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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS

IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of October 25, 2015

Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources
and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them
_________________________________________________________________
In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in
yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might
improve our publications, content and convenience of use.
E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their
families or organizations. If you have a short description that might be helpful to others
and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences
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_________________________________________________________________
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-2-

2009-2015 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities

Through Healthy Families. Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or noncommercial uses only.
Sections Available in the attached Calendar of Events:
UPDATED THIS WEEK: Special Activities: Upcoming primarily free activities
listed by day over the next several months.
Ongoing Scheduled Activities: Primarily free activities held regularly each week
or month.
Area Ministries for Those Who are Struggling. GriefShare, DivorceCare,
Celebrate Recovery, Mending Hearts.
Day Trip Destination Sites: Free admission sites for individual and family outings.
E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including
Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Calendar of Events - Please Submit Additions Today

Upcoming Activities The following items are detailed in the accompanying Calendar of
Events and are in addition to those described within this E-Update. They will be occurring
during the current two-week period or are newly listed as part of the longer term Calendar.
These activities are provided for both personal use and printing out and sharing with others
through suggested posting on public and employee bulletin boards, hard copies or e-mail.

Updated: This Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

Children Art Classes Coatesville.
Artist Exhibit Coatesville.
Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Fall Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
Veterans Week Celebration Coatesville.
Supporting Families with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Forum
Plymouth Meeting.
General Election All Polling Places.
Scavenger Hunt Atglen.
Playful Parenting Workshop West Chester.
Washingtons Cook Presentation King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Memory Screenings New Holland.
School Discipline Chat-n-Chew for Parents West Chester.
Ill Be Me Glenn Campbell Alzheimers Awareness Film Lititz.
Buying a Car Workshop Exton.
Grandfamilies and Post Adoption Support West Chester.
Lancaster County Secrets of Successful Communities in a Rapidly Changing World
Planning Kickoff Lancaster.
Life Insurance Strategies Presentation Berwyn.
Widowers Breakfast New Holland.
Parent Caf Pottstown.
Business Expo Exton.
Tourette Syndrome Film and Presentation Strafford.
Day of the Dead Celebration Kennett Square.
State Sen. Mensch Veterans Appreciation Breakfast Pennsburg.

-3-

IEP Workshop West Chester.

Touch a Truck for Kids Nottingham.
Mr. President, Im Frederick Douglass Portrayal Berwyn.
Land of the Lenape Presentation for Kids Coatesville (Wagontown).

Updated: Next Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

Children Art Classes Coatesville.
Artist Exhibit Coatesville.
Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Fall Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
Holidays in Adoption Forum Oxford.
Veterans Day Parade West Chester.
Alzheimers Update Support New Holland.
College Night Fair Exton.
Business Continuity Planning Workshop South Coatesville.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Coatesville.
Navigating High School Stress Presentation Downingtown.
Sinatra Tribute Phoenixville.
Chester County During the Revolution Presentation Berwyn.
Veteran Meals and More Various Locations.
Veterans Day Breakfast Pottstown.
Veterans Day Observance Blue Bell and Pottstown.
Many Mammals Childrens Presentation Nottingham.
Veterans Breakfast Phoenixville.
Veterans Day Commemoration King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Student Rights Forum Downingtown.
Childrens Ministry Forum Chadds Ford.
Low Vision Support New Holland.
Climate Change Forum Berwyn.
Disabilities Employment Summit Lancaster.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Coatesville.
Paws on the Path Nottingham.
E-waste Recycling Wayne (Tredyffrin Township.
IEP Process Parent Workshop West Chester.
Proddy Flower Creation Demonstrations Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Silent Hunters Screech Owl Presentation Pottstown (Warwick).
New:

Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events)

ELANCO Service of Hope New Holland.
Anti-Bullying Workshops for Parents and Youth Pottstown.
Nourishing the Body and Recovering Health: The Positive Science of Food Author
Discussion Phoenixville.
Veterans Birth Certificate Clinic Coatesville.
Disabilities and Job-Seekers Workshop Phoenixville.
A Visit with Martha Washington Portrayal Phoenixville.
Saturday Evening Concert Series New Holland.
Thanksgiving Service New Holland.
Caring and Coping with Parkinsons Disease New Holland.
Google Photos Workshop Phoenixville.
Train Room Open Houses New Holland.

-4-

Seized in September: Delaware during the Revolutionary War Speaker Series

Presentation King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Widowers Breakfast New Holland.
State Sen. Aument Town Hall Meeting New Holland.
Flu Shots Coatesville.
Live Nativity and Concert New Holland.

Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongoing services and activities, along with special events, as soon as possible after establishing a
date to maximize publicity and to help individuals and other organizations with planning
processes for their own events.
Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown on the
current, accompanying Calendar of Events. Further information about submissions appears
at the end of this E-Update and the Calendar. Information should be submitted to
bps461@msn.com. Don't let your important activity be left unknown.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Medicare Enrollment Re-Opens Through Monday,

December 7; Health Insurance Marketplace Health Insurance Enrollment is
Underway Through Tuesday, December 15, for January Policies
The Health Insurance Marketplace has re-opened for new individuals and families without
insurance and for those wanting to review or change plans, and Medicare open enrollment
also is underway.
Those without health insurance, without falling under an exemption, will face a tax penalty
of 2.5 percent of yearly household income, up to $695 per person or $347.50 per child
under age 18, with a maximum of $2,985 per family, in 2016 .
Over 85 percent of insured are receiving federal subsidies to help pay the cost of their
health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
All existing policy holders are encouraged to check coverages and rates due to possible
changes that could lessen coverage or increase premiums which have been approved to rise
between 1.4 to 26.2 percent in this area, depending on the plan.
Tuesday, December 15, is the last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start
January 1.
Further information and enrollment are available at www.healthcare.gov. Local
organizations providing free assistance in helping to compare plans and costs are available
through the searchable database at https://localhelp.healthcare.gov. Telephone assistance
is available at (800) 318-2596, TTY (855) 889-4325.
Government officials and organizations also are encouraging Medicare recipients to make
similar plan comparisons, with free volunteer assistance available through the volunteer
APPRISE program. Open enrollment for Medicare started earlier and ends Monday,
December 7.
General information is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=616587&mode=2 or (800) 7837067.

