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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Pharmacists on the Frontlines: Expanding the Reach of Care Teams 
Free RCPA Members-Only Webinar

Tuesday, July 8, 2025
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Register Here

Pharmacists play a vital role in improving patient outcomes through enhanced adherence strategies and collaboration with healthcare teams. This session will explore how pharmacy teams support prescribers with patient-centered services, such as medication monitoring, adherence programs, and injection administration. Attendees will gain insights into real-world approaches that strengthen care coordination and reduce treatment barriers. Through case studies and success stories, this workshop will highlight the tangible impact of pharmacy-led interventions on patient health. Whether optimizing medication management or enhancing continuity of care, pharmacists are essential partners in driving better outcomes.

Presenters:
James Steigerwalt, PharmD, Pharma Clinical Director, Altuix
Dan Kohler, PharmD, Pharmacy Manager, Altruix

Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:

  • Define the pharmacist’s role in the healthcare team, focusing on strategies that improve medication adherence, enhance care coordination, and drive better patient outcomes;
  • Evaluate how pharmacy teams collaborate with prescribers through patient support services, medication monitoring, and administration of long-acting injectables; and
  • Analyze real-world success stories to identify best practices and measurable impacts on patient care.

Certificates of attendance are available to RCPA members who attend this webinar; anyone interested in a certificate should contact Cathy Barrick. To apply for CEs, you will need to register for the RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive and indicate you attended the webinar in your CE packet, which will be made available on the mobile app.

Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for details, or visit the RCPA Conference website for information on workshops, sponsors, exhibitors, and more!

The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on June 24, 2025, regarding the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget. The hearing will begin at 10:00 am, and Secretary of HHS Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is expected to serve as witness and provide testimony on the President’s proposed budget.

The hearing is open to the public and will be livestreamed online using the link above.

This spring, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) celebrated Physical Fitness & Sports month with Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA). May was Physical Fitness & Sports month, and to celebrate, ODP visited SOPA’s Central Spring Sectional competition at Saint Francis University. Athletes competed in six sports including aquatics, athletics (track and field), basketball, golf, and tennis.

How Can You Move Your Way?
Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts. And it all adds up. Find what works for you! Walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, and stretching are just a few suggestions for weekly movement. Adults need a mix of physical activity to stay healthy. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week, and muscle-strengthening activity at least two days a week. Do activities that make your muscles work harder than usual.

Kids and teens ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes every day. Most of it can be moderate-intensity aerobic activity. At least three days a week, encourage them to step it up to vigorous intensity. As a part of their 60 minutes, they also need muscle-strengthening at least three days a week and bone-strengthening three days a week.

What’s Your Move?
Do you have a weekly movement routine or are you just getting started? Share your story with us!

Send an email with subject line “Move Your Way” and ODP may feature your story on MyODP News Online! Please be sure to fill out the Department of Human Services (DHS) Media Release Form to send with your story!

Aurora Kripa, COO and CEO-elect of KenCrest, has been named a 2025 Corporate Leadership Honoree by the Philadelphia Business Journal. This award recognizes top business leaders outside of the CEO role for their leadership and commitment to the business community. The Philadelphia Business Journal will honor her at the Corporate Leadership Awards celebration on July 10 and feature her in a special edition of the journal on July 11.

Aurora started with KenCrest in 2018 as a consultant and quickly stepped up as the Chief Human Resources Officer in 2019, and later as Chief Operating Officer.  She brought over 15 years of experience in strategic planning and operational oversight in the human services industry to the role. Before joining KenCrest, Aurora served as the first Chief Executive Officer of JEVS at Home. She established this JEVS subsidiary with remarkable growth; it served 900 individuals with $32 million in revenue, employing 1,200 staff in only six months. As the Chief Operating Officer at KenCrest, Aurora leads operational performance, growth and innovation in all services.  A dynamic, person-centered and results-oriented leader, she inspires teamwork and moves with determination, tackling the most complex challenges.

She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Italian from Temple University, a Master of Business Administration from LaSalle University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. She is fluent in three languages—English, Albanian, and Italian. Aurora has been recognized for her contributions to public service and leadership. She was honored with Billy Penn’s “Who’s Next” in Public Service Award in 2018, SmartCEO’s Future 50 Award in 2017, and the 2016 Cornerstone Award.

The Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) has released additional meeting materials and data updates after its June 17 meeting. The following documents were provided by ISAC:

Updates from ODP

Please contact Tim Sohosky for any follow-up or inquiries related to this update.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-057, which includes a new version of the Medication Administration Agency/Entity/Role Designation/Verification form. New and recertifying trainers will be required to have this form filled out by an agency administrator and/or primary contact. Agency Administrator and Primary Contact Roles and Responsibilities have also been included with this communication. The form will then be uploaded into the MedAdmin system before beginning the Train-the-Trainer (TtT) course. Primary contacts should review the TtT Course Prerequisites Med Admin document with staff before they register to confirm all requirements are met.

Please see the announcement and attachments included in ODPANN 25-057 for further information and detail.