Register Now for the DHS Autism and the Justice System In-Person Forum April 29
Immigration Enforcement Advisory for Health Care and Social Services Facilities
Message from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS):
Under the current federal administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS) has lifted restrictions that previously prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from carrying out immigration enforcement actions, including arrests, in protected areas such as medical and behavioral health care facilities and social services establishments. It is now possible that U.S. DHS may attempt to conduct immigration enforcement activities in these settings.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, along with the departments of Aging, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Health, has prepared a non-regulatory advisory to provide general information about federal law applicable to immigration enforcement activities at health care and social services facilities. We also advise facility leadership and counsel to develop a written policy and standard operating procedures for what to do if immigration enforcement agents arrive on facility property or seek information about individuals you serve for immigration enforcement reasons.
In developing these policies and procedures, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services advises that you consider:
- Designating legal and administrative point person(s) by name and phone number who will interact with immigration agents and review legal documents;
- Planning for how your facility will respond to requests for information, requests to enter non-public spaces to conduct an arrest, and immigration enforcement activity in public spaces;
- Engaging in advance with stakeholders and necessary resources; and
- Minimizing disruption to individuals served.
This advisory does not provide legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney or accredited representative for legal questions about a specific situation.
Thank you for your service to Pennsylvania.
National Council Shares Overview of Survey on HR 1 Impacts
DHS Releases 2026/27 Blue Book; RCPA Shares Divisional Analysis
CHCS Shares Federal Rural Health Transformation Plan Resources
RCPA has been a long-time partner of the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), a policy design and implementation organization devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. Our collaborative efforts across the arena of Medicaid and the pending impacts of HR 1 remain a critical connection point to ensure access in Pennsylvania.
On behalf of CHCS, RCPA would like to share this update on resources related to the Rural Health Transformation Project. Per the update:
The federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), authorized under the 2025 budget reconciliation act (P.L. 119-21), will distribute $50 billion to all 50 states from 2026 to 2030 — serving as a partial offset to Medicaid cuts. In designing and launching RHTP plans, state agencies must meet ambitious federal expectations and timelines. Experiences from other large-scale statewide efforts — such as the American Rescue Plan Act, Opioid Settlement Funds, multisector plans for aging (MPA), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) State Innovation Models (SIM) demonstration — can help inform state planning.
This brief provides practical recommendations to help states establish the administrative infrastructure needed to implement their RHTP plans. Drawing on insights from state officials involved with similar transformation efforts, as well as the Center for Health Care Strategies’ (CHCS) experience supporting this work, the brief highlights best practices and common pitfalls across four core domains:
- Governance;
- Stakeholder engagement and communications;
- Budget tracking, reporting, and contracting; and
- Data and evaluation.
While not exhaustive, this brief outlines practical lessons that state staff can use to guide RHTP activities during the critical first six to nine months of program design and implementation, helping states build a strong foundation for long-term success.
Additionally, CHCS published a series of tip sheets to aid stakeholders in exploring strategies and initiatives within the project. The tip sheets offer resources for strengthening rural health, including workforce and access issues.
If members have any questions regarding this update or the Rural Health Transformation Plan, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp.
Share Your Strategies and “Promote Possibilities” at the 2026 RCPA Conference!
RCPA continues to seek proposals for the 2026 Annual Conference Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities, which will be held September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. RCPA’s Conference Committee is looking for workshop proposals in every area for possible inclusion, particularly those that assist providers in developing and maintaining high-quality, stable, and effective treatments, services, and agencies in an industry where change is constant. The committee looks for presentations that:
- Discuss strategies for C-Suite leadership to advance their organization with adapting to challenges and opportunities;
- Provide guidance on building a culture of a committed workforce, including recruitment and employee development as well as effective remote workforce strategies;
Highlight new policy, research, and treatment initiatives, such as the use of artificial intelligence and technology in service provision;- Provide specific skills and information related to individual and organizational leadership development and enhancement;
- Discuss advanced ethics practices and suicide prevention; and/or
- Address system changes that affect business practices, including integrated care strategies, value-based purchasing, performance-based contracting, acquisitions and mergers, and alternative payment models.
The committee welcomes any proposal that addresses these and other topics essential to brain injury, medical rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, autism, and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities. Members are encouraged to consider submitting, and we highly encourage you to forward this opportunity to those who are exceptionally good speakers and have state-of-the-art information to share.
The Call for Proposals (featuring a complete listing of focus tracks) and accompanying Guidelines for Developing Educational Objectives detail requirements for submissions. The deadline for submissions is COB Monday, March 23, 2026. Proposals must be submitted electronically with the form provided; confirmation of receipt will be sent. Proposals submitted after the deadline may not be considered.
If the proposal is accepted, individuals must be prepared to present on any day of the conference. Workshops are 90 minutes in length. If the topic requires an in-depth presentation, a double session can be scheduled for a total of 180 minutes. At the time of acceptance, presenters will be asked to confirm the ability to submit workshop slides and handouts electronically two weeks prior to the conference. Individuals unable to meet this expectation may not have their materials available to participants during the conference.
