Latest news with #PLAINSTWP
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Manufacturing Millennial' to headline NEPIRC's annual summit and expo
Apr. 26—PLAINS TWP. — Considered one of the loudest voices in the industry and considered as one of the top voices in robotics, automation and manufacturing, Jake Hall — known as the "Manufacturing Millennial" — is helping companies future-proof their businesses with technology and attract the workforce of tomorrow. "We're so excited to have Jake Hall as our MFG DAY keynote speaker addressing the topic of 'The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and Workforce,'" said Chelsey Coslett-Traver, NEPIRC's manager of marketing and stakeholder engagement. "Jake is an influential advocate for manufacturing, automation and skilled trades. His content is effective at educating the future workforce about the manufacturing industry, which is why we believe our Manufacturing Day attendees will be energized by his message and gain valuable insight." Hall will address the future of manufacturing, effective social media use for manufacturers and much more when the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) welcomes him as keynote speaker at its 2025 Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) Best Practices Summit & Expo — the region's largest manufacturing trade show and networking event of its kind — on Oct. 3, at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre. Coslett-Traver said when younger generations think of manufacturing, many often picture dimly lit, dangerous and outdated work environments, but Hall said that is not a fair or accurate view of today's manufacturing scene according. Hall said he is on a mission to educate younger people by meeting them where they are — on social media. Coslett-Traver said Hall is helping to revolutionize the way people and companies present through social media. With more than 100,000 followers and 150,000,000-plus views on his content channels, Hall ignites conversations about the latest in manufacturing and automation to excite the current and future workforce about the manufacturing industry. Coslett-Traver added that Hall's desire to influence the future workforce aligns closely with the goals of NEPIRC's innovative Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team initiative that increases high school and college student awareness of outstanding careers available within Pennsylvania's advanced manufacturing field. Coslett-Traver said Hall helps to reach the future workforce with programs like his "Discover Manufacturing" and "MiCareerQuest," which introduce 20,000 high school students to manufacturing each year in west Michigan. In addition to delivering the keynote presentation, Hall will also lead a breakout session entitled — "The Power of Social Media: What You Should Do." Coslett-Traver said MFG DAY sponsorship opportunities are available, but going quickly. If interested, visit to learn more and complete and submit the confirmation form required to lock in sponsorship. Additionally, NEPIRC announced that InnoTek Computer Consulting of Bloomsburg is this year's Presenting Sponsor. Tickets are also on sale and start at $75. If you want to learn from industry experts and connect with people who are making a difference in the manufacturing industry, then this is a must-attend event. This year's MFG DAY will heavily focus on manufacturing technology, AI and automation. Visit to purchase tickets. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Funding main focus of Luzerne County Providers Association's annual Legislative Breakfast
Feb. 21—PLAINS TWP. — The Luzerne County Providers Association held its annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday to discuss issues of concern, but the main focus was on the uncertainty of funding. The morning-long event was held at The Woodlands Inn & Resort. Attending the event were: Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Scranton; Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre; Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Pittston Township; Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township; Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township; and representatives of Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township; Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland; and Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Pittston Township. Richard Edley, president/CEO of RCPA — Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association — and Jack Phillips, director of government affairs for RCPA, co-moderated the event. "This year, more than ever, getting a budget is going to be tough," Edley said. "Human services need to be funded, but the key is going to be federal support and whether there are significant changes to Medicaid. Sen. Flynn said Pennsylvania is facing a $1.2 billion structural deficit. "We need new revenue sources — we can't cut our way to prosperity," Flynn said, adding that he doubts the legislature will approve recreational marijuana legalization. Legislative and administrative priorities for RCPA —Advocate for increased funding and transparent models that reflect true "cost-plus"service reimbursement. —Medicaid capitation, county-based funding, value-based payment programs. —Workforce initiatives and funding that build the infrastructure for current and future-systems needs. —Licensed professional staff, DSPs, DCWs, counselors, case managers, and peers Regulatory reform: decreasing administrative burden; reducing barriers to access for care. Behavioral health (Adult and children's mental health; Substance use disorder services) —Ensure that the BH HealthChoices capitation issues related to the MA unwinding are appropriately addressed without negatively impacting the service delivery system. —Ensure the expansion of telehealth flexibilities through a new bulletin, legislation, and practice policy. —Utilize the opening of the OMHSAS State Plan Amendment bi-annually to address ongoing barriers to systems access and administrative burden (i.e., IBHS, family-based, outpatient psychiatric clinics). —Reopen the IBHS regulations to address access barriers and payment equity. —Ensure the promulgation of the PRTF regulations are contingent on the equitable funding of implementation. —Support for expansion and funding of the ICWCs. —Address redundancy and inconsistency among substance use disorder treatment audits and overseers. —Support efforts to ensure opioid settlement funds are used with fidelity to the settlement agreement. —Continued advocacy efforts to ensure proper funding for county-based services. Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) —Advocate for restoration of the $93 million (state portion) reduction to the governor's budget and include a 3% inflationary adjustment factor in the SFY 2025/26 proposed budget. —Support ongoing stakeholder involvement and input in the implementation of performance-based contracting. —Continued advocacy for programs for the severely disabled (e.g., those with medical and behavioral needs). —Focus on revamping CPS and respecting individual choices. —Advocate for a broader, more inclusive interpretation of the CMS Settings Rule. —Create an effective appeal process for the Supports Inventory Scale (SIS). —Advocate for Standard Occupational Code (SOC) for DSPs. Physical disabilities and aging —Increase FFS rates for Personal Assistance Services and Residential Habilitation Services to reflect current market conditions and workforce challenges — a minimum of 15%. —Mandate a rate refresh process for all OLTL services, including managed care, based on OBRA Medicaid FFS. —Require consumer choice of providers in all consumer-directed services. —Require CHC-MCOs to make VBP programs available for all segments of the waivers. —Develop proactive partnerships with CHC-MCOs and BH-MCOs. Medical rehabilitation —Continued expansion of the 3-hour rule: advancing the Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Act. —Review Choice Demonstration — for year 2 Early intervention —Interim rate increase while early intervention rate methodology is completed for 2025/26 budget. —Improve system consistency across counties. —Clarify/expand access and eligibility criteria. Brain injury services —Meaningful changes and increases to funding and models; an increase has not been provided since 2011. —Create and develop a legislative package specific to brain injury issues. —Work with OLTL/DHS to develop a system in which rates are reviewed annually. —Develop a targeted plan to engage key providers, political leaders, and stakeholders to advocate for a legislative package addressing critical issues for BI services. —Encourage an improved system of oversight of the CHCMCOs by OLTL/DHS. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
