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Criminal Justice

Online registration has officially closed for the 2024 RCPA Conference. Registrations with credit card information included may be faxed to the office at 717-364-3287 until September 20 at 5:00 pm. Registration and payment for the RCPA conference is accepted on-site at the Hershey Lodge and Conference Center, provided space and materials remain available. Questions regarding registration should be directed to Allison Brognia, Conference Registrar.

Online registration for the 2024 RCPA Conference officially closes COB today, September 13, meaning if you haven’t done so, now is your final chance to gain early access to the mobile app, reserve your seat, and guarantee your access to our exciting events!

By registering today, you will be able to network and connect with other attendees both in the mobile app and onsite. You’ll also be able to participate in our game, which will take place in Connections Hall, sponsored by Carelon. Attendees will meet and learn from our many exhibitors, whose contributions helped make this conference possible, while earning prizes and recognition. In addition, breakfast and lunch will be served in Connections Hall on Thursday, Sept. 26, giving you the opportunity to chat and relax with other attendees, speakers, and RCPA staff.

Online Registration Closes Today, Sept. 13!
Don’t Delay — Register Here!
We would like to extend a special thanks to Carelonour Connections Hall Platinum Sponsor. Thank you for your generosity!

We would also like to thank each and every sponsor and exhibitor. Without you, our conference would not be possible! You can view our current sponsors and exhibitors on the RCPA Conference website.

Audience:

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is excited to announce the Second Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). PCBI is geared toward professionals across child-serving systems that are interested in learning more about how to support young people with complex needs and their families in PA and in initiating system change.

Purpose:

The PCBI offers a unique nine month, in person, multi-disciplinary, interactive learning opportunity across the entire service partnership. The Institute’s overall goal is to increase the administrative and clinical capacity across all systems to better support these youth and their families. The PCBI curriculum will accomplish this by promoting and strengthening:

  • Clinical knowledge and understanding among participants from local, regional, and state government;
  • Clinical expertise of providers – specific to individuals with both mental/behavioral health and developmental disabilities;
  • Engagement of those with lived experience;
  • Local, regional, and state understanding of complex needs planning (organizing/facilitating/philosophy of approach);
  • Each system’s understanding of other system’s available resources, processes, setting/service types, rules, and funding; and
  • Networking across systems and regions.

The Institute will also encourage participants to explore ways to improve and change their local systems of support for children and their families. Individuals who have completed prior institutes have used this new knowledge to strengthen existing programs and create fresh approaches that achieve the best results.

PCBI will approach these objectives from an individual and systemic perspective through training, integration of knowledge into practice, and opportunities to build a statewide cohort to work together to effect change and build capacity.

Requirements:

The Pediatric Capacity Building Institute emphasizes the participation and collaboration of all participants. Structured group work participation and 100% attendance are required. Only the confirmed participant can attend PCBI; no substitutions are permitted after confirming attendance.

Interest Survey: To be considered for participation in Year 2 PCBI, please complete and submit this interest survey by October 9, 2024. Participants will be notified of their status by November 1, 2024, via email.

Discussion:

PCBI will be facilitated by two Co-Directors: Jonathan McVey, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the PA Department of Human Services and Paul DiLorenzo, ACSW, MLSP, a consultant to the Department. PCBI participants will hear from a variety of seasoned and successful speakers and practitioners who are implementing practical approaches to complex situations. The format of all sessions is designed to be highly interactive.

PCBI also strives to incorporate the lived experience of these children and families to ensure that supports and services offered are meeting the needs of families across PA. Finally, PCBI participants will join a growing network of individuals who are exploring fresh pathways to supporting children and families who are attempting to manage highly complicated situations.

The curriculum includes topics such as:

  • Infant Mental Health & Child Development
  • Trauma / Vicarious Trauma
  • Resiliency
  • Cross System Knowledge & Multisystem Planning
  • Change Management
  • Education in Non-educational Settings / Early Intervention
  • Psychiatric Diagnosis / Psychopharmacology
  • Communication / Sensory Needs
  • Diversity and Culturally Competent Support
  • Therapies / Services / Programming / Evaluation / Assessment
  • Understanding the Child and Family – Biopsychosocial Approach
  • Relational Health and Permanency Session Information, Requirements, and Confirming

Session Information, Requirements, and Confirming Attendance:

PCBI will accept 50 participants for the Year 2 Cohort. As such, each interested person must submit an interest survey by October 9, 2024. Participants will be notified of their selection status by November 1, 2024.

PCBI will meet once a month for nine months between March 2025 and November 2025, with one backup session reserved in December 2025. Each month, there are consecutive two-day sessions, in person, in Harrisburg.

The specific dates, times, and location are provided below. Participants, who are selected, will be required to register and submit a registration fee. The registration fee for the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute will be approximately $600 to $900 (we are waiting for an initial estimate), which must be paid prior to the first session in March. As a part of your paid tuition, coffee and a breakfast snack each morning, lunch, and an afternoon coffee break with snacks will be provided. Dinner will be on your own.

2025 Session Dates:

  • 3/12 – 3/13
  • 4/9 – 4/10
  • 5/14 – 5/15
  • 6/11 – 6/12
  • 7/9 – 7/11
  • 8/13 – 8/14
  • 9/10 – 9/11
  • 10/8 – 10/9
  • 11/12 – 11/13
  • 12/10 – 12/11 – Back up

Daily Schedule:

  • Session Day 1: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • Session Day 2: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Location:

Weather permitting, all sessions are held in person at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) at 6340 Flank Drive Harrisburg, PA 17112. In the event of inclement weather affecting a session, a virtual option will be made available.

Hotel Reservations:

Participants can reserve a room using the list of local hotels found on PaTTAN’s website. No group rate is available.

Informational Webinar:

An informational webinar outlining the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Informational was held on September 12, 2024. View the recording on the DHS website.

More information can be found here.

Please email DHS if you have any questions.

RCPA understands that it’s important to recognize those in health and human services who go above and beyond in their fields. That’s why, in addition to hosting the many workshops as well as keynote and plenary sessions, we are excited to present the following awards during our Wednesday Association Awards luncheon. RCPA is thrilled to honor and recognize these individuals for their dedicated commitment to health and human services.

Representative Eric Nelson: 2024 Legislator of the Year Award
For Consistent Support and Advocacy in Human Services

Mike Hopkins: 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
For Dedication and Commitment to the Human Services System in PA 

Kim Sonafelt: 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award
For Your Leadership, Innovation, and Commitment to Excellence

Register today to attend the luncheon and more! Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, or RCPA with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hershey Lodge!

Register to Attend the 2024 RCPA Conference!

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.