The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is now accepting applications for funding under the 2026–2027 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) solicitation from eligible governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations seeking to implement projects and programs that directly address the objectives and goals outlined in PCCD’s approved 2026–2030 Strategic Framework . Eligible organizations include local units of government (including counties) and non-profit organizations. A total of $8,221,880 in federal Byrne JAG funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 30–35 grants with budgets not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year project period. The funding announcement details new guidelines regarding eligibility criteria, eligible program activities, and documentation. Applications must be submitted electronically through PCCD’s Egrants system by July 14, 2026. Questions regarding this funding announcement should be emailed with “2026/27 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)” as the subject line. Questions must be received by close of business on July 7, 2026. All questions and answers will be posted under this funding announcement title on the Active Funding Announcements page of the PCCD website.

Press Release from the Department of Human Services : Published May 14, 2026

RCPA is happy to announce our 2026 Annual Membership meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 9:30 am. We are offering this meeting as a hybrid event to all members. Please register here to attend in person at the RCPA Conference Center or via webcast. It is not necessary to attend in person to cast your vote. This year’s agenda and the 2025 Annual Meeting minutes are both available for review. The RCPA Nominating Committee has proposed a list of RCPA member representatives to serve as directors and officers of the RCPA Board of Directors. Please VOTE HERE in advance of the Annual Meeting for the election of RCPA Board of Directors and Officers. Following the Annual Meeting, RCPA is hosting a golf outing to benefit the RCPA PAC. It’s not too late to register and join us at the Colonial Golf & Tennis Club in Harrisburg, PA! You can also become a sponsor to support the event and receive recognition. If you are not a golfer but would like to support the RCPA PAC, please consider making a personal online contribution . For those members who wish to attend the Annual Meeting in person and need overnight accommodations, utilize the RCPA negotiated discounted rates at the following hotels: Best Western Premier is located across from the RCPA office. RCPA rate of $119.95 plus 11% occupancy tax. Rates are based upon room availability. Reservations can be made by calling 717-735-9397. Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey is located on Lindle Road, Harrisburg. Rates start at $165.00 plus tax. Please use corporate code A3933 to access the special rate online. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-325-3535. Indicate that you are with RCPA when booking. Thank you. We look forward to your participation!

Title: HR 1 Eligibility Redeterminations: New Requirements, Timeline and Recommendations Date/Time: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 1:00 pm ET  Registration Link Last summer, HR 1 was passed by Congress and introduced significant changes to the Medicaid program. Among the many provisions of the bill that impact Medicaid was a directive to increase the frequency of program eligibility redeterminations for certain enrollees, from once every twelve months to once every six months. This webinar will explore this provision of HR 1 and its potential ramifications for both states and providers, along with recommendations on how states, behavioral health organizations, and state partners can best prepare themselves for these changes, including: Discussion of the new requirements, including additional guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 6. Walking through the timeline for implementation and relevant decision points that states will need to make along the way. Discussion of recommendations for maintaining coverage for as many individuals as possible, while ensuring workforce and technical capacities remain strong. Register for the webinar here . Please contact RCPA Policy Specialist Emma Sharp with any questions.

Each year, the beginning of April marks the start of our membership renewal period. The renewal email has been sent to the renewal contact(s) for Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) members, as well as members of the International Pediatric Rehabilitation Collaborative (IPRC).To renew your organization’s membership, please forward a completed membership application and dues payment by July 1, 2026, to Tieanna Lloyd . RCPA members can access membership applications on our website’s Join/Renew web page . IPRC members can access the membership application on IPRC’s website . Questions? Contact Tieanna Lloyd , Membership Services/Business Partnerships Manager.

On Monday, May 11, 2026, RCPA will be hosting a virtual H.R. 1 Medicaid Summit for all members, non-members, and stakeholders from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. This summit will feature guest panelists who will provide Federal and State updates on the implementation and impacts of the pending Medicaid changes. We will also explore the role of providers, advocates, and stakeholders in the process to ensure access and care for vulnerable Pennsylvanians. Register for the summit here . As part of the event, we will have a Q&A segment. If you have any questions you would like to ask during the Q&A segment, or if you have any general questions regarding the virtual summit, please forward them to RCPA Behavioral Health Policy Associate Emma Sharp .

