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Children's Services

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May is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week background template. Holiday concept. use to background, banner, placard, card, and poster design template with text inscription and standard color.
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week in 2026 is observed from May 3–9, focusing on reducing stigma, promoting protective factors, and increasing access to care. The week highlights the importance of supporting the emotional wellbeing of children, youth, and families through community, education, and professional resources. Together, we can create environments where every child feels seen, supported, and able to thrive. Here are some examples on how to access resources and get involved, courtesy of Children’s Mental Health Matters in Maryland.

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The Office of Child Development & Early Learning notified all County Early Intervention (EI) programs and providers regarding next steps for past claims that failed the auto-correction to update payment to the new rate approved for 2025–26.

As expected, there were many ICNs that failed the Mass Claims Adjustment. The Bureau has prepared a document for each EI program to distribute to their contracted providers. The document includes the provider’s name, the original ICN that did not successfully mass adjust, and the Error Status Codes (ESC) that prevented the claim adjustment. EI Programs should work together with providers to resolve these claims errors. After successful resolution of the claims error, providers will be responsible for performing their own claims adjustment for the claims that failed the Mass Claims Adjustment.

Next Steps:

  1. EI County Programs can access their document within DocuShare using these instructions: OCDEL – Bureau of Early Intervention Services- Infant/Toddler & Preschool General Information – PROGRAM NAME – Adhoc Query Results.
  2. EI county programs should immediately download the file and share each provider’s information separately. DO NOT forward the entire document to all providers.
  3. EI providers and county programs should work together to resolve the claims errors.
  4. EI providers will submit their own claims adjustment according to timelines. It is recommended that claims are prioritized by date of service, focusing on July and August claims first and then moving to claims later within the 2025/26 fiscal year.

Resource documentation regarding ESCs that resulted in the failed Mass Claims Adjustment is available by accessing the Learning Management System within this course: PELICAN EI Provider: Financial Management.

Moving forward:

  1. Using the newly published Fiscal Year 2025/26 Fee Schedule – file NEW claims on or after 3/9/26 that contain a date of service on or after 7/1/25.
  2. Using the newly published Fiscal Year 2025/26 Fee Schedule – adjust claims filed on or after 3/9/26 that contain a date of service on or after 7/1/25 if the OLD fee schedule was used.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

OCDEL reminds providers of the timely filling of all claims. The regulation at 55 Pa. Code § 1101.68 (relating to invoicing for services) establishes requirements for submitting claims for services rendered. Early Intervention evaluations, IFSP services, and Service Coordination claims are all required to follow this regulation.

  1. A provider shall submit original or initial invoices to be received by the Department within a maximum of 180 days after the date the services were rendered or compensable items provided.

Resubmission of a rejected original claim or a claim adjustment shall be received by the Department within 365 days of the date of service.

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Grant funding symbol. Beautiful wooden table. Business financing and grants concept. Copy space.

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.

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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.

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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

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Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

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.

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Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

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.

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