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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CareLink Community Support Services
March 31, 2021

CareLink Names Rich Hoback Chief Operations Officer

MEDIA, PENNSYLVANIA – CareLink Community Support Services, a Greater Philadelphia area human services provider, announced today that Rich Hoback has been named Chief Operations Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Hoback succeeds Gary Woomer, who served as CareLink’s COO for seven years before assuming the role of CEO in late 2020.

“Rich is a seasoned and trusted leader with a laser-focus on operational excellence,” said CareLink CEO Gary Woomer. “His considerable experience, dedication, and thorough understanding of the agency make him uniquely qualified for the position of COO.”

Mr. Hoback brings nearly 25 years of experience in mental healthcare to his role at CareLink. He joined the agency as a Program Supervisor in 1998, and has since served as Residential Program Supervisor, Assistant Regional Director, and Regional Director. Prior to his tenure at CareLink, Mr. Hoback was employed by The Horsham Clinic and Horsham Health Systems of Delaware County.

“I am honored and excited to take on the role of COO at CareLink,” Mr. Hoback said. “I’m proud of the work our team has done to meet the challenges of the last year, and I look forward working closely with the management team and staff to keep the agency energized and moving forward.”

Mr. Hoback holds a master’s degree in health services management from Eastern University and a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Temple University. He is also certified as a psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner (CPRP) and crisis prevention instructor.

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Since 1959, CareLink Community Support Services has been dedicated to providing people with mental illness and developmental disabilities with the caring support they need to live, work, and participate in the community with dignity and independence. CareLink currently serves individuals in 33 community programs throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

Media Contact:
Kate Rosin
CareLink Community Support Services
krosin@carelinkservices.org
(610) 874-1119, ext. 613
www.carelinkservices.org

Advocacy Alert

Do you believe older adults and individuals with disabilities should have easier access to mental health services? (We certainly do).

 

Currently, marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health counselors are not eligible Medicare providers, despite the important role they play in delivering treatment, recovery, and prevention services.

 

However, there is new legislation to change that – and it needs your support!

 

On March 18, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) reintroduced the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828). This legislation would allow marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health counselors to participate in the Medicare program, dramatically expanding access to care for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

 

This simple change would immediately increase patients’ access to needed care, particularly in underserved communities, rural areas, and areas with a mental health workforce shortage.

 

Will you take two minutes today to urge your Senators to cosponsor the Mental Health Access Improvement Act? 

Thank you to those of you who already took action to ask your Representatives to cosponsor the House version.

Sincerely,

Chuck Ingoglia
President and CEO
National Council for Behavioral Health

Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

The Department of Human Services is tracking when vaccines have been administered to individuals and direct support staff in licensed Community Homes and Private ICFs/ID. It is very important that providers use the Vaccine Administration Tracker. This information is essential to implementing the Commonwealth’s vaccine and administration plan and helping ensure that vaccines are being administered as soon as can be accomplished. Completing this form is a major component to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth.

Please remember to use the Vaccine Administration Tracker when vaccinations are completed at your location. This announcement contains additional information and instructions about the tracker. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation with this critical effort.

The RCPA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee created this resource to answer frequently asked questions regarding DEI policy development and refinement. Following a survey of available resources, this compilation was developed as a guide for interested parties and is intended as a springboard to further research with links to additional resources to aid their DEI policy development process. Please send questions or feedback to Cindi Hobbes or Jim Sharp.

The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) and the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) have secured a $250,000 grant as part of a national initiative to cultivate health policy and a care system that is more equitable and better meets the needs of individuals and families. The collaboration will focus on increasing access to care and developing a comprehensive policy framework and health care plan for consumers with the use of telehealth.

The two-year grant to RCPA and PACHC is among six spanning eight states. It was awarded by the Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net, which brings together primary care associations and behavioral health state associations to advance policy and practice change. The Delta Center project is supported by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Association of Community Health Centers. Read the full press release here.