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Policy Areas

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board (Board), established under section 1252 of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C.A. § 300d-52), will hold a virtual public meeting on February 4, 2022. Due to health concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the virtual public meeting will be conducted by means of Microsoft Teams from 10:00 am–3:00 pm.

Meeting materials will be sent out before the virtual public meeting and will also be available on the Board’s website. Questions should be directed to Nicole Johnson. To join the Microsoft Teams meeting, call (267) 332-8737. The conference ID is 126 841 107#.

The Department of Health’s (DOH) Head Injury Program (HIP) strives to ensure that eligible individuals who have a TBI receive high quality rehabilitative services aimed at reducing functional limitations and improving quality of life. The TBI Board assists the DOH in understanding and meeting the needs of persons living with traumatic brain injury and their families. This quarterly virtual public meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics, including the number of people served by HIP. In addition, meeting participants will discuss budgetary and programmatic issues, community programs relating to traumatic brain injury, and available advocacy opportunities.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites professionals across the service partnership to apply for the Capacity Building Institute. The Capacity Building Institute (CBI) aims to help professionals gain the skills necessary to support individuals with a dual diagnosis — intellectual disability with co-occurring mental health issues, and challenging behaviors.

Who?

Directed by Gregory Cherpes, MD, ODP Medical Director, and Dr. Beth Barol, CBI brings together a select group of professionals to learn with a faculty of national experts and speakers. CBI training is presented by the Co-Directors of the Institute in conjunction with an array of highly experienced practitioners and innovators in the field.

What?

Training topics include overviews of the following selected topics:

  • One-page descriptions:
    • Healing lifestyle and social therapy;
    • Biographical timelines;
    • The impact of trauma;
    • Psychotherapeutic interventions, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and biofeedback;
    • Psychopharmacology and diagnosis;
    • Creative and expressive therapies; and
    • Functional Behavioral Analysis.

Where?

CBI will be held on the Zoom platform. Participants must have access to a computer, camera, and microphone.

When?
The deadline to submit the CBI Year 6 Interest Survey is February 18, 2022. 2022–2023 CBI two-day session dates are as follows:

  • 5/5/22–5/6/22
  • 6/2/22–6/3/22
  • 7/21/22–7/22/22
  • 9/8/22–9/9/22
  • 10/13/22–10/14/22
  • 11/17/22–11/18/22
  • 12/8/22–12/9/22
  • 1/12/23–1/13/23
  • 2/9/23–2/10/23

Why?

Current best practices and supportive models that have shown to be most helpful are sometimes beyond the reach of people who work directly with individuals with a dual diagnosis. CBI addresses these issues from an individual and systemic level through training, integration of knowledge into practice, and opportunities to build a statewide cohort to work together to effect change and build capacity. The participants will share individual best practice experiences leading to recommendations to the Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to facilitate a more effective delivery of services across systems.

How?

Whether you are applying as an individual or as part of a County Team, each person must separately complete the CBI Year 6 Interest Survey by 2/18/22 to express interest and confirm their ability to attend all sessions. There are a limited number of spaces available for participants. Separate email notification will be sent out to those people invited to attend the 2022–2023 sessions.

For more information, please see the following invitation or contact Marlinda Smith.

Executive Vice President of IDD Services Terry McNelis will be retiring from his current position at Merakey at the end of this fiscal year, after 51 years of service in the field. “RCPA would like to congratulate Terry on his upcoming retirement,” remarked RCPA President & CEO Richard Edley, “And we thank him for his many years of dedication to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

Terry has excelled in many different roles at Merakey, while maintaining tireless commitment to their mission. We wish him much success and happiness in the years to come.

Amplifying The Voices Of Direct Support Professionals
March 9–10, 2022
Register

On March 9–10, 2022, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals will embark on its first-ever 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.

The 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. In February 2022, the NADSP will provide direct support professionals with materials to prepare for legislative meetings. This will lead up to a 1.5-day virtual symposium that will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2022.

Thank you to NADSP’s Gold Sponsors

NADSP’s 2022 Policy Priorities

  • Establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for direct support professionals within the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  • Assure effective implementation of workforce development initiatives authorized through legislation that leads to wages commensurate with the level of responsibility and the complexity of this work, as well as career ladder opportunities that lead to professional growth.

Event Schedule

Wednesday, March 9, 2:00 pm–5:30 pm ET

  • 2:00 pm–2:15 pm ET: Welcome
  • 2:15 pm–3:00 pm ET: Expert Panel Discussion: The Direct Support Workforce and Public Policy: Building Quality at the Point of Interaction
  • 3:00 pm–3:15 pm ET: Sponsor Break with CareSource
  • 3:15 pm–4:00 pm ET: A Call to Action: NADSP’s Message to Congress
  • 4:00 pm–4:15 pm ET: Sponsor Break with Amerigroup
  • 4:15 pm–5:30 pm ET: Hook, Line, and Sinker: Soapbox Interactive Legislative Hill Meeting Preparation with Christopher Kush

Thursday, March 10, 2022
Legislative Meetings

After registering, all individuals will receive a confirmation note and a separate email with a Zoom link. Meeting details will arrive from Soapbox Consulting by Friday, March 4, 2022. Please note that your meeting time will depend on your zip code and Congressional District.

A detailed schedule of events, along with the expectations of attendees, is on our event landing page. Ready to answer our call to action? Visit ‘Register Now’ below to learn more.

REGISTER NOW

We apologize for any confusion but due to scheduling conflicts, we have made a change to the date for the February meeting of the RCPA Finance and Reimbursement Committee meeting. Please disregard the reminder announcement that went out earlier today.

The RCPA Finance and Reimbursement Committee meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday February 24, 2022, 10:00 am–12:00 pm. If you have already registered for the February 10 meeting, your registration will be transferred to this new date. If you have not yet registered for the meeting, but would like to, you can do so here.

Thank you for your understanding.