RCPA has provided members a general update on the Pennsylvania 2026/27 budget. Further updates will be given at the next Government Affairs Committee meeting.

The RCPA Government Affairs Committee meeting that was originally scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, is being rescheduled to July 21, 2026.

Today, July 10, 2026, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) released the next announcement for Rural Health Transformation Program funding.

Join RCPA Partner First Nonprofit for a 30-minute ‘briefinar’ that will help nonprofit organizations better understand unemployment and cost strategies.

CODE PA is working with DHS to understand the experience of applying for and maintaining licenses and is seeking provider and organization input.

National Council is now accepting presentation proposals for NatCon 2027 and the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in New Orleans next April.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced more than $281 million in funding opportunities for 15 grant programs.

RCPA is requesting your consideration to make a donation to our PAC Silent Auction at the 2026 Conference.

Exclusive educational webinar from RCPA Partner Relias, Making Feedback Matter: A Practical Introduction to Relias XM

RCPA has submitted its response to the US Department of Health and Human Services Request for Comment on the Chronic Disease of Addiction

RCPA is proud to announce several webinars that will be free to members only

VTDC is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant through OMHSAS to provide project management and technical assistance for a statewide FWL.

RCPA continues to seek sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers for our Conference. Complete the brochure and promote your organization's purpose and possibilities!

Dear Members, I’m pleased to announce the results of our Spring 2026 Board of Directors election and welcome our newly elected leaders. Our Board of Directors is composed of elected volunteers from the staff and community boards of member organizations across 10 regions of the U.S. Together, these leaders represent our membership and are committed to advancing excellence in mental health and substance use care. Eight of our 10 regions elected regional directors: Region 1: Karin Jeffers, president and CEO, Clinical & Support Options, Northampton, Massachusetts (re-elected to a second term) Region 2: Brandy Vandermark-Murray, president, Horizon Corporations, Getzville, New York (re-elected to a second term) Region 3: Stephen DaRe, president and CEO, Chimes International Limited, Baltimore, Maryland Region 5: Lisa Dominisse, CEO, Centerstone, Bloomington, Indiana (re-elected to a first full term) Region 6: Wayne Young, CEO, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, Houston, Texas Region 8: Victoria Romero, CEO, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group, Alamosa, Colorado Region 9: Ester Quilici, CEO, Vitality Unlimited, Elko, Nevada Region 10: Joan Miller, CEO, Washington Council for Behavioral Health, Seattle, Washington (re-elected to a second term) Three 100% association directors were elected: Vice Chair, Association Executives Committee: Melanie Brown-Woofter, President and CEO, Florida Behavioral Health Association, Tallahassee, Florida 100% Association Executives At-Large Representative: Richard Edley, President and CEO, Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 100% Association Executives At-Large Representative: Alysia Smith Knight, Executive Director, Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations, Franklin, Tennessee These regional directors and Association Executives Committee members will begin their terms on July 1, 2026. We also want to recognize the following individuals — who will complete their terms as regional directors on June 30, 2026 — for their invaluable service: Region 6: Lee Johnson, CEO, Texas Council of Community Centers, Austin, Texas Region 9: Camille Schraeder, CEO, Full Circle Health Network, Ukiah, California On behalf of the National Council, thank you to our outgoing board members for their contributions, and congratulations to our newly elected leaders. We look forward to working together to strengthen mental health and substance use care in communities across the country. Regards, Chuck Ingoglia President and CEO National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Merakey announced that they have entered into an affiliation with Boundless, a nonprofit organization that provides human services for individuals and families across Ohio.

RCPA is excited to host a membership benefits webinar on Thursday, July 9, 2026, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes.

RCPA is drafting a response to an HHS Request for Comment on the chronic disease of addiction.

The Mental Health Safety Net (MHSN) Coalition sent a letter today, June 18, 2026, to the General Assembly in support of County-funded community residential programs.

Relias Learning will host “Impact Leadership,” a webinar for leaders navigating workforce shortages, administrative burden, and constant change.

Message from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing:

OMHSAS has issued Bulletin OMHSAS-26-04 Requirements for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in OMHSAS-licensed Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics.

Pyramid Healthcare launched an integrated gambling addiction treatment program in PA to address gambling disorder with co-occurring mental health and substance use

Registration is now open for RCPA's 2026 Conference Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities, which will be held September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge.

National Council shares Capitol Connector on Labor-HHS Bill, HUD funding opportunity, Addiction RFI, and more.

As part of our ongoing effort related to the implementation of H.R. 1 and the pending Medicaid changes, RCPA, in partnership with our members Bowling Business Strategies and the National Council, requests members to take a few minutes to participate in a brief survey . The goal is to gain better insights into provider readiness and to assist in developing guidance and communication tools in advance of the January 1, 2027, implementation of H.R. 1. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp .

At first blush, psychedelics may seem to be the antithesis to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, conjuring outdated images of 1960s counterculture. But their increasing acceptance, especially among many of the same institutions that historically denounced them, holds great promise for those with SUD, mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injuries. Proponents, including those who have undergone ibogaine treatment for SUD, tout elimination of withdrawal symptoms, loss of cravings to use drugs and an introspection unlike they had been able to achieve prior to the treatment. With the recent significant attention in the media, medical and research communities, and even some legislative bodies, psychedelics are having their day. On April 18, 2026, President Trump issued an executive order, “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness,” that directs federal agencies to expedite access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for Americans suffering from serious mental illnesses, including SUD. Fifty-five years ago in 1971, another Republican president, Richard M. Nixon, declared his war on drugs, with an especially strong aversion toward the psychedelic LSD, citing it as the root cause of the anti-Vietnam War movement, youth rebellion, and social disorder. The juxtaposition of the two eras underscores just how significant today’s environment is. Part of the reason for the vastly different philosophy on psychedelics today versus conservative ideologies of the past, according to the New York Times , is the immense promise they hold for treating veterans suffering from PTSD. Although several psychedelics are being discussed as options for treatment of mental health and SUD, only ibogaine was specifically mentioned in the president’s executive order. Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in the roots of the African shrub iboga. Ibogaine has been designated as a Schedule I drug since 1970, preventing its use within the United States, but clinics in Canada and Mexico offer legal ibogaine treatments. Ibogaine Treatment Ibogaine induces vivid hallucinations, which some patients describe as psychologically insightful, according to the University of Virginia School of Medicine . It is generally administered orally, and repeat doses over several days are common. How it actually works on the brain is complex, likely through multiple pathways. Its administration is associated with potential risks, including cardiotoxicity. Most people describe two phases : the visionary phase (first four to eight hours), with vivid dream-like imagery, memories, and emotions, which some people describe like watching a movie of their life; and the reflective phase (next 12–24+ hours), where the visuals fade but deep insight, emotional release, evaluation, and a sense of clarity remain. Physically, people may feel dizzy, experience nausea and vomiting, and many stay awake for 24 hours or more. Afterwards, a “gray day” of fatigue is common before energy and mood lift again. With the cardiac risks associated with ibogaine treatment, advocates stress reputable, medical clinics for the treatment. Advocates also acknowledge the need for ongoing therapy and support well beyond the actual ibogaine treatment episode(s). Although many testimonials include overnight transformations, proponents talk about ibogaine as a transformative experience that simply opens the way to a greater ability to make and sustain change over longer periods of time. Research Researchers, in a review of 24 studies , concluded that the published data suggest that ibogaine is an effective therapeutic intervention within the context of SUDs, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Data also point toward a beneficial impact on depressive and trauma-related psychological symptoms. However, studies have reported severe medical complications and deaths, which seem to be associated with neuro- and cardiotoxic effects of ibogaine. Another study analyzed 88 patients who received ibogaine treatment in Mexico between 2012 and 2015. Most participants (72 percent) had used opioids for at least four years and 69 percent reported daily use. Most (80 percent) indicated that ibogaine eliminated or drastically reduced withdrawal symptoms; 50 percent reported that ibogaine reduced opioid cravings, while 25 percent reported a reduction in cravings lasting at least three months; 30 percent reported never using opioids again following ibogaine treatment, and more than one half (54 percent) of those individuals had been abstinent for at least one year, with 31 percent abstinent for at least two years. Although 70 percent of the total sample reported a relapse following treatment, 48 percent reported decreased use from pretreatment levels and an additional 11 percent eventually achieved abstinence. State-specific Legislation Perhaps one of the strongest indicators of its growing acceptance and credibility can be found in Texas. In June 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2308 into law to grant $50 million in state matching funds for research of ibogaine. "Texas is home to more veterans than any other state," said Abbott. "Many of those veterans suffer from injuries both seen and unseen. A therapy that has shown great promise in treating those conditions is ibogaine. This law authorizes a Food and Drug Administration approved clinical drug trial that will seek approval of ibogaine as a medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder and other behavioral health conditions, especially those suffered by our veterans." Three other states – Arizona, Indiana, and Ohio – have passed ibogaine-related legislation, and nine other states have introduced bills. Advocates for ibogaine have included Pennsylvania as one of their target states for legislation. RCPA will continue to work with stakeholders as the country moves into this next frontier.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Recovery in the Grove is set for 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 15, at Soldier’s Grove in Harrisburg. Recovery in the Grove is an opportunity for organizations, providers, advocates, and individuals in recovery to come together to celebrate Recovery Month. The event is scheduled to coincide with the Pennsylvania Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators’ (PACDAA) Recovery Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. For more information, including how to register a resource table or host an activity, visit DDAP’s website . 

Devereux announced today the addition of four new members to its National Board of Trustees (pictured below, L to R): Catherine Kortlandt , Merritt Lutz , Susan Nofi , and Jon Mandel . The new trustees bring experience across law, finance, technology, media, and philanthropy, and will help support Devereux’s mission to serve children, adolescents, and adults with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive differences [see full official anouncement] .

A bill to create a two-year Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) license for providers who are accredited by a national accrediting body and whose license is in good standing and has not been provisional for at least two consecutive years passed unanimously today out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Sponsored by Senator Michele Brooks, Chair of the Committee, S.B. 1352 passed, 13–0. RCPA strongly supports the bill and released its position on it yesterday, June 8, 2026. In introducing her legislation, Senator Brooks intends to provide regulatory relief to qualifying substance use disorder treatment providers in the Commonwealth by allowing them to obtain a multi-year license from DDAP instead of full annual inspections. In her co-sponsorship memo, Senator Brooks wrote, “Addiction treatment providers across Pennsylvania face mounting administrative pressures, including workforce shortages, financial strain, and increasingly complex compliance demands. Too often, audits, inspections, and duplicative regulatory requirements force providers to spend more time on paperwork than on patient care. “By allowing multi-year licenses for stable, well-run programs, we can reduce disruption and offer real relief to these providers, helping to ensure the system remains sustainable and viable for those who need it.” The legislation directs DDAP to conduct a single licensing inspection for each two-year licensing period. The inspection shall constitute the required licensure inspection for that period and may not be conducted as separate annual inspections. The scope and depth of the inspection shall be equivalent to that of a standard one-year licensing inspection and may not be expanded on the basis that the inspection covers a two-year period. Providers are encouraged to contact their elected state officials and urge them to support this legislation. For assistance with this, contact RCPA SUD Treatment Services Policy Director Jason Snyder .