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Health and Human Services
Registration Now Open for the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive!
Registration is now officially open for the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive! The conference offers inspiring keynotes and plenaries, over sixty workshops, live updates from both state and national partners, and the ability to interact with exhibitors and sponsors in our Connections Hall! View our Registration Brochure for complete details of the conference schedule, presenters, current sponsors, and a message from RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley. You can also register directly here.
All conference information is also available on the RCPA Conference website. Be sure to check the website regularly for details and updates to the schedule, registration, and sponsors/exhibitors. Our mobile app, which we are proud to share is once again being sponsored by Millin, will become available closer to the time of conference and will contain CE information, a detailed agenda, and more!
In addition to registration, there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, so don’t delay! Opportunities still available include but are not limited to coffee and refreshment breaks, our Awards Luncheon, entertainment, and meal sponsorships. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference, all information is available in our Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise Brochure. Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for more details.
View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!
OPEN MINDS: The Chaos Isn’t Ending
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Opportunities Still Available to Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise at the 2025 RCPA Conference Strive to Thrive!
RCPA is excited to share our growing list of sponsors and exhibitors who are committed to supporting our 2025 Conference Strive to Thrive! This event, which will be held September 9 – 12 at the Hershey Lodge, is a highlight for the PA health and human services fields. We would like to thank the organizations who have committed their support already; you can view them below as well as on our Conference website!
The conference is only four months away! We will soon be assigning booth numbers to exhibitors, and there are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths. Don’t delay! View this year’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertiser Brochure, which features detailed lists of all the ways your organization can thrive at our conference. These include networking opportunities in Connections Hall and new sponsorship items, such as the registration table!
Sign Up Now!
Sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by August 20. The association looks forward to welcoming you at the conference! Space and opportunities are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservation is considered complete without payment. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.
View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!
Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise at the 2025 RCPA Conference “Strive to Thrive”
RCPA is excited to share the growing list of sponsors and exhibitors who are committed to supporting our 2025 Conference Strive to Thrive! This event, which will be held September 9 – 12 at the Hershey Lodge, is a highlight for the PA health and human services fields. We would like to thank the organizations who have committed their support already; you can view them below and on our Conference website!
There are still many opportunities available for sponsorship and exhibit booths, and we encourage your organization to view this year’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers Brochure, which features detailed lists of all the ways your organization can thrive at our conference. These include networking opportunities in Connections Hall and new sponsorship items. Please be aware booth self-selection will also be available for exhibitors and exhibiting sponsors. In order to be considered for self-selection, a completed contract with payment must be submitted.
Sign Up Now!
Sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by August 20. The association looks forward to welcoming you at the conference! Space and opportunities are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservation is considered complete without payment. Please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions.
View our sponsors and exhibitors at our Conference website!
RCPA, PA Lawmakers Spotlight Urgent Need for Fair Funding, Workforce Investment in Human Services
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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RCPA 2025 Capitol Day Resources and Details
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.
Transforming Health and Human Services Systems to Improve Care for Complex Populations — Social Innovations Journal Vol. 28 Released
RCPA to Recognize Outstanding Leaders in Human Services at the 2024 Conference
RCPA understands that it’s important to recognize those in health and human services who go above and beyond in their fields. That’s why, in addition to hosting the many workshops as well as keynote and plenary sessions, we are excited to present the following awards during our Wednesday Association Awards luncheon. RCPA is thrilled to honor and recognize these individuals for their dedicated commitment to health and human services.
Representative Eric Nelson: 2024 Legislator of the Year Award
For Consistent Support and Advocacy in Human Services
For Consistent Support and Advocacy in Human Services
Mike Hopkins: 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
For Dedication and Commitment to the Human Services System in PA
For Dedication and Commitment to the Human Services System in PA
Kim Sonafelt: 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award
For Your Leadership, Innovation, and Commitment to Excellence
For Your Leadership, Innovation, and Commitment to Excellence
Register today to attend the luncheon and more! Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, or RCPA with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hershey Lodge!
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Register to Attend the 2024 RCPA Conference! |  |
Register Today for the 2024 RCPA Conference to Learn and Be Inspired by Local and National Leaders!
The 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success will be certain to educate and inspire all attendees when it comes to thinking about the challenges in health and human services. Online registration closes next Friday, Sept. 13, meaning time is running out on reserving your seat and seeing our impressive lineup of speakers. View our keynote and plenary speaker schedule below, which promises a wide variety of topics and lively discussions.
Tuesday, Sept. 24:
- Listen to a Pennsylvania State of the State from DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh, which will touch on key topics such as performance-based contracting and telehealth.
- Learn about data modernization and implementing AI/ML-enabled Cloud technology with Carlos Rivero of AWS.
Wednesday, Sept. 25:
- Hear from Lee Yaiva of Scottsdale (AZ) Recovery Center as he openly speaks on addiction treatment and navigating recovery as a Native American.
- Raise your awareness of human trafficking and its impacts with Amy Thurston and Melissa Knechel of Hope Inspire Love.
Thursday, Sept. 26:
- Fan favorite Michael Cohen returns to declare how employers can set themselves apart by going above and beyond the status quo.
- National updates will be provided from RCPA’s Association Partners the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and ANCOR, featuring Reyna Taylor and Donna Martin, respectively.
Friday, Sept. 27:
- Craig Dietz, who was born without limbs, will round out our conference on a high, humorous, and heartening note with tips on finding your inner potential and challenging yourself.
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Register Here for the 2024 RCPA Conference |
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Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, or RCPA with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hershey Lodge!