-5-

Local appointments with a counselor are available through County Department of Aging
offices, with information and local special enrollment events at http://pdaapprise.org/meetings/index.php?MeetingType=PRESCRIPTION.

NEW LAST WEEK: Thousands to be hit with ACA Health Insurance Increases Up to
26.2 Percent
Thousands of individuals within our reporting area will be hit next year with Affordable Care
Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare or the Health Insurance Marketplace) insurance
premium increases totaling 1.4 percent to 26.2 percent, depending on location.
A few individuals in some locations will experience no increase. The rate of change doesn't
reflect the net cost of the premium, including any federal subsidies, or varying benefits of
individual plans.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has released its 2016 premium approvals list, with
open enrollment starting Sunday, November 1, for initial signups or to change plans,
effective January 1.
More than 80 percent of Pennsylvanians buying individual health insurance through plans
offered on the federal governments Marketplace receive subsidies to help pay their
premiums, the Department says. Individual health plans are offered both through this
federal Marketplace and directly from private insurers, but consumers are eligible for
subsidies only for plans bought through the federal Marketplace.
Further information on the impact is available in our last weeks Facebook page report at
www.facebook.com/TransformationIni/posts/937811516284100:0. You do not have to be a
Facebook user to access the story, but do need to be if you wish to forward it to Facebook
users. Additional information on policies review and assistance appears below.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Chester County Library Assisting with Medicare Open
Enrollment
Advocates are recommending strongly that Medicare and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
recipients check their policies during open enrollment
periods that now is open and runs through Monday,
December 7, for Medicare, and opens Sunday,
November 1, through Tuesday, December 15 for ACA
policies to start January 1.
Chester County Library in Exton is joining in the effort,
with volunteer APPRISE counselors available on
Mondays, November 9, 16 and 23 by appointments
available at (610) 344-5234. Counselors also will be
making appointments at county senior centers.
APPRISE counseling reservation information for other locations is available at
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=616587&mode=2 and county
departments of aging. Some community Medicare educational events also are listed in our
weekly Calendar of Events.
Nearly one-third of Medicare Part B enrollees already face a significant premium hike next
year under the most recent federal budget bill signed into law.

-6-

Social Security Administration also has confirmed that recipients wont receive a cost of
living increase in 2016, only the third time in the past 40 years, all of them since 2010.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: LIHEAP Heating Assistance Re-Opens

Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) has re-opened for the winter season.
Eligible individuals, both renters and homeowners, can
receive funds paid directly to home energy providers to
assist with winter fuel costs.
In addition, a crisis program provides funds for broken
heating equipment, lack of fuel or in danger of being without fuel or utilities, or repair of a
primary or secondary heating source.
Being on public assistance or having an unpaid bill arent requirements of the program.
Further information on LIHEAP and other assistance programs and application methods are
available at www.dhs.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap or County Human
Services offices.

NEW LAST WEEK: Chesco Adopts Code Blue Winter Policy to Open Additional
Shelter Beds
Chester County will be declaring a Code Blue this year when temperatures are forecast to
35 degrees or below, (considering the wind chill factor, and a situation exists in which
someone would be at risk of hypothermia, frost bite, or other cold-related injuries if forced
to sleep outside.
Additional shelter space will be made available at different locations on a night-to-night
basis, referred through ConnectPoints, the countys contractor for homelessness assistance.
Further information is available from Gene Suski, community cervices manager, Chester
County Department of Community Development, at gsuski@chesco.org or (610) 344-6900
or ConnectPoints at (800) 935-3181.

NEW LAST WEEK: Pottstown Rotating Shelter to Open Wednesday, November 4

Ministries at Main Street will re-open its Pottstown winter shelter for the homeless at
different community churches, starting November 4.
Intakes will be processed, starting at noon weekdays, at Trinity Reformed United Church of
Christ (UCC) at 60 North Hanover Street. Sheltered individuals then will be transported to
St. James Lutheran Church, 1101 East High Street, during November; Christ Episcopal
Church, 316 East High Street, in December; St. Johns UCC in January; remain at Trinity
Reformed in February; St. Pauls UCC, 927 North Franklin Street in March; and First United
Methodist Church, 414 East High Street, in April.
Further information is available at www.ministriesatmainstreet.org/calendar.html or (610)
970-2444.

-7-

NEW LAST WEEK: Montco Opening Housing Choice Voucher Program, Formerly
Section 8, for One Week Lottery Thursday, November 5 - Thursday, November12
Montgomery County Housing Authority (MCHA) will be accepting
applications for the first time in more than eight years for Housing
Choice Vouchers (HCV), formerly known as Section 8, from 12:01 a.m.
November 5, to 11:59 a.m. November 12, for a lottery pool of up to
1,000 applicants to be placed on a waiting list.
The computer-selected process also will be based on online applications
only.
Under the program, for low to moderate income individuals and families, the elderly and
disabled, an individual or family pays a portion of rent based on a percentage of monthly
income, with the remaining housing subsidy paid directly to the landlord by MCHA on behalf
of the family. Eligible families also may use vouchers for the MCHA homeownership
program.
Further information is available at
www.montcoha.org/housing_choice_voucher_program/default.html or (610) 275-5720.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Veterans Day Meals and More Primarily Wednesday,
November 11
Active and retired military can obtain free coffee, donuts, a meal, haircuts, car washes,
admission to national parks, goods and services discounts, and a host of other items at
dozens of locations around the country on Veterans Day, with some offers extended to other
days.
Offers vary, with some dependent on local franchises, additional purchases, or others
conditions. A check of individual business websites or calling ahead to confirm conditions
and acceptable identification is suggested.
Some websites providing summaries of some offers include:

www.army.mil/article/137791/Veterans_Day_deals_available_to_troops

www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-day-military-discounts.html

www.militarybenefits.info/miscellaneous-discounts-veterans-day-deals-veterans

www.themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts

www.veteransdaydeals.blogspot.com

Local businesses also may offer benefits on Veterans Day and during the year with
appropriate identification issued free by County Recorders of Deeds in Chester and adjoining
counties.

