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Physical Disabilities & Aging

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Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Miranda Brazinski
570-709-4655

August 1, 2022 (PITTSBURGH, PA) — Mainstay Life Services, a nonprofit organization that provides life-long, high-quality support services to people with developmental disabilities, is pleased to welcome Willette Walker as its first-ever Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO).

“I’m honored to begin this new chapter of my career with Mainstay,” said Walker. “To ensure Mainstay’s services continue to exceed the needs of those supported, I hope to cultivate an even stronger work environment for our employees so that they are inspired to continue our mission as their best selves.” In her role, Walker will support the organization’s strategic human capital initiatives as a multifaceted leader through organizational development, employee relations, talent strategy, and strategic business partnering.

Walker comes to Mainstay with over 25 years of leadership experience in human resources and organizational development. Most recently, Walker served as EVP of Human Resources at A Second Chance, Inc., where she provided leadership and oversight over the full spectrum of the organization’s human resource functions. In addition to Walker’s previous experience, she spent six years as an educator with Pittsburgh Public Schools where she developed and implemented lesson plans designed to facilitate student learning.

“Willette’s experience will prove a strong asset for our organization’s growth,” said Kim Sonafelt, Mainstay Life Services Chief Executive Officer. “She has a heart for leading and educating others, which seamlessly supports Mainstay’s mission to ensure those we support live fulfilling lives.”

Walker received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Wilberforce University, her JD degree from Duquesne University School of Law, and her master’s degree in teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.

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About Mainstay Life Services

Mainstay Life Services is a nonprofit organization providing residential services, community services, and other supports to people with developmental disabilities and their families. We are committed to assisting the people we support to reach their fullest potential within their community.

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REMINDER
Message from the Department of Human Services (DHS)**

Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is changing which Physical Health Managed Care Organizations (PH Plans) are available for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers. This is an opportunity for DHS to be sure that the program and our partners are continuing to strive towards improved access to care and superior quality of care and support provided by the PH Plans to MA consumers.

The PH plans available in your county may change. In some counties, your current MCO will no longer be available, and in others, you may have new options to pick from. If you have to select a new plan, DHS is committed to helping you find a plan that meets your individual needs, while also allowing you to keep your current health care providers. It’s important for you to consider what doctors, hospitals, or other health care providers are in a PH plan’s network.

This enrollment period is your opportunity to compare the health plan options in your region and choose the best plan for you.

Please note that the above information means that your agency needs to alert your consumers to the change so they can make an informed decision. Otherwise, they will be auto-assigned. Visit here for more details regarding which plans are available by county.

**Does NOT affect current Behavioral HealthChoices or
Community HealthChoices participants.**

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Registration for the RCPA Conference 2022 Together! is now open! Together! will be held October 11 – 14, 2022, at the Hershey Lodge in person this year. After two long years, we are looking forward to seeing everyone!

The 2022 event features more than 60 workshops, most of which will be recorded to allow participants to take advantage of viewing sessions after the event. We will have over 90 continuing education credit options. Participants will also be able to visit Beacon Health Options Connections Hall and networking events.

You will not want to miss keynote speakers, including:

  • Dick Finnegan, a respected speaker, author, and CEO of C-Suite Analytics, who will provide his insight on “The Great Resignation;”
  • Deborah Riddick, a public policy expert, who will discuss how intentional collaboration, centered in curiosity, authenticity, and integrity, can help to address health disparities;
  • Dan Hilferty, a respected authority on health care, business, and civic engagement; and
  • Michael Cohen, who has updated stories of uncommon HR situations and strategies to resolve them.

We will also have two plenary sessions available for all attendees. The first will provide national updates from our partners Chuck Ingoglia of National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Gabrielle Sedor of ANCOR. Later on in the week, Meg Snead, Acting Secretary of the Department of Human Services, and Jennifer Smith, Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, will highlight key accomplishments from DHS and DDAP respectively.

Several sessions will focus on workforce development, workforce recruitment and retention, value-based payments, telehealth, and trauma-informed support. Learn how to effectively share your story with legislators. Join us to hear from respected colleagues regarding state-of-the-art practices and new thoughts on service provisions. You can view the full schedule at the RCPA Conference website.

Early bird registration is available now until September 9, 2022! Questions about the conference may be directed to Carol Ferenz or Sarah Eyster, Conference Coordinators.

