Event Highlights
Tuesday, September 29 • 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
WELCOME RECEPTION
Room: Blue Ballroom
You are invited to join the RCPA Board of Directors, staff, and your colleagues for the Welcome Reception. The reception features hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and offers a valuable first networking opportunity with colleagues, speakers, and other guests. Conference Committee members and RCPA staff are on hand to answer questions, make introductions, and provide directions and tips for an enjoyable week.
Sponsored by OneWell Health Care.
Wednesday, September 30 • 6:30 am – 7:30 am
GENTLE YOGA AND BREATHWORK (All Levels)
Room: Cocoa 1
Judge Victor Reyes will lead you through some simple yoga movements and proven breath work practices to reduce stress buildup, center your mind, and create a sense of calm. These techniques are great tools to use each morning, driving to work, or before bedtime (chair yoga or standing).
Wednesday, September 30 • 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
RCPA AWARDS LUNCHEON
Room: Red Ballroom
Please join us for lunch and hear about the association’s highlights of the year and recognition of our special guest(s) being honored for leadership. The awards luncheon includes commentary by RCPA President/CEO Richard S. Edley, PhD.
Sponsored by Community Services Group and Devereux.
Thursday, October 1 • 6:30 am – 7:30 am
SUNRISE YOGA (All Levels)
Room: Cocoa 1
Cheryl Dondero will guide you through a good morning stretch, connecting breath and mindful movement. This class will be all about creating a gentle, yet energizing start to your day, so you will feel calm, focused, and balanced. The class ends with a five-minute guided meditation and relaxation to connect your mind, body, and spirit. All levels are welcome. As VP of Government Affairs at Gaudenzia, Cheryl has been very vocal about Gaudenzia’s significant role in her own recovery journey from substance use disorder, and she continues to advocate for the recovery community in all aspects of her life. In her free time, she is an instructor of both dance and Yoga for 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR).
Thursday, October 1 • 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Profound Autism, Visible | Room: Confection Lobby
An exhibit by photographer Lynn Johnson and writer Amy S.F. Lutz, PhD based on a feature in Virginia Quarterly Review
Adults with profound autism — defined by IQ below 50, minimal or no communication, and the need for round-the-clock supervision — represent a desperate and underserved population. Largely excluded from research, rejected from agencies who can’t manage challenging behaviors (aggression, self-injury, property destruction, elopement), they have been marginalized in key conversations about service provision — particularly in Pennsylvania, with the reputation as one of the worst states in the country for profoundly autistic adults. Come see the images, listen to the stories, and speak to Lynn and Amy. With more than a quarter of autistic children meeting the criteria for profound autism, according to the CDC, reframing our disability service system to support this group across the lifespan has never been more urgent.
Monday to Wednesday, September 28 – 30 • 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thursday, October 1 • 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
HOSPITALITY SUITE
Room: Cocoa 4 & 5
Relax and unwind, catch up with colleagues, and enjoy some social time at the RCPA Hospitality Suite!
- Tuesday: Rich Fehle, acoustic guitar
- Wednesday: Nittany Entertainment DJ and photo booth
- Thursday: Musical entertainment by Dave Gates
Hospitality Suite Sponsors: Access Services, Inc., BreakthruAI Corp, CenClear, Definium Therapeutics, Expert Community Care Management, Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, Hope Enterprises, Inc., Horizon House
Hospitality Suite Entertainment Sponsors: AHEDD, Threshold
Tuesday, September 29 • 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 30 • 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
Thursday, October 1 • 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
SILENT AUCTION
Room: Registration Area
We are excited to once again host the RCPA silent auction, benefiting the RCPA PAC. RCPA continues to raise funds for the RCPA PAC to provide financial support to state legislators who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our issues and priorities. Place your bids for some great prizes and support the RCPA PAC!
