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Policy Areas

Due to ongoing scheduling conflicts, the April 2023 Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) Stakeholder Webinar, which was tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday, April 18, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, has been cancelled. The May 2023 OMHSAS Stakeholder Webinar is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. The registration link for the May 2023 Stakeholder Webinar will be sent out as we get closer to that date/time.

In the meantime, if you have suggestions for agenda topics for May’s webinar, please submit them via email. OMHSAS will monitor the account and will reply to the sender if more information is needed. Please be advised that responses will not be provided if additional information is not needed.

It is not too late to register for NADSP’s Advocacy Symposium. On May 3 and May 4, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) will embark on its second national advocacy event to bring the direct support professional (DSP) perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges. Hardships from the pandemic and recent legislation have provided new insights and opportunities for the direct support workforce that supports people with disabilities.

NADSP recognizes the previous absence and critical importance of lifting the voices of DSPs to federal policy-makers so that public policy can be informed by the people who are on the front-lines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community. On April 13, 2023, NADSP will provide DSPs from all across the country comprehensive advocacy virtual training. (No worries if you are registering late, as this training was recorded.) This will lead up to the 1.5-day virtual event in May that will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2023.

Advocacy Symposium and Legislative Meetings Training

Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm ET

State Team Meetings will extend beyond 4:30 pm ET

Legislative Meetings

Thursday, May 4, 2023, Time will vary by state and district

After registering, all individuals will receive a confirmation that they have registered. Final meeting times will be shared on March 4 from Soapbox Consulting. Please note that your meeting time will depend on your Zip Code and Congressional District.

RCPA members participated last year, and the event was a great success. If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Carol Ferenz.

A proposed regulation related to Adult Protective Services is currently posted on the Independent Regulatory Review Commission’s (IRRC) website. This proposed regulation “identifies mandatory reporters and prescribes penalties for their failure to report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment; requires consistent and timely investigations of allegations; and when necessary, provides for protective services to mitigate risk to individuals.”

The public comment period has started and will end on May 22, 2023. Please take the opportunity to review the proposed regulation and submit any comments that you may have following the processes outlined within the timeframe allotted. Consider sharing your thoughts with Carol Ferenz or your policy division director by May 19, 2023, for inclusion in RCPA’s comments.

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

RCPA member Pyramid Healthcare, Inc., one of the largest private providers of behavioral healthcare in the United States, announced two key promotions at the highest level of the company, which will shape its direction for years to come. Effective January 1, 2024, Jason Hendricks will become Chief Executive Officer and Sarah Deutchman will take Hendrick’s current role as Chief Operating Officer. Current President and CEO Jonathan Wolf will remain in an active role as Chairman of the Board and management advisor.

Read the full press release.

Folders with the label Applications and Grants

The date of submission for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s (PA OVR) statewide Request for Proposals for the InVEST (Integrated Vocational Engagement & Support Team) Project, PA OVR’s Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Model Demonstration Grant, has been extended until Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Interested parties should inquire through eMarketplace.