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Policy Areas

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UPDATE: This webinar has been cancelled by ODP
The Family Medical Support Assistance (FMSA) Webinar for Professionals on May 21 has also been cancelled

In 2022, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) created the new waiver service Family Medical Support Assistance (FMSA). ODP is scheduling webinars to explain what this service entails, how it works, and who it applies to. ODP is encouraging individuals and families to attend this webinar to learn about this waiver service; there will be time during the webinar for questions to be asked directly to ODP.

Who should attend?
Individuals and Families

Date and Time:
Friday, May 29, 2026
10:00 am – 11:30 am

Please note that this session is intended specifically for individuals and families. ODP is offering a seperate session for professionals.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently identified a calculation issue that impacted values for the Changes in Skin Integrity measure in the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) Provider Preview Reports. According to CMS, a logic error led to inaccurate assessment-based measure results for a subset of IRFs, impacting values for the Changes in Skin Integrity Post-Acute Care: Pressure Ulcer/Injury measure.

Per CMS, they reissued corrected IRF Provider Preview Reports for all affected providers. The revised reports include updated assessment-based measure results for the June 2026 Care Compare refresh.

To ensure accuracy and proper handling of data, CMS is requesting that any IRFs noticing ongoing discrepancies—especially for the Pressure Ulcer/Injury measure—contact the CMS IRF Help Desk directly. Provider-specific data review requests must come from the IRFs themselves so that CMS can securely and efficiently validate the underlying assessment data.

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Title: Advancing SUD Treatment Through MBC
Date/Time: Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT
Registration Link: Advancing Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Measurement-Based Care

Our partners at Greenspace Health are hosting an educational webinar focused on improving substance use disorder (SUD) treatment through Measurement-Based Care (MBC).

SUD care presents unique challenges where traditional pre and post models of measurement may not capture the complexities of recovery. As a result, many organizations are working without the consistent, actionable data needed to fully understand and support client progress.

On June 4, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT, tune in to hear from a panel of clinical and research leaders from the Yale MBC Collective and the HEALing Measurement Center as they share practical insights on applying MBC in SUD settings:

  • Dr. Jessica Barber, Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine;
  • Dr. Sandra Resnick, Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine;
  • Dr. Kelli Scott, Assistant Professor, Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; and
  • Host: Simon Weisz, President & Co-Founder, Greenspace Health.

This is a great opportunity to explore how MBC can help address SUD treatment challenges by equipping providers with the tools and insights needed to deliver more consistent, outcomes-informed care. Attendees will learn how to integrate MBC into workflows, scale across diverse programs, and use data to inform care decisions.

We encourage all RCPA behavioral health provider members to join this important conversation and learn from experts who are actively advancing MBC in substance use care.

Register here – Thank you, and we hope you can join!

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Title: PA ABLE Savings Program Webinar
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 / 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Register Here

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), is offering a webinar on the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program. A PA ABLE savings account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (eligible individuals) and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage eligible individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how a PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits. Information on the recent age eligibility expansion will be discussed.

OLTL service coordinators, direct service providers, Community HealthChoices managed care organization staff, and any individuals who work in employment supports are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar, as it will help them understand the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants they serve.

Please register for the PA ABLE Savings Program webinar, presented by Diana Fishlock, Outreach Specialist for PA ABLE with the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury. This webinar is scheduled for May 20, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. You can register using this registration link.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

  • If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact us via email.
  • If you have questions regarding this email, please contact Randy Loss, OLTL.

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ODP Announcement ODPANN 26‑050 provides technical guidance for stakeholders involved in the FY 2026/27 Individual Support Plan (ISP) renewal process.

The following topical areas are addressed in this communication:

  1. Guidance for Updating FY 2026/27 Renewal Plans;
  2. FY 2026/27 Waiver Rate Load;
  3. Supports Coordination Billing Changes;
  4. Variance Process for Established Service Requirements;
  5. NG5 and Residential Rate Exception NEA process;
  6. Data Clean Up Efforts;
  7. When to Create FY 2026/27 ISPs;
  8. Reserve to Encumbrance (R2E); and
  9. Resources.

