Al Schmidt, a Republican Former Philly Elections Official, Named as Josh Shapiro’s Pa. Secretary of State
Announcement
Governor-Elect Shapiro Appoints Vereb, Hossain to Key Positions
Capitolwire: Shapiro-Davis: Gov.-Elect Josh Shapiro Appoints Experienced Deputy Chiefs of Staff as Administration Leadership Team Grows
RCPA Member Threshold Rehabilitation Services, Inc. President Retires, Successor to Champion Quality of Life Vision
RCPA Members Streamline and CenClear Partner to Build Out An ICWC Formal Reporting Package
Deputy Secretary Jon Rubin to Depart OCYF
RCPA has been notified by the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) that Deputy Secretary Jon Rubin will be departing his position at the end of the year. Below is a message from the Deputy Decretory Rubin.
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to share that I have made the difficult decision to step down from my position as the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Children, Youth, and Families effective December 23, 2022.
It has truly been an honor to serve the residents of Pennsylvania in this role for the past three years. During my time in office, I have been so impressed by the commitment of our OCYF staff, county and provider agency partners, and the many caring and passionate individuals that make up our child welfare system and human services community. I look forward to seeing the future successes of OCYF and the continued efforts to shift practices towards a more prevention-oriented system along with our day-to-day efforts to keep kids safe in Pennsylvania.
In gratitude,
Jon
On behalf of RCPA, we wish Jon well and thank him for his collaboration, partnership, and leadership during very challenging times and for the manner in which he has supported our members, providers, and child welfare initiatives in the Commonwealth.
PA Gov.-Elect Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Gov.-Elect Austin Davis Make Transition Announcements
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Gov.-elect Austin Davis held a news conference Wednesday to announce the first steps in the transition to their incoming administration.
Outgoing Gov. Tom Wolf joined Shapiro and Davis for the announcement at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.
Shapiro and Davis will be sworn in on Jan. 17. The transition team will include executive director Akbar Hossain, who was the policy director on Shapiro’s gubernatorial campaign, and communications director Manuel Bonder, who was Shapiro’s campaign press secretary. Directing the inauguration will be Amanda Warren, who served as finance director on the campaign.
Shapiro also announced a transition website, shapirodavis.org, encouraging Pennsylvanians to learn more about the inauguration and to apply for roles in the new administration.
Shapiro is currently the state attorney general, and his term ends in January 2025. The governor will nominate someone to fill out the term, and that person will need Senate approval. The first deputy will take over the duties of attorney general until the position is filled.
Currently a state representative for the 35th District, Davis was reelected to that office in last week’s election while he also ran for lieutenant governor. A special election will be held to replace Davis in the state House.
TaWanda Jackson Named Chief of Staff for ODP
The Office of Developmental Programs is pleased to announce TaWanda Jackson as the new Chief of Staff. TaWanda brings a wealth of experience and will begin her new role October 31, 2022.
TaWanda Jackson, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an energetic professional with a passion for helping others. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Robert Morris University and continued her education and received her master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
TaWanda began her career in public service at the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging. She then joined the Commonwealth as an Income Maintenance Caseworker, and for the past thirteen years, she’s been with ODP in various roles. Most recently, TaWanda served as a statewide lead for the Quality Assessment & Improvement Process. She has participated in the development and implementation of the QA&I process since its inception and provided her knowledge and expertise to ensure that stakeholders understand the overall processes and procedures and adhere to federal and state regulations and requirements.
TaWanda is an alumnus of the Office of Administration Emerging Leader Program and the Department of Human Services Leadership Development Institute. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family playing games, cooking, reading, being active in her church, and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. TaWanda lives in Lancaster County with her husband Bobby and two children.
RCPA Member Community Skills Program Joins Success Rehabilitation’s Continuum of Care
QUAKERTOWN, PA — September 30, 2022: Community Skills Program® — a non-residential rehabilitation program of Counseling and Rehabilitation, Inc., has transferred its program to continue under Success Rehabilitation and will now become a part of Success Rehabilitation’s comprehensive continuum of care.
“We are truly humbled to have the trust of Sally Kneipp, founder of Community Skills Program, and will work with her to continue, under Success Rehabilitation, to build on her legacy and the incredible work of Community Skills Program. We are excited to come together to strengthen our culture of excellence in becoming the model for post-acute brain injury rehabilitation.” Success Rehabilitation CEO Joanne Tangney said in a statement, “This new initiative accelerates our strategic goal of delivering a comprehensive continuum of care to meet the rehabilitation needs of individuals with acquired brain injury or other neurologic impairments wherever they need it the most — from our residential and outpatient programs to their homes and communities.”
When explaining the decision to approach Success Rehabilitation about administering Community Skills Program as part of Success’s comprehensive care options, Sally pointed out that she has respected the brain injury providers with whom Community Skills Program has collaborated over the years, and has enjoyed their collegial relationships. She added, “Given the values and vision of Success Rehabilitation’s team members and the continuity and consistency of their management, it seemed logical for Success to take the reins in expanding Community Skills Program’s non-residential home and community-based services under their leadership.”
Community Skills Program, a private non-residential rehabilitation program of Counseling and Rehabilitation, Inc., has been serving individuals in Pennsylvania since 1981, and then in New Jersey, as well. Community Skills Program was designed to assist individuals with traumatic brain injuries to make the transition from hospital-based programs to inclusive community living focused on their strong interests and personal goals.
Success Rehabilitation is a specialty post-acute brain injury rehabilitation provider with residential and neuro rehabilitation outpatient program locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania. For 34 years, Success Rehabilitation’s CARF Accredited brain injury programs have set the standard for outcomes-focused rehabilitation, including a comprehensive vocational program, improving the lives of individuals who have experienced acquired brain injury.
Medication Administration Fall/Winter 2022 “Train the Trainer Face-to-Face” Classes Announced
All Train-the-Trainer Face-to-Face classes will continue to be virtual through December 31, 2022. Classes for New Trainers and Recertifying Trainers will be held separately. View the announcement for the class schedule and further details.
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