';
CLOSE
Policy Areas

0 843

Autistic and intellectually disabled people are at increased risk of being victimized and experiencing trauma; however, few therapists are skilled in both supporting these communities and providing trauma-focused care. To bridge this gap, psychologists with the ASERT team created the TRAIN program — 12 weeks of self-guided learning and live webinars for mental health therapists licensed in Pennsylvania who are currently working with autistic and/or intellectually disabled adults. TRAIN is an integrative and neuro-affirming approach to trauma-focused care with neurodivergent adults, centering clinical work with the autistic and intellectually disabled communities. After completing the 12 weeks of learning, participants have the option to continue their training through clinical consultation with the developers of TRAIN.

This program covers:

  • Trauma-focused mental healthcare;
  • Types and prevalence of trauma;
  • Expressions of trauma;
  • Neurodiversity and Neuro-affirming practices;
  • Navigating disclosures of abuse and ethical considerations of reporting abuse and neglect of dependent adults;
  • Assessing trauma and using trauma-focused interviews;
  • Trauma-focused and neuro-affirming psychoeducation;
  • Trauma response and nervous system regulation strategies;
  • Trauma processing techniques; and
  • Resiliency and therapist self-preservation.

Target Audience: This program was developed for therapists, counselors, and clinical social workers who already have experience working with clients who have an Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) diagnosis and are looking to gain knowledge and skills related to trauma therapy. Therapists who do not have experience with ID/A clients are also welcome to participate, but the expectation is they would be committed to taking such clients into their practice after completing the program, as the purpose is to build capacity in this area across the state. You must currently be licensed and provide 1:1 talk therapy sessions to adult clients at the moment to qualify for this course and participate in the case consultation presentations.

Course Structure: 12 weeks in total, comprised of 3 modules that are each 4 weeks long. The first three weeks are self-paced learning courses that are assigned through the online Learning Management System. The fourth week of each module is an hour-and-a-half interactive discussion with the other group members and instructors. These live sessions are required and are held from 9:00 am – 10:30 am on the following dates:

  • September9: Pre-TRAIN Live Session
  • October 14: M1 Live Session
  • November 11: M2 Live Session
  • December 9: M2 Live Session
  • January 13, 2026: Weekly Case Consultation Calls (8:00 am – 9:00 am, Tuesdays). This will continue until everyone presents twice.

Case Consultations: After the initial 12 weeks, there is a short break followed by a second 12-week session that consists of weekly one-hour case consultations. These are optional but highly recommended. Each participant is expected to present a case from a current patient and receive feedback/information from other participants and the instructors. Participants need to join at least 6 of the 12 weekly case consultation calls, although it is encouraged to attend all of them. If you are not currently seeing patients or are not in the capacity to present any cases, this may not be the right program for you.

Cost and CE Credits: It is free to participate. 13.5 continuing Education (CE) credits are provided through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) upon completion of the program.

If you believe this program is appropriate for you and can commit to the requirements, please complete this survey by Wednesday, August 27, 2025. This will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t delay! Also, if you are unable participate this Fall due to other commitments but would still be interested in doing it for Spring 2026, please say so in the survey.

0 1445

With the summer days flying by, time is running out to register for the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive! Online registration closes August 29, and by registering early, attendees will gain access to the mobile app, sponsored by Millin, a full week ahead of schedule! This means you’ll be able to:

  • View the complete agenda and create your individualized schedule of workshops to visit;
  • See the layout of Connections Hall and plan ahead for visiting exhibitors as well as participating in the Connections Hall game;
  • Connect directly with other attendees and exhibitors in order to coordinate meetings, schedules, and more;
  • Use the “Shake” feature onsite — by “shaking” your phone at a fellow attendee, you will seamlessly share contact information, making networking as easy as waving hello; and
  • Gain access to the summer RCPA webinar recordings.

Register today to reserve your seat to the conference and access the app as soon as it launches! All attendees who have registered will receive an email one week prior to conference with complete instructions on downloading, accessing, and utilizing the mobile app.

View the Registration Brochure for complete details regarding our schedule, booking a hotel room, and more!

0 1265

Providers are invited to attend a virtual informational session regarding the proposed regulatory chapters for Residential Services for Children. This session will provide highlights of the key changes being proposed to regulations governing child residential settings (including parent/child settings and outdoor programs), secure detention, and secure residential facilities. These proposed regulatory chapters are identified as:

  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3900 Child and Youth Facility Requirements
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3910 Child Residential Facilities
  • 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3920 Secure Residential and Secure Detention Facilities for Youth

These proposed regulatory chapters currently are under review within the Governor’s Office, and the Office of Children, Youth, Families (OCYF) is projecting publication in the last quarter of calendar year 2025. There will be a 60-day comment period following publication of the proposed regulations.

In advance of publication, however, OCYF is extending the opportunity to attend an informational session to highlight proposed key changes to existing practices.

DATE: There are two dates you can attend. The content will be the same at each session.

TIME: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (the same for both sessions)

RCPA, as part of the Children’s Residential Services and Children’s MH Division, will be assembling a regulatory review team as part of the regulatory promulgation and public comment process. RCPA has performed a similar review for the PRTF, Crisis, IBHS, and Outpatient Psychiatric processes, as well as a host of other DHS regulatory efforts.

If you are interested in being a part of this review, please contact RCPA Mental Health Policy Associate Emma Sharp. RCPA will convene a Chapter 3900 Work Group within a week of the OCYF presentation.

0 1465

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and their families to join in a virtual exploration and discussion with members of the Division of Policy and Program Innovation. These sessions are informal, meaning the conversation will not be recorded, and rules will be set before the session starts to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to provide questions and comments. The session will be held through Microsoft Teams.

Please note: This event is being held only for individuals and family members; this is not an event for someone who is only a professional.

What Will Be Covered?
Family members often want to stay as involved as possible with the services their relative receives. This session will consist of an overview of services that family members can provide through ODP’s 1915(c) waivers, as well as who is considered family and other important definitions. The session will also include time to explore where this information can be found.

Audience:
Individuals and Families

Date:
September 18, 2025, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Register Here

0 1417

Please share these important PA Family Network workshops and support groups with your network! Register for upcoming events at PA Family Network’s website.

Good Life Group, Support Groups

LifeCourse Workshops

Waiver Workshops

0 1981

The status of the PA state budget continues to impact every provider, insurer, and health care organization. With funding in limbo and federal Medicaid cuts already causing disruptions in services, providers are having to work together and create unique solutions to funding and providing patients with quality care.

At the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive, RCPA is hosting an Agency Leadership Discussion Panel comprised of experts who have been following the status of Pennsylvania’s budget. The panel will include professional input from:

Paul Dlugolecki
Brier Dlugolecki Strategies
Jack Phillips
Novak Strategies
Jenn Tyler
Wojdak Government Relations

Join this panel on Wednesday, September 10, in the Crystal A room, from 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm, where they will:

  • Discuss the current status of the budget and potential timelines;
  • Analyze the impacts of the budget impasse and the budget itself on providers and health care organizations;
  • Share strategies that providers are using to continue providing care to their patients; and
  • Host a Q&A with attendees for an open, honest discussion on what is happening and what providers can do to support themselves and others.
Register today for the 2025 Conference and reserve your seat. View the Registration Brochure for complete details regarding our schedule, booking a hotel room, and more!
Prev1...272829...473Next Page 28 of 473
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association