On Thursday, May 28, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) provided an update to the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) regarding current policies and upcoming regulatory changes following a recent Commonwealth Court decision. On February 17, 2026, the PA Commonwealth Court issued a decision in Dunkelberger v. Department of Human Services that determined that ODP’s limitations on provider model services (specifically the 40/60-hour caps and 90-day travel maximums) were null and void. The decision was based on process rather than policy validity; the Court found that these limitations were not properly promulgated as regulations in accordance with the Commonwealth Documents Law and Regulatory Review Act. To maintain a balanced approach between flexibility and oversight, ODP is moving forward with the following actions: Regulatory Amendments: ODP will amend regulations to establish formal authority for setting service delivery limits that support individual welfare and program integrity. Self-Directed Model Agreements: ODP has already modified agreements for self-directed models to clarify limits on overtime, combined relative service provision, and travel restrictions. Travel Restrictions: Due to the inability to monitor services effectively over long distances, service provision will now be limited to Pennsylvania and contiguous states. Waiver Changes: ODP will seek modifications through the amendment process to the Consolidated, P/FDS, Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers to include: New requirements for agencies providing IHCS and Companion services to disclose a DSP's relationship to participants; and Strengthened programmatic oversight and integrity measures. Life Sharing Alternative: For participants requiring more than 60 hours of paid care from a relative, the Life Sharing (24/7) service model remains the recommended alternative. ODP anticipates a public comment period for these proposed waiver changes beginning in January 2027.

Press Release from DHS : Published May 27, 2026

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-039 . The purpose of this communication is to provide updated details about the Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Pay-for-Performance (P4P) initiatives for Fiscal Year 2026/27. Updates are provided in red . Please review the announcement for more details. Visit here to access the Pay for Performance (P4P): Residential Rural Capacity Expansion Plan template .

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has published ODPANN 26-057 . This communication is to announce the release of the latest issue of the CI Spotlight, which can be found on the Certified Investigator Program Home Page. This edition of the CI Program Spotlight includes articles on interviewing people who do not communicate in universally understood ways, Temple University’s CI Peer Reviews, and more. If you have a suggestion for a future Spotlight article, please visit here to submit your suggestion.

Monday, June 1, 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT Register Here Presenters: Diane Ulmer, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist and SCI Program Manager for Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Nebraska where she provides leadership over a continuum of care. She provides education throughout the region on the unique aspects of SCI care. She serves on the Nebraska AgrAbility Advisory Council, the IPRC Pediatric Neurogenic Bowel and Bladder Work Group, and is Vice President for the Nebraska Chapter of the United Spinal Association. Diane also facilitates a monthly SCI support group. Lyn Sapp, MN, RN, CRRN is a Nursing Practice Specialist for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington. The rehab unit has been her home base since 1985, with additional experiences in outpatient, home care, and school nursing. After obtaining her master’s in nursing, Lyn participated in the growth and development of the inpatient unit as a manager, educator, and nurse specialist. A post-master’s certificate in pediatrics has led to further experiences in quality improvement and staff education. As a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nursing, she has experienced enrichment through certification, presenting, learning, publishing, and networking. Lyn also serves as an active member of the IPRC Steering Committee. Carly Rosenthal, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in neurorehabilitation and pelvic floor dysfunction. She currently practices at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, where she provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for children with complex diagnoses including traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Carly is also the primary occupational therapist within the Spinal Dysfunction Clinic at Nemours. Carly’s work focuses on maximizing independence and quality of life through evidence-based, family-centered care, with a particular interest in functional continence and neurogenic bowel and bladder management. Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will: Identify the roles of the multidisciplinary team in management of self-catheterization management of neurogenic bladder; Apply evidence-based, task-specific training techniques for self-catheterization to improve outcomes, promote independence, and reduce health risks; and Implement strategies and adaptations to promote success in independent self-catheterization. Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team. Level: Beginner-Intermediate Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course. Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today .

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a reminder that updated Medication Administration Student and Practicum Observer Courses for 2026 will be released on June 1, 2026. After this date, new users will no longer be able to enroll in previous student courses. Learners who have already enrolled and begun the 2024 Student Courses or the Practicum Observer Course by June 1, 2026, must now complete the courses by September 1, 2026. All other learners must enroll in and take the 2026 courses after June 1, 2026. Enrollment keys for classes that were already created will not work for the 2026 courses. Trainers should create new classes in the 2026 courses and use the enrollment key generated to enroll new users in the 2026 courses. Please see ODPANN 26-056 for additional information. 

