Reminder: Invitation to Apply to the 2027 Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (Year 4)

Audience:

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is excited to announce the Fourth Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI). PCBI is geared towards professionals across child-serving systems that are interested in learning more about how to support young people with complex needs and their families in PA and in initiating system change.

Purpose:

PCBI offers a unique nine month, in person, multi-disciplinary, interactive learning opportunity across the entire service partnership. The Institute’s overall goal is to increase the administrative and clinical capacity across all systems to better support these youth and their families. PCBI curriculum will accomplish this by promoting and strengthening:

• Clinical knowledge and understanding among participants from local, regional, and state government;
• Clinical expertise of providers – specific to individuals with both mental/behavioral health and developmental disabilities;
• Engagement of those with lived experience;
• Local, regional, and state understanding of complex needs planning, (organizing/facilitating/philosophy of approach);
• Each system’s understanding of other system’s available resources, processes, setting/service types, rules, and funding; and
• Networking across systems and regions.

The Institute will also encourage participants to explore ways to improve and change their local systems of support for children and their families. Individuals who have completed prior institutes have used this new knowledge to strengthen existing programs and create fresh approaches that achieve the best results.

PCBI will approach these objectives from an individual and systemic perspective through training, integration of knowledge into practice, and opportunities to build a statewide cohort to work together to effect change and build capacity.

Discussion:

PCBI will be facilitated by:

• Jonathan McVey, Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary, PA DHS – PCBI Director
• Emily Burger, Clinical Director, Office of the Secretary, PA DHS – PCBI Faculty
• Amy Kabiru, Clinical Director, Office of the Secretary, PA DHS – PCBI Faculty
• Shaye Erhard, OMHSAS Division of Operations and Service Delivery Director – PCBI Faculty
• Michele Walsh, Executive Assistant, PA DHS – OCYF – PCBI Faculty

PCBI participants will hear from a variety of seasoned and successful speakers and practitioners who are implementing practical approaches to complex situations. The format of all sessions is designed to be highly interactive. PCBI also strives to incorporate the lived experience of these children and families to ensure that the supports and services offered are meeting the needs of families across PA. Finally, PCBI participants will join a growing network of individuals who are exploring fresh pathways to supporting children and families who are attempting to manage highly complicated situations.

The curriculum includes topics such as:

• Infant Mental Health & Child Development
• Trauma / Resiliency
• Cross System Knowledge & Multisystem Planning
• Change Management
• Education in Non-educational Settings / Early Intervention
• Psychiatric Diagnosis / Psychopharmacology
• Communication / Sensory Needs
• Diversity and Culturally Competent Support
• Therapies / Services / Programming / Evaluation / Assessment
• Understanding the Child and Family – Biopsychosocial Approach
• Relational Health and Permanency
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
• LGBTQIA+ Supports

Session Information, Requirements, and Confirming Attendance:

PCBI will accept 50 participants for the Year 4 Cohort. As such, each interested person must submit an Interest Survey by October 6, 2026. Participants will be notified of their selection status by November 4, 2026.

PCBI will meet once a month for nine months between March 2027 and November 2027, with one backup session reserved in December 2027. Each month, there are consecutive two-day sessions. There will be five in-person sessions held at PaTTAN Central in Harrisburg and four virtual sessions conducted via Zoom. The specific dates, times, and location are provided below.

Participants who are selected will be required to register and submit a registration fee. The registration fee for PCBI will be $400, which must be paid prior to the first session in March 2027. As a part of your paid tuition, you will be provided with coffee and a breakfast snack each morning, lunch, and an afternoon coffee break with snacks for all in-person sessions. Dinner will be on your own.

2027 Session Dates:

• March 24 – March 25 – PaTTAN Central, Harrisburg
• April 14 – April 15 – PaTTAN Central, Harrisburg
• May 19 – May 20 – Virtual
• June 23 – June 24 – Virtual
• July 14 – July 15 – PaTTAN Central, Harrisburg
• August 4 – August 5 – Virtual
• September 8 – September 9 – Virtual
• October 6 – October 7 – PaTTAN Central, Harrisburg
• November 3 – November 4 – PaTTAN Central, Harrisburg
• December 8 – December 9 – Back up

Session Start and End Times:

Live, in-person sessions in Harrisburg – Day 1 (10:00 am – 4:30 pm), Day 2 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm)

Live, virtual session held in Zoom – Both days (9:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Location:

Weather permitting, the in-person sessions are held at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) at 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112. In the event of inclement weather affecting a session, a virtual option will be made available.

Hotel Reservations:

Participants can reserve a room using the list of local hotels found on PaTTAN’s website. No group rate is available.

Requirements:

PCBI emphasizes the participation and collaboration of all participants. Structured group work participation and 100% attendance are required. Only the confirmed participant can attend PCBI; no substitutions are permitted after confirming attendance.

Interest Survey:

To be considered for participation in Year 4 PCBI, please complete and submit this Interest Survey by October 6, 2026. Participants will be notified of their status by November 4, 2026, via email.

Informational Webinar:

Please consider registering for the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Informational Webinar on September 8, 2026 at 10:00 am EDT. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. This webinar is voluntary and for informational purposes only. It will be recorded and posted on the DHS website for those who cannot attend.

Please email if you have any questions.