Mental Health Division | RCPA | PA

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.

2026 Adult Mental Health Committee Meeting Schedule

January 21 | Agenda
April 15 | Agenda
July 15 | Agenda
October 14 | Register

2026 ICWC/CCBHC Work Group Meeting Schedule

January 27 | Agenda
April 14 | Cancelled
July 28 | Agenda
October 27 | Register

2026 988/Crisis Work Group Meeting Schedule

February 17 | Cancelled
May 19 | Agenda
August 11 | Agenda
November 10 | Register

2026 Telehealth Operations Work Group Meeting Schedule

February 24 | Cancelled
June 30 | Agenda
August 25 | Agenda
November 24

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DHS Issues MA Managed Care Delivery System RFI

By Melissa Dehoff • October 9, 2026

DHS has issued an RFI to gather input on using Medicaid data to improve transparency and strengthen the ability to make evidence-based rate-setting decisions.

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DHS Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting to Be Held October 29

By Cathy Barrick • October 9, 2026

OMHSAS and ODP are hosting their Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices quarterly meeting on October 29.

REMINDER: Address Today’s Workforce, Training, and Compliance Challenges with RCPA Partner Relias

By Sharon Militello • October 8, 2026

Relias Helps to Address Today’s Workforce, Training, Compliance Challenges

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DHS Announces Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Resource Guide

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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Final Reminder: National Council H.R. 1 All-Member Survey Closes October 9

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.

DHS Publishes Bulletin on Off-Cycle Revalidation of High-Risk Providers

By Fady Sahhar • October 5, 2026

DHS is requiring certain Medicaid providers classified as high risk to revalidate their enrollment by December 31, 2026.