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced that Virtual Office Hours (VOH) registration for May 28 is now available for Trainers, Primary Contacts, and/or Agency Administrators. If you are interested in joining, please select the Registration link that is available on your MedAdmin Dashboard .

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

Message from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing: Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule, Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and Medicaid Fee-for-Service Targeted Medicaid Practitioner Payments , implementing provisions of H.R.1 to establish new limits on certain Medicaid managed care State directed payments (SDP). Additional information on the proposal can be found in the press release and fact sheet . In alignment with H.R.1, total SDP rates are capped at 100% of Medicare in expansion states and 110% in non-expansion states for inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, and qualified practitioner services at an academic medical center. Where a Medicare benchmark is unavailable, the payment limit would be 100% of the state-plan-approved rate. However, most significantly, the proposed rule would extend the SDP limits beyond the four original services under H.R.1 (listed above) to all SDPs, regardless of service type, in all states, Washington, D.C., and all territories beginning Jan. 1, 2029. The proposed rule would also apply similar limits to certain targeted Medicaid fee-for-service payments. This would include behavioral health SDPs and could lead to significant disruption in 2029. Additional provisions in the proposed rule include proposals to: Eliminate uniform increase SDPs as a permissible type of SDP for rating periods beginning on or after January 1, 2028, with a limited exception for grandfathered SDPs. Permit states to adopt minimum or maximum fee schedules that are no greater than the applicable payment rate limit without CMS prior approval for rating periods beginning on or after January 1, 2028. Establish new claims-level compliance and reporting requirements, including submission of provider-specific (NPI-level) data, identification of applicable benchmark rates, and documentation of controls to ensure that each individual service payment does not exceed the cap. Introduce new reconciliation requirements for value-based payment SDPs, requiring states to demonstrate post-period compliance with the cap at the service level. The rule specifies that payments exceeding the cap constitute Medicaid overpayments subject to recovery and reporting requirements, explicitly linking SDP limits to existing overpayment regulations. The rule is set to be formally published in the Federal Register on May 22, with a 60-day comment period following its publication. The National Council will continue to further review this proposal, provide you with timely updates, and will plan to submit comments on this rule. We are here to support you every step of the way through these changes. For additional information on H.R.1, please visit the National Council’s H.R.1 Hub . If you have any questions, please reach out via email .

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced that new live case study sessions for the Administrative Review (AR) Course are now available, featuring a new case study that allows participants to actively engage and apply their learning. The case study is new as of April 2026. There are two parts to the course: Part 1: Online Module which includes three (3) units and a quiz. Part 2: Live case study session, held on Zoom. Registration for the case study sessions is currently scheduled for: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm) Friday, October 23, 2026 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm) Thursday, December 3, (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm) Please review ODPANN 26-055 for more details. Please send your questions regarding registration for the AR Module electronically to this inbox .

Press Release from RCPA Member Strawberry Fields, Inc. : Published May 21, 2026

The 2026 Community of Practice for Supporting Families Regional Collaborative Summit will be held virtually September 1 – 2. Join the Summit this September to learn from peers and professionals about how to bolster your communities of practice for supporting individuals with disabilities and/or autism (ID/A) and their families. Visit here to learn more; registration information will be announced when available.

The Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) is offering a training overview of the wide range of supports and services that they provide to individuals who are blind or have a vision impairment. Additionally, the training will also highlight how individuals with vision loss can connect to BBVS’s resources, as well as the process for receiving services. Register here to attend . Who should attend? All Interested Stakeholders Date and Time: May 22, 2026 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Please share these important workshops and support groups with your networks! Register here for upcoming events. Good Life Group, Support Groups Caregiver Support Group : Wednesday, June 3, and Tuesday, June 16 Sibling Good Life Group : Monday, June 29 LifeCourse Workshops Peace of Mind Long-Term Planning : Tuesday, June 30 Using the LifeCourse to Plan and Problem Solve Part 1 and Part 2 : Friday, June 5, and Friday, June 12 Transitions Through the LifeSpan : Monday, June 22  Waiver Workshops Waiver Basics Part 1 and Part 2 : Wednesday, June 10, and Wednesday, June 17 Advanced Waiver Basics Part 1 and Part 2 : Tuesday, June 23, and Thursday, June 25