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The following documents from the August 3, 2022, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting are now available:

The next MLTSS Subcommittee is scheduled for September 7, 2022, from 10:00 am — 1:00 pm. The meeting will be held in person in the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Honors Suite, 1st floor, at 333 Market Street Tower in Harrisburg as well as via webinar. To register to participate via webinar, please visit this webinar registration link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Photo by MChe Lee on Unsplash

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, in partnership with three Intermediate Units across Pennsylvania, cordially invites you to attend our regional School Safety Conferences, focusing on “Averting Targeted Violence at Schools Through Mental Health Supports & Building a Culture of Belonging.”

We are honored to have keynote speaker Mr. Eric Garner from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, who graciously agreed to share his experience on the mass shooting that took place at his high school on February 14, 2018. Additionally, presenters from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Capital Area Intermediate Unit round out the day-long program with timely and resourceful presentations.

Regional Dates & Locations:

  • September 15 | Sheraton Station Square — Pittsburgh
  • October 20 | Hershey Lodge — Capital Area (Hershey)
  • November 16 | Normandy Farm Convention Center — Montgomery County

Audience:

  • School Administrators, Teachers, Support Staff
  • School Resource Officers
  • Mental Health and Social Health Experts
  • Law Enforcement
  • First Responders

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FEMA has approximately 30 million new/unused level 1 gowns in their warehouse in Manteca, California, and another 11 million new/unused Level 1 gowns (same type of gowns) in the warehouse in Springfield, Virginia. Visit here for details on the available gowns. Note that sizes range from small to 2XL. The majority of the gowns are a cotton/polyester blend.

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Harrisburg, PA — For the first time since 1994, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) will reopen the order of selection (OOS) to significantly disabled (SD) and non-significantly disabled (NSD) individuals, terminating the waitlist for all SD and NSD applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services. The change goes into effect today, August 8.

L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) assists Pennsylvanians with disabilities in obtaining and retaining employment while keeping their independence. Since 2016, nearly 370,000 individuals have received services from OVR, including vocational counseling, evaluations, medical diagnostic services, medical restoration services, employment training, placement services, and career support services.

Under federal law, the OOS occurs when there are limited resources to provide vocational rehabilitation services. The OOS allows state vocational rehabilitation programs without adequate funding or staff to provide services to customers who qualify on a priority basis, by category. By law, the highest priority must be given to customers with the most significant disabilities.

“Every individual should have the opportunity to pursue their passion, earn a living wage and build wealth in Pennsylvania,” L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier said. “OVR makes this possible for individuals with disabilities by connecting them to employers who wisely recognize the value of employing people with different backgrounds and experiences — and who make their workplace open to all through reasonable accommodation.”

Due to the decrease in economic activity during the pandemic, OVR has a surplus of federal funding available to remove the waitlist and use those unspent resources to serve more Pennsylvanians.

The removal of the waitlist for services expands participation in OVR services, along with more in-demand services, such as counseling and training. Over the last year, almost 55,000 individuals benefitted from those services.

“Our goal with this process has always been to serve people with disabilities by giving them the tools they need to obtain and maintain employment,” said OVR Acting Executive Director Ryan Hyde. “Removing the OOS allows us to serve more Pennsylvanians with disabilities, aiding them on their journey to be successfully and gainfully employed.”

Individuals currently on the waitlist for groups SD and NSD will be notified by their vocational rehabilitation counselors that they will be able to access services as of August 8. New, eligible customers seeking services in groups SD and NSD will be able to receive services without waiting. This change is effective through June 30, 2023, when OVR will review the fiscal outlook and decide whether the services to all groups can remain open, without the waitlist, beyond this date. On July 1, 2021, OVR reopened the OOS for individuals with a Most Significant Disability (MSD), eliminating the waitlist for any MSD applicants.

Determination of MSD, SD, or NSD is by the following criteria:

  • An individual with a most significant disability has a disability that results in serious functional limitations in three or more functional capacity areas.
  • An individual with a significant disability has a disability that results in serious functional limitations in at least one functional capacity area.
  • An individual with a non-significant disability is determined eligible for the OVR program but does not meet the MSD or SD requirements.

For more information on OVR services, visit your local OVR office or apply for OVR services online via PA CareerLink®.

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