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Criminal Justice

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Join RCPA as we host the 2024 Annual Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success from September 24 – 27 at the Hershey Lodge. The event is a highlight for the Pennsylvania behavioral health, brain injury, children’s, intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities. RCPA staff and the Conference Committee are excited to release this year’s Sponsor, Exhibitor, and Advertiser Brochure, which features new opportunities to get in on the action and network with providers. Booth self-selection will also be available for exhibitors and exhibiting sponsors. In order to be considered for self-selection, a completed contract with payment must be submitted.

Network and Compete in Connections Hall!
Connections Hall activities take place during the two busiest days of the conference, and many networking opportunities are available throughout the event. You’ll also be able to compete and have a chance to win “Best of Show!”

Exciting New Sponsorship Opportunities!
RCPA 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.

Sign Up Now!
Sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by August 23. 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 Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) requests your assistance to complete, and further disseminate, a survey that will assist the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee (JJDPC) and PCCD gather relevant information related to current resources and gaps in local diversion policy, practices, and programming. The utilization of diversion policies, practices, and programs, in appropriate cases, can reduce the impact of formal involvement with the juvenile justice system for youth who commit minor offenses, while ensuring balanced and restorative justice.

PCCD recognizes the importance of capturing feedback from their stakeholders. Please complete the below survey and feel free to forward the survey link to any stakeholder you deem appropriate. This survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Your participation is extremely important, as results from the survey will help shape effective strategies and drive positive change in our approach to diversion. The information collected through this survey may also be used to make future funding and policy recommendations to the JJDPC.

The survey link can be found here. The survey will remain open until the close of business on February 29, 2024. Please contact PCCD staff, Teresa Wilcox, via email with any questions or assistance in completing the survey.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. PCCD looks forward to receiving your important feedback.

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Last week, Governor Shapiro presented his proposed budget for 2024/2025. The PowerPoint with the Human Services Spending Overview outlines the priorities, and the recording is available on the DHS YouTube channel.

RCPA staff will continue to advocate for appropriate levels of funding for our members’ services in the community. We will keep you updated with information as the process continues. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

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The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announces the opening of registration for the 2024 Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) Conference, themed “An Evolving Justice System: Adapting and Navigating New Directions.” The conference is scheduled for April 9 – 10, 2024, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. The event will convene criminal justice, behavioral health, and treatment partners for a dynamic one and a half-day gathering. Featuring a lineup of national and local experts, discussions will center on emerging issues impacting criminal justice and behavioral health systems, offering innovative strategies and collaborative solutions.

Registration and conference details are available on the 2024 CJAB Conference page on PCCD’s website. Additionally, notable sessions include a plenary by Jason Snyder, RCPA SUD Policy Director, on April 9, and a workshop on SUD confidentiality facilitated by RCPA, which will include representatives from the SUD treatment and criminal justice systems on April 10. Attendees should be aware that the discounted room rate deadline is Friday, March 8, 2024.

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Today, Governor Josh Shapiro gave his second budget address to members of the General Assembly.  The Governor outlined an agenda that included new spending for direct service providers, minimum wage, education, health care, law enforcement, and a number of other initiatives. The below budget initiatives come from information from the Governor and his team, which has been made available to stakeholders. The budget proposals include:

Investing in Competitive Pay and Reimbursement of Services for Home & Community-Based Care

  • Increase in minimum wage to $15/hr.
  • $34.2 million in Community Waiver and $1.85 million in the Community Base Program, which will allow DHS to expand the number of individuals participating in home and community-based services programs.
  • Reimbursement Rates: The 2024/25 executive budget invests $213 million toward Community Waiver Program, $2.1 million in the Autism Intervention Program, and $1.1 million in the Community Base program. It also leverages $266 million in total federal funding to increase resources for providers of home and community-based services.
  • Equality in Communication Services: Inclusivity and equality require appropriate communication for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who need it. This budget invests $934,000 to add American Sign Language and English interpreter services to program serving this population.
  • For more in-depth information regarding funding for ID/A services, visit here.

Making Pennsylvania a Leader in Economic Development, Job Creation, and Innovation

  • $500 million in PA SITES funding to bring more commercial and industrial sites online and ensure companies have options for attractive business environments where they can move quickly and thrive in Pennsylvania.
  • $25 million for the Main Street Matters program, to support small businesses and commercial corridors that are the backbone of communities across our Commonwealth.
  • $20 million to support large-scale innovation and leverage Pennsylvania’s best-in-class research and development assets.
  • $3.5 million to create and launch the Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge, which will incentivize regional growth, build vibrant and resilient regions, and support communities by investing in the development of comprehensive strategies to propel entire regions forward.

Building on Historic Education Investments & Making Progress to Support Every Pennsylvania Child

  • A historic nearly $1.1 billion increase in basic education funding — the largest increase in Pennsylvania history, recognizing the work of the BEFC and the need to direct these investments to the schools that need them the most. Of this significant increase, nearly $900 million is proposed as a first-year adequacy investment as recommended by the BEFC. The remaining $200 million will be distributed through the Basic Education Funding Formula.
  • A $50 million increase for special education funding to ensure school districts have the basic resources necessary to provide special education services to students with disabilities and special needs.
  • A $50 million annual investment in school safety and security improvements and $300 million in sustainable funding for environmental repair projects in school buildings.
  • $10 million for the Educator Talent Recruitment Account and $450,000 to support the Talent Recruitment Office at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  • A $5 million increase — coming to a total of $15 million — in funding for student teacher stipends to support Pennsylvanians training to become certified and committed educators.