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), in partnership with other Department of Human Services Program Offices and Executive Branch agencies, has issued OMHSAS-26-03: Rescission of Joint Class One Bulletins . The purpose of this is to rescind bulletins that do not align with current policies, practices, or procedures that were jointly issued by Program Offices/Departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This bulletin is also classified as ODP Bulletin 00-26-02, OCDEL-26-01, OCYF 00-26-01, and OIM 00-26-01. If you any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

Press Release from RCPA Member Inglis : Published May 18, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) has released an advisory regarding a multi-country cluster of Hantavirus cases linked to an international cruise ship expedition. The outbreak has been connected to the Andes virus strain, which is notable because it is the only known hantavirus capable of limited person-to-person transmission under close, prolonged exposure conditions. As of May 11, 2026, nine cases and three deaths have been reported internationally. At this time, PA DOH reports no known Pennsylvania residents connected to the outbreak. Hantavirus infections remain extremely rare in the United States and particularly in Pennsylvania, where only two cases have been reported since 2010. Most infections are associated with exposure to rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. Providers and organizations should be aware of symptoms consistent with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), including fever, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, and shortness of breath, particularly when there is a known history of rodent exposure or close contact with a symptomatic individual linked to the Andes virus strain. Early symptoms may resemble influenza or COVID-19. The Department of Health is advising healthcare providers to immediately report suspected cases to local public health authorities or the PA Department of Health at 877-PA-HEALTH. RCPA encourages members to review the PA-HAN advisory and fact sheet for additional clinical guidance, infection control recommendations, and environmental cleaning protocols related to rodent exposure and prevention.

On May 13, 2026, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) introduced proposed amendments to the County’s Paid Sick Leave regulations, along with a new Paid Parental Leave mandate. The proposal would significantly expand Article XXIV of the Allegheny County Health Code by requiring employers to provide extensive paid parental leave benefits directly funded by employers. For providers delivering adult home and community-based services (HCBS), personal assistance services, and other Medicaid-funded in-home supports throughout Allegheny County, the proposal could create substantial operational and financial pressures. RCPA is closely monitoring the proposal and evaluating the implications for the broader home-based care system, workforce stability, and continuity of care for vulnerable adults. Key Components of the Proposal: Paid Parental Leave Requirement The proposed regulation would require all employers operating within Allegheny County, regardless of size, to provide up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave at an employee’s full regular rate of pay. Employees would become eligible after only 30 days of employment. Qualifying events would include childbirth, legal adoption, or permanent legal placement of a child, including foster placement. Eligible employees could use the leave at any point during the first 12 months following the qualifying event. Unlike state-administered paid leave programs funded through payroll contributions or social insurance models, this proposal places the financial obligation directly on employers, potentially requiring providers to absorb the costs themselves or purchase supplemental private insurance coverage. Expansion of Paid Sick Leave Requirements The ACHD proposal also expands existing paid sick leave requirements by increasing the accrual rate from one hour earned for every 35 hours worked to one hour for every 30 hours worked. In addition, the maximum accrual cap would increase from 40 hours to 72 hours annually. Collectively, these changes would materially increase labor costs for providers operating within an already constrained Medicaid reimbursement environment. Public Health Rationale ACHD has framed the proposal as a prevention-focused public health initiative intended to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and address disparities in access to paid leave benefits. County officials cited goals including reductions in postpartum depression, improved infant wellness outcomes, increased immunization compliance, and broader equity for lower-wage workers who often lack employer-sponsored leave benefits. Status of the Proposal The regulations are currently in the proposal stage and have not yet been adopted. A 30-day public comment period began on May 13, 2026. A public hearing is scheduled for June 2, 2026, at 5:30 pm in the Gold Room of the Allegheny County Courthouse. Following the comment period, the Allegheny County Board of Health may vote on a final version before forwarding it to Allegheny County Council for approval. Implications for Adult Home-Based Care Providers RCPA recognizes the importance of workforce supports and family-friendly employment policies. However, the association remains deeply concerned about the impact of imposing significant new unfunded mandates on Medicaid-funded adult home-based care providers without corresponding reimbursement adjustments. Providers delivering personal assistance services, attendant care, waiver services, and other in-home supports already operate under severe workforce shortages and historically inadequate reimbursement structures. Allegheny County continues to have some of the lowest Medicaid-funded personal assistance reimbursement rates in Pennsylvania, creating limited financial flexibility for providers to absorb substantial new labor-related costs. Without parallel Medicaid rate increases or supplemental funding mechanisms, the proposal could accelerate provider instability, reduce service capacity, increase caregiver shortages, and ultimately jeopardize access to care for older adults and individuals with disabilities who rely on in-home services to remain safely in the community. RCPA will be preparing formal comments regarding the proposal and continue engaging policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders to highlight the potential consequences for the adult home- and community-based care sector and the Medicaid populations it serves. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Fady Sahhar .

