National Council Webinar for Update on Federal Policy Developments on Feb. 6
Webinar
Listening Sessions for Improving the AAW on March 4 and March 6
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-017. This communication announces that ODP will be holding two webinars to give all stakeholders and interested persons the opportunity to voice ideas for updating and improving the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). ODP will take this opportunity to listen to stakeholders and use this input for the AAW 2026 renewal process, effective July 1, 2026.
- Participants and Families Session — Tuesday, March 4, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Provider Session — Thursday, March 6, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Please review the announcement for additional information and details.
Reminder for IPRC Webinar: Pediatric POTS and Related Disorders on Feb. 7
Friday, February 7, 2025
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST;
11:00 am – 12:00 pm MST; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PST
Register Here
Christina Kokorelis, MD
Presenter Bio:
Christina Kokorelis, MD, is a rehabilitation physician specializing in pediatric and adult postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), orthostatic intolerance, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. She takes a comprehensive, team-based approach to patient care. Dr. Kokorelis also treats children with concussions and chronic pain disorders. An assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, where she completed her residency, Dr. Kokorelis followed the residency with a pediatric rehabilitation fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She currently works as an attending physician in the Johns Hopkins POTS clinic and is also the Medical Director of the Pediatric POTS clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:
- Define POTS;
- Discuss how to diagnose POTS;
- Describe treatment approach to POTS; and
- Discuss long-term outcomes of POTS.
Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.
IPRC Webinar: Data-Driven Decision Making on March 3
Monday, March 3, 2025
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST;
10:00 am – 11:00 am MST; 9:00 am – 10:00 am PST
Register Here
Tiffany Prince-Kandrakota, PT, DPT, MSHQS
Presenter Bio:
Tiffany Prince-Kandrakota is a physical therapist with more than 20 years of experience. Her career has included clinical work as well as progressive leadership responsibilities in multiple large health systems in the Philadelphia area. In this time, she found a passion for the quality of the care that was being provided, which drove her to return to school for a Masters in Healthcare Quality and Safety. She currently works as the Rehabilitation Quality Improvement Coordinator at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:
- Define quality improvement in healthcare.
- Why quality? And how do we achieve it?
- Understand the steps in the Model for Improvement.
- Understand the tools available for quality improvement work.
- Discuss using data to drive quality improvement.
Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.
PBC Webinar for Individuals and Families on January 30
You’re Invited!
Thursday, January 30, 2025
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) would like to invite you to the Performance-Based Contracts Webinar for Individuals and Families. This webinar will provide individuals and families with a general overview of how the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) proposes to implement Performance-Based Contracting for residential services effective January 1, 2025.
Audience: Individuals, caregivers, and families.
RCPA to Host Third Members-Only PBC Town Hall on January 30
Drexel University BHE Webinar: “A Legal Primer for Mental Health Professionals” on January 30
David DeMatteo, JD, PhD, ABPP (Forensic), will present “A Legal Primer for Mental Health Professionals,” a live webinar that is a part of the Behavioral Health Education’s (BHE) Speaker Series, on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET. Attendees can earn 2 CE hours for $18. Register for the webinar here.
Mental health professionals often work with justice-involved individuals, yet most mental health professionals do not have any formal legal training. As a result, it can be intimidating for some mental health professionals to interact with the legal system. This talk will provide an overview of the legal terms, principles, cases, and rules most often encountered by mental health professionals who work with justice-involved individuals.
After providing an overview of the U.S. legal system, this talk will examine several relevant legal concepts, including admissibility standards for expert evidence, the legal foundation of expert testimony, fact witnesses versus expert witnesses, discovery, reliance on inadmissible evidence (e.g., hearsay), responding to subpoenas, protecting confidentiality and test security, and ethics/professionalism.
Having knowledge of the legal system and relevant laws can lead to several benefits for mental health professionals, including increased competence in (a) providing services to justice-involved individuals, (b) offering consultation to the legal system and (c) communicating with legal professionals (attorneys, judges).
About David DeMatteo, JD, PhD, ABPP (Forensic):
David DeMatteo, JD, PhD, ABPP (Forensic), is a professor of psychology and professor of law at Drexel University, and director of Drexel’s JD/PhD program in Law and Clinical Psychology. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, more than 50 book chapters and 12 books in his areas of interest, which include mental health law, psychopathic personality, forensic mental health assessment and diversion of justice-involved individuals. He is a former president of the American Psychology-Law Society and the American Board of Forensic Psychology. He consults with city agencies, state agencies, policymakers, correctional facilities and law enforcement. Dr. DeMatteo is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania, where he provides forensic mental health assessments and consultation, and he is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He has testified as an expert witness in several state and federal courts. He is chair of the Committee to Revise the American Psychological Association’s Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, and he is the editor-in-chief of Law and Human Behavior.
The Link Center Announces “Navigating the Justice System” Shared Learning Group
The Link Center invites you to participate in its Shared Learning Groups virtual gathering series.
Shared Learning Groups are an opportunity to dive into important topics together, sharing resources, information, and ideas to better support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), brain injuries, and other disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. These meetings will be led by members of our Steering Committee and project partners.
Please join for the next Shared Learning Group, “Navigating the Justice System.”
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), brain injuries, and other disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions often come into contact with the justice system in various ways. This session will focus on ways to prevent involvement with the justice system. We will discuss various touch points in the justice system where support can be offered, ensuring individuals get the resources and understanding they need. Additionally, we will cover how to help them successfully reintegrate into society by connecting them with community resources and support networks.
Live Captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation will be provided during all live webinars. Registration is required.
There are four sessions on the same topic for different target audiences. Please register for the session most relevant to you, or whichever best fits into your schedule.
January 21, 2025
Direct Support Professionals: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm EST
Register in advance for this webinar.
Clinical Professionals: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm EST
Register in advance for this webinar.
January 22, 2025
Families of People with Lived Experience: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm EST
Register in advance for this webinar.
People with Lived Experience: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm EST
Register in advance for this webinar.
Reminder for IPRC Webinar: Understanding and Treating Pediatric Vision Impairments on January 16, 2025
Thursday, January 16, 2025
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST;
11:00 am – 12:00 pm MST; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PST
Register Here
Samantha Bohl, OD
Presenter Bio:
Dr. Bohl earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry in San Antonio, Texas, and completed a residency in neuro-optometric rehabilitation through the State University of New York College of Optometry. Dr. Bohl joined the team at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in 2017, where she supports individuals with vision impairments in the rehabilitation setting.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:
- Review the visual system and areas of the brain used for vision;
- Identify common visual issues found in the pediatric population; and
- Describe several treatments for pediatric vision deficits, including vision therapy.
Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.
Level: Beginner
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.
Reminder: Discover RCPA Membership Benefits on January 15
RCPA is excited to host a Membership Benefits webinar on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 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 occur throughout the year.
Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Items we will review include the below and much more:
- Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
- Discuss the 2025 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 Association memberships included with RCPA membership.
Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.
Prev