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Mental Health

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The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Children’s Bureau will be conducting a Title IV-E Federal Review for Pennsylvania (PA) in July of 2026. These reviews are mandatory every three (3) years and includes a systematic monitoring of the Title IV-E Foster Care Program. This program provides the cost of foster care maintenance, administrative expenses to manage the program, and training for staff and foster parents. PA’s period under review (PUR) will begin this October 1 and last through March 31, 2026. A random sample of 100 cases of youth in Foster Care will be selected.

In essence, the review considers:

  • Judicial determinations regarding reasonable efforts and child’s best interest;
  • Timely court hearings and determinations;
  • Voluntary placement agreements;
  • Responsibility for placement and care vested with state agency;
  • Eligibility for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) under the state plan in effect July 16, 1996;
  • Placement in a licensed foster family home or child-care institution; and
  • Safety requirements for the child’s foster care placement.

What does this mean for you? The Children’s Bureau will review County and Provider case files of the selected child and all their placement detail. The records must be able to show compliance with Federal Regulations as well as the Child Protective Services Law. The review includes the licensing of all agencies with particular attention on:

  • Criminal Clearances for all staff, including those who are not child serving and those who are no longer employed;
  • No lapse in licensing where Title IV-E claims were made (particularly in single foster homes);
  • Fingerprints provided prior to the licensing date;
  • Safety Considerations document for staff and foster parents with criminal charges or critical incidents;
  • All trainings required for staff and foster parents having been completed; and
  • Clearances for Household Members by 30 days after their 18 birthday.

As such, on August 4, 2025, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, OCYF will be offering a virtual training option to learn more about this review. OCYF will complete the following:

  • Review details expected during the review;
  • Brainstorm PA’s strengths and areas in need of improvement;
  • Create tools to ease document collection; and
  • Address communication gaps.

To register for this virtual training option, please fill out the form here. Please note that the form mentions an in-person option, but OCYF will now only be offering the virtual option.

Please feel free to contact Caitlin Robinson with any questions regarding the registration of this training. Thank you in advance for your participation in this meeting. OCYF appreciates your partnership and cooperation as they move closer to critical audit for PA.

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Businessman and team work using a Laptop Computer with Webinar E-business Browsing Connection and cloud online technology webcast concept, business concept

From Data to Decisions: Optimizing EHR Success Through Data Governance and Change Management
Free RCPA Members-Only Webinar

Thursday, August 21, 2025
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Register Here

Effective data governance and organizational change management (OCM) are critical for the long-term success and maintenance of your EHR system. These processes ensure data integrity, streamline system changes, and enhance overall project outcomes. In this session, we will detail how agencies can leverage OCM to assure these positive outcomes for your agency as well as overall effectiveness of your EHR initiative.

Presenters:

  • Theresa Yera, BA, MA, Senior Director of EHR, Strategy and Customer Success
  • Tina Kirkpatrick, BA, Senior Director of EHR, Strategy and Customer Success
  • Aaron Rogers, MRT, ATP, Electronic Health Record Administrator, Partners for Quality

Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:

  • Explain the importance of data governance and organizational change management;
  • Discover the phases of EHR maintenance required for effective data governance; and
  • Examine data accuracy for funding success.

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!

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On July 14, the National MLTSS Health Plan Association submitted comments on the “Preserving Medicaid Funding for Vulnerable Population – Closing a Health Care-Related Tax Loophole” proposed rule. Per the Association:

This rule proposes to refine how CMS evaluates whether a health care-related tax is considered “generally redistributive.”

In our comments, we noted that we appreciate CMS’ efforts to strengthen the oversight and quality of Medicaid programs but raised concerns about the timelines and administrative burden on states, as well as the potential impact on individuals receiving long term-services and supports (LTSS).

The recommendations included:

  • Extending the transition period to three years for all states.
  • Providing clear implementation guidance and technical assistance to states.
  • Postponing finalization of the rule until further research and data analysis on provider-related taxes and impacts are conducted.

Read the full letter here.

In Pennsylvania, this rule would impact participants’ funding of approximately $1B in federal matching funds for HealthChoices, Community HealthChoices, and Behavioral HealthChoices. No immediate action is required. If you have any questions, contact Fady Sahhar.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is proud to partner with the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) to announce the launch of the DHS Choking Prevention web page, a dedicated online resource hub aimed at preventing choking events among all Pennsylvanians. This new platform provides all interested stakeholders with a myriad of practical tools and educational materials to promote safer mealtime environments as well as how to recognize and respond to the potential safety risks for someone who has swallowing issues. This new website is a crucial step in ODP’s continued efforts to ensure safety, dignity, and health for individuals with intellectual disability and autism.

The DHS Choking Prevention web page is now available. ODP encourages all interested stakeholders to visit the site and access the available resources to implement into daily use as needed. Questions about this communication should be directed to your ODP Regional Office.

