COO and Division Director: Jim Sharp


Jim is responsible for the oversight of all policy and regulatory issues related to children’s services, and serving the members’ vision goals through integrated efforts with key systems stakeholders. The divisional focus areas include mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorder, education, pediatric care, children and youth, and juvenile justice. Jim brings 30 years of cross systems advocacy and organizational and strategic planning experience to RCPA. He most recently worked for Merakey and has served in several key positions, including Chief Juvenile Probation Officer at the Philadelphia Family Court, Admissions Director at George Junior Republic, and he began his career at Montgomery County Juvenile Probation. Jim has served on several state and national committees for child welfare policy and systems change initiatives, including work with the MacArthur and Pew foundation. He received a bachelor’s degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University, he holds a Master of Administration, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Shippensburg University.

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Contact Information

Email: jsharp@paproviders.org

Main: 717-963-3614

Direct: 717-525-4097

Division Director: Cindi Hobbes 


Cindi Hobbes provides guidance and leadership for members of the collaborative. Her role is to engage pediatric rehabilitation providers to network, share resources, and improve the provision of rehabilitation services for children. She is responsible for meeting planning and facilitation (including webcasts), data management, project oversight, and membership recruitment. Cindi also manages all content of the IPRC website. Cindi has a strong clinical background as a pediatric physical therapist and holds a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College. Cindi has over a decade of clinical experience providing physical therapy services for children in inpatient, outpatient, school, and home-based settings, and has a passion for excellence in pediatric rehabilitation.

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Contact Information

Email: chobbes@paproviders.org

Direct: 585-750-2102


2026 Early Intervention Committee Meeting Schedule

  • January 2
  • March 6
  • May 1
  • July 3
  • September 4
  • November 6


2026 IBHS Work Group Meeting Schedule

  • January 8
  • March 12
  • May 7
  • July 9
  • September 10
  • November 19

Early Intervention Division Posts

RELIAS logo with black text and a green stylized “A” on a white background
By Sharon Militello • October 8, 2026
Relias Helps to Address Today’s Workforce, Training, Compliance Challenges
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By Jim Sharp • October 8, 2026
DHS has released a new Rural Health Transformation Program Resource Guide, which brings together key links related to Pennsylvania and federal RHTP resources.
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By Richard Edley • October 7, 2026
RCPA and the National Council kindly ask that a representative from your organization completes the survey by October 9, 2026.
PA DHS logo reading
By Fady Sahhar • October 5, 2026
DHS is requiring certain Medicaid providers classified as high risk to revalidate their enrollment by December 31, 2026.
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By Fady Sahhar • October 5, 2026
As of September 30, 2026, Allegheny County’s paid parental leave proposal has cleared the Board of Health, but it is not law yet.
PA Department of Human Services logo with thick blue border
By Emma Sharp • September 25, 2026
DHS has released updated communication for licensed providers who hold Certificates of Compliance from OCYF, OLTL/BHSL, and OMHSAS.