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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Leah S. Yaw
(610) 542-3041
[email protected]

Richard F. Dunlap Jr., Ed.D., named executive director
of Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services center

Villanova, Pa. – June 5, 2025 – Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of behavioral healthcare, today announced that President and CEO Carl E. Clark II has named Richard F. Dunlap Jr., Ed.D., executive director of Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services, effective immediately.

Dunlap most recently served as Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ assistant executive director, a position he has held since March 2024.

As executive director, Dunlap will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Chester County-based center, which serves children, adolescents and young adults with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. His responsibilities include oversight of clinical, medical, quality improvement, physical plant and staffing, among other areas.

“Rick is a deeply respected and highly accomplished leader with a proven track record of empowering individuals and organizations to reach their highest potential,” said Clark. “His leadership is distinguished by a strong emphasis on collaboration, strategic vision and clear, effective communication. Throughout his career, he has inspired and guided teams to achieve extraordinary objectives and has fostered a work environment that supports growth and progress. His dedication to service will be invaluable as he leads Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services into the future.”

About Richard F. Dunlap Jr., Ed.D.
As executive director of Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services, Richard F. Dunlap Jr., Ed.D., brings more than 40 years of education, administration and organizational development experience to this position.

Prior to joining Devereux in 2024, Dunlap spent eight years at Chester County Regional Education Services (CCRES), most recently in the role of executive director. He also served as interim superintendent of the Coatesville Area School District (2019-2020 and 2022-2023). Before his time at CCRES, Dunlap held the following positions: superintendent of the Upper Darby School District; principal of East High School in the West Chester Area School District; principal of Garnet Valley Middle School; assistant principal of East High School; assistant principal of Fugett Middle School in West Chester; and teacher at East High School. He also served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Dunlap earned his Bachelor of Science in special education from West Chester State College; a Master of Arts in bilingual/bicultural studies from Marywood College; and a Doctorate of Education from Immaculata College. He also holds a secondary principal’s certification from Immaculata College. He is a recipient of the “Superintendents to Watch” award (2015-2016) from the National School Public Relations Association.

About Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services
Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services supports children, adolescents and young adults, from birth to age 21, with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities, and offers intensive services for at-risk youth with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Each year, more than 2,500 individuals receive specialized care, in the environment best suited to the unique challenges they face, all with the goal of providing them with the academic, social, emotional and life skills needed to flourish in the homes, schools and communities. www.devereuxpa.org

About Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations, providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912, Devereux operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives of thousands of children, adults – and their families – every year. The organization’s unique approach combines evidence-based interventions with compassionate family engagement. With more than 6,000 employees working in programs across the country, Devereux is a trusted partner for families, schools and communities, serving many of our country’s populations in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and foster care. For more than a century, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health has been guided by a simple and enduring mission: To change lives by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Learn more: www.devereux.org.

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RCPA, in its partnership with the PA Health Access Network (PHAN), is asking organizations to consider signing on to their new letter, which opposes cuts to Medicaid and Pennie. The latest proposal in Congress would take healthcare away from 600,000 Pennsylvanians who receive their coverage through Medicaid or Pennie. This is a separate letter than was previously shared with members in February; we ask your organization to join PHAN and show your opposition to potential cuts. This new communication reflects some of the specific areas that will be impacted.

Enter your information to publicly sign on to the letter on behalf of your organization. Please note: this sign-on page is for organizations only. Please contact Bill England with any questions or if you do not want to be listed publicly.

RCPA continues its state and federal advocacy efforts for state mental health funding and preserving Medicaid funding. If you are interested in joining the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp.

Thank you for all you do in working to preserve Pennsylvania’s healthcare.

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The Mental Health Safety Net Coalition is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. The Coalition’s first advocacy bulletin discusses the critical areas of funding for the FY 2025/26 budget, including community mental health, school-based services, crisis intervention services, psychiatric centers, and the Behavioral HealthChoices program.

The full letter can be read here.

RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meeting on Monday, June 9, 2025, from 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm. This meeting will serve to update the group on strategy, activities, and engagement opportunities.

Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions or if you would like to join the Coalition.

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The Shapiro Administration has released a response to potential federal Medicaid cuts. This document provides information on the Medicaid and SNAP programs in Pennsylvania and offers a high-level analysis of the potential impacts of HR 1, Congressional Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, on the commonwealth. As currently proposed, the legislation would kick over 300,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid, shift $1B in food assistance costs from the federal government onto our state budget, and strain our hospitals, potentially leading to the closure of as many as 25 rural hospitals across Pennsylvania. The legislation would also add significant new IT and administrative burdens for commonwealth agencies in the form of unfunded mandates from Washington.

Read the full report here. In addition, you can view this infographic for details on the impacts of implementing work requirements to SNAP benefits. Contact Emma Sharp with any questions.

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RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meeting on Monday, June 9, 2025, from 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm. This meeting will serve to update the group on strategy, activities, and engagement opportunities. Members can participate via Teams; information on how to join can be found below.

The coalition, which is open to all stakeholder groups, convened last week to lay out our primary vision, actions, and goals. The coalition will be sending out its first legislative advocacy bulletin to General Assembly legislators and stakeholders this week, and we encourage members to participate in these efforts of joint advocacy in protecting and preserving our mental health service delivery system.

This meeting will review and discuss the critical areas of funding for the 2025/26 budget, including county mental health, school-based services, psychiatric centers, and the Behavioral HealthChoices system, along with ongoing advocacy for the preservation of Federal Medicaid. The coalition listserv has been updated; if you would like to join the coalition or have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp.

Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 289 703 832 805 3
Passcode: 4Ji6nE6f

Dial in by phone
+1 689-206-0441,,182354162# United States, Orlando
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 182 354 162#

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RCPA member and partner Eleos are known for their market-leading AI-powered solutions. Now they’ve taken their documentation solution to the next level — and they want you to see what the buzz is about!

Join Eleos and Hillsides leaders as they debut the all-new Documentation experience at their Spring Launch Event on June 5 at 12:00 pm EST. This 1-hour webinar will kick off with a look at the reimagined Documentation experience, which features:

  • Seamless live session capture with embedded audio, eliminating the need for third-party tools or hardware;
  • Compatibility with over 150 languages, supporting a more diverse provider and client population;
  • Coverage of virtually any 1:1 session type, including psychiatry, intake, and assessments; and
  • Offline mobile access, so providers can document anytime, anywhere — even without internet connection.

Hillsides was one of 150+ organizations that shaped the new Documentation experience, and you will hear firsthand from leaders in client services, IT, and administration how Hillsides is using Eleos to:

  • Alleviate administrative burden and staff burnout;
  • Drive clinical, financial, and operational efficiency; and
  • Achieve measurable ROI.

Register here for this exciting event today. By registering, you will ensure receipt of a recording if you cannot make it to the live event.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is accepting presentation proposals for its 2025 Emerging Drug Trends Symposium, which will be held Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA.

The one-day event will feature a combination of plenary presentations and breakout sessions aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the current drug landscape. Participants will gain deeper insights into overdose trends and explore best practices for addressing emerging drug threats.

DDAP encourages breakout session presentations for intermediate to advanced professionals, and is seeking content that addresses the evolving needs of professionals at various career stages, focuses on common challenges, and highlights evidence-based strategies to overcome them and ultimately enhance outcomes.

The submission deadline for presentations is 11:59 pm on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Submission guidelines and the breakout session proposal form are both available online. Email Margaret Eckles-Ray at DDAP with any questions.

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RCPA is excited to share that registration will be opening soon for Strive to Thrive — the conference is only three months away! This event, which will be held September 9 – 12 at the Hershey Lodge, is a highlight for the PA health and human services fields. Stay tuned this month for upcoming details regarding registration, workshops, booking your hotel room, and more!

In addition, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! Opportunities still available include coffee and refreshment breaks, our Awards Luncheon, entertainment, and meal sponsorships. View this year’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertiser Brochure, which features detailed lists of all the ways your organization can thrive at our conference.

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 20. 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.

View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!

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