The Department of Human Services (DHS) has shared several available resources to address providers’ concerns regarding the Change Healthcare outage. The system remains unavailable due to a current cyber-attack. You can read the full press release, which details resources and short-term solutions.
If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.
AID In PA is accepting applicants for its April 2024 TRAIN program. This free training program was developed for therapists, counselors, and clinical social workers who already have experience working with clients who have an ID/A diagnosis and are looking to gain knowledge and skills related to trauma therapy.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism are at an increased risk of experiencing trauma; however, few therapists are skilled in both trauma and ID/A support. To bridge this gap, psychologists with the ASERT team created the TRAIN program – 12 weeks of self-guided learnings and live webinars to equip therapists across Pennsylvania currently working with the ID/A populations with the skills to support clients through trauma experiences.
Participants have direct supervision from psychologists with backgrounds in both trauma and ID/A and interactive discussions with fellow participants, as well as receive Continuing Education (CE) credits provided through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) upon completion of the program. 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.
The TRAIN program focuses on:
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 AID in PA’s 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:
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. 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’s encouraged to attend all. If you are not currently seeing patients or are not in a capacity to present any cases, this may not be the right program for you.
Cost and CE Credits:
It is free to participate, and if you complete the entire program, you will receive 13.5 CE credits through the NBCC.
If you believe this program is appropriate for you and can commit to the requirements, please complete the survey by March 25, 2024. This is on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t delay! If you cannot attend the Spring session, the program will also be available in Fall 2024.
RCPA member Achieva and the Pennsylvania Health Law Project are hosting a webinar titled “Understanding Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers for People With Disabilities” from 10 am – 12 pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Led by Janice Meinert from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, the webinar will explore Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Home & Community-Based Waiver programs. Topics include eligibility criteria, the application process, available services, and annual waiver clinical eligibility redeterminations. For more details and registration, visit Achieva’s website. This project receives funding from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. For accessibility accommodations, please contact Patty Yerina. If you have additional questions, you may contact Jim Sharp, RCPA Mental Health Policy Director.
The Early Bird registration deadline for Pennsylvania’s 21st Children’s Interagency Conference has been extended to March 15, 2024. From April 22 – April 25, 2024, the event will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College, PA, focusing on the theme “Shining The Light on Mental Health: Building Youth Wellness & Resilience.” Keynote speakers Dani Bowman, Anthony Cammilleri, and Victor Armstrong will address attendees on April 22, 2024. The conference is organized by the PA Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health Services, and the PA Care Partnership. Registration is now open at the 21st Children’s Interagency Conference Registration web page. For more information about the conference, visit the conference website. For assistance, contact conference planner Katrina Harris.
If you have any further questions, please contact Jim Sharp, RCPA Mental Health Policy Director.
The Role of HCBS Waiver Services in Supporting Families
April 4, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (CT)
Register Now
Due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond their control, the Best Practice Series scheduled for March will now be in April.
Note: If you already registered before the date change, you do not need to register again. You will be sent a separate email with the updated zoom link for the new date.
The Best Practice Series introduces and elevates best practices related to supporting families. Each session will feature a panel of individuals or organizations who will address key recommendations from the National Agenda through their lens of:
In this session, they will focus on Recommendation 4: The redesign of waiver services and supports to focus on quality-of-life outcomes, increase flexibilities, improve access and navigation, and ensure self-determination and self- direction (while also balancing the need to support the family).
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