Articles and Publications - Conference of Allegheny Providers Forum https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/ Conference of Allegheny Providers Discussion Board en-US Thu, 07 May 2026 16:23:32 +0000 wpForo 60 The 2024 Trailblazers in Health Care - Congratulations to CAP member Jim Sharp! https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/the-2024-trailblazers-in-health-care-congratulations-to-cap-member-jim-sharp/ Tue, 30 Jul 2024 17:53:56 +0000 Congratulations to our great colleague, Jim Sharp, COO RCPA.  We have always known Jim is and forever will be a Trailblazer! 

He was recently highlighted in firstread as one of the 2024 Trailblazers in Health Care in Pennsylvania!

 

Jim Sharp

COO and Mental Health Policy Director, Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association

Jim Sharp is the COO and director of mental health policy at Rehabilitation

and Community Providers Association, an industry group representing some

400 commonwealth health and human services providers.  Sharp’s expertise spans

mental health, policy and criminal justice: He was a longtime chief probation office

r with the City of Philadelphia and most recently headed operations at Merakey,

a behavioral health nonprofit. At RCPA, he leads advocacy around children’s services,

working on issues ranging from substance abuse and behavioral health to disability and criminal justice.

 

 

]]> Articles and Publications Jennifer Schuler https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/the-2024-trailblazers-in-health-care-congratulations-to-cap-member-jim-sharp/ Mindful Kreative Advocacy Presentation for CAP Members https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/mindful-kreative-advocacy-presentation-for-cap-members/ Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:49:30 +0000 Good afternoon fellow CAP members,

Over the summer, Gretchen and I were able to secure a meeting with Secretary Arkoosh, Jennifer Smith (OMHSAS) and Patrick Joyal (Governor’s Office).  You’ll get a report on how that meeting went and subsequent activities that were undertaken over the summer.  Mindful Kreative prepared the attached document which we thought conveyed a powerful artistic analogy to the state of our system of care.  As this document is the work product prepared for CAP, our members are free to use it in your own legislative or advocacy meetings on behalf of CAP.  This will be posted in the members only forum of the CAP website for your future reference. 

More exciting news to come from the Government Relations Committee! 

Susan Coyle

]]> Articles and Publications Jennifer Schuler https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/mindful-kreative-advocacy-presentation-for-cap-members/ Tuesday, March 7, 2023 Tribune Review Letter to the Editor: Understanding, supporting mental health https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/tuesday-march-7-2023-tribune-review-letter-to-the-editor-understanding-supporting-mental-health/ Fri, 10 Mar 2023 15:32:04 +0000 Hello,  Fellow CAP Members,

On Tuesday, March 7, TribLive published a very well-done article highlighting the need for understanding and support for individuals who are suffering with mental health conditions.  I am including the article below which was authored by fellow CAP member and executive director of the Staunton farm Foundation, Joni Schwager.

Sue Coyle

Letter to the editor: Understanding, supporting mental health

TRIBUNE-REVIEW 
 

When someone chooses to step out of the shadows of depression and ask for help, it is a profound demonstration of strength. When someone like Sen. John Fetterman shares this information publicly, it shows countless others who are working on their mental wellness they are not alone.

According to the CDC, more than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, and about one in five Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.

Mental health conditions are among the most common health conditions in the U.S. This isn’t an issue we can continue to ignore. Many people connect with Fetterman’s story because they’ve been there. They know what it’s like to juggle a high-pressure job, family and a variety of responsibilities.

We need to remove the stigma associated with mental health conditions and increase awareness that these conditions are highly treatable. Check your own mental wellness and the mental wellness of the people around you. If you’re seeing red flags, consider talking to a trusted loved one, your primary care physician or a faith leader, or call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Together, we can work toward a future where mental wellness is understood, supported and accepted.

Joni Schwager

Point Breeze

The writer is executive director of the Staunton Farm Foundation .

]]> Articles and Publications Jennifer Schuler https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/tuesday-march-7-2023-tribune-review-letter-to-the-editor-understanding-supporting-mental-health/ TribLive article and editorial on suicide events in our area https://conferenceofalleghenyproviders.org/community/articles-and-publications/triblive-article-and-editorial-on-suicide-events-in-our-area/ Fri, 13 Jan 2023 03:58:34 +0000 Greetings, colleagues,

 

Last week, TribLive published a very nicely done article and editorial highlighting the increase in suicide events In our area.  I am attaching the links to those pieces including a great letter to the editor from our very own, Laurie Barnett Levine. 

 

https://triblive.com/opinion/editorial-address-suicide-by-respecting-mental-health/

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/as-westmorelands-suicide-numbers-rise-we-have-to-talk-about-it/

https://triblive.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-caring-for-our-mental-health/

 

Thank you, Laurie for leading the charge so eloquently!

Sue Coyle, RN, MPH
Chief Executive Officer
437 Railroad Street
Bridgeville , PA 15017
412-221-3302 x129


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