-8-

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Crisis Communications Training Thursday, November 19

A risk, Crisis and Emergency Communication Training for health care professional dealing
with health emergencies will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 19 in the Advanced
Technology Center, Montgomery County Community College, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.
Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Drexel University School of Public Health will
host the event, to include breakfast and lunch, with Dr. Vincent T. Covello, author, trainer,
researcher and director of the Center for Risk Communications.
Further information and required registration are available at
www.drexel.edu/~/media/Files/dornsife/CPHRC/Covello%20Training%20Flyer_FINAL2.ashx
?la=en, tjh87@drexel.edu or (215) 571-4154.

State Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Extended Through

Thursday, December 31
The deadline for eligible seniors and the disabled to apply for up to $650 in Pennsylvania
Property Tax/Rent Rebates, which may be increased to $975, again has been extended from
June 30 to December 31, with some 450,000 individuals already having applied.
Rebate distribution will start Wednesday, July 1, for those who already have applied, with
applications after that date being processed as
they are received.
The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age
65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and
older; and people with disabilities age 18 and
older.
The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, with
half of Social Security income being excluded from the limit. In addition, due to program
changes last year to ensure claimants arent disqualified from rebates solely because of
Social Security cost-of-living-adjustments, homeowners and renters may be eligible for
rebates even if their eligibility income is greater than these limits.
Therefore, any homeowner who collected Social Security, received a property tax rebate in
2013 for claim year 2012 and had annual income last year discounting half of Social
Security up to $36,129 ($15,484 for renters), is encouraged to apply for a rebate for
claim year 2014. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for
certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975, with the Pennsylvania
Department of Revenue automatically calculating supplemental rebates for qualifying
homeowners.
Further information and applications are available at
www.revenue.pa.gov/GeneralTaxInformation/PropertyTaxRentRebateProgram/Pages/default
.aspx#.VX_2pka9BP1, county Department of Aging and senior centers, and state legislator
offices. Application deadline and income limit information hadnt been updated on some
Department of Revenue web pages as of this writing but appears at
www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Revenue-Details.aspx?newsid=139.

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NEW THIS WEEK: Pennsylvania Prison Population Declining, But Still at 50,000
and $1.8 Billion Annual Costs
Pennsylvania state inmate population is down, saving over $50 million annually.
Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel has told reporters that 1,400 fewer
inmates since the beginning of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative in 2013 has significantly
reduced the departments budget, with the reduced number representing the size of an
average prison, which costs the Commonwealth about $50 million to operate.
Pennsylvania spends $1.8 billion annually on state prisons, with some 50,000 confined
individuals in the 2013-14 state fiscal year. The average cost per person was $102.10 per
day, or $37,267 annually, with costs by institution ranging from $28,797 to $55,184.
Further information from the Secretarys remarks is available at
http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/974/Corrections-SecretaryInmate-reduction-success-has-reduced-cost-to-carry.aspx#.Vjc9XPKn890.facebook, and on
the state Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a panel of judges, lawmakers, state cabinet
members and other officials, studying ways to increase public safety and reduce spending
on corrections in Pennsylvania is available at www.prnewswire.com/newsreleases/pennsylvania-launches-justice-reinvestment-initiative-138137803.html.
Information on prison costs is at
www.cor.pa.gov/Administration/General%20Information/Bureau%20of%20Administration/D
ocuments/2013-2014%20Inmate%20Cost.JPG.

NEW THIS WEEK: Report Says Pennsylvania is Behind the Curve Regarding
E-Cigarettes and Young People
LancasterOnline is reporting that Pennsylvania is way behind other states in regulating the
purchase of e-cigarettes by youth.
It says a November 2014 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
finds that 40 states have enacted laws prohibiting the sale of e-cigs and other vaping
materials to individuals under age 18, with the National Conference of State Legislatures
reporting the number now has risen to at least 48 states and two territories.
The CDC also found that the number of students in grades six to 12 reporting having ever
used an e-cigarette more than doubled from 3.3 percent to 7.7 percent from 2011 to 2013,
with a 2014 national study finding that e-cig use among eighth and 10th graders is double
that of traditional cigarette smoking, according to the story.
The full news report appears at www.lancasteronline.com/news/local/pa-is-one-of-the-onlystates-where-minors-can/article_19e6c89a-7f36-11e5-bf534ba45e6f404f.html#.VjS356_X5uw.facebook.

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NEW THIS WEEK: Winter Weather Awareness Week Underway Through Friday,
November 6
It's that time of year, with the National
Weather Service promoting awareness
this week of winter weather
preparedness.
Winter Weather Awareness Week runs
through November 6, with daily topics
related to preparation, definitions of
advisories, watches and warnings and
what they mean, types of heavy snows
and how they impact Pennsylvania, ice
storms, winter floodinge and frostbite
and hypothermia.
Additional information is available for
the full week of topics at
www.weather.gov/phi/Winter_Weather_Awareness_Week.

National Weather Service Changes Area Winter Alert Criteria

Changes are being made by the National Weather Service (NWS) related to Winter Storm
Warnings, Watches and Advisories and other weather products for Western Chester and
Lancaster counties for the upcoming winter season.
Storm totals for such event designations are being lowered by NWS at State College to
"better service higher population centersmedia markets and commuting areas.
"The new thresholds are better aligned with real observed impacts within the region (traffic
and school closures etc) and provide seamless criteria for media along state borders," NWS
says, adding "the new alignments also improve forecast collaboration between neighboring
NWS offices servicing the region."
In a concurrent announcement by NWS at Philadelphia/Mount Holly, that forecast office says
the change "avoids public confusion across the eastern/western county zone split in Chester
County."
No changes are occurring for Berks and Western Montgomery counties.
Further information from State College, including graphical explanations, is available at
www.facebook.com/NWSStateCollege/posts/986177891433298. A NWS Philadelphia/Mount
Holly statement is at www.weather.gov/phi/WinterCriteriaChange.

