Reminder: RCPA and RCPA Partner Clinically AI to Hold Webinar on AI Learning Collaboratives March 10
Deadline for Workshop Proposals for RCPA’s 2026 Annual Conference is March 23
Time is running out to submit your workshop proposal for the RCPA 2026 Conference Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities. The Conference will be held September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience, and 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 deadline for submissions is COB Monday, March 23, so don’t wait to submit your proposals! 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.
DOL Issues Proposed Rule on Worker Classification
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published a proposed rule concerning the process and criteria used to determine a worker’s classification as an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act and related federal laws.
This proposed rule would rescind DOL’s 2024 Final Rule addressing the classification of independent contractors and replace it with an analysis for employee classification similar to the one adopted by DOL in 2021. The classification analysis in the proposed rule would:
- Apply an “economic reality” test to determine whether a worker is in business for himself or herself as an independent contractor or is an employee economically dependent on an employer for work;
- Identify and explain two “core factors” to help determine if a worker is economically dependent on an employer for work or in business for him- or herself:
- The nature and degree of control over the work; and
- The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on initiative and/or investment;
- Identify other factors to help determine a worker’s status as an employee or independent contractor, including the amount of skill required for the work, degree of permanence of the working relationship, and whether the work is part of an integrated unit of production;
- Advise that the actual practice of the worker and the potential employer is more relevant than what may be contractually or theoretically possible; and
- Provide eight fact-specific examples applying the factors to real-life circumstances.
Last year, DOL published guidance advising WHD field staff on the analysis to apply when determining employee or independent contractor status. That guidance instructed agency investigators to stop applying the analysis from DOL’s 2024 rule in current enforcement matters but, instead, rely on the principles outlined in Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-1 and Fact Sheet #13.
The 2024 final rule prompted a number of federal lawsuits challenging its legality. As a result, DOL said last year that it would be “…reconsidering the 2024 Rule, including whether to rescind the regulation.”
DOL will be accepting comments on this proposed rule through 11:59 pm (ET) April 28, 2026.
DHS Senate Budget Hearing Summary and RCPA Divisional Highlights
RCPA Member McAuley Ministries Awards Over $2 Million in Grants to 27 Local Nonprofit Organizations
Press release by McAuley Ministries: Published February 26, 2026
Excerpt below:
PITTSBURGH (February 26, 2026) – McAuley Ministries, Pittsburgh Mercy’s grant-making foundation, awarded 29 grants totaling over $2 million. The grants help fund capacity building, education, empowerment, essential needs & social services, legacy programs, and whole-person health initiatives in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland communities, its three focus neighborhoods, collectively referred to as the Mercy Corridor.
DDAP Awards More Than $100k to Community-Based Organizations to Address SUD-Related Stigma
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is awarding more than $100,000 to community-based organizations serving 10 counties to assist with their efforts in reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorder (SUD).
Pennsylvania’s statewide anti-stigma campaign, Life Unites Us, addresses stigma by investing in those who are doing the work at the local level. By prioritizing compassionate, judgment-free care, DDAP intends to help more Pennsylvanians access life-saving resources and achieve recovery.
Life Unites Us (LUU) is a research-driven campaign that uses social media to spread stories of individuals in recovery, their family members, and allies who support those with SUD. In addition to offering stigma reduction grants, LUU gives local organizations an opportunity to learn through webinars, fosters community partnerships to promote recovery-focused support at the local level, and maintains an interactive data dashboard detailing the campaign’s progress.
The following community-based organizations will receive up to $29,000 each to help fund stigma reduction:
- Hope Works: Fayette County;
- Drop-In Center Recovery Collective | Oasis Community Recovery Club, Walking Free Clubhouse, and New Possibilities Recovery Drop-In Center: Northumberland, Snyder, Union, Montour, and Columbia counties;
- This Is My Quest: Tioga, Potter, and Bradford counties; and
- Ark of Safety: Philadelphia.
Read the full press release.
DDAP Releases Report on Housing Access Among People Who Use Drugs
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW), in partnership with the Department of Community Health and Prevention at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health, has released a new report, “Housing Access Among People Who Use Drugs in Pennsylvania.” The report explores the intersection of homelessness and substance use across the Commonwealth.