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Christopher Boyle has been named President and CEO of Children’s Service Center of Wyoming Valley, effective July 1. He succeeds Mike Hopkins who led the organization since 2008. The two leaders have worked closely over 17 years, facilitating unprecedented growth to now serve 15,000 people of all ages annually. Boyle previously served as Chief Operating Officer overseeing mental health and primary care operations, and as Chief Human Resources Officer since 2008. Prior to CSC, Boyle worked in progressive leadership roles in human resources and financial management at American Asphalt and Pride Mobility Products Corporation. He graduated from Delaware Valley College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a focus in accounting.

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The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has made significant changes to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Medicare, with strict requirements to maintain Federal support and criteria to qualify and maintain enrollment in Federal healthcare programs. There are several key provisions that will result in hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians losing access to healthcare:

  • “Community Engagement” Requirements which will require able-bodied adults to study, work, or volunteer for a minimum of 80 hours per month for expansion enrollees aged 19 – 64.
    • There are exceptions to these work requirements for people who are: enrolled in Medicare; incarcerated (and for 90 days following incarceration); pregnant or receiving postpartum coverage; Urban and California Indians; are caretakers of dependents under the age of 14; veterans with a total disability rating; are “medically frail”; participate in SNAP and are not exempt from its work requirements; or who have a substance use disorder or a disabling mental disorder (though neither of those exemptions are clearly defined). In addition, individuals who are participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program (as defined in section 3(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act [FNA] of 2008) are exempt. However, FNA defines drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation programs as “any such program conducted by a private nonprofit organization or institution.” With no clear guidance at this point on how an individual is determined to qualify as having an SUD, the definition of drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program could be an issue for for-profit providers.
    • States may request an exemption for 2027 and 2028 if they show a “good faith” effort to implement the program.
  • Limits to certain non-citizen access to federal health services, which will prevent certain individuals from enrolling in or receiving Medicaid or CHIP benefits. Medicaid will no longer be available to refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, or other people under temporary protected status, with certain exceptions.
  • Eligibility redeterminations must be made every six months for Expansion enrollees. Individuals who are exempt from the community engagement requirements are also exempt from the bi-annual eligibility redeterminations.

Additional Resources:

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Folders with the label Applications and Grants

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is announcing the notice of a funding opportunity (NOFO) for a new Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot. SAMHSA estimates awarding between 13 to 40 grants. This grant will be up to three years, and the amount funded will be based on a tiered system explained in the NOFO. Applications are due no later than August 1, 2025.

The purpose of the Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot is to leverage existing health care institutions’ capacity to prevent, test for, treat, and cure Hepatitis C (HCV) in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or severe mental illness (SMI), particularly in communities severely affected by homelessness, as well as to gain insights on effective ways to identify patients, complete treatment, and reduce reinfection. Recipients of this program are expected to implement a holistic approach that integrates HCV and HIV testing, comprehensive prevention treatment, and recovery support services for SUD, SMI, hepatitis C, and HIV as needed. Through this initiative, SAMHSA aims to increase the number of individuals who are cured of HCV, reduce the incidence of HCV and HIV in grant-funded communities, and help address the intersection of SUD, SMI, infectious disease, and homelessness in high-need populations across the nation.

The NOFO and application details can be found at the following websites:

This is a unique opportunity for Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC), as many CCBHCs may have the infrastructure to support this grant and may find this pilot to be aligned with their CCBHC programming.

To prepare and submit an application for the Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot, it is essential to refer to the specific NOFO and the FY 2025 NOFO Application Guide. The Application Guide provides detailed instructions on the application process, including registration requirements, attachment completion, budget preparation, and adherence to federal policies and regulations.

SAMHSA requires applicants to download application forms from the Grants.gov website and may need additional forms from the SAMHSA website. It is crucial to ensure that all required forms are completed and included in the application. Incomplete applications without all the necessary forms may be deemed ineligible for review.

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Beyond the Cuts: Protecting Behavioral Health in an Era of Policy Change (webinar)
Presented by Qualifacts, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and OPEN MINDS
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET

Presenters include Josh Schoeller, CEO of Qualifacts; Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing; and Monica E. Oss, Founder and CEO of OPEN MINDS.

The behavioral health system is being reshaped at an unprecedented pace. In just weeks, the federal government has terminated over $12 billion in public health grants, dissolved SAMHSA under a sweeping HHS reorganization, and passed legislation that will transform Medicaid through work requirements, cost-sharing, and reduced provider tax caps. These changes are already leading to funding cuts, stalled infrastructure projects, and increased pressure on providers to prepare for reduced support and stricter eligibility. To help organizations navigate this evolving landscape, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, OPEN MINDS, and Qualifacts are joining forces for a timely webinar. The session will focus on how behavioral health leaders can adapt service models, protect financial stability, and continue meeting community needs.

Register here.

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