Delivering a New Blueprint for Higher Education Grounded in Access & Affordability

  • $975 million in this new governance system that combines our community colleges and PASSHE schools — a 15 percent increase from $850 million last year in state investment in state-owned universities, community colleges, and the students they serve.
  • A 5 percent increase in institutional support for the Commonwealth’s state-related universities — Penn State, Temple, Lincoln, and Pitt — and a 15 percent increase to Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
  • An increase in financial aid for students who attend the schools under the new governance system, so that Pennsylvanians making up to the median income will pay no more than $1,000 in tuition and fees per semester.
  • An increase in financial aid for students who attend the schools under the new governance system, so that Pennsylvanians making up to the median income will pay no more than $1,000 in tuition and fees per semester beginning in FY 2025/26.
  • Increasing Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) state grants by $1,000, bringing the maximum award up from $5,750 to $6,750 beginning in FY 2025/26.
  • Investing $279 million annually starting in FY 2025/26 so Pennsylvania students can attend college in-state with a limited debt load after they graduate and can enter the workforce ready to start their careers and build a future in our Commonwealth.

The above are highlights of the Governor’s proposed budget. RCPA will be examining the budget spreadsheets over the next few days, will be attending the DHS Budget Overview this Friday afternoon, and will update members with any new information as it becomes available during the budget season.

If you have any questions, please contact Jack Phillips.

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Secretary Val Arkoosh and leadership from the Department of Human Services (DHS) will host a webinar to discuss the proposed 2024/25 budget for the department. The briefing will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, February 9. If you are unable to attend, the briefing will be recorded and available for viewing afterwards.

Visit here to register for the briefing. DHS encourages individuals to submit questions ahead of the briefing so they can prepare as much information as possible. The Departments will follow up on any questions that they are unable to answer during the webinar.

(If the registration link above does not work, please try copying this link directly into your browser: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/3049c317-17f6-46ab-8396-1e5f3a370422@418e2841-0128-4dd5-9b6c-47fc5a9a1bde)

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RCPA is continuing to accept proposals for our 2024 Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success, which will be held September 24 – 27 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. Our Conference Committee seeks 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:

  • Highlight new policy, research, and treatment initiatives, such as the use of artificial intelligence, telehealth innovations, and employing people with disabilities;
  • Provide specific skills and information related to individual and organizational leadership development and enhancement;
  • Discuss advanced ethics practices and suicide prevention;
  • Address system changes that affect business practices, including integrated care strategies, value-based purchasing, performance-based contracting, acquisitions and mergers, and alternative payment models;
  • Provide guidance on building a culture of a committed workforce, including recruitment and employee development as well as effective remote workforce strategies;
  • Offer concrete skills and tools to operate more efficient, effective businesses; and
  • Inspire ideas for organizations to be leaders in their field.

The committee welcomes any proposal that addresses these and other topics essential to rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, and intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism. 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. Individuals are welcome to submit multiple proposals.

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 Monday, March 11, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Proposals must be submitted electronically on the form provided; confirmation of receipt will be sent. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

If the proposal is accepted, individuals must be prepared to present on any day of the conference. Workshops are 90 or 180 minutes in length. At the time of acceptance, presenters will be required to confirm the ability to submit workshop handouts electronically four weeks prior to the conference. Individuals unable to meet this expectation should not submit proposals for consideration.

Notification of inclusion for the conference will be made via email by Friday, May 17, 2024. Questions may be directed to Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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RCPA is pleased to report that there has been significant progress as stakeholders work together in developing solutions for expanded telehealth flexibility. RCPA has met with members of the General Assembly, OMHSAS, the Governor’s office, the National Council on Mental Wellbeing; as well as other member associations and providers; all committed to a collaborative effort to address the continuation of the telehealth service deliverables as outlined in our PA tele-behavioral health bulletin.

Next week, the principals will meet to review the legislative pathways and bill specifics in addressing the current 4 walls requirements. It has been determined the vehicle to this will be to amend our current draft legislation that initially was created to address the psychiatrist in office time requirement.

We have spoken at length with our partners at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and they have provided an insightful overview of this from a federal lens; including the fact that Pennsylvania is only one of more than 15 states working with CMS and their legislature to meet the systems needs of their Medicaid population. The National Council also reported that the legislative process is the pathway most supported at the federal level to address the matter.

We are hopeful for an expedited legislative solution that will support OMHSAS in making any resulting policy, practice, or programmatic changes that will support the initiative. We are extremely encouraged by the system’s efforts and focus this week, and the developing short-term plan. RCPA continues, as recommended earlier in the week, for providers to be patient, review your contingency plans, and focus your primary efforts on servicing those entrusted to your care.

RCPA will continue to partner with all members and stakeholders and provide updates as we proceed.

If you have questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp. The next RCPA Telehealth Operations Committee meeting will be rescheduled for earlier in February and we will be sending that information out early next week. Please share this information with your stakeholder networks.

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