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published a proposed rule concerning the process and criteria used to determine a worker’s classification as an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act and related federal laws. This proposed rule would rescind DOL’s 2024 Final Rule addressing the classification of independent contractors and replace it with an analysis for employee classification similar to the one adopted by DOL in 2021. The classification analysis in the proposed rule would: Apply an “economic reality” test to determine whether a worker is in business for himself or herself as an independent contractor or is an employee economically dependent on an employer for work; Identify and explain two “core factors” to help determine if a worker is economically dependent on an employer for work or in business for him- or herself: The nature and degree of control over the work; and The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on initiative and/or investment; Identify other factors to help determine a worker’s status as an employee or independent contractor, including the amount of skill required for the work, degree of permanence of the working relationship, and whether the work is part of an integrated unit of production; Advise that the actual practice of the worker and the potential employer is more relevant than what may be contractually or theoretically possible; and Provide eight fact-specific examples applying the factors to real-life circumstances. Last year, DOL published guidance advising WHD field staff on the analysis to apply when determining employee or independent contractor status. That guidance instructed agency investigators to stop applying the analysis from DOL’s 2024 rule in current enforcement matters but, instead, rely on the principles outlined in Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-1 and Fact Sheet #13 . The 2024 final rule prompted a number of federal lawsuits challenging its legality. As a result, DOL said last year that it would be “…reconsidering the 2024 Rule, including whether to rescind the regulation.” DOL will be accepting comments on this proposed rule through 11:59 pm (ET) April 28, 2026 .

From our partners at the National Council on Mental Wellbeing:

Message from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS):

In advance of the House and Senate hearings, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has released their “ Blue Book ” detailing the Department’s appropriations for the proposed 2026/27 budget. The proposed DHS budget reaches a total of $67.2 billion, with $21.9 billion in state funding, $39.7 billion in federal funding, and $5.6 billion in other funds, making it the largest spend category in the proposed budget.

RCPA wishes to remind members that Advance Rates for National Council’s 2026 Conference (NatCon26) are still available, so don’t miss your chance — register today !

On Friday, February 6, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Val Arkoosh presented an overview of Governor Shapiro’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 budget and detailed the projected spending across DHS, which totals $21.94 billion in state funding.

RCPA has partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NC) to provide a cost-saving purchasing solution designed to meet the unique needs of your organization: the National Council Group Purchasing Program (GPP) .

Join RCPA as we host the 2026 Annual Conference Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities from September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched a new website for the PA Rural Health Transformation Plan, containing information on goals as well as links to the full plan and news updates.

RCPA will reengage with all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition.

RCPA is pleased to join the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), in partnership with Central PA Connect Health Information Exchange (HIE), for an interactive information session on PA Navigate, the statewide platform designed to strengthen connections between healthcare providers and community-based organizations.

This is a reminder that registration for NatCon 2026 is open!

Drexel University Behavioral Healthcare Education (BHE) will be hosting their second Annual One-Day Summit “Hot Topics: Trends and Challenges in Behavioral Healthcare,” on Friday, May 29, 2026, which will be held virtually via Zoom.

In response to the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ (OMHSAS) proposed Regulation #14-558: Mental Health Procedure RCPA, in partnership with its members, has submitted public comments . The proposed regulations align the Department's regulations with the Mental Health Procedures Act by adding definitions of "business associate" and "covered entity," and adding those entities to the list of parties to which the Department may disclose confidential information. RCPA did request that OMHSAS provide further clarification on the impacts and intersects of the proposed standards for youth and parental consents outlined in Act 65. RCPA fully supports the proposed regulations that will align departmental regulations with Act 32 of 2022 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requirements. We look forward to working with the Department in the communication and ongoing implementation of the proposed regulatory changes, including the release of a Regulatory Compliance Guide after final promulgation. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Services Director Jim Sharp .

The Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (JCJC) is excited to announce the release of the 2026 Staff Development Schedule Booklet .

Message from the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS):

RCPA wishes to share with members a Federal and PA Rural Health Transformation Project Summary of the PA Rural Health Transformation Program.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) have jointly issued the Medical Assistance Bulletin Targeted Case Management Services for Eligible Juveniles Enrolled in Medical Assistance Prior to Release From a Carceral Setting , implementing Section 5121 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.

Message from PA DHS:

From Pennsylvania Capital-Star “Pa.’s Rural Health Application Reveals Priorities in Federal Funding Request,” November 20, 2025:

With the signing of the Human Services Code Bill by Governor Shapiro, the final hurdle in meeting the compliance requirements of the Federal “4 Walls” Telehealth Standards has been cleared.

Features quotes from RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley, and RCPA members Joanne Tangney of Success Rehabilitation, Inc. and Melissa Mcgoey of Merakey

Read the full announcement here .