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Tags Posts tagged with "Capitol Day"

Capitol Day

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RCPA was honored to host our annual Capitol Day today, March 25, 2026, inside the Main Rotunda. This advocacy event and rally addressed Governor Shapiro’s 2026/27 budget and highlighted key administrative priorities for the year, including implementing rate increases, reducing administrative burden, and monitoring changes from federal legislation.


Richard Edley, President and CEO of RCPA, addressed key points from RCPA’s 2026 legislative and administrative priorities, while RCPA members attended to advocate for themselves, their loved ones, and those they serve. It was a great opportunity for individuals within the community to meet face-to-face with their legislators and discuss openly the concerns within health and human services that their families, providers, and organizations are facing.

 

 

 

 


Additional speakers at the rally included:

Carl Clark, President and CEO, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
[Pictured Left]

Representative Eric Nelson
[Pictured Right]

 

 

Representative Dr. Arvind Venkat
[Pictured Left]

 

Representative Ann Flood
[Pictured Right]

 

Dr. Kyle Kopko, Executive Director for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP)
[Pictured Left]

Senator Patty Kim
[Pictured Right]

 


RCPA thanks everyone who attended, the legislators who spoke and met with our members, and those who serve our state. We also thank the media outlets who attended, giving more exposure to the issues we face. We will always strive to support you and your communities!

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This is a reminder that RCPA will be holding our annual Capitol Day this year on Wednesday, March 25. Join us as we hold a press conference in the Main Rotunda between 10:00 am – 11:00 am, which will include legislators and leaders in human services.

You can register for our Capitol Day press conference by contacting Christine Tartaglione. We invite you to bring individuals and the families you support, additional staff, and colleagues to this advocacy event, and ask that you let us know if these individuals are planning to attend.

RCPA requests that members schedule appointments with their Senate and House legislators directly to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations either prior to or immediately after our press conference. For providers of IDD services, we are aware that PAR is also having a day of legislative meetings (non-Press Event) at the Capitol on the same day. If you are a member of both associations, please join our Press Conference as you attend other meetings with both associations. We will continue to coordinate with PAR to ensure that the events are seamless.

We highly encourage everyone who is attending to utilize RCPA’s 2026 legislative priorities during your legislative visits. As an additional resource, members can visit the Pennsylvania Capitol website to locate parking and view maps of the building, and you may use the following resources for coordinating your day at the Capitol:

If you have questions regarding our 2026 Capitol Day, including questions or concerns with scheduling an appointment with a legislator, please contact Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs. We look forward to seeing you at the Capitol!

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Advocate for yourselves and others by meeting with legislators directly! RCPA invites you to join us as we hold our annual Capitol Day this year on Wednesday, March 25. We will hold a press conference in the Main Rotunda between 10:00 am – 11:00 am, which will include legislators and leaders in human services.

You can register for our Capitol Day press conference by contacting Christine Tartaglione. We invite you to bring individuals and the families you support, additional staff, and colleagues to this advocacy event, and ask that you let us know if these individuals are planning to attend.

RCPA requests that members schedule appointments with their Senate and House legislators directly to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations either prior to or immediately after our press conference. For providers of IDD services, we are aware that PAR is also having a day of legislative meetings (non-Press Event) at the Capitol on the same day. If you are a member of both associations, please join our Press Conference as you attend other meetings with both associations. We will continue to coordinate with PAR to ensure that the events are seamless.

We highly encourage everyone who is attending to utilize RCPA’s 2026 legislative priorities during your legislative visits. As an additional resource, members can visit the Pennsylvania Capitol website to locate parking and view maps of the building, and you may use the following resources for coordinating your day at the Capitol:

If you have questions regarding our 2026 Capitol Day, including questions or concerns with scheduling an appointment with a legislator, please contact Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs. We look forward to seeing you at the Capitol!

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Advocate for yourselves and others by meeting with legislators directly! Take the opportunity to join RCPA as we hold our annual Capitol Day this year on Wednesday, March 25. We will hold a press conference in the Main Rotunda between 10:00 am – 11:00 am, which will include legislators and leaders in human services.