NWS Forecasters Say One-Third Chance for Warmer Winter with Less Snow
Forecasters say there is a one-third chance for warmer temperatures and less snow across
parts of our area this winter.
The Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
reports that a "strong El Nio is in place and should exert a strong influence over our
weather this winter."

- 11 -

The outlook and projection maps for the country are available at
www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2015/101515-noaa-strong-el-nino-sets-the-stage-for2015-2016-winter-weather.html.

Free Fall Foliage Report Available

Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau updates its Fall Foliage Report weekly
for leaf peepers.
The Department says that Pennsylvania has a
longer and more varied fall foliage season than
any other state in the nation, or anywhere in
the world.
This is no empty boast, it says, due to only
three regions of the world supporting deciduous
forests that display fall autumn color: eastern
North America; the British Isles and parts of
northwestern Europe; northeastern China and northern Japan, with other regions being
either tropical or dominated by conifers.
The states location, between 40 and 42 North latitude, and its varied topography from
sea level on the coastal plain to over 3,000 feet in the Laurel Highlands supports 134
species of trees and many more shrubs and vines that contribute to the display of autumn
color, officials note.
The report and additional information are available at
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20031285.pdf.

NEW THIS WEEK: Naloxone Drug Overdose Reversal Medicine Now Available to
Public Under Universal Prescription
Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine has
issued a state-wide standing order, or prescription, to
obtain the medication to enable family members and
others to administer it if someone they know
overdoses.
The state Health Department says "the rise in heroin addiction and prescription drug abuse
has quickly led to a public health crisis in Pennsylvania, where 1 in 4 families suffer from the
effects of substance abuse addiction.
"Heroin and opioid overdose are now the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania,
killing more individuals than those involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents," it reports, with
2,400 Pennsylvanians dying from drug overdoses last year.
Further information on the Order is available at www.media.pa.gov/Pages/HealthDetails.aspx?newsid=255. Additional information on "Naloxone and Reverse Overdose
Toolkit" of information is at
htwww.ddap.pa.gov/overdose/Pages/Naloxone_Reversal.aspx#.VjH2MCu9ASJ.

- 12 -

Insights into local impacts, from a Chester County Drug Overdose Symposium earlier this
months, are available at:

www.facebook.com/FathersMatterChesterCounty/posts/1114182335272118,

www.facebook.com/FathersMatterChesterCounty/posts/1114181011938917, and

www.facebook.com/FathersMatterChesterCounty/posts/1114180715272280.

NEW THIS WEEK: Seniors, Judges and Breast-Feeding Women Now Exempt from
Jury Duty Effective in January
Pennsylvania seniors 75 years of age and older and breastfeeding women who request to be
excused, along with state and federal judges, no longer will be called for jury duty after the
first of the year under legislation that has been signed by Gov. Tom Wolf.
A senior citizen exemption is said already to be in place in more than 25 states, the
judiciary exemption reflects already existing federal law, and the breastfeeding women
exemption was added after the original bill was introduced.
A copy of the legislation is available at
www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2015&sess
Ind=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0210&pn=1282.

NEW THIS WEEK: Persian Gulf Veterans Benefit Application Period is Extended
Pennsylvania veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War from August 2, 1990, to August
31, 1991, have received a three year deadline reprieve for filing for a financial benefit for
such service.
Gov. Tom Wolf has signed legislation retroactively extending the application deadline from
August 31 to August 31, 2018.
A one-time benefit of $75 per month, up to $525, for each month of active service in the
Persian Gulf Conflict Theater of Operations during the covered period, with an additional
one-time benefit of $5,000 if the service member was declared a prisoner of war at any
time during that period previously had been in effect. It also is available to eligible
beneficiaries.
Over 10,000 claims, totaling more than $3.5 million, had been approved at the end of last
year, with many eligible veterans not aware of the benefit.
Further information is available at
www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Pages/Programs%20and%20Services/Persian-GulfBonus-Program.aspx#.VjSlvyu9ASI%20or%20866-458-9182.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)
Berks-Lancaster-Lebanon Counties LINK to Aging and Disability Resources meets
from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at various Lancaster area
locations, and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the third Tuesdays of the month at various
locations in Berks County for services cross-trainings and exchange of information on

- 13 -

creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door resources for older adults and adults with disabilities,
including consumers, family members and others, seeking information about local
resources. On November 17, the Epilepsy Foundation of East Pennsylvania will present at
the Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance, 1234 Penn Avenue, Wyomissing. On
November 19, Senior Helpers will present at Elderwood Senior Living, 120 Rider Avenue,
Lancaster.
Specific topic workshops also are scheduled in the counties. Further information is available
at http://berkslancasterlebanonlink.org, or from Brian Long, coordinator, at
blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.

Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north
entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community
organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear
presentations from various services providers. On November 24, Legal Aid of
Southeastern Pennsylvania will discuss a variety of legal assistance issues facing lowincome individuals and families. Additional information about the group is available from
Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at debbie.openhearth@verizon.net or (610)
792-9282 x201.
Chester County Faith Community Health Ministry Network meets from 4 p.m. to
5:15 p.m., on the first Thursday of each month, from September through June to exchange
information on promotion of holistic health within faith congregations and communities and
to develop additional faith community nurses, also known as parish nurses. On
November 5, a representative from the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Coatesville will
discuss veterans benefits, including medical, during a meeting at the Kennett Area Senior
Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square. Further information is available from
Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.
Kennett Area Bridging the Community meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of
January, March, May, July, September and November at various community locations with
any interested individual or organization welcome to attend and share information on
resources and needs that can build "bridges" toward a more integrated Kennett
areacommunity. On November 11, the meeting will be at La Comunidad Hispana, 731
West Cypress Street, Kennett Square. Additional information is available from Joan Holliday
at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Minutes from prior meetings are available at
www.bridgingcommunity.com/bridging.php.
Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third
Wednesday of the month, except August and December, in the fourth floor conference room
at Brandywine Health Center at 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Representatives of
community organizations hear presentations from various services providers, discuss ways
to develop effective systems of care, help identify solutions to specific issues, and exchange
information about current and upcoming activities. Further information is available from
Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610) 380-7111 x16.
Chester County Family and Community Partnership meets from 10 a.m. to noon on
the first Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December at various locations.
The group is a diverse partnership of individuals, families, community organizations, service
agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in

