Touchstone Foundation Joins Statewide Leaders to Advance Mental Health Access at the Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative Conference
Executive Director Anna Kennedy and Programs Manager Madeline Mitchell represented Touchstone Foundation at the annual Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative (PHFC) Conference in Harrisburg on December 1-2.
This two-day gathering brought together health funders, policymakers, advocates, and state leaders to address key priorities shaping healthcare access across Pennsylvania including access to mental health care and strengthening the behavioral health workforce.
Day 1: State Policy Conversations at the Capitol
The conference opened with PHFC members meeting with Akbar Hossain, Secretary of Policy and Planning for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Lindsey Mauldin, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Shapiro.
Secretary Hossain shared two guiding goals for the administration:
- Entering 2026 without cutting services, and
- Protecting Medicaid coverage for Pennsylvanians.
Anna and Madeline emphasized Lancaster County’s urgent need for expanded mental health access—particularly for children, youth, and families. They also highlighted Touchstone Foundation’s efforts to strengthen the Mental Health Talent Pipeline, including our Mental Health Clinical Fellowship Program, which provides clinical supervision hours and removes barriers to licensure.
Their remarks sparked interest from state leadership. Ms. Mauldin who invited Touchstone Foundation to continue the conversation about how the Governor’s Office can support clinical licensure pathways in Lancaster County as a potential model for Pennsylvania. Both state officials reaffirmed that healthcare is nonpartisan and that ensuring access is a core responsibility of the administration.
Policy Updates and Insights from State Leaders
Following the Capitol meetings, PHFC members attended a dinner discussion with:
- Representative Dan Frankel, Chair of the House Health Committee
- Dr. David Kelley, Chief Medical Officer, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Rep. Frankel emphasized the importance of maintaining Medicaid coverage and ensuring quality access to healthcare for all Pennsylvanians.
Dr. Kelley provided updates on DHS initiatives, including:
- Efforts to reduce SNAP error rates
- Strategies to maintain Medicaid support
- Ongoing improvements to statewide healthcare systems
These conversations underscored the shared commitment across agencies to protect access to care and strengthen Pennsylvania’s health infrastructure.
Day 2: Teen Voices, Advocacy, and Systems Change
The second day began with a compelling Teen Mental Health Panel, facilitated by Anna Kennedy. High school students from across the state shared their advocacy work, highlighting the importance of safe spaces, mental health access, and peer leadership.
Organizations including Upstreet Pittsburgh, the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and Children First Fund presented models and funding opportunities that directly support youth mental wellness.
Additional sessions covered statewide developments, including:
- Nursing home private equity ownership impacts
- Allocation of opioid resettlement funds
- Pennsylvania’s Rural Health Transformation Plan
Key Takeaways for Lancaster County and Touchstone Foundation
Several statewide priorities directly align with Touchstone Foundation’s mission:
Opioid Resettlement Funds
Lancaster County will have opportunities to shape how these funds are allocated—creating space for collaboration around proposals that expand mental health access.
Rural Health Workforce Development
The PA Rural Health Transformation Plan emphasizes the need for a stronger healthcare workforce, underscoring the importance of Touchstone’s Talent Pipeline programs.
Collaborative Statewide Efforts
PHFC partners are advancing initiatives tied to:
- Doula and maternal health access
- Black maternal health equity
- Crisis response regulations
- Library-based social work
- Policy priorities for 2026
These cross-sector efforts open new avenues for advocacy and community partnership.
What’s Next for Touchstone Foundation
We will soon publish our Mental Health Clinical Fellowship Program summary and policy recommendations, outlining strategies to strengthen clinical licensure pathways and expand youth mental health access across Lancaster County.
As PHFC finalizes its 2026 policy agenda, Touchstone Foundation will continue advocating alongside statewide partners to ensure that every Pennsylvanian—especially children and youth—has access to quality mental healthcare.
Together, we are building a stronger, healthier future for Lancaster County and beyond.
