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Criminal Justice

Governor Shapiro’s office published a list of regulations being considered by the state agencies in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 22, 2023. The document lists regulations being drafted by state agencies that cover a wide variety of activities under oversight of the state government. Under Executive Order 1996-1, all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor must submit for publication semi-annually an agenda of regulations under development or consideration. This list is current as of July 15, 2023.

Join us at the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity for the latest in strategies and innovations within the health and human services sector. Held at the Hershey Lodge October 10 – 13, participants can earn CEs through workshops that will cover a wide variety of topics. Our full brochure is available, and we’ll be rounding out our first day at the lodge with:

  • Driving Pennsylvania’s Health Care Transformation: Integrating Perspectives for Advanced Patient-Centered Care
    • Discuss strategies and methods of health care system integration, including designing a roadmap for practical applications.
  • Purpose and Growth: Engaging and Retaining Your Teams in Challenging Times
    • Learn to retain employees in the face of generational gaps, the effects of the pandemic, and the economy by focusing on what they most want: purpose and growth.
  • Why Your Agency Needs A Specialized Telehealth Solution: Improving Health, Provider Cost Saving, Increased Satisfaction
    • Hear about StationMD and Mainstay Life Services’ telehealth partnership and how having a specialized telehealth solution can improve outcomes while lowering costs.
  • Data Strategies for Impact and System Transformation
    • Do more with your data by learning the stages of organizational development for data-informed decision-making.
  • Value-Based Purchasing: A Survival Guide
    • Review value-based purchasing and how it is a tool to be used to improve quality health care. This discussion will include best practices for utilizing data in real time.
  • Current Steps in Implementing Trauma-informed Care in Children’s MH RTFs
    • Learn about OMHSAS’s TIC Initiative for children’s mental health residential treatment facilities, which serves as part of PA’s commitment to becoming a trauma-informed state.
  • Individual Operations: Owning Your Own Influence
    • Understand what it means to be a leader and implement strategies that will strengthen your team, including utilizing and recognizing scheduling patterns, planning ahead, and knowing when to set and break boundaries.
  • Condition Support: Addressing Escalated Situations in the Health Care Setting
    • Analyze an overview of UPMC’s Conditional Support Process, which addresses patients or visitors who exhibit aggressive or hostile behaviors in order to protect medical professionals.
Register today!

In addition to an impressive roster of speakers, our 2023 Conference will have an exciting array of sponsors and exhibitors. We thank those who have signed on thus far! If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, visit here for more details or contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions you may have. Keep up-to-date and register today for #rcpaconf!

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recognizes that the corrective action process is a cornerstone of human services licensing. In 2019, the Department released a webinar, Developing a Plan of Correction, to assist providers with the successful development and implementation of acceptable Plans of Correction. Likewise, the Plan of Correction Quick Reference Guide was issued as a tool to assist our providers with this process.

The Department is seeking your feedback on these resources. Please complete this survey by July 26, 2023, in order to assist DHS in determining what additional steps are needed to ensure that our providers are sufficiently educated and supported in the Plan of Correction process.

If you have further questions, please contact your respective RCPA Policy Director for guidance.

The 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity plans to start off strong with a full lineup of workshops addressing current trends and ideas in health and human services. Held at the Hershey Lodge October 10 – 13, the conference will showcase a wide range of topics and host plenty of opportunities for CEUs. Our full brochure is available, and we’re starting off the week with sessions that include:

  • The Milieu Therapist Residency Program
    • Learn about UPMC Western Behavioral Health’s MT Residency program for bolstering staff confidence and increasing retention.
  • Restrictive Practices Across the States: Strategies to Advocate for Change
    • Listen to a panel of experts discuss the restrictions and inequities found in HCBS as well as practical solutions to tackling them.
  • Becoming a Data-Driven Provider: 10 Steps to Creating a Data-Driven Culture
    • Learn about Mainstay Life Services’ development of a “Data-Driven Culture,” including the initial state of infrastructure and tools used for implementation.
  • Devereux Ascend Career Accelerator Program
    • Explore professional development paths and ideas for your employees through the Devereux Ascend Career Accelerator Program.
  • Increasing Dental Care Access for the I/DD and ND Population With Visual Supports and Video Modeling
    • Discover new ways of using visual, audio, and video supports to support those with ID/A in accessing and addressing dental care.
  • The Happy Valley FitLink Approach to Inclusive Wellness
    • Improve health outcomes for those with neurodiversity and ID/A with daily fitness goals and activities.
  • OLTL Updates and Quality Initiatives
    • Engage with OLTL leadership to discuss quality initiatives, FY 2024 priorities, and more.

Be sure to register now to see these workshops in person and earn continuing education credits!

In addition to an amazing roster of speakers, our 2023 Conference will have an exciting array of sponsors and exhibitors. We thank those who have committed to our conference thus far! If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, visit here for more details. You can also contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions you may have.

The Mental Health Safety Net Coalition call scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 1:00 pm is cancelled and will be rescheduled. The Coalition’s Communications Team will meet this coming Monday to update the agenda, and a new date and time will be determined.

We currently remain at a budget impasse, with several critical areas still awaiting resolution. The Coalition continues its work, and we look forward to our next meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.