';
Children's Services

An excerpt from Pennsylvania’s Suicide Prevention Month Guide Start the Conversation:

September is Suicide Prevention Month, with the week of September 8–14 identified as National Suicide Prevention Week. September 10 is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day in countries around the world. This year marks the beginning of a new three-year theme focused on changing the narrative on suicide, which involves moving beyond awareness to starting conversations and taking action. Across sectors and settings, changing the narrative requires both culture and systemic change to provide meaningful education, advocate for resources, and prioritize suicide prevention in an ongoing way.


Read the Start the Conversation guide to learn how to speak with others about suicide prevention as well as gain access to toolkits and resources.

The 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success will be certain to educate and inspire all attendees when it comes to thinking about the challenges in health and human services. Online registration closes next Friday, Sept. 13, meaning time is running out on reserving your seat and seeing our impressive lineup of speakers. View our keynote and plenary speaker schedule below, which promises a wide variety of topics and lively discussions.

Tuesday, Sept. 24:

  • Listen to a Pennsylvania State of the State from DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh, which will touch on key topics such as performance-based contracting and telehealth.

  • Learn about data modernization and implementing AI/ML-enabled Cloud technology with Carlos Rivero of AWS.

Wednesday, Sept. 25:

  • Hear from Lee Yaiva of Scottsdale (AZ) Recovery Center as he openly speaks on addiction treatment and navigating recovery as a Native American.

  • Raise your awareness of human trafficking and its impacts with Amy Thurston and Melissa Knechel of Hope Inspire Love.

Thursday, Sept. 26:

  • Fan favorite Michael Cohen returns to declare how employers can set themselves apart by going above and beyond the status quo.

  • National updates will be provided from RCPA’s Association Partners the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and ANCOR, featuring Reyna Taylor and Donna Martin, respectively.

Friday, Sept. 27:

  • Craig Dietz, who was born without limbs, will round out our conference on a high, humorous, and heartening note with tips on finding your inner potential and challenging yourself.

Register Here for the 2024 RCPA Conference 

Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, or RCPA with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hershey Lodge!

The 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success is just around the corner, with our workshops starting bright and early Tuesday, September 24. Online registration for the conference ends September 13, and by registering today, you will guarantee your early access to the mobile app and your seat in sessions addressing key topics in health and human services!
Register Here for the 2024 RCPA Conference!
View our registration brochure for complete details on the conference schedule.

In addition, due to a high volume of guests at the Hershey Lodge, RCPA has made arrangements for a special rate at the Hilton Garden Inn Hershey, located at 550 East Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036, which is less than two miles away from the Lodge. The Hilton is offering rooms to our attendees September 23 – 27 at a Nightly Group Rate of $149.00 plus 11% tax (1-2 adults; $10 each additional adult) using the group name “RCPA 2024 Conference.” Find more information at our Conference website, and please reach out to Carol Ferenz if you have questions or concerns.

Lastly, we wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors and exhibitors who make our conference possible! We can’t wait to see you in Connections Hall! You can view our current sponsors and exhibitors on the RCPA Conference website!

Shot of a smiling little boy sitting in a white chair and holding his teddy bear while talking to a child psychologist

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced the Second Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). PCBI is a unique, interactive, educational experience that will occur over a nine-month period (March 2025 – November 2025). DHS will bring speakers to engage participants in a wide range of topics designed to better support children and families with complex needs across the Commonwealth. Topics include infant mental health, leading through change, multi-systemic planning, impact of trauma on children and families, vicarious trauma among professionals, and expressive therapies.

PCBI will incorporate the voices and experience of the children and families using these supports and services at every juncture. PCBI is open to professionals across systems with an interest in learning more about supporting children with complex needs and system change.

A formal invitation with additional details and an interest survey will be distributed on September 11, 2024, and an informational webinar will be held on September 12, 2024. Each person must complete the PCBI Year 2 Interest Survey by October 9 to express interest and confirm their ability to attend all sessions.

There are a limited number of spaces available for participants. Persons submitting an interest survey will be notified through email by November 1, 2024, as to their admission status.

Please register for the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Informational webinar on September 12, 2024, at 10:00 am EDT. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

RCPA will send additional information on the survey as it becomes available.