- 14 -

living self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Additional information is available from
Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262.
Communities That Care (CTC) groups in several Chester County school districts provide
networking opportunities for community organizations and individuals that use a planning
and mobilization model to promote healthy youth development and prevent and reduce
negative youth health and behavior issues that may include substance abuse, delinquency,
teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence.
West Chester CTC meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Thursday of each
month of the school year at the West Chester Area School District Spellman
Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Lunch is provided by reserving
at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817.
Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the
month from September through May at the Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon
Drive, Exton (Lionville). Further information and registration available at
dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090 x2827.
Coatesville CTC Community Prevention Board, a body coterminous with the
Coatesville Youth Initiative Steering Committee, meets periodically in the fourth floor
Community Room, Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway,
Coatesville. Further information and requested lunch reservations are available from
Jarvis Berry, CTC community mobilizer, at Jarvis@coatesvilleyouthinitiative.org or
(610) 380-0200.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed Ongoing
Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for
persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific
services in support of those who attend:

Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- Barnabas Group, at Calvary Fellowship Church,

95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) is named after
the Biblical disciple known as the Son of Encouragement. Weekly sessions are part
of the churchs Care Monday, that includes a prayer group that meets at the same
time in the Prayer Lobby (Portico Entrance), with intercession for those attending the
Barnabas Group and the churchs other Care Ministries, including DivorceCare for
those coping with separation or divorce, even years later; Mending Hearts for those
with prodigal children and other family members; and various offerings focused on
assistance in healing and coping. Further information for Barnabas Group activities
is available at barnabasgroup@cfdownington.com or (610) 363-7171

Malvern Penn State Great Valleys Alumni Association and My Career Transitions
(MCT), an all-volunteer job counseling group, meets from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
the second Saturday of the month, except August and December, in 130 Main
Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a
new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. Further information and required registration
are available at http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings. On
November 14, Franne McNeal of Significant Business Results will discuss Using the
Magic Lens to Increase Your Relationships, Revenues and Results. Further

- 15 -

information and required registration are available at

http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings.

Wayne A one-on-one Employment Guidance Ministry, along with periodic special

employment related events to aid jobseekers is available at St. Davids Episcopal
Church, 763 South Valley Forge Road, Malvern. Further information is available from
George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com or (610) 688-7947.

West Chester Unemployment support group meets bi-weekly from 5:45 p.m. to
7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner Street, West Chester, to
learn tips and techniques related to job searches. Further information is available
from Elisabeth Hartwell at ehartwell@firstpreswc.com, at (610) 696-0554.

West Chester BarnabasWC group meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Mondays,
except holidays, in the Community Room, Providence Church, 430 Hannum Avenue,
West Chester. Further information is available at www.barnabaswc.org or
info@barnabaswc.org.

Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month:

Berwyn/Main Line - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at the
Hagenbach Room, St. Monicas Church, 635 First Avenue. Further information is
available from Bob Schubert at bobschubertjr@aim.com or (610) 755-2398.
Central Delco Groups at three locations in Central Delaware County now
coordinate meetings in Media and Upper Darby at 7 p.m. on the first three Tuesdays
of the month. First Tuesday: St. Francis Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church,
2400 North Providence Road, Media, with further information at
smmemploy@gmail.com or (610) 873-7117. On November 3, no meeting will be
held due to Election Day. Second Tuesday: St. Laurence Church, 8245 West
Chester Pike-St. Laurence Road Entrance, Upper Darby, with further information at
smmemploy@gmail.com or (610) 873-7117. Third Tuesday: Hassler Chapel,
Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike, Media, with further information
at robinst37@gmail.com.
Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, in the
Parish Meeting Room Rear of the School Property, St. Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor
Avenue (Route 322). On November 10, a Soup to Nuts: How to do a Real
Targeted Job Search training will be held. Information about the affiliate is available
by leaving a message at (610) 873-7117.
Upper Uwchlan Township 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the School
Education Center, St. Elizabeths Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester
Springs. Further information is available at (610) 321-1200 or at
david.bolz@verizon.net.
Reading 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm. on the first and third Wednesdays at St Catharine's of
Siena Parish Center. 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Further information is
available from John Senick, facilitator, at (610) 779-4005.
West Grove 6:45 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the new Parish
Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 300 State Road, West
Grove. On October 28, Lynne Williams, career transition advisor, will discuss How

- 16 -

to Avoid the Online Application Black Hole. Further information is available from John
Colgan at johnfcolgan@gmail.com.
Additional information on all St. Josephs People chapters is available at
www.josephspeople.org.

Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job Openings Report October
Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning,
along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities,
can take advantage of a broad series of services and monthly workshops offered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor CareerLink at its Exton offices in Suite 500, 479 Thomas
Jones Way in the Oaklands Corporate Center.
These trainings include an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.
A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month is available at
www.workshop.pacareerlinkchesco.org/calendar.
Monthly job openings list that provides several pages for the Chester County area is
available at
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ChesterCountyDepartm/d4a541ce87/432f3381ef/19f9a5b567.
Daily position openings updates are available through www.cwds.state.pa.us.
Websites for additional county PA CareerLink offices in the area, at which many services are
available to out-of-county residents, include:
Berks: www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/CareerLink/Pages/default.aspx
Delaware: www.delcoworks.org
Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com
Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024

Free Online Training Available for Health Care Professionals Aiding Veterans
Health care professionals now have a free online course developed by the federal
Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD) to help serve veterans and service
members.
The eight-hour Military Culture: Core Competencies for Health Care Professionals training
covers a variety of topics through interactive features, video vignettes, case examples and
treatment planning scenarios.
Each of the four modules within the course was developed using research, surveys and
extensive interviews with service members and veterans.
Information and registration for the training, along with other military culture-related
materials, are available at www.deploymentpsych.org/Military-Culture.