Family-Centered Care: One Organization’s Revolutionary Approach to Include Families in All Aspects of Care Monday, June 15, 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT Register Here We appreciate your patience with rescheduling this event. All previous registrants have been automatically registered for the June 15 session; no additional registration is required. We apologize if you are no longer able to attend. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the IPRC website. Donna Provenzano, Director of Family-Centered Care Donna Provenzano is the Director of Family-Centered Care at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has thirty-nine years of experience in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families at Children’s Specialized. Donna serves on several hospital leadership committees and councils and provides administrative and operational management of Family-Centered Care and Volunteers. She supervises and partners with Family Faculty staff and coordinates with the Family Advisory Council. Donna has presented both nationally and internationally on Patient- and Family-Centered Care. Under Donna’s leadership, her department received the IPFCC Family-Centered Care Partnership Award for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in 2022. Donna has received additional leadership certifications from the Harvard Business School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College. Linda Waddell, Family Faculty Manager Linda Waddell is the Family Faculty Manager at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has been employed at the hospital as a Family Faculty since June of 2008 and a member of the Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Family Advisory Council since 2014. On behalf of the hospital, Linda has presented with her team on Patient- and Family-Centered Care at regional, national, and international conferences. Most recently, Linda was a member of a panel that presented at the 2024 RISE Summit “Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): A Look into Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Program in NJ and Beyond.” Linda participates in various hospital committees and is also a member of the IPRC Steering Committee, where she provides a family member’s perspective for discussions and decision-making. Linda was the 2019 recipient of the Lester Z. Lieberman Humanism in Healthcare Award and received the IPFCC 30th Anniversary 2022 Partnership Award on Social Determinants of Health. Linda received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Kean University. Linda’s first experience with Children’s Specialized Hospital began in 1999, receiving multiple services for her newborn, medically fragile baby. She became an expert in the experience of pediatric rehabilitation through caring for her daughter with medical complications. Family Faculty at Children’s Specialized Hospital are paid positions held by parents and family members whose children have received or are still receiving services at Children’s Specialized Hospital Inpatient, Outpatient, or Long-Term Care sites. Their own day-to-day experiences provide a unique perspective, understanding, and empathy for families going through similar situations. Family Faculty partner with staff and families to build a respectful and understanding relationship by listening, providing insights, and encouraging positive communication between staff and families. Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will identify strategies to: Embed Patient- and Family-Centered Care into your organization; Cultivate respectful partnerships and collaboration with leadership, staff, and families; Include families in education and training of staff at all levels; and Engage families and staff in creating valuable resources. Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team. Level: Beginner – Intermediate Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course. Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today .

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!

Learning Collaborative for Professionals Supporting People with Disabilities who are Parents Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026 Time: 10:00 am – 10:45 am Description: The Office of Developmental Programs is pleased to share an upcoming opportunity for professionals across systems to engage in a new Learning Collaborative focused on supporting people with disabilities who are parents—or who are planning to become parents. This Learning Collaborative will bring together professionals from across state and local systems, including providers, supports coordination organizations, administrative entities, and partners in early childhood, behavioral health, and child-serving systems. Participants will engage as regional or local teams to explore effective practices, share resources, and strengthen cross-system collaboration. Through a series of interactive sessions, the collaborative will focus on: Identifying practical strategies and best practices to support parents with disabilities; Promoting informed choice, supported decision-making, and rights-based approaches; Navigating complex situations with clarity around roles, responsibilities, and system requirements; Connecting individuals and families to a broader network of support and resources; and Building sustainable relationships across agencies and communities. The Learning Collaborative is designed as a community of practice, emphasizing shared learning, discussion, and real-world application. While it will not provide regulatory guidance, it will highlight key questions and opportunities to inform ongoing system improvement. Audience: All Interested Stakeholders After Hours with Policy from the Office of Development Programs (ODP): How Can I Share my Ideas of Make a Suggestion About an ODP Policy? What is Public Comment? Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Description: The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism (ID/A) and their families to join in a virtual discussion with members of the Division of Policy and Program Innovation. These sessions are informal, meaning the conversation will not be recorded, and rules will be set before the session starts to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to provide questions and comments. The session will be held through Microsoft Teams. Please note: This event is being held only for individuals and family members ; this is not an event for someone who is solely a professional. What Will Be Covered? ODP’s policy staff is excited to engage with individuals and families about how to share a suggestion or desired change when ODP is asking for input. The process of public comment will be explained and will include: • How to find out when public comment is being sought; • Why public comment is important; • What happens with the comments after they are submitted; and • Overall information about the public comment process. ODP has chosen this topic for June as ODP is in the process of updating some of their waivers. Audience: Individuals and Families

