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In urban, rural, and suburban communities across the country, transportation to services and programs that support recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is consistently identified as a significant barrier to access. Danny’s Ride, a Pennsylvania nonprofit that provides rides to recovery services for people living with SUD, is working to remove that barrier.

The Danny’s Ride model is designed so that recovery service providers identify the people who need rides to get to critical services and programs that support their recovery and ensures the rider arrives when and where they’re expected to be.

Danny’s Ride uses Roundtrip, a sophisticated, technology-based transportation company that provides 24 hours a day/seven days a week support for all rides and connects ride requests with rideshare operators, including Uber and Lyft. Staff uses the platform to set up rides (Riders are unable to change the ride details). The average ride cost is about $30, with funding for the rides provided by grants, governmental agencies, and fundraising dollars. A standard arrangement for Danny’s Ride includes single county authorities, which then contract with county providers, including treatment and recovery support providers.

Danny’s Ride started in Lehigh County but has expanded to multiple counties across the state. In addition, it is working on a pilot project with the criminal justice system in multiple counties in Pennsylvania. The organization’s intention is to continue to expand to more counties.

Danny’s Ride was founded in November 2020 by Nancy Knoebel, in honor of her son Danny Teichman. Danny died on November 11, 2016, after taking Kratom to help manage the impact of post-acute withdrawal syndrome resulting from stopping his use of buprenorphine as part of his recovery plan. His decision to stop using medication was driven in large part by stigma directed at medications to treat opioid use disorder and, in turn, at him as a person using the medication. He was one week shy of turning 28. Danny was a “ride giver” both in his recovery community and with friends and family.

Providers interested in more information about working with Danny’s Ride can visit DannysRide.org, email [email protected], or call 484-265-1411.

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Non-profit organization is seeking a Chief Financial Officer for its administrative offices. This person acts in the capacity of financial advisor to the non-profit organization, providing financial analysis, budget control, and accounting methods. The CFO also oversees the fiscal, payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable departments. The ideal candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills, experience working with local government funding, and experience working with QuickBooks Accounting Software. Degree in Finance and Accounting or other related field required combined with a minimum of 7-10 years of financial management experience. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Master’s Degree in Finance and Accounting preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be acceptable. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements to: 250 Pierce Street, Suite 301, Kingston, PA 18704; www.ihrser.com; or [email protected].

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ODP Right to Know Information as of 09-26-22
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Members, Please Share With Anyone You Know Who May Be Interested/Qualified. Thank you for your consideration!

The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) is proud to be among the largest and most diverse state health and human services trade associations in the nation. Our mission is to represent providers of health and human services committed to effective, efficient, and high-quality care. To that end, RCPA is seeking a Policy Analyst – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Division, who will support the IDD Director and RCPA members regarding policy, legislation, and support services locally as well as on a national level.

Duties will include:

  • Conducting policy analysis and research; responding to member requests regarding IDD policy-related issues, as appropriate.
  • Researching, analyzing, and responding to legislation, regulation, and other policy influencing documents and activities in the IDD field.
  • Preparing position papers, written analyses, and other written documents pertinent to the dissemination of policy information in the area of IDD services.
  • Studying existing and potential industry trends and laws (on a national, state, and local level) and issues pertinent to IDD providers.
  • Responding to member requests regarding IDD-related issues.
  • Representing the association at various meetings, including local and national, committees, and work groups.

Qualified applicants for our Policy Analyst – IDD Division opportunity will possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study, and two to four years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Additionally, candidates should possess:

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrated excellence in establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships;
  • Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic plans;
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
  • Excellent time-management skills and excellent attention to detail; and
  • Fluency in the Microsoft Office suite of programs.

This is a full-time position that entails approximately 40 hours of work per week. RCPA is proud to offer a robust benefits package that includes paid medical and dental insurance, life, AD&D and disability insurance, as well as the opportunity to participate in the 401(k) benefit with company match.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to respond to this posting with their resume and salary requirements. RCPA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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In June of 2022, Pa House Resolution 212 was adopted, establishing a legislative task force on intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and autism (ID/A), and directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the impact of this Commonwealth’s current delivery of services to individuals with ID/A. The task force is to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives in December of 2023.

