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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS

IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Week of October 4, 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
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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.
UPDATED LAST WEEK: 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.
Art Ability Exhibit of Artists with Disabilities Malvern.
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.
Lets Talk Again Parents Forums Pottstown.
Golda Meir True Grit Presentation Exton.
Fair Housing Workshop West Chester.
Pennsylvania Flute Choir Concert King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Stop Smoking Now! Cessation Program West Chester.
Marketing Return on Investment Workshop Wayne.
Living with Loss Support New Holland.
Planning for Children with Special Needs Presentation West Chester.
Nutrition Links Cooking Classes Spring City.
Budgeting and Debt Reduction Workshop Extdon.
Coping with Essential Tremors Presentation New Holland.
Special Education Process Forum Thorndale.
Put the Animals to Bed Presentation Glenmoore.
Child Protection Background Checks Workshop Harleysville.
Chester Valley Trail Extension Study Forum Exton.
State Rep. Lewis City Chat Coatesville.
Guitar Concert Wayne.
Understanding Credit Workshop Bryn Mawr.
Affair on the Square Family Day Exton (Eagleview).
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Coatesville.

-3-

Household Hazardous Waste Collection West Chester.

Fostering Community Park Day Coatesville (East Fallowfield Township.
Childrens Author Reading Chester Springs.
Coyotes in Our Back Yard Presentation and Hike Pottstown (Warwick).
Flight of the Falcon Presentation Green Lane.
Backpacking 101 Hike 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.
Lady Grace Iron History Hike Pottstown (Warwick).
What is Helpful in Your Caregiver Journey Forum New Holland.
Reading with a Ranger for Kids Oxford.
Get It Done Day! West Chester.
Guiding Good Choices Parent and Children Forum Pottstown.
Halloween Colorama Coloring Fest For Families Phoenixville.
Good Stress vs. Bad Stress Parent Forum Downingtown.
Home Purchase Financing Workshop Exton.
Finding Funders Workshop Exton.
Family Finances Workshop Exton.
Fraud Prevention Workshop Coatesville.
Artist Reception Coatesville.
Parent Caf Pottstown.
Lets Talk Again Parent Forum Pottstown.
Health Empowerment Presentation Exton.
Writers Open Mike Phoenixville.
Money Management Workshop Bryn Mawr.
End Human Trafficking Prayer Night West Chester.
Paws on the Path Walk Nottingham.
Clothes2Go Giveaway Exton/Lionville.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sharon Hill.
Pumpkin Fest and Harvest Festival West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Car Show Downingtown.
Centennial Heritage Day Coatesville.
Be Alive & Thrive Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Forum Exton.
MY FEST PA for Youth Lansdale.
History & Secrets Hike Nottingham.
Leave It to Beaver Hike Green Lane.
New:

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

Fire Prevention Awareness Day Kennett Square.
Photo Fantastic Safari Nottingham.
Junior Girl Scout Animals Habitat Badge Workshop Nottingham.
What is Vegan All About? Author Presentation and Cooking Demonstration Berwyn.
Trick or Tree for Kids Presentation Nottingham.
Career & Training Expo Coatesville.
Dare To Be The Best Fatherhood Initiatiave Pottstown.
Home Buying Workshop Bryn Mawr.

-4-

Halloween Safehouse for Kids Pottstown.

Make a Difference Day Coatesville.
Fall Festival Pottstown (Sanatoga)
Parkinsons Therapy Support - New Holland.
Disabilities Employment Summit Lancaster.
Paws on the Path Walks Nottingham.
Children with Hearing Loss Support Training King of Prussia.
Community Education Week Breakfast West Chester.

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.

NEW THIS WEEK: National Fire Prevention Week is This Week; U.S. Fire
Administration Releasing Sesame Street Fire Safety Program Family Guide
Fire detectors in every bedroom is the focus of this
weeks national Fire Prevention Week activities, with
many awareness events for children and families not
only scheduled by local fire departments this week
but throughout the month.
Hear the BEEP While You SLEEP is the protection
slogan.
In addition, the U.S. Fire Administration has
announced release of an updated Sesame Street Fire
Safety Program in English and Spanish for pre-school
children, with an online version available now and a
kit for fire departments, schools, day care providers
and home-school parents available for order and
delivery later this year.
Officials say that more than half of child fire deaths
are children age four and younger, with more than
3,000 overall deaths, including over 100 firefighters
and 16,000 injuries each year. Direct property
losses due to fire reach almost $12 billion annually, they report.
Information on local fire department activities are available on their websites, the national
campaign is at www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week, and the Fire
Administration program at
www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/ss_safety_program.html.

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NEW LAST WEEK: 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.
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.

NEW LAST WEEK: 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

-6-

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.

NEW LAST WEEK: 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.
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.

-7-

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Fall Foliage Report Available

Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau has commenced its weekly Fall Foliage
Report.
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.

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.

Free Weekly Legal Clinic Starts 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.

-8-

Further information about eligibility and other questions is available at (610) 275-5400
x131.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Parent Forums Seek Organization Information; Adds to
Parent Cafes Start Monday, October 5
Pottstown School District, through its Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten (PEAK)
initiative, will host an expanded series of family forums to obtain community thoughts and
parent resources for the Pottstown educational system.
The sessions, for families with infants through elementary school students, will be held from
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday, October 5, at Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos at First
Baptist Church, 301 King Street, and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pottstown Middle School;,
600 North Franklin Street; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, October 7, at Barth
Elementary School, 800 North Franklin Street; and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at YWCA Tri-County
Area, 315 King Street.
Childcare, meals, Spanish interpreters, door prizes, and Pottstown Regional Library story
times, and Mr. Daves Sing/Dance Parties at the Middle School and Barth gatherings for the
kids are included.
The forums, which have been held in the Fall and Spring several times previously, are
designed to share parental thoughts, concerns and hopes for children.
The Pottstown Family Center also has been hosting Parent Cafes for district families of
children under 18 years of age, with similar benefits, at Connections on High Street, 238
East High Street, Pottstown.
Remaining sessions include 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, October 1, and November 5 and
530 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, and November 19.
The groups also are seeking community information to help address an issue previously
noted that parents often are unaware of programs and activities in the district.
Further information for the Lets Talk