You can register for our Capitol Day press conference by contacting Christine Tartaglione. Please let us know if additional staff or colleagues within your organization are planning to attend Capitol Day with you.

RCPA requests that members schedule appointments with their Senate and House legislators directly to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations either prior to or immediately after our press conference. If you have questions or concerns regarding scheduling an appointment with a legislator, please contact Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs.

We ask that you use RCPA’s 2026 legislative priorities during your legislative visits. As an additional resource, members can visit the Pennsylvania Capitol website to locate parking and view maps of the building, and you may use the following resources for coordinating your day at the Capitol:

If you have questions regarding our 2026 Capitol Day, please contact Jack Phillips. We look forward to seeing you at the Capitol!

HARRISBURG, PA — A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers joined members of the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA), the Commonwealth’s largest health and human services trade association, at a press conference at the state Capitol in support of vital disability and human service programs. These programs serve millions of Pennsylvanians annually and play a transformative role in their lives.

At the March 26 press conference, RCPA and lawmakers pushed for continued funding and improved payment models, including Medicaid capitation, as well as decreasing administrative burden in the safety net system, as part of any final 2025/26 budget adopted by the General Assembly. These initiatives will help improve services and make the system work better for everyone. They also highlighted the need to invest in the workforce, ensuring strong support for licensed clinicians, direct support professionals, counselors, case managers and support/service coordinators, and peers.

Richard S. Edley, PhD, President and CEO of RCPA, spoke on behalf of members and those who rely on health and human services. Fady Sahhar, MBA, PhD, RCPA Director of Physical Disabilities & Aging, also communicated the need for Medicaid preservation and continued funding.

Richard S. Edley, PhD, President & CEO Fady Sahhar, MBA, PhD, Director of PD&A

RCPA members also raised their voices to stress the importance of not only maintaining but improving the systems in place. Speakers included Melva Fair, an RCPA Board Member and CEO of Community Living and Support Services (CLASS), and Annie Smith, Director of Early Intervention at RCPA member Strawberry Fields. Also in attendance were RCPA Board Members Susan Coyle of Chartiers Center and Gretchen Kelly of PLEA.

Melva Fair Annie Smith Susan Coyle and Gretchen Kelly

Representatives from both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate spoke in agreement with RCPA’s message, voicing continued support for vital services in Pennsylvania.

Representative Doyle Heffley Representative Joseph Hohenstein Senator Tim Kearney

Last but not least, RCPA thanks everyone who attended this year’s Capitol Day. Your support and presence made this year one of our most successful press conferences to date!

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Harrisburg, USA - May 24, 2017: Pennsylvania capitol interior dome colorful ceiling in city with American Flags

Join RCPA for our 2025 Capitol Day, which will be held Wednesday, March 26. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to advocate for yourselves and those you serve by meeting with legislators directly! We will hold a press conference in the Main Rotunda between 10:00 am – 11:00 am. The following legislators and leaders in the Health and Human Services arena will be speaking:

  • Richard S. Edley, PhD, President/CEO, RCPA;
  • Fady Sahhar, MBA, PhD, Director, Physical Disabilities & Aging Division, RCPA;
  • Melva Fair, CEO, Community Living and Support Services;
  • Annie Smith, Director of Early Intervention, Strawberry Fields;
  • Representative Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon);
  • Representative Joseph Hohenstein (D-Philadelphia);
  • Senator Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Lawrence/Mercer); and
  • Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware).

If you haven’t done so yet, you can register for our Capitol Day press conference by contacting Christine Tartaglione. Please let us know if additional staff or colleagues within your organization are planning to attend Capitol Day with you.

RCPA requests that members schedule appointments with their Senate and House legislators directly to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations after our press conference. If you have scheduled meetings, please contact Jack Phillips with details, as we can provide some level of coordination. RCPA will provide policy specific materials at the rally, including the RCPA 2025 Legislative Priorities.

As an additional resource, members can visit the Pennsylvania Capitol website to locate parking and view maps of the building. If you have questions regarding our 2025 Capitol Day, please contact Jack Phillips.