Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association

10/19/2026

The Pennsylvania State Police have introduced a free, voluntary Blue Envelope Program to help officers communicate more effectively with individuals who have autism, intellectual disabilities, dementia, or other conditions that may affect communication during traffic stops and other encounters. The blue envelopes can contain information about a person's communication needs and important documents, helping make interactions safer and more accessible for everyone involved.

10/19/2026

Philly Voice argues that while social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among young people, outright bans on social media use for minors may not be effective. Early evidence from Australia shows that many children are finding ways around restrictions, leading the author to suggest alternatives such as stronger privacy protections, safer platform design, digital literacy education, parental involvement, and improved access to mental health services. The piece concludes that addressing youth mental health requires a broader approach than simply restricting access to social media.

Initial data from the Australian social media ban shows that children are finding work-arounds. But there are other potential solutions to the youth mental health crisis.

10/19/2026

Many Pennsylvanians face significant challenges when trying to access mental health care, including difficulties finding available providers and navigating the mental health system. The author highlights the frustration these barriers create for individuals and families seeking treatment and calls attention to the need for improved access to mental health services across Pennsylvania.

Finding the right therapist is nearly impossible.

10/16/2026

Newsweek Names RCPA Member Eagleville Hospital Ninth-Best Residential Addiction Treatment Facility in PA

RCPA member Eagleville Hospital was named to Newsweek Magazine’s list of the country’s best residential addiction treatment providers, coming in at No. 9 in PA.

10/16/2026

A new study found that when state Medicaid programs began covering GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound, prescriptions for those obesity-labeled medications increased significantly. However, overall GLP-1 use did not rise by as much, suggesting some patients may have shifted from diabetes-labeled drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to obesity-labeled versions instead of adding entirely new treatment. The findings come as several states, including Pennsylvania, have recently ended Medicaid coverage for weight-loss GLP-1 drugs due to cost concerns.

In states that covered obesity-labeled GLP-1 RAs, total GLP-1 RA use rose less than obesity-labeled use alone, suggesting possible substitution.

10/16/2026

An estimated 360,000 students nationwide are twice-exceptional meaning that they are intellectually gifted but also have learning differences. A handful of schools are dedicated to serving them.

An estimated 360,000 students nationwide are twice-exceptional meaning that they are intellectually gifted but also have learning differences. A handful of schools are dedicated to serving them.

10/16/2026

Riding horses or even just spending time around them can make a big difference for kids with autism, helping to reduce hyperactivity and boost social skills, new research suggests.

Riding horses or even just spending time around them can make a big difference for kids with autism, helping to reduce hyperactivity and boost social skills, new research suggests.

10/15/2026

A Pennsylvania-funded pilot program at Carlow University is helping address the state's addiction treatment workforce shortage by providing students with tuition assistance, stipends, and specialized training for careers in substance use disorder counseling. Funded with $1 million in opioid settlement money, the initiative has boosted enrollment and is expected to graduate 75 counselors by next summer, supporting the Shapiro administration's efforts to expand behavioral health services amid declining overdose deaths.

A pilot program at Carlow University is building a stronger workforce pipeline for Pa. providers of substance use disorder treatment. Thanks to a $1 million state investment, students interested in addiction-counseling careers can access financial aid and training that could get them into the field....

10/15/2026

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that people who provide drugs that result in a fatal overdose can be prosecuted under the state's drug delivery resulting in death law, even if they were fellow users rather than dealers. The court declined to create additional legal protections for defendants, leaving any changes to lawmakers, while the decision continues a debate over whether such prosecutions promote accountability or discourage people from seeking emergency help during overdoses.

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10/15/2026

Pennsylvania ended Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Ozempic for most adults beginning in 2026, citing rapidly rising costs that reached an estimated $1.3 billion in 2025. Coverage remains available for people under 21 and for adults using the drugs to treat conditions such as diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, or certain cardiovascular diseases. State lawmakers are exploring alternative funding models to expand access, arguing the medications could reduce long-term healthcare costs by preventing obesity-related illnesses.

Rep. Arvin Venkat, an ER physician, warns that cutting GLP-1 coverage for obesity shifts costs to more expensive medical outcomes — and he's pushing a bipartisan fix.