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Don’t Miss The Opportunity To Sponsor, Exhibit, And Advertise At The 2024 RCPA Conference!
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 Sponsors, Exhibitors, 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!”
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
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. 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. The association looks forward to welcoming you at the conference!
Update to Sensory Regulation and Communication Training Announced
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared an update to the following training: Sensory Regulation and Communication. The training will now be held on March 28, 2024, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. In addition to the rescheduled date, please note that participants are now being asked to register for the session. You can register for the training here.
Federal Response to Cyberattack: Support for Health Care Providers and Suppliers
Message from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is continuing to monitor and assess the impact that the cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary Change Healthcare has had on all provider and supplier types. Today, CMS is announcing that, in addition to considering applications for accelerated payments for Medicare Part A providers, we will also be considering applications for advance payments for Part B suppliers.
Over the last few days, we have continued to meet with health plans, providers and suppliers to hear about their most pressing concerns. As announced previously, we have directed our Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) to expedite actions needed for providers and suppliers to change the clearinghouse they use and to accept paper claims if providers need to use that method. We will continue to respond to provider and supplier inquiries regarding MAC processes.
CMS also recognizes that many Medicaid providers are deeply affected by the impact of the cyberattack. We are continuing to work closely with States and are urging Medicaid managed care plans to make prospective payments to impacted providers, as well.
All MACs will provide public information on how to submit a request for a Medicare accelerated or advance payment on their websites as early as today, Saturday, March 9.
CMS looks forward to continuing to support the provider community during this difficult situation. All affected providers should reach out to health plans and other payers for assistance with the disruption. CMS has encouraged Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations to offer advance funding to providers affected by this cyberattack. The rules governing CMS’s payments to MA organizations and Part D sponsors remain unchanged. Please note that nothing in this statement speaks to the arrangements between MA organizations or Part D sponsors and their contracted providers or facilities.
If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.
PADDC Shares Self-Advocacy Survey
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is working on a project to enhance Pennsylvania’s self-advocate leadership to focus on system and policy change. We invite people with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD) and providers or organizations to connect them to self-advocates who may want to be part of the conversation.
The first step in the plan is to gather contact information so they can listen and learn from you. Please complete their survey through the links below.
The long-term plan includes talking with self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities about:
- Connecting self-advocates to network and organize as a powerful, united community;
- Creating the foundation for an effective statewide network of skilled advocates who can influence system change; and
- Involving people interested in advocacy and system change to plan together for the future.
Please visit one of the links below by March 20 to help them learn about self-advocacy in Pennsylvania!
- If you are an individual with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and are interested in becoming an advocate, please use this survey link.
- If you are an organization or provider that engages with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, please use this survey link.
Please share this opportunity to connect with interested Pennsylvania advocates and I/DD providers or organizations in your network!
State of the Union Address and Impact on IDD Services
Reuters: UnitedHealth to Restore Hacked Medical Claims and Payment Services Mid-March
Save the Date for “Closing the Gap: Achieving a Workforce With Different Abilities”
All sessions are scheduled from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
- Tannersville, PA, Northampton Community College: June 5, 2024
- Butler, PA, Monarch Institute: June 12, 2024
- Malvern, PA, PaTTAN East: June 18, 2024
- Bellefonte, PA, Central Penn Institute of Science and Technology: June 26, 2024
In this second annual ODP Employment Regional Symposium, participants will hear from employers about how, what, and why they hired individuals with developmental disabilities. Individuals who are employed and their teams will describe how having a job made a difference in their lives and the lives of their families. Representatives from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), and the Bureau of Special Education will discuss collaboration across systems and offices with a focus on things that you thought might not be possible.
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in advancing the employment of individuals with developmental disabilities including but not limited to: current and future employers, self-advocates, local education authorities, intermediate units, ODP employment/community participation support/residential providers, supports coordinators, administrative entities transition counselors, regional employment coalitions, and OVR business liaisons.
Boxed lunches will be provided. Morning beverages and snacks are on your own.
Registration information will be sent in a separate ODP Announcement.
WFMZ: Intellectual and Development Disability Month Recognized by Berks County Commissioners
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