Please see the bulletin for more instructions and information. For information related to special considerations or for other questions about the ISP renewal process, please contact your respective ODP Regional Program Office.

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Image by succo from Pixabay

On May 4, 2026, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court granted an application to publish its previously unpublished opinion in Dunkelberger v. Department of Human Services (DHS). The underlying decision is significant, as the Court invalidated the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) “40/60 rule” as applied to family caregivers.

With the Court’s decision now published, it is formally recognized as precedential authority. As such, it is binding on lower courts until it is overruled or limited by a higher court or subsequent decision.

The publication of this decision elevates its legal significance beyond the parties involved in Dunkelberger. Because the ruling now carries precedential weight, DHS and its program offices must account for the Court’s analysis when developing, enforcing, or revising policies that impact providers and caregivers. This includes heightened scrutiny of administrative rules that may not be clearly supported by statute or adopted through proper regulatory procedures. Over time, this decision may serve as a reference point in future legal challenges and could shape how DHS approaches policy development, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with administrative law requirements.

RCPA will continue to monitor developments arising from this decision and will remain engaged with DHS, its subsidiary offices, and our association partners to promote consistent, transparent, and legally sound rulemaking practices. For questions regarding this update, please contact Tim Sohosky.

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Pennsylvania coalition marched around the Capitol building to call on lawmakers to strengthen mental health funding, services

HARRISBURG, PA — Hundreds of mental health advocates from across the commonwealth marched around the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Monday, May 4, as part of Mental Health Advocacy Day 2026, a statewide event to elevate lived experience, celebrate recovery, and push for the supports and resources that strengthen Pennsylvania communities. The event was supported by the Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association (RCPA), one of the largest and most diverse state health and human services trade associations in the nation.

The day featured a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda, followed by the march around the Capitol building grounds. Speakers included Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-Delaware) and Jen Smith, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

“Mental health touches every family, every community, and every corner of this commonwealth,” said Rep. O’Mara. “This march sends a clear message to Harrisburg: Pennsylvanians are watching, and they expect us to act.”

“Recovery is real, and the people who marched at the Capitol today are living proof,” said Jen Smith, Deputy Secretary, DHS Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. “Their stories deserve to be heard by every legislator in this building.”

Mental Health Advocacy Day brought together individuals with lived experience, family members, service providers, and community leaders to engage directly with lawmakers and draw attention to mental health priorities across the state. The event was powered by a broad network of partner organizations that unite each year to lift a shared voice for mental health.

When asked later about this event, Dr. Richard Edley, RCPA President and CEO remarked, “This is what grassroots advocacy looks like. People from every region of the state came together — not for any single organization, but for a shared commitment to a stronger mental health system.”

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About the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA):
With more than 400 members, the majority of who serve over one million Pennsylvanians annually, Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) is among the largest and most diverse state health and human services trade associations in the nation. RCPA provider members offer mental health, substance use disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, children and youth, criminal and juvenile justice, brain injury, medical rehabilitation, pediatric rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging services, across all settings and levels of care. Visit www.paproviders.org for more information.

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has shared an upcoming learning opportunity from the Youth and Family Training Institute (YFTI) for professionals across child and family serving systems.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 12:00 pm, YFTI will present Managing Team Dynamics: Fluid Facilitation in Family Driven Teaming. This webinar introduces the concept of fluid facilitation, the practice of adapting facilitation strategies in real time rather than rigidly following a plan. Participants will explore how responsive facilitation supports respectful dialogue, helps navigate conflict, and guides teams toward shared understanding, integrated solutions, and shared ownership, even when meetings become challenging.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Notice and interpret changes in participation, emotion, and momentum during team meetings;
  • Adapt facilitation approaches to support inclusive, respectful discussion;
  • Respond to conflict and imbalance while keeping meetings constructive and on track; and
  • Promote shared ownership and follow-through within team processes.

This session is designed for facilitators, coordinators, clinicians, family navigators, and system partners engaged in Family Driven Teaming.

Registration information is available here. Please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Specialist Emma Sharp with any questions.

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