Exploring the Use of Biographical Timelines and EMDR to Better Support Individuals With Complex Needs Date and Time: June 18, 2026 10:00 am – 2:30 pm What is the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series? The Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) are pleased to announce the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, which offers presentations focused on supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and mental health needs. The selected presenters share their expertise on best and promising practices as well as provide general knowledge. Session topics, which focus on increasing capacity to serve individuals with dual diagnosis in the community, are chosen based on identified needs and with input from the field of professional stakeholders. The invited audience of all professional stakeholders, including direct and clinical supporters for individuals with ID/A, are encouraged to attend. Registration is required and at no charge to attendees. Four (4) hours of training credit and a certificate of achievement are provided. Session Description Despite all the advances we have made in supporting people with dual diagnoses, we still struggle to support many people with complex needs. In this seminar, we will look at ways to delve into a person’s biography to explore the hidden impact of life events, from the cellular level to the whole person, in order to meet the person’s needs more fully and to raise the level of compassion toward the person, better enabling supporters to “hang in there” longer and be more creative and supportive in their daily interactions. In the second part of the training, we will explore EMDR as a trauma therapy of choice, in conjunction with a multidimensional, holistic approach. Register for the event here . View the flyer for more details, including a full agenda.
The Allegheny County Health Department, under the Pennsylvania Local Health Administration Law, is seeking to amend and promulgate a change to the County's Paid Sick Leave regulations and the proposed Paid Parental Leave regulations. RCPA supports policies that help employees balance work, health, and family responsibilities. Paid sick leave and paid parental leave can provide important protections for workers and their families while contributing to workforce stability and employee retention. However, the proposed regulations would significantly expand employer obligations at a time when many Medicaid funded and publicly funded providers continue to face workforce shortages, rising labor costs, and reimbursement systems that do not automatically adjust to reflect new mandates. The proposed parental leave requirement, combined with the expansion of paid sick leave obligations, would create substantial new costs for providers. These costs extend beyond the direct benefit itself and include overtime, replacement staffing, temporary personnel, recruitment, training, scheduling adjustments, and administrative compliance activities. As a part of this process, Allegheny County Department of Health has opened a public comment period through 11:59 pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. On behalf of the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA), we appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed amendments to Allegheny County's Paid Sick Leave regulations and the proposed Paid Parental Leave regulations. Today, June 3, 2026, RCPA has submitted our comments, which you can read here . Additionally, RCPA is providing the following draft letter, which providers may utilize to develop their organization’s response: Proposed Paid Parental Leave – Sick Leave Regs Public Comment Letter for Providers Providers who wish to submit comments may do so through any of the following methods: Electronically submit written comments via email to publichealthcomment@alleghenycounty.us By mail to: Attn: Article XXIV Comments (Paid Parental Leave) Allegheny County Health Department 542 Fourth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 If members have any additional questions, please contact your respective RCPA Policy Director or RCPA COO Jim Sharp .
RCPA would like to extend our sincere thanks to our generous sponsors and the golfers who participated in the RCPA PAC Golf Outing held on Tuesday, June 2. Your support and participation helped make this event a tremendous success. Winning Foursome, Left to Right: Cody Dinger, Strawberry Fields, Inc. George McMurty, Strawberry Fields, Inc. Rob Labatch, Hope Enterprises, Inc. John Bubb, Hope Enterprises, Inc.