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared communication ODPANN 26-054 , which announces the release of the Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy (MYPGS): Eliminating the Emergency Adult Waiting List Report 2025. The waiting list is comprised of individuals who are eligible to receive services and supports through ODP’s four home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers; however, due to insufficient waiver capacity, the state is not able to currently meet everyone’s needs. In this report, you’ll find information about ODP’s MYPGS developed to address this problem, particularly for adults on the emergency waiting list, and see the progress that has been made so far. Access the report here: 2025 Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy Report . For any questions, please submit via this email or contact Tim Sohosky , IDD Division Director or Cathy Barrick , IDD Policy Analyst.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared updates to communication ODPANN 26-050 . This announcement provides technical guidance to stakeholders who participate in the FY 2026/27 Individual Support Plan (ISP) renewal process. All updated guidance appears in red . For information related to special considerations or for other questions about the ISP renewal process, please contact your respective ODP Regional Program Office.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announces updates to the process and procedures for requesting residential fee schedule rate exceptions in the Consolidated Waiver, referred to as a Needs Exception Allowance (NEA), previously announced in 23-083. Additional details are available in ODPANN 26‑053 . Key updates include: Revised Cost Reporting Form; Mandatory DP 1087 Submission; Annual Submission Requirement; Emergency or Transition NEA Requests; Rules for Providers with an Approved NEA; and Billing Requirements. Key Dates: Renewals due: June 1, 2026; New form required for all requests effective: July 1, 2026; Existing rates extended through: July 31, 2026; and New SFY 2026–2027 rates effective: August 1, 2026.

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.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) provides notification to all residential providers that Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Residential Provider Tier Determination Letters are being sent via email on May 14, 2026. The letters will be sent to all MyPBC Portal Primary and Secondary Contacts. For questions regarding this update, please contact Tim Sohosky .

From OneWell Post on May 13, 2026 Excited and truly grateful to announce a strategic partnership initiative between OneWell Health Care and Gwynedd Mercy University focused on advancing the future of home and community-based healthcare workforce development and clinical excellence. What makes this relationship especially meaningful is the history and mission behind GMercyU itself. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, whose vision began in Dublin, Ireland through Catherine McAuley’s commitment to serving those in need, the university has spent generations helping individuals and communities through education, compassion, and service [read full post] .

Power in Purpose at the 2026 RCPA Conference! The RCPA 2026 Annual Conference, Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities, will take place from September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge. This conference is consistently a landmark event for the Pennsylvania behavioral health, brain injury, children’s, early intervention, intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities. Several popular speakers are participating this year, including: Dave Raymond, the "Hero of Happiness" — Author, international keynote speaker, thought leader, and the original Phillie Phanatic. Judge Victor Reyes — Renowned facilitator of discussions on self-respect, self-compassion, domestic violence, and leader of yoga/mindfulness classes. Jennifer Lynn Robison – Lifestyle and communications expert, TEDx speaker, media contributor, and traumatic brain injury survivor/advocate. Ed Krow — Talent Transformation Expert on understanding the employee/employer dynamic, achieving talent and culture transformations, and turning negative growth into success. Connections Hall In addition to the Connections Hall activities, there are many networking opportunities throughout the conference. Exhibitors will also have the chance to compete for "Best of Show!" Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities Our conference is privileged to have the support of the finest organizations in the field. Contributing organizations are honored by RCPA through sponsorship circles. View our Sponsor/Exhibitor/Advertiser brochure , for the opportunity of name recognition and exhibitor booth self-selection (with completed contract and payment). Sponsorships and exhibit booths are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to submit all materials and be listed on the website, mobile app, and in the conference program is Tuesday, September 8. Please contact Conference Coordinator Carol Ferenz with any questions. RCPA thanks these organizations that have committed their support to our 2026 Conference. You help make this conference an extraordinary, educational, and meaningful event for Pennsylvania's provider communities!