Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Lawmakers Introduce Bill to End Subminimum Wages for Workers With Disabilities
Press Release
DDAP, OMHSAS Launch Joint Inspection Process for Dually Licensed SUD, MH Providers: RCPA SUD Treatment Services Director Jason Snyder Quoted
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a new initiative designed to reduce administrative burden for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment providers that are licensed by both agencies.
Specifically, licensing staff from both DDAP and DHS will begin conducting coordinated annual inspections of SUD and mental health treatment facilities that are licensed by both agencies for outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential services. The new initiative, which is voluntary, could impact up to 170 jointly licensed facilities that provide SUD and mental health services.
DDAP and DHS launched the new initiative today, July 14, by holding a webinar for impacted providers on the new inspection process, including how to pre-submit information. In addition, the agencies plan to survey providers to receive feedback on the new process that will allow for any necessary modifications to be made to the joint inspection process.
“On behalf of our behavioral health provider members across the Commonwealth, I want to thank DDAP and DHS for their hard work on this initiative. Reducing administrative burden has been and remains a top priority for RCPA, and we are grateful that the Shapiro Administration has responded, not only with this joint licensing inspection process, but with the other work it is currently doing to address provider burdens, including its work to reform regulations,” said Jason Snyder, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services Director of Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with both departments in the future on additional ways to enable providers to put even more of their focus on patient care.”
RCPA Member Inperium, Inc. Announces Closing of Attain Affiliation
July 1, 2025 – Inperium, Inc. and its affiliates (“Inperium”), the nation’s fastest-growing nonprofit human services network, today announced the successful closing of its affiliation with Crystal Lake Supportive Environments, d/b/a Attain, a Florida nonprofit provider of community-based programs for people with developmental disabilities.
From Ryan Dewey Smith, Inperium’s Founding Executive Chairman and CEO:
“The Attain affiliation launches our new fiscal year with continued growth. As Inperium approaches its tenth year, its annualized revenue is approximately $835 million, with net assets of almost $200 million, and $200 million in cash for expansion. Industry trends and Inperium’s strong capabilities, resources, and deal pipeline signal accelerated growth through the decade. Inperium’s success enables the launch of a charitable foundation to support nonprofits facing financial challenges. I’m excited to share more about this exciting initiative soon.”
From Craig A. Cook, Attain’s Executive Director:
“Attain’s Board of Directors and I agree that Inperium’s proven track record, resources, and collaborative approach make it the ideal partner to advance our mission of supporting Orlando’s IDD community. We’re excited to be Inperium’s Florida entry point and eager to expand their model statewide.”
About Inperium, Inc.
Inperium is the national leader in nonprofit human services, providing a broad spectrum of programs nationwide designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and other needs. For more information, visit Inperium’s website.
About Angler West Consultants, Inc.
Angler West is an intermediary for nonprofit consolidators, specializing in acquisition and divestiture strategies for specialty healthcare and human services organizations. Since its founding in 1996, Angler West has leveraged its deep sector expertise, extensive transaction expertise, and industry relationships to drive mission-aligned growth for its nonprofit clients.
RCPA Member Wesley Family Services and Transitional Services, Inc. Agree to Affiliation
PA to Receive Approximately $200M in Settlement With Purdue Pharma, Sackler Family
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced, along with 54 other attorneys general, a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and owners, the Sackler family, regarding the company’s manufacturing and distribution of opioids that fueled a nationwide addiction epidemic.
The settlement resolves pending litigation against Purdue and the Sacklers, with those entities acknowledging their role in contributing to the epidemic with rampant production and aggressive marketing of opioids for decades.
The settlement also ends the Sacklers’ ownership of Purdue and their ability to sell opioids in the United States.
Pennsylvania is estimated to receive as much as $200 million from the settlement — over a period of 15 years — depending on how many municipalities sign off on the settlement terms.
RCPA Member Case Management Unit (CMU) Announces New Agency Name as Pathways Forward
Case Management Unit (CMU) Announces New Agency Name as Pathways Forward
New Name! New Vision!
Harrisburg, PA — 03/05/2025 — At the grand kickoff event, Case Management Unit (CMU) announced its new brand name as Pathways Forward, setting a course to strengthen the organizations commitment to its mission of “charting paths and creating opportunity for adults, children and families to live full and inclusive lives in their communities.” Pathways Forward predominately serves all of Dauphin County for those in need of mental healthcare, Intellectual Developmental Disabilities/Autism (IDD/A) and families needing Early Intervention service for young children with developmental delays. The agency’s Blended Case Managers and Supports/Service Coordinators help thousands of people move closer to living their best lives. “Pathways Forward, and its strong partnership with Dauphin County Human Services, create deep and powerful opportunities for success among those we serve”, said Board President Doug Hill. “Our well-trained professional teams are actively working in the community to meet people where they live, providing the highest quality care possible.” More than 5,000 people and their families benefit from the agency’s array of interventions each year. According to Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Slattery, “Our amazing teams are on pace to achieve more than 250,000 high quality engagements this year, setting a new standard of excellence.” To learn more and find ways to support this vital community agency, please visit www.pathfwd.org/.
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For more information, press only:
Patrick Slattery
717-364-5560
RCPA Member Millin Expands Behavioral Health Billing Services to Pennsylvania
RCPA Member Devereux/TCV Community Services Opens Day Academy in Homestead to Serve Mon Valley Region
RCPA Joins ID/A Associations in Calling 2024/25 Budget “A Strong Step Forward”
HARRISBURG, PA (July 12, 2024) – Intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) advocates and providers are calling the final 2024/25 Pennsylvania budget a “strong step forward” that will “change so many lives for the better.” The approved budget includes additional funding for increased rates and more capacity to serve the waiting list. As Gov. Josh Shapiro noted last night in his final budget remarks, “The ID/A community was finally heard in these halls of power.”
“I am grateful for the partnership and collaboration with Pennsylvania Advocates and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR), The Provider Alliance, MAX Association, The Alliance of Community Service Providers, The Arc of Pennsylvania, and RCPA,” said Richard Edley, PhD, CEO and President of Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA). “It was this unique and unified advocacy that has led to this important step forward in the administration’s multi-year growth strategy. Thank you, Governor Shapiro, and the House and Senate, for listening. We look forward to our continued work together.”
View the full press release here.
ADvancing States and the ARPA HCBS TA Collective Announce Release of Report Summarizing State Experiences With ARPA HCBS Initiatives
ADvancing States and the ARPA HCBS TA Collective Announce Release of Report Summarizing State Experiences with ARPA HCBS Initiatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2024
CONTACT: Camille Dobson
202-898-2578
ARLINGTON, VA — ADvancing States and our partners in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) home and community-based services (HCBS) Technical Assistance Collective (TA Collective) are proud to release a report sharing findings about states’ experience in implementing their ARPA HCBS initiatives. While the ARPA infusion of federal dollars into HCBS provided an historic opportunity to try bold, new approaches to supporting people in their homes and communities, states were challenged to make systemic improvements given the time-limited nature of the federal funds.
To gather insights into states’ experiences in implementing their ARPA HCBS spending plans, the TA Collective fielded a national survey in early 2024 that aimed to identify successful strategies used by states implementing their ARPA HCBS spending plans, as well as any barriers hindering their success. Based on responses to that survey, this report highlights the challenges and barriers states faced in thoughtfully executing their initiatives in the midst of a public health emergency. The thirty-three states that responded to the survey shared the top barriers to implementing their projects as planned. These barriers include:
- Delays in obtaining approval from CMS for both their spending plans and the necessary federal authorities to implement those plans;
- Lack of staff capacity to design and implement complex initiatives;
- The time it takes to complete state procurement processes to implement projects; and
- The need to secure legislative approval and/or budget authority before beginning work.
The report also suggests ways to make any future time-limited investments in the HCBS system more effective, including giving states more time to implement, easing the CMS approval process and providing resources to both states and CMS. Moreover, any future investments should be accompanied by a federal evaluation to glean insights into successful interventions that could be replicated across the country.
While this report highlights challenges and lessons learned, it should be noted that, against all odds, states created transformational change with their ARPA spending plan initiatives. Our hope is that this report — and the recommendations contained therein — serves as a roadmap for any future federal investment in the HCBS system.
This report is also informed by the TA Collective’s work supporting states with their ARPA initiative planning, implementation, and evaluation activities and by observations and analysis of state and federal ARPA HCBS activities. It builds upon the TA Collective’s past work including, Efforts to Evaluate the Impact of ARPA HCBS Investments, an issue brief examining state evaluation approaches, and a summary of the work of the HCBS Sustainability Summit, which provided valuable context on sustaining the HCBS commitment fostered by ARPA investments. Both reports can be found here.
We are grateful to The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Care for all with Respect and Equity (CARE) Fund, The SCAN Foundation, and the Milbank Memorial Fund for their support in making the work of the TA Collective possible.
