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Children's Services

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will be hosting a two-part Mental Health Awareness Event next Monday, May 23, 2022.

This two-part event will kick off with a press conference with Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead and OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Kristen Houser in the Capitol Media Room at 10:00 am. Afterwards, the Dennis Marion Award Ceremony and State Hospital Staff Recognition will take place at Strawberry Square at 1:00 pm.

Please see the flyer for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

RCPA will be hosting our 2022 Capitol Day on Tuesday, May 24. We will have a press conference/rally on the steps of the Capitol outside the Main Rotunda between 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm.  RCPA requests members schedule appointments with their Senate and House legislators to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations, and we have created a one-pager with talking points for members to utilize in their meetings.

Parking and maps can be found on the Pennsylvania Capitol website. If you have questions regarding our 2022 Capitol Day, please contact Jack Phillips.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been sharing information and bringing awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. This new long-term program can assist individuals who use telehealth services to help lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service.

The ACP provides:

  • Up to $30/month discount for broadband service;
  • Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying tribal lands; and
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The ACP is limited to 1 monthly service discount and 1 device discount per household.

Who’s Eligible?

An individual’s household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if a member of the household meets at least 1 of the criteria outlined on the FCC’s website.

Individuals can enroll in two steps by:

  1. Going to ACPBenefit to apply online or print a mail-in application; and
  2. Contacting their preferred participating ACP provider to select a plan, who will apply the discount to the patient’s bill.

Some ACP providers may request individuals to complete an alternative application. Eligible households must apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

For Additional Information: