc. Armbrister previously served as board president of the National Adoption Center and a board member of the Community College of Philadelphia. When Armbrister practiced law, he was a member of the following organizations: American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, National Association of Securities Professionals and Government Finance Officers Association.

About Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations, providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912, Devereux operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives of tens of thousands of children, adults – and their families – every year. The organization’s unique approach combines evidence-based interventions with compassionate family engagement.

With nearly 6,500 employees working in programs across the country, Devereux is a trusted partner for families, schools and communities, serving many of our country’s most vulnerable populations in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and foster care. For more than a century, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health has been guided by a simple and enduring mission: To change lives by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive differences.

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