Key topics include:
- Prevalence of homelessness in the United States and Pennsylvania;
- Substance use among people experiencing homelessness in the United States and Pennsylvania;
- Housing availability;
- Results from a survey of 137 housing providers assessing availability and barriers for people who use drugs; and
- Best practices for increasing housing access for people who use drugs.
SEOW brings together governmental and non-governmental partners statewide to inform state and community decisions on substance use and behavioral health programs, practices, and policies across Pennsylvania. To view previous SEOW reports, visit DDAP’s Document Library.
RCPA Member KidsPeace and Lehigh Carbon CC Launch Innovative Training/Certification Partnership for Mental and BH Workforce
RCPA Member Strawberry Fields Inc. CEO Cynthia Pasquinelli to Retire After 40+ Years of Outstanding Service
“My time at Strawberry Fields has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Working alongside a passionate and talented team of staff and board members, we have expanded opportunities, empowered individuals and strengthened a mission that changes lives every day. I am incredibly proud to have played such a part in shaping the organization Strawberry Fields has become”
– Strawberry Fields Chief Executive Officer Cynthia “Cindy” Pasquinelli
Throughout her decades-long career at Strawberry Fields Inc., an affiliate of Devereux, Pasquinelli has led with passion, purpose and an unyielding commitment to providing the highest quality programs and services for individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and mental health challenges in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
Pasquinelli joined Strawberry Fields in 1985 as the director of mental health services. Two years later, she assumed the role of acting chief executive officer before being appointed to the position permanently.
On July 31, Pasquinelli will retire after 41 years of exceptional leadership and service to the organization.
“When I first joined Strawberry Fields, we offered just three programs. Today, we provide more than 20, including a variety of intellectual and developmental disability, mental health and early intervention services, along with two social enterprises that create employment opportunities for adults with disabilities,” said Pasquinelli. “We have always believed our role is to serve the community, and growing these programs, while witnessing the growth of the individuals in our care, has been extremely rewarding.”
Devereux President and CEO Carl E. Clark II noted, “Cindy’s leadership has been truly transformative. Her vision, integrity and deep expertise have made a lasting impact on Strawberry Fields, and the individuals and families served by the organization. Through her steadfast focus on person-centered, community-driven care, she has positioned Strawberry Fields for long-term success. As a result of her tireless efforts to improve the lives of those in need, her legacy will be felt for years to come.”
Creating opportunities, transforming lives
During her tenure, Pasquinelli said one thing she is most proud of is opening Strawberry Fields’ social enterprises: Scraps and Skeins, a creative reuse store, in 2015, and Good Day Café, a coffee shop, in 2018.
“We employ approximately 20 adults with disabilities at Good Day Café and seven with mental health challenges at Scraps and Skeins,” explained Pasquinelli. “Working at these businesses provides our individuals an opportunity to showcase their unique skills and talents, build life and social skills, and engage in their community.”
Pasquinelli added that launching Scraps and Skeins and Good Day Café has also had a positive impact on the organization as a whole: “People can see, firsthand, the meaningful difference we are making. We have grown our base of supporters as a result, which has allowed us to start new endeavors.”
Ensuring long-term sustainability
In 2025, under Pasquinelli’s leadership, Strawberry Fields became an affiliate of Devereux. Pasquinelli said the partnership strengthens Strawberry Fields’ ability to serve its community while ensuring long-term sustainability.
“Through this partnership, we have exciting new opportunities to innovate and grow,” Pasquinelli shared. “With Devereux’s support, we are preparing to introduce a new family-based mental health service and expand our autism assessment services in rural areas outside of Centre County. These efforts will help us reach more people, address emerging needs and continue to build a stronger, more connected community.”
Future plans
After her retirement, Pasquinelli plans to continue supporting Devereux in its efforts to forge new partnerships with organizations like Strawberry Fields that share its dedication to making a difference in the lives of individuals and families in need.
Most importantly, she will focus on continuing to develop the David Pasquinelli Memorial Fund for Strawberry Fields, which was established by the organization’s Board of Directors in 2022 in memory of Pasquinelli’s son.
“The funds raised will support Scraps and Skeins and Good Day Café, as well as any new projects that may need seed money,” Pasquinelli noted. “While I will be stepping away from my full-time role, I am excited to work with Strawberry Fields as it enters its next chapter and continues to grow and evolve.”
Learn more about Strawberry Fields Inc., and learn more about Devereux.
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