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RCPA is eager to support our partner, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC), with Casey Family Programs as they look to facilitate community engagement sessions aimed at elevating the lived experiences of those parents and caregivers who have been involved with the Child Welfare System. The purpose would be to learn what policies and practices can focus on primary prevention, family support, and reduction of out-of-home placement. PPC is looking to identify providers who have access to parents and caregivers with a history of formal involvement with the child welfare system through either a referral, in-home services, or placement. The parent or caregiver cannot have current involvement with a county child welfare agency.
The focus group would be coordinated between the provider and PPC and would take approximately 2 hours. Parents and caregivers will be compensated for their time.
We hope our members can support PPC efforts in engaging potential parents in this initiative. If interested, or if you have any questions, contact Policy Director Rachael Miller or RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
A message from the Department of Human Services (DHS):
Attention Personal Care Services (PCS) and Home Health Care Services (HHCS) Providers:
DHS would like to announce that the Alternate EVV Technical Specifications and updated Sandata Alternate EVV Error Handling Overview and Reference Guide are available online for your review prior to the upcoming Alternate EVV Town Hall on April 11, 2022, at 1:00 pm ET (visit here to register). There will be a second session held May 27, 2022, at 12:00 pm ET for any additional questions that may arise.
All Alternate EVV vendors will need to be certified following the new Alternate EVV Technical Specifications published March 30, 2022. Vendors are expected to review the technical specifications document in its entirety and submit any questions during your registration to the Alternate EVV Town Hall.
If a vendor is not certified (due to being new to EVV) or recertified, the EVV visits will not be accepted for any provider agency the vendor supports. For PCS, the claims or encounters will deny because visit data would not be accepted as a result of the vendor not being recertified.
DHS recommends providers work with their EVV vendor to complete system updates to allow for sufficient time to complete integration testing and the recertification process prior to the Sandata EVV Release. The deployment date is currently expected to be on June 15, 2022. Any changes to this date will be communicated in a future Listserv. The initial certification process can be lengthy, and vendors should prepare accordingly. The minimum recommended time is 7.5 business weeks.
Further contact information for recertification will be provided at the Alternate EVV Town Hall on April 11, 2022.
The Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has released the following bulletin that applies to county mental health/intellectual and developmental disability (MH/ID) administrators, base service units (BSU), mental health review officers, county crisis intervention programs, and hospital emergency departments.
The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify the part of the Mental Health Procedures Act (MHPA) referring to the involuntary commitment process under Section 302 and the 120-hour limitation on holding a consumer for involuntary emergency examination and treatment.
If you have any questions, please call 717-772-7900 or contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Join RCPA as we host the 2022 Annual Conference: Together, October 11–14, at the Hershey Lodge. RCPA staff and the Conference Committee are excited to release this year’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers brochure, with new opportunities to get in on the action. Booth self-selection will be back this year for the exhibitors and exhibiting sponsors who submit their contracts with payment by April 29. In order to be considered for self-selection, a completed contract with payment must be submitted.
Don’t miss your chance to be seen and to support the work of this dynamic organization! The event is a highlight for the Pennsylvania mental health, drug and alcohol, intellectual and developmental disabilities, children’s, brain injury, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities.
Connections Hall Brings Us Together
Exhibit activities take place during the two busiest days of the conference, with many networking opportunities throughout the event. Check out the Connections Hall web page for more details!
Exciting New Sponsorship Opportunities
The association is privileged to have the backing of the finest organizations in the field for our conference. Through the use of sponsorship circles, RCPA is able to honor all supporting organizations. Visit the Sponsors page to view opportunities and available sponsorship circles!
Sign Up Now
The deadline for inclusion in all digital materials is August 11. Sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must adhere to that deadline. The association looks forward to welcoming you at the conference! Space and opportunities are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservation is considered complete without payment. If questions remain, please contact Sarah Eyster or Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinators.