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Diversity

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The 2025 RCPA Annual Conference Striving to Thrive will be held September 9 – 12 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. The Conference Committee is seeking workshop proposals in every area for possible inclusion, particularly those that assist providers in developing and maintaining high-quality, stable, and effective treatments, services, and agencies in an industry where change is constant. The committee looks for presentations that:

  • Provide guidance on building a culture of a committed workforce, including recruitment and employee development as well as effective remote workforce strategies;
  • Inspire ideas for organizations to be leaders in their field;
  • Highlight new policy, research, and treatment initiatives, such as the use of artificial intelligence and use of technology in service provision;
  • Provide specific skills and information related to individual and organizational leadership development and enhancement;
  • Discuss advanced ethics practices and suicide prevention;
  • Address system changes that affect business practices, including integrated care strategies, value-based purchasing, performance-based contracting, acquisitions and mergers, and alternative payment models; and
  • Discuss organization strategies to adapt to performance-based contracting.

The committee welcomes any proposal that addresses these and other topics essential to rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, and intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism.

Members are encouraged to consider submitting, and we highly encourage you to forward this opportunity to those who are exceptionally good speakers and have state-of-the-art information to share.

The Call for Proposals (featuring a complete listing of focus tracks) and accompanying Guidelines for Developing Educational Objectives detail requirements for submissions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 14, 2025, at 5:00 pm. Proposals must be submitted electronically on the form provided; confirmation of receipt will be sent. Proposals submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

If the proposal is accepted, individuals must be prepared to present on any day of the conference. Workshops are 90 or 180 minutes in length. At the time of acceptance, presenters will be required to confirm the ability to submit workshop handouts electronically two weeks prior to the conference. Individuals unable to meet this expectation should not submit proposals for consideration.

Individuals are welcome to submit multiple proposals. Notification of inclusion for the conference will be made via email by Friday, May 9, 2025. Questions may be directed to Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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Image by ekavesh from Pixabay

February is just around the corner, so it’s time to start planning your organization’s Black History Month celebrations! Black History Month at work is a great opportunity to foster inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and recognize the contributions of Black individuals to history, culture, and society.

To create a thoughtful and engaging program that educates, inspires, and honors the achievements of the Black community, involve employees in the planning process to ensure that the event feels meaningful and authentic.

Here are some ideas you may wish to include as you celebrate Black History Month at work:

  • Sponsor Learning: Offer funded scholarships for team members interested in learning more about Black History. Have applicants submit an event, budget, and rationale for requested events (examples: attend a play, concert, poetry reading, or documentary).
  • Volunteer: Volunteer with Black-led charities or non-profit organizations as a team. Provide paid time off or complete during scheduled work hours if possible.
  • Support Black-owned businesses: Buy lunch from a Black-owned restaurant or purchase items for the office from a Black-owned business. Promote economic empowerment.
  • Donate to anti-racism charities: Choose an anti-racism charity to donate to as a team. Clearly communicate the choice and why.
  • Host a speaker series: Invite a speaker to discuss Black history and culture, or a social justice activist to discuss racial justice. Feature a speaker who can share stories/experiences that center around Black identity and/or how to promote diversity.
  • Host a Black author book club: Create a book club focused on Black authors and their works.
  • Host a film screening: Screen documentaries or movies to learn about Black History.
  • Black History Trivia: Host a Black History trivia event. Help your team learn more about Black history in a fun, exciting way.

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My Body, My Choice: Recognizing and Respecting the Body Autonomy of People With IDD
Thursday, December 5, 2024
2:00 pm ET
Register Here

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the right to lead healthy, fulfilling lives within their chosen communities. This includes expressing their sexuality safely and being able to access sexuality education on topics of choice.

Join Relias December 5 at 2:00 pm ET as they explore the importance of recognizing and respecting the body autonomy of people with IDD.

Learning objectives

  • Explore the concepts of body autonomy, ways to support and respect the body, and the significance of supporting the rights of people with disabilities.
  • Develop the skills to create and sustain safe spaces that empower individuals with IDD to openly discuss their bodies.
  • Discover effective strategies to empower individuals with disabilities to advocate for their rights and establish personal boundaries.

Register Here

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Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

Message from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL):

The Commonwealth is working collaboratively — Governor Shapiro’s office and the health hub agencies (Health, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Insurance) — to develop a statewide maternal health strategic plan. We need your help to make it a robust, comprehensive, collaborative, living, and most importantly, active plan.

As you are likely aware, Pennsylvania, like the nation, is experiencing a maternal health crisis.

According to the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee report, in 2020, Pennsylvania residents experienced a pregnancy-associated mortality ratio of 83 deaths per 100,000 live births with large disparities identified. In total, 107 individuals lost their lives during pregnancy, delivery, or up to one year postpartum.

Those numbers are far worse for Black women, where the rate was twice as high at 163 deaths per 100,000.

We also know that women and birthing people with disabilities experience unique challenges and needs on their health journey, so we are inviting you to join us for a 90-minute Zoom listening session where members of the Commonwealth’s health agencies and members of the statewide maternal health strategic plan can engage with you to learn what specific needs you have and how you feel the Commonwealth should address those needs.

We want our strategic plan to address all Pennsylvania women and birthing people, and sharing your voice at this listening session will help inform our plan.

The Zoom listening session is scheduled from 10:00 am – 11:30 am, on Friday, December 6, 2024. Please RSVP electronically by December 1 if you plan to attend. We will send the Zoom link by end of day December 4 to those who RSVP.

Thank you for considering spending 90 minutes with the disability community and state health team members to share your thoughts and needs around maternal health.

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Mark your calendars and plan to join IPRC for our exciting 2025 educational webinar series! Complimentary registration for all IPRC webinars is a benefit of your RCPA/IPRC Membership.

Thursday, January 16, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST 
Neuro-Opthalmic Rehabilitation

Friday, February 7, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

Monday, March 3, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
Data-Driven Decision Making

Monday, March 24, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
Evidence-Based Practice: A Clinical Perspective

Tuesday, April 15, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Part 1: Motivational Interviewing with Children

Tuesday, April 22, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Part 2: Additional Strategies for Patient Engagement

Tuesday, May 20, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT
Treating FND: Functional Neurologic Disorder

Thursday, September 4, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT
The Therapy Intensive Model

Tuesday, October 7, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Treating Non-Accidental Trauma

Monday, November 3, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
The Intersect of Functional Imaging and Clinical Presentations

Monday, December 8, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST
Treating Pediatric Burns

Do you have a great topic or know a fantastic presenter? Please reach out to Cindi Hobbes, IPRC Director.

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To address Pennsylvania’s high maternal mortality rate, the Commonwealth, through a partnership with Governor Shapiro’s office and the Departments of Health, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Insurance, is developing a statewide Maternal Health Strategic Plan. Interested stakeholders are invited to share their opinion through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Maternal Health Strategic Plan survey, which will remain open through November 4.

The vision for Pennsylvania’s Maternal Health Strategic Plan is a Pennsylvania where every pregnant and birthing person has easy access to high-quality perinatal, birth, and postpartum care that is person-centered, comprehensive, equitable, and affordable and that results in healthy outcomes and long-term good health and well-being.

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Join Esther Hio-Tong Castillo, PhD, as BHE’s guest speaker for the Speaker Series titled “The Courage to Talk: Overcoming Discomfort in Discussions on Racism,” moderated by BHE faculty member Karin Gladney, PhD, CAADC, as a live webinar on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am ET.

Systemic racism is deeply embedded in our institutions and communities, presenting significant challenges that require us to engage in difficult but necessary conversations about race. As James Baldwin famously stated, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” This moderated conversation aims to empower participants to confront their discomfort and engage in meaningful discussions on racism, fostering greater inclusion within our interpersonal relationships, workplaces and communities.

In this session, BHE will delve into the importance of discussing race and racism, providing strategies to overcome the emotional and psychological barriers that often hinder these conversations. Through real-life storytelling, participants will gain insight into ways that addressing racial discomfort can lead to personal and collective growth. The session will also explore the mindsets that inhibit authentic cross-racial connections and offer practical approaches to fostering more meaningful dialogues.

Join BHE for an engaging and enlightening discussion designed to equip professionals with the courage and compassion needed to tackle the challenges of race head on.

About Esther Hio-Tong Castillo, PhD:

Esther Hio-Tong Castillo, PhD, is a mental health and social justice advocate with nearly two decades of experience in education, community advocacy and government. She founded the award-winning Chinese Immigrant Families Wellness Initiative (CIFWI) at the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, recognized by the CDC Foundation for its impact on mental wellness in Asian immigrant communities. With a PhD in sociology, Dr. Castillo specializes in cross-racial solidarity work, particularly between Black and Asian communities. Her background as a biracial queer woman, first-generation college student and 1.5-generation immigrant informs her commitment to equity. As a former director of racial equity in city government and now CEO of Bridging Worlds Consulting, she provides DEI training and services, leveraging strategic thinking and community engagement to drive systemic change and promote equity across diverse communities.

CE Credits: APA-2; CPRP-2; LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-2; NBCC-2; PA Act48-2; PCB-2; PSNA-2; IACET-.2

Training Fee: $18

Register Today
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