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From Risk to Reward: Strengthening Your Hiring Process
Free RCPA Members-Only Webinar
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Register Here
In this session, we will review how introducing value-based tools early in the hiring process has shown to reduce an employer’s risk for turnover, safety incidents, counterproductive employee behavior, and workers compensation claims. We will review recent case studies showing the measurable impact of this process.
Presenter: Mark Walker, MBA, Managing Partner, Safer Hire LLC
Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:
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 Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-074. This announcement is to communicate the updated process for ODP’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) to initially qualify new provider applicants for the AAW effective August 1, 2025.
Pursuant to 55 Pa. Code §6100.82 (relating to enrollment documentation) and the service qualification requirements specified in Appendix C of the AAW to become a qualified provider, applicants must:
Please review the announcement for additional information and details.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-073. This announcement provides a list of current AWC FMS organizations available to support participants and surrogates who have chosen to self-direct some or all of their waiver-funded services using the Agency With Choice (AWC) Financial Management Service (FMS) model under the Consolidated, Community Living, or Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers.
Please view the announcement for information and details.
The Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program is back!
Originally launched in 2018, PAID is returning with new enhancements, resources, and tools. Plus, it has now been expanded to include the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The program has several of the same objectives as before:
In addition, FMLA violations can now be addressed through PAID so employers can correct errors made and employees can receive job-protected leave according to the law.
With this relaunch, DOL is encouraging proactive compliance through accessible, user-friendly resources, and web content.
DOL knows running a business is hard work. Balancing payroll, scheduling, and compliance can be a juggling act, and sometimes mistakes are made. If you’ve had errors lead to unpaid wages or FMLA leave issues, now is the chance to make it right.
For more information, visit the Division’s page on the PAID program.
RCPA may be based in Pennsylvania, but our conference covers topics and features speakers from across the country! Register today, join us at the Hershey Lodge September 9 – 12, 2025, and reserve your room online while the room block is available. By registering, you gain the opportunity to engage with these provocative keynote speakers as they touch on topics that affect all facets of health and human services across the nation:
View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule and speakers. Be sure to check the RCPA Conference website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors. Register today!
In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! We are grateful to all our sponsors and exhibitors who help make the conference happen. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, all information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors! We are grateful for your support!
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held the SCO Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Introductory Session today.
ODP received approximately 140 people’s and organizations’ comments during the public comment period. Deputy Secretary Kristen Ahrens stated that comments were very helpful and specific in finalizing the proposed plan being submitted to CMS.
General recommendations received:
Timeline considerations:
Feedback on the performance measures:
Rates:15-minute units vs monthly units
Handouts from today’s session are available here.
The Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) has received a small number of reports of issues with faxing the updated Documentation of Medical Evaluation (DME) forms. These reports indicate that some fax machines cannot pick up the contrast in the grey shaded areas. You will find both DME forms with the grey areas lightened significantly. These forms are also being added to the BHSL website.
Please note, BHSL has fax-tested both versions of these forms and did not encounter any issues. Issues with faxing may be related to the age/condition or settings of individual fax machines. Online faxing services that do not require the use of a fax machine are widely available, as are alternative methods of form transmission, such as in-person drop off, email, online drop boxes, or the United States Postal Service.
Questions about this communication may be sent electronically.