The task force is charged with examining the efficiency, uniformity, and best practices of the administration of services through the county system, Quality of Life outcomes, including waiver services, waiting lists, and transitional protocols; and of moving into and out of one waiver or program to another, transitioning out of high school, and how current Federal and State laws and regulations impact and limit supports and services. There are several areas specified in the House Resolution that the task force members are to consider, including:

  • Collaborations between the Department of Human Services, managed care organizations, and providers, including reimbursement rate settings, direct support professionals, other funding sources, and how providers collaborate to serve individuals with ID/A.
  • Opportunities for integrated job coaching, community participation supports, including for individuals who chose not to go into the community because of underlying issues, and additional programs offered through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or the Employment First Commission.
  • Current treatment needs, including network capacity to treat and care for high acuity individuals, individuals with complex medical needs in addition to intellectual disabilities, and individuals who need special care and assistance with intensive behavioral health issues. The study examines all available living settings, including intermediate care facilities, community homes, state centers, services in family homes, Lifesharing, independent living with assistance, farmhouse settings, campus settings, and any other innovative residential services.
  • Barriers and obstacles in transportation for individuals living in the home or receiving community-based services for jobs, medical appointments, and peer-to-peer groups.
  • Workforce issues with direct support professionals, supports coordinators, behavioral and mental health specialists, or health care practitioners who assist with the provision of services.
  • Providers who have ceased operations since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Input from representatives and advocates from all aspects of the sector and continuum of care to assist the Joint State Government Commission with its findings and recommendations in the report.

The task force held its introductory meeting in October to begin the process. Dr. Richard Edley, RCPA President and CEO, has been appointed to serve on the task force. Additionally, RCPA was successful in advocating for members and partners to be assigned; Marian Baldini, President/CEO of KenCrest; Christopher Betts, MA, Executive Director of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health; Lisa Liston, Coordinator of Special Services and Family Support at Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children; and Amy Lutz, PhD.

Representative James Struzzi, II, and Representative Eric Nelson, along with Representative Benham and Representative Joseph Hohenstein have also been appointed to serve on the task force.

Additional appointed members include Oscar Drummond, Representative, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs; Mayme Carter, MSW Director, Bradford County Human Services; Jane Gonzalez, Guardian, Advocate, Mother; Anne M. Couldridge, Executive Director, The Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties (CPARC); Ryan E. Hyde, MEd, CRC Executive Director – Acting Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; G. N. Janes, Chief Executive Officer, Valley Community Services; Daisy V. Shirk, DO, DFAPA Adolescent Psychiatrist Reading Hospital, Honorable Ryan M. Tira Pennsylvania Supreme Court Autism and the Courts Task Force Member; Melissa Watson, PhD, LPC, BCBA, Senior Vice President PAHrtners Deaf Services; Maria Martin, Representative, Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council; Ned Whitehead, Vision For Equality; Edward Yongo, CEO Pathways of Southwest; Pamela Zotynia, Service Director, Participant Directed Services, Values Into Action.

The task force is staffed by Executive Director Glenn J. Pasewicz, Yvonne Llewellyn Hursh, Esquire, Staff Attorney Stephen J. Kramer, Esquire, and Executive Secretary/Office Manager Wendy L. Baker.

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Photo by Headway on Unsplash

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has taken the lead in creating a task force to develop recommendations for legislation supporting an Abuse and Neglect Registry in Pennsylvania. This group was formed due to the concern that care-dependent adults with disabilities and older adults are highly vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Carol Ferenz, IDD Division Director at RCPA, has been appointed as RCPA’s representative, along with representatives from ODP, OLTL, OMHSAS, DHS general council,

PDA, OCYF, Senate and House Human Services staff, Temple Institute on Protective Services, National Adult Protective Services, Autism Connection, Vision for Equality, Arc of PA, Disability Rights PA, Speaking for Ourselves, Self-Advocates United as 1, PA Association of County Administrators, PAR, and The Provider Alliance.

When abuse/neglect occurs, a substantial gap in preventing recurrence is that, even in serious cases of substantiated abuse/neglect in PA’s Adult Protective Services (APS) or Older Adult Protective Services (OAPS), unless there is a successful criminal prosecution, the responsible caregiver is not prevented from employment at another agency, obtaining guardianship of an individual, or volunteering in agencies supporting individuals with disabilities. In Pennsylvania, without a criminal conviction, there is no mechanism to identify or track caregivers who abuse or neglect the individuals they look after, because PA does not maintain a registry of caregivers who have abused or neglected individuals in their care.

