Register Today: Joint ID/A Association Meeting to Be Held on February 11
Meeting
Safety in Youth Sports Act (HB 2042) Voting Meeting Rescheduled to February 3
Representative Tim Briggs originally scheduled a voting meeting for January 27, 2026, at 10:00 am to review amendments to HB 2042, known as the Safety in Youth Sports Act, which established standards for managing concussions and traumatic brain injuries of students participating in athletic activities. This meeting has been rescheduled to February 3, 2026, at 8:30 am.
Representative Briggs introduced HB 2042 in 2011. This meeting will include a discussion about proposed amendments to the original bill that will expand the scope of this Act to further provide for the proper management of brain injuries. The amendments include non-scholastic league and recreational sports and also provide information on Return to Learn. Representative Briggs will be incorporating this bill into the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes so that it is no longer a freestanding act.
The meeting will be held in Room 60 in the East Wing and will be livestreamed from the House Committee website.
Mental Health Safety Net Coalition Meeting Announced for February 13
RCPA will reengage with all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition. The Coalition is focused on developing strategies, activities, and engagement opportunities to support behavioral health funding in the Commonwealth.
The Coalition will have its first meeting on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. This meeting will give the group an opportunity to review last year’s budget, Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget, and initial strategies for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27. It will also give us an opportunity to develop questions for legislators for the DHS budget hearings in late February and early March. Register for the meeting by contacting Emma Sharp, RCPA Policy Associate.
As the group continues to meet, we will develop our overall advocacy blueprint to ensure the communication of our message and stakeholder engagement is focused on protecting and preserving our mental health service delivery system.
The meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams; information will be sent to those interested in the Coalition. RCPA invites all to participate. If you would like to join the Coalition or have any questions, please contact Emma Sharp.
Date Change Announced for March 2026 LTSS Subcommittee Meeting
Due to scheduling conflicts, the March 2026 date for the Long-Terms Services and Supports Subcommittee (LTSS) meeting has been changed. The meeting has been changed from March 4, 2026, to March 11, 2026. The meeting will be held via webinar and remote streaming, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Questions and comments may be submitted electronically.
Reminder: RCPA to Hold Member Orientation Webinar on January 14, 2026
This is a reminder that RCPA will be holding a membership benefits webinar on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that are held throughout the year.
Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
- Discuss the 2026 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
- Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
- View the RCPA member-only website;
- Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
- Understand the value of the National Council and ANCOR memberships included with RCPA membership.
Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.
Stateside Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting to Be Jointly Hosted by OMHSAS and ODP on January 15
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) host a quarterly Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices meeting. This meeting aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 8:30 am – 10:30 am and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The topic for the morning session is “The Foundation is Communication.” The topic for the afternoon session is “Sensory or Behavior? Diving into Sensory Processing.” This meeting will be held online via Zoom.
Please see the announcement for additional information.
The Zoom link for joining the session will be sent to the email you used to register. This link will be unique to your registration. Please do not share this link.
Questions? Email PATraining.
Agenda and Call Link Released for LTSS Subcommittee Meeting on January 7, 2026
The agenda and link to join the January 7, 2026, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting have been released. The call on January 7, 2026, will be held via webinar and remote streaming only and will take place from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
A few of the key agenda topics, in addition to an update from the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Deputy Security, include information being shared by OLTL on the 2026 OBRA Waiver renewal and the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver amendment. Additionally, there will be a presentation from OLTL’s Enrollment Unit on enrollment and redeterminations/data requests.
To participate in the meeting, the information is below:
Conference line — Bridge Number: 1 (415) 655-0052 PIN: 571-523-182#
Webinar Link
Remote Streaming Link
Comments and questions may be sent electronically.
December 2025 Provider Performance Review Meeting Materials and Updates Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) convened for the Provider Performance Review Subcommittee on December 18, 2025, to provide updates on service utilization, National Core Indicators (NCI), and family engagement initiatives.
The statewide summary for services in CY 2025 highlights a continued focus on community-based and non-residential options.
- Residential and Non-Residential Distribution: As of late 2025, Non-Residential Services account for the majority of utilization at 71.12%.
- Residential Service Breakdown: Within residential settings, Residential Habilitation remains the most common at 25.68%, followed by Life Sharing at 2.76% and Supported Living at 0.44%.
- Housing Support: ODP tracked the percentage of enrolled individuals receiving Housing Transition and Tenancy Services by SCO for CY 2025, with participation rates reaching up to 6% among certain providers.
National Core Indicators (NCI) and Satisfaction
ODP shared findings from the NCI-IDD In-Person Survey (2023/24) to measure person-centered outcomes and satisfaction.
- Community Inclusion (NCI-IDD PCP-5): Pennsylvania’s average satisfaction with community inclusion was 84% for FY 2023/24, consistently exceeding the NCI-IDD national average of 82%.
- Activity Satisfaction: High percentages of participants reported they “go out to eat enough” (77%), “go shopping enough” (81%), and “go out into the community enough” (80%).
- Future Performance-Based Contracting: Beginning January 1, 2026, SCOs will be required to attest to supporting ODP data collection for this measure to inform future performance benchmarks.
- Service Plan Relevance (NCI-IDD PCP-2): 92% of respondents reported “Yes,” their service plan includes things that are important to them.
- Benchmarking: By 2027, SCO performance on this measure is expected to meet or exceed 90%.
Residential Services: Family Engagement
ODP is actively measuring how well providers engage with and support families through communication and relationship building.
- Performance Measure (QI.03.3): Effective January 1, 2025, providers must attest to assisting ODP in collecting data on family satisfaction with provider engagement.
- Family Satisfaction Survey Status: As of December 2025, 1,790 family members of individuals in residential habilitation have responded to the survey.
- Provider Participation: Currently, 350 providers have positive response rates, while 18 providers have not yet been heard from.
- Deadline: The survey is scheduled to close on December 31, 2025.
For Questions or Additional Information
Please contact Tim Sohosky for any follow-up or inquiries related to this update.
RCPA to Hold Member Orientation Webinar on January 14, 2026
RCPA is excited to host a membership benefits webinar on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that are held throughout the year.
Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
- Discuss the 2026 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
- Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
- View the RCPA member-only website;
- Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
- Understand the value of the National Council and ANCOR memberships included with RCPA membership.
Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.
April – June 2026 LTSS Subcommittee Meetings Changed to Hybrid
On November 12, 2025, the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget was signed into law, removing travel restrictions. As a result, OLTL will resume holding hybrid LTSS Subcommittee meetings. The meetings scheduled for April 2026 – June 2026, which were changed to webinar and remote streaming only earlier this year, are now scheduled to be held as both in-person and webinar with remote streaming.
Since the travel ban has been lifted, reimbursement for Subcommittee members’ travel expenses may be submitted with an itemized receipt for review.
The Office of Long-Term Living appreciates your understanding and flexibility.
Please share this message with staff, participants, and any other interested parties.
If you have questions about the LTSS Subcommittee Meetings, please send them electronically.
