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Children's Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced some upcoming changes to their website that will change the way individuals access licensing resources online. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website is undergoing a wholesale redesign and migration in stages. The redesign is intended to highlight and create ease of access for all Commonwealth of Pennsylvania resources. The launch date for the DHS site is tentatively scheduled for May 28, 2024.

Due to the nature of the redesign/migration, all web addresses (URL) will change. Most of the web links you currently use to access licensing resources will automatically redirect, but some links, particularly those linking to or from PDF documents, may cease to work. A search function is included in the new website to assist in locating resources that may be lost due to URL changes.

The Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) will send additional communication after the full impact of changes related to the new website have been assessed. In the meantime, online search engines can help locate resources. You can also email for assistance.

RCPA recently signed two letters, one to Governor Shapiro and one to the PA Department of Human Services (DHS), alongside dozens of other organizations and the Pennsylvania Community Health Worker Collaborative (PACHW) regarding the state’s plan for an amendment to authorize payments for Community Health Worker services under Pennsylvania State Medicaid. The letters outlined several key features PACHW wished to highlight regarding these payments, including:

  • Requesting DHS set “an equitable and adequate” reimbursement rate;
  • The creation of a Community Health Worker provider type; and
  • Recognizing Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) as a primary diagnosis code.

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has launched MyOMHSAS, its enterprise learning management system, providing tailored training modules and resources on behavioral health topics. Accessible to everyone, MyOMHSAS offers courses like Suicide Prevention in Care Management, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, Transgender Resources, and Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP)/System of Care (SOC), with more modules planned for the future, such as Anti-Ageist Practices, Cultural Humility, and Working with LGBTQ+ in the Community.

To access training modules, users need to register and log in on the MyOMHSAS website. For inquiries or suggestions, contact OMHSAS via email. If you have additional questions, contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Press Release from Angler West Consultants, Inc.

May 13, 2024 — Inperium, Inc. and Resources for Human Development (“RHD”), multi-state nonprofit providers of behavioral health and other social support services, have agreed to affiliate and create one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services networks, spanning eighteen states. In its first year, the combined enterprise is expected to generate $800 million in annual revenues.

Inperium will invest in RHD to advance its mission, and the parties will combine their administrative operations to generate economies of scale and enhance overall performance. The affiliation is expected to close the third quarter of 2024 following the regulatory approvals. In the interim, pursuant to a Transitional Services Agreement, Inperium will deliver services to enhance RHD’s operational and financial performance.

Jay Deppeler, Interim Chief Executive Officer of RHD, commented: “I and the other members of the RHD management team look forward with great anticipation to this next chapter in the evolution of this extraordinary nonprofit organization. Inperium is one of the fastest growing nonprofits in America with an impressive record of consistently exceptional performance. Combining the RHD and Inperium service networks will enhance the continuum of care for the people we support. I commend and thank the RHD Board for the enormous energy and determination it invested to lead this transformational undertaking to a successful conclusion.”

Ryan D. Smith, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Inperium, explained: “Inperium creates opportunities for mission-driven human services providers like RHD to grow and innovate by providing them with capital and state-of-the art infrastructure, which in turn enables Inperium’s affiliates to devote all their focus on providing best-in-class supports and services to vulnerable and underserved populations. Our affiliation with RHD represents a defining moment and a major next step in expanding the scope, scale, and success of the Inperium network. As we approach our tenth year of operations, our affiliation pipeline remains robust, and I expect to announce additional affiliations in the near term, including Inperium’s inaugural affiliation on the West Coast.”


About Angler West Consultants

Angler West is an intermediary that assists nonprofit consolidators in the execution of acquisition and divestiture programs involving specialty healthcare and human services organizations. Founded in 1996, Angler West has the transaction experience and industry relationships to help your company grow profitably.

Angler West Consultants, Inc.
J. Kevin Fee, President
Phone: 215-630-8336
Email

Keep Your Providers Happy and Thriving With Going Back to In-Office Care
Monday, June 10, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Register Here

Join RCPA Partner Eleos Health on June 10 for a webinar focusing on recruiting and retaining staff across behavioral health in PA. Andrew Schimitt from Gaudeniza will join Eleos to share insights around how implementing Eleos has helped increase staff satisfaction. We will also show a brief demonstration of Eleos to see it live in action!

Webinar attendees will:

  • Evaluate how Eleos Health’s augmented intelligence can help to address top workforce challenges while improving care;
  • Witness Eleos live in action through a brief demonstration; and
  • Apply lessons learned from Gaudenzia to their own organization.

Register today!

Monday, June 3, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT;

11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT

In response to member interest, the IPRC is launching an additional Multi-disciplinary Clinical Work Group on treating infants with medical complexity.

The group will:

  • Meet regularly (frequency/dates to be determined by group);
  • Share, compile, and create resources;
  • Serve as a springboard for problem solving;
  • Share case studies and additional education;
  • Provide an email list of colleagues at member organizations doing similar work for  questions and outreach purposes; and
  • Be open to providers from all disciplines.

The introductory meeting is Monday, June 3, 2024. Additional meeting dates and future schedule is to be determined.

Are you interested in joining this work group?

Contact IPRC Director, Cindi Hobbes, for meeting information.

The Juvenile Court Judges Commission (JCJC) is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Professional and Youth Award Programs, with the awards ceremony taking place at the James E. Anderson Pennsylvania Conference on Juvenile Justice from November 6–7, 2024, at the Hilton Harrisburg. Professional awards include the Residential Program of the Year, Community-Based Program of the Year, and the Meritorious Service Award for notable service to at-risk youth and advancements in juvenile justice. Youth awards comprise the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Creative Expression Contest, which features categories like Poster, Written (essay, poem, story), and Mixed Media (dance, song, audio, video, photography), themed “The Real Story: My Battle, My Strength.” Nominations are due by July 29, 2024.

For more information or to nominate, visit the JCJC website. You can also contact Angel Stewart at 717-783-7835 or via email, or Keysla Rodriguez at 717-783-6263 or via email.

If you have any other questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.