The task force was charged with the following objectives:

  1. Outline desirable parameters for a registry (PS populations, types of caregivers, bar for inclusion);
  2. Analysis of challenges for implementation; and
  3. Provide recommendations for implementation of a Caregiver Abuse/Neglect Registry in PA.

The proposed timeframe for completion is October 2022.

It is recognized that there are several challenges that must be considered, such as the fact that there is no statutory authority for a registry and there must be a process to address appeal rights for caregivers. Additionally, current investigations for APS only substantiate that abuse/neglect occurred, but not responsible person(s) as well as the implications and interface between CPSL, APS, and OAPS.

This registry will require the development of an infrastructure, revision of investigatory processes, and IT changes to support collection of new investigatory information. There will be a need for policy, procedures, and IT to support assignment of — and database for — unique identifiers for all DSPs/DCWs; and of course, there will be a fiscal impact.

Several other states have implemented a similar registry, including New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, and Ohio. The group has reviewed information from those existing policies as well as current policies in PA with Children and Youth services.

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Since as early as the 1960s, harm reductionists have operated mostly underground and in the shadows in the United States. Today, the harm reduction movement is squarely in the middle of the conversation about and visible on the front lines of the work being done to save the lives of those who use drugs. Harm reduction has positioned itself as arguably the most effective immediate solution to saving people from dying due to a drug overdose. And many, including at the highest levels of state and federal government, are taking notice.

Harm reduction, according to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, incorporates a spectrum of strategies that includes safer use of drugs, managed use, abstinence, meeting people who use drugs “where they’re at,” and addressing conditions of use along with the use itself.

Some of those strategies include syringe service programs (SSPs) and fentanyl test strips. And although opponents of harm reduction argue that such strategies enable drug use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), new users of SSPs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment and three times more likely to stop using drugs than individuals who don’t use the programs. The CDC also reports that SSPs help serve as a bridge to other health services, including Hepatitis C and HIV testing and treatment, and vaccination [read full article].

In Pennsylvania, harm reduction strategies have received bipartisan support, albeit limited. Rep. Jim Struzzi (R) introduced HB 1393, which would legalize fentanyl test strips for personal use. Of the harm reduction bills in the legislature, Struzzi’s has advanced the farthest, having passed out of the full House of Representatives in June of this year. The bill currently sits in the Senate Judiciary Committee. A companion bill, SB 845, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kearney (D), has also been introduced.

Sen. Pat Browne (R) introduced SB 926, which would legalize SSPs in Pennsylvania. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and has yet to be called to a vote.

In Pennsylvania, more than 170 organizations have signed on as supporters of SSPs. RCPA, along with some of its largest addiction treatment provider members, is among those.

In addition to legislative support, harm reduction efforts are receiving funding support. Over the next 18 years, Pennsylvania will receive more than $1 billion from the negotiated settlement between opioid distributors and Johnson & Johnson and states’ attorneys general. The portion of settlement money the legislature controls has been allocated to DDAP, and it intends to use some of those funds for harm reduction initiatives.

Federally, President Biden’s 2022 National Drug Control Strategy calls for expansion of high-impact harm reduction interventions including naloxone, drug test strips, and SSPs. In New York City, two supervised consumption sites, where drug users bring their own drugs to use under the supervision of trained workers in case they overdose, opened last year in New York City. Rhode Island is planning to open at least one as soon as this year. Others, including in California, are in the planning stages.

Still, some of the most basic harm-reduction strategies, including low-barrier buprenorphine — increased access to buprenorphine through patient-centered programs that are easy to access, offer a high quality of care, and eliminate hurdles to access or stay in care — are not widely available in Pennsylvania. This is, in part, because of state and federal regulations, a lack of buprenorphine prescribers, and antiquated philosophies on addiction treatment held by some influential groups, including some in the legislature.

Despite the life-saving potential of harm reduction strategies, not to mention the bridge they often provide to addiction treatment, they remain stigmatized. For addiction treatment providers, the challenge is finding collaborative ways to work with harm reductionists while staying true to their own missions. Doing so ultimately will best serve the individual in need and save lives.

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