- 17 -

Reading and Lancaster Among Top Locales for Non-Degree Employment

If you are looking for employment without
at least a bachelor's degree, Reading and
Lancaster may be places to focus.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, in
a new report, says that significantly more "opportunity occupations" are available in those
areas than in the Philadelphia marketplace.
It also cautioned employers against "upcredentialing", noting that "(i)f a four-year college
degree is not truly needed to fill an open position successfully ... then setting the
educational attainment bar higher than the job requires may present an artificial barrier to a
worker without a college education and could make the job more difficult to fill despite the
availability of qualified workers."
The report, Identifying Opportunities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, is a
companion to a larger version by Federal Reserve Banks of Philadelphia, Cleveland and
Atlanta that focuses on opportunity occupations in the nation's top 100 Metropolitan
Statistical Areas (MSAs).
The Federal Reserve defines an opportunity occupation as "one that pays workers on
average at least the national annual median wage, adjusted for differences in local
consumption prices, and is generally considered accessible for those without a bachelor's
degree."
It found that 33.6 percent of jobs in the Reading MSA met its opportunity occupations
definition, the top percentage of 11 looked at, with Lancaster fourth, behind Pittsburgh and
York, at 31 percent. Philadelphia was eighth at 26.8 percent and Allentown ninth at 26.3
percent, both below the region's total at 28.3 percent.
The report also provides insight into types of jobs that fit its opportunity occupations
definition in each area and categories that have been increasing and decreasing from 2011
through 2014. It notes that some of the positions do require advanced training or
certificates.
The report is available at www.philadelphiafed.org/communitydevelopment/publications/special-reports.

NEW LAST WEEK: Scam Prevention Seminar Available Online

A Scam Prevention seminar, presented by Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan and
hosted by State Rep. Becky Corbin at Freedom Village at Coatesville, is available online,
highlighting many of the most common threats and how to protect oneself.
The session is available at
www.3ctvlive.com/scam_prevention_w_hogan_1280_x_720.cfm?utm_source=Listrak&utm_
medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2f3ctvlive.com%2fscam_prevention_w_hogan_1
280_x_720.cfm&utm_campaign=Thanksgiving+Holiday+Food+Drive.

- 18 -

Free Weekly Legal Clinic Available in Coatesville Wednesdays

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania is hosting a free walk-in legal clinic for eligible lowincome individuals from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Maternal Child and Health
Consortium of Chester County offices, 1001 East Lincoln Highway Suite 104, Coatesville.
Various non-criminal issues, including custody, housing, benefits, civil items and more will
be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, with individuals requested to bring any
relevant documents to a matter and proof of immigration status.
Further information about eligibility and other questions is available at (610) 275-5400
x131.

FTC Seeks Public Comment on E-Cigarette Industry

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on its plan to collect information
from approximately five large and ten smaller e-cigarette marketers as part of a study of
the U.S. sales and marketing of electronic cigarettes, more commonly known as ecigarettes.
The agency says that since the mid-2000s, the sale of battery-powered e-cigarettes has
grown rapidly in the United States. Rather than burning tobacco, it says, e-cigarettes heat
liquid containing flavorings and chemicals (usually including nicotine) to produce an aerosol
the user inhales. E-cigarettes are sold both online and in conventional brick-and-mortar
stores, are available in both disposable and refillable models, and come in a range of
different flavors and nicotine levels, it notes.
Further information is available at www.ftc.gov/policy/federal-registernotices/agencyinformation-collection-activities-proposed-collection-comm74?utm_source=govdelivery.

State Panel Calls for Broader Lyme Disease Education and

Reliable Diagnosis
Broader Lyme disease education and prevention, including reliable diagnosis, is needed to
help stem the increasing number of reported cases throughout the state, according to
Pennsylvania's first
comprehensive Lyme Disease
in Pennsylvania report.
State Health Department
Secretary Karen Murphy, who
released findings of a special
task force on the subject, said
the number of reported cases
increased from 5,900 in 2013
to 7,400 last year, in part due
to better statistical gathering.
However, the task force
estimates that an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 individuals annually are affected by tickborne
diseases (TBDs), of which Lyme disease is a part.
Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, also known as
a deer tick, officials report, with symptoms including fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches
and joint pain. Left untreated, it can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system,

- 19 -

resulting in migratory pain or arthritis, impaired motor and sensory skills and an enlarged
heart.
The report recommends greater education within the general population, particularly
through schools, parks and medical offices; additional funding for research, including
updating and reporting; and encouragement of research to understand the scope and scale
of Lyme and other TBDs in Pennsylvania, along with development of a test that can quickly
and accurately diagnose the disease.
Pennsylvania has the highest reported incidences of Lyme disease in the nation, being
present in all of the state's counties.
The report, along with other Lyme disease information, is available at
www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Diseases%20and%20Conditions/I-L/Pages/LymeDisease-.aspx#.Vh99_Cu9ASJ.

Free Museum Passes Offered by Chesco Libraries

Chester County Library and its Henrietta Hankin Branch are making passes available to
patrons for admission at six different museums and historical sites in a three-county area.
The initiative, funded by library Friends groups, will provide access to the Chester County
Historical Society and American Helicopter museums in West Chester, Elmwood Park Zoo in
Norristown, National Iron and Steel Museum in Coatesville, and the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Drexel University and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.
Customers with valid library cards in good standing can borrow museum passes for one day,
with no renewals. Passes, with availability varying for each library, must be borrowed and
returned, at the same facility.
Further information is available at the Chester County Library at 450 Exton Square Parkway,
Exton, and the Hankin library at 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner) or
at (610) 280-2620.

LaComunidad Hispana to Open Oxford Health Clinic

La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) will open a new community
health center in Oxford in December.
Expansion of the Kennett Square organization's outreach
will provide health services for both uninsured and insured
residents of Oxford and the surrounding areas, including
Lincoln University, Cochranville, Nottingham, Oxford and
West Grove, from facilities in the Oxford Professional Center at 301 North 3rd Street.
Federally Qualified Health Center funding, together with philanthropic support from the
community, is enabling the additional location, officials said.
They note that LCH currently serves 5,500 individuals annually at its Kennett Square
location, with more than 70% of patients being uninsured and most below federal poverty
levels.

- 20 -

Some prospective patients in the new service area now must travel 20 to 30 miles to access
a federally qualified health center, with lack of transportation often being an issue, they
said.

SEPTA Moving Toward Photo Senior Transit Passes

Seniors will be able to use state photo driver licenses or identification cards for free rides on
Southeast Pennsylvania Public Transportation Authority (SEPTA) buses, trolleys and
subways or $1 for trains in the near future but the transition process isnt as clear.
Although some state legislators are reporting that current passes no longer will be accepted
as of November 1, requiring riders to travel to Philadelphia to obtain a new SEPTA photo
identification, the process isnt that clearcut, according to Joe Connolly of SEPTAs
government affairs office.
He said the Authority is transitioning to an electronic system that will require magneticstriped cards for regular and senior transit riders as the process is phased in over the next
several months. Senior riders, therefore, eventually will need a photo identification, such as
a state driver or identification card or a SEPTA photo pass to obtain free or reduced fares.
On or about November 1, he said, state legislator offices no longer will be helping to process
applications that currently result in issuance of paper IDs. Instead, individuals requiring a
SEPTA new photo pass will need to travel to the Authoritys main office at 1234 Market
Street in Philadelphia or obtain a card when a new mobile van visits legislator offices or
senior fairs.
Connolly said the transition process may be unclear because SEPTA is trying to phase in the
system without causing hardships for seniors, noting the new system, allowing use of stateissued driver licenses and personal identification cards actually will expand SEPTA user
convenience significantly once the system is fully implemented.
In the meantime, at least two area state representatives have scheduled SEPTA personnel
at their offices to aid seniors in obtaining new photo passes.
A SEPTA representative will be at the office of State Rep. Harry Lewis, 131 Wallace Avenue
Unit 14, Downingtown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, October 23, and the office of
Rep. Marcy Toepel, 1885 Swamp Pike - Suite 107, Gilbertsville, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, October 29, to process applications.
Further information on the free and reduced ride program is available at
www.septa.org/fares/discount/senior-id.html or (215) 580-7800, or (215) 580-7853
TDD/TTY for hearing or speech impaired; the Lewis office at (610) 269-1289 or the Toepel
office at (610) 323-3299.

Caution Urged Before Filling Home Heating Oil Tanks

Pennsylvania residents are being
encouraged to take precautions before
filling home heating oil tanks for winter to
avoid spills that could cost them up to
$50,000.

- 21 -

State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says that poorly maintained or leaking
home heating oil tanks can pose a fire risk, diminish indoor air quality and contaminate
groundwater.
It reports that one in five Pennsylvania homes use heating oil to stay warm in the winter,
and encourages owners to consider inspecting indoor and outdoor home tanks for potential
problems prior to refilling them.
Preventing leaks will save owners both energy and money, in addition to protecting their
health, DEP says, noting that cleaning up a spill caused by a heating oil tank can cost up to
$50,000 and may not be covered by homeowners insurance. Homeowners can check with
their insurance providers to determine whether coverage is available.
DEP encourages homeowners to consider the following:
For safety reasons, always assume the tank contains at least some oil;
Routinely inspect the exterior of the tank and all attached equipment;
Check for signs of rusting on the tank and its structural supports;
Examine the tanks fill line and feed line to the furnace for leaks;
Never tip over or empty a tank onto the ground;
Enlist a professional to perform maintenance or alterations to a heating oil tank
system; and
Recognize that wet spots or odors near the tank may signal a problem.
When fuel is delivered, DEP suggests making sure the home address is clearly visible and
the tanks fill line is clearly marked. If someone is unable to be home when fuel oil is
delivered, mark the fill pipe with a red flag or marker and inform the oil company of the
location. Ensure that any disconnected fill pipes are permanently sealed and cannot be
opened.
Residents who think their oil tank may have a problem should immediately contact their oil
company for help.
Additional information is available at www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document107008/2630-FS-DEP1681.pdf or from the DEP Division of Storage Tanks at (717) 7725599.

Free Senior Center Toolkit Addresses Suicide

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a new
guide, Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for Senior Centers,
during September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
A companion to Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for Senior
Living Communities, the resource is for senior center staff and volunteers to connect older
adults to a range of critical services and programs.
The guide is available for download at http://store.samhsa.gov/product/PromotingEmotional-Health-and-Preventing-Suicide/SMA15-4416?WT.mc_id=EB_20150917_SMA154416, with the senior living communities version at
http://www.store.samhsa.gov/product/Promoting-Emotional-Health-and-PreventingSuicide/SMA10-4515.

- 22 -

Updated Website Provides Additional Insight on Local Governments

Local Government Commission of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has updated its
website to provide quick links to information about local government laws, bidding practices,
taxation, municipal statistics and other governmental operations.
Information on the bi-partisan commission is available at www.lgc.state.pa.us.

Tredyffrin Township Launches Crime Watch Website

Tredyffrin Township Police Department has developed an interactive website, Crime Watch,
that contains community safety information and is part of a larger information portal.
The Department is posting crime trend updates, recent arrest data, and safety and security
information to the site.
Further information is available at www.tredyffrrinpd.org or rcarroll@tredyffrin.org.