Individuals are welcome to submit more than one proposal; however, we ask that you submit no more than three total. Notification of inclusion for the conference will be made via email by Monday, May 11, 2026. Questions may be directed to Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.
RCPA Shares DHS Secretary Arkoosh Budget Presentation Overview
On Friday, February 6, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Val Arkoosh presented an overview of Governor Shapiro’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 budget and detailed the projected spending across DHS, which totals $21.94 billion in state funding. The Secretary highlighted that all three Medicaid managed care programs, as well as waiver programs for people with intellectual disabilities and autism, are receiving increases, largely driven by patient needs and costs associated with delivering care. The proposed FY 2026/27 budget includes $39.7 billion in federal funding as well as $5.6 billion from augmentations and additional programs, such as lottery and tobacco funds, making the total DHS funding $67.2 billion.
The Secretary expressed how the proposed budget reflects the direct impacts of HR 1, with significant federal funding at risk. The distribution for the 2026/27 budget is based upon the current structure of Medicaid and other federally funded programs, but the Secretary noted that beginning in 2028, changes in Medicaid financing rules will remove $20 billion from Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program over the following decade.
Budget Highlights and Investments
- Investments in Health:
- Food is Medicine: $900,000 (federalizes to $2.3 million) in state funds to launch a pilot program that will provide nutritionally appropriate food to improve quality of life and health outcomes while lowering overall health care costs for Medicaid recipients with significant health care needs.
- Housing Stability: $1 million in state funds (federalizes to $2.5 million) to launch a pilot that will connect people experiencing homelessness to stable housing and services that improve health and care management.
- Reentry Supports: $900,000 in state funds (federalizes to $2.7 million) to provide pre-release coverage (up to 90 days prior to release from a State Correctional Institution) for substance use care and intensive case management.
- Continuing ODP Multi-Year Growth Strategy: Building upon Shapiro’s 2024 multi-year strategy to expand access to home and community-based services and effectively end the emergency waiting list of adults with intellectual disabilities with autism, the proposed budget allots $30 million in state funds, which federalizes to $66.2 million. This will allow for 850 more people to be served in the Community Living Waiver and 400 more people to be served in the Consolidated Waiver.
- Supporting 988 Call Centers and Crisis Services: The proposed budget includes a $10 million investment in the crisis response workforce to help 988 call centers, as well as $5 million in state funds to continue prior year commitments for emergency behavioral walk-in centers.
- Sustaining Early Intervention Rate Increase: The Secretary stated that the EI line item in the executive budget reflects the changing state cost to run the program and not an anticipated cut in funding. The release of the DHS Blue Book will have more information about the total funding with federal match. DHS intends to keep the new, updated rates from the 2025/26 budget, and revised rates will be released soon.
- County Base Mental Health Services Funding: RCPA has confirmed that there will be no allocation increase for county base funding. While previous budgets had included $20 million for county base mental health funding, it was not included in the 2025/26 budget or the proposed 2026/27 budget.
Due to technical difficulties, DHS was unable to record the webinar, but the presentation slides and transcript can both be viewed.
Please contact your RCPA Policy Director with any questions or concerns.
RCPA 2025 Year in Review: Advancing Advocacy and Impact
RCPA remains a leading voice for Pennsylvania’s health and human services providers, advocating for policies that support access, sustainability, and quality care. The 2025 Year in Review highlights key accomplishments that reflect our collective advocacy efforts, strengthened alliances, and measurable progress toward shared priorities. These successes help ensure providers can continue delivering critical services to individuals, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.
Read RCPA’s 2025 Year in Review
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Year in Review, please contact your respective RCPA Policy Director.
Registration Open for 2026 CJAB Conference
Registration for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) 2026 CJAB Conference “Driving Change Together” is now open. The conference will be held April 21–22 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. This year’s event will bring together criminal justice, behavioral health, and treatment partners for an engaging and thought-provoking event, featuring national and local experts who will examine rethinking the criminal justice system, shifting from reactive measures to cooperative solutions to foster meaningful change.
Criminal justice advisory boards (CJAB) are local planning and problem-solving groups. PCCD supports CJABs in getting started and with assistance on strategies and project implementation.
To register for the conference and view the agendas and session descriptions, visit the 2026 CJAB Conference web page on PCCD’s website.
The deadline for the discounted room rate of $139 is Friday, March 20.
Reminder for Mental Health Safety Net Coalition Meeting on February 13
RCPA will reengage with all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition. The Coalition is focused on developing strategies, activities, and engagement opportunities to support behavioral health funding in the Commonwealth.
The Coalition will have its first meeting on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. This meeting will give the group an opportunity to review last year’s budget, Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget, and initial strategies for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27. It will also give us an opportunity to develop questions for legislators for the DHS budget hearings in late February and early March. Register for the meeting by contacting Emma Sharp, RCPA Policy Associate.
As the group continues to meet, we will develop our overall advocacy blueprint to ensure the communication of our message and stakeholder engagement is focused on protecting and preserving our mental health service delivery system.
The meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams; information will be sent to those interested in the Coalition. RCPA invites all to participate. If you would like to join the Coalition or have any questions, please contact Emma Sharp.