PennDOT Creates New Website to Advise on Highway Construction Projects

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has a new website that provides
real-time information on construction projects throughout the state.
The website is at www.projects.penndot.gov/projects/PAProjects.aspx.
Travel information also is available at www.511PA.com or by telephone at 5-1-1, providing
travelers with current traffic and weather information, as well as links to other
transportation services.

Pennsylvania Joins States with Online Voting Registration

Pennsylvania has gone to online voter registration
capabilities in English and Spanish.
State officials said the process not only will be more
convenient for voters, but will save significant costs.
Information on completed online form will be forwarded
directly to the appropriate county voter registration office for
processing, officials said, with county election staff not
having to contend with trying to decipher often illegible handwriting or follow up on missing
information due to the online form not able to be submitted unless complete.
They said the online system also is more secure for applicants because the form will be
transmitted directly to counties for processing versus a traditional paper application
containing personal information potentially passing through several hands before
registration is complete.
Monday, October 5, is the last day to register before the November 3 election.
Registration is available at www.votespa.com, with frequently asked questions at
www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=2096088&parentname=ObjMgr&pare
ntid=23&mode=2#a.

- 23 -

Child Abuse Clearance Changed to Certification

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has changed the terminology for child abuse
history clearances to certification and
strongly encourages individuals to apply
online for more efficient processing.
Volunteers working with children were
relieved of fees for child abuse clearances
and criminal background checks required by the state Child Protective Services Law,
effective July 25, with the cost of Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania
State Police (PSP) child abuse and criminal history record checks being reduced from $10 to
$8 for all other applicants, effective the same date.
FBI clearances, required for all employees and for volunteers who have not been a
continuous resident of the Commonwealth for the last 10 years, continue to apply.
In 2014, 23 pieces of legislation were enacted including Act 153 of 2014, changing how
Pennsylvania responds to child abuse, such changes significantly impacting the reporting,
investigation, assessment, prosecution and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect
cases. However, organizations using volunteers raised concern about future recruitment
due to the costs.
The list of persons required to obtain clearances, according to the Governor's Office, are:
-- Child care service employees;
-- Foster parents and adult household members;
-- Prospective adoptive parents and adult household members;
-- Individuals 14 year of age or older applying for a paid position as an employee
responsible for the welfare of a child or having direct contact with children;
-- Any individual seeking or provide child-care services under contract with a child-care
facility or program;
-- School employees governed by public school code and those not governed by the public
school code (colleges and universities).
More information about clearances required under the Child Protective Services Law is
available at www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov. Individuals seeking clearances can go directly to
www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis to create an individual account and apply for child abuse
history certifications electronically.

Counselors of Sexually Violent Predators Required to Notify District Attorney and

Police
Counselors of sexually violent predators now must notify annually the district attorney and
law enforcement officials of the jurisdiction in which they are conducting business of such
activity.

- 24 -

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed legislation authored by Bucks County Rep. Frank
Farry who says it is designed to close a loophole in reporting requirements of individuals
who have been deemed sexually violent predators.
Designees are required to undergo counseling sessions at least monthly, Farry said, but law
enforcement often doesnt know they are in their jurisdictions on a regular basis.
Affected counselors must report their businesses by January 15 of each year. A copy of the
new law, H.B. 73, is available at
www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2015&s
essInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0073&pn=0064.

Please Note: New and Updated tags refer only to the time of appearance of information
in these E-Updates. Some on-going activities may have been in existence for some time
and are being listed for awareness.

Letting People Know/Making a Difference - Ongoing

Feedback indicates that a lack of communications tools is a primary deficiency in bringing
community services providers and those needing information together.
If you know of an activity designed to have a real impact on families (this includes
individuals and youth) that we should be aware of or might be interested in reporting in
these periodic e-mail updates, please let me know, either with details or a web site link. In
order to maintain its value, this forum currently is a subjective, selective distribution so all
information submitted may not be used.
Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward
all or selected portions as you feel appropriate. If you would like to be added to or removed
from this list, please hit reply and advise by typing "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" or
something similar in the Subject line.
Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is
based on information reported to us. No endorsement is made or implied.
Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more
advanced electronic communications method for this type of material that will have more
expansive yet less obtrusive characteristics. Please stay tuned.
To submit materials for publication, please refer to the guidelines that follow.

Blessings
Casey
Casey Jones
Transformation Initiative
Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families
(610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com
2009-2015 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.

- 25 -

Information provided is designed to highlight activities within the broader community that can help
enhance Christian principles relative to development of healthy children, individual and family
relationships.
Recipients are encouraged to print and post this Calendar to employee and public bulletin boards
for benefit of others.
Activities included in this publication are gathered from various submissions and other sources. No
representation is made as to their accuracy or value.
Persons wishing to be included in future e-mailings of updates, should request inclusion by sending
an e-mail with Subscribe in the Subject line, along with your name, organization, community and
where you heard about the publications to bps461@msn.com.
General Guidelines for Information Submission:
Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure to new
subscribers, individuals who only may read the list periodically, and for other organizations that want
to avoid scheduling opposite an event or may want to collaborate with others in the area. For annual
events, even longer lead times may be appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the
week of publication.
A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what
actually is occurring and why they should consider attending) can be obtained by perusing the
publications or using the following guide:
Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.
Name of Event:
Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:
Times (Starting and ending):
Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a
MapQuest or Google Maps searchable address:
Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address:
Participant Eligibility (Ages, gender, etc.):
Description of Activities and, as applicable, the presenter and the purpose of the event (Two to
three descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous
words such as "wonderful", "great", etc.):
Any Fees, including free-will offerings:
Contact name, e-mail, telephone, along with any web page that is focused primarily on the
specific activity:
Any registration requirements.
We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small,
optional materials fee is charged.
Fund-raising activities generally are not published unless there is a good mixture of free
activities also available, including free admission, with a participant having the choice of
purchasing incidental items such as food or crafts.
Church events generally are published only if they are separate from normal weekly worship
services.
Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a
case-by-case basis in context with focus of the publications.

ined on a case-by-case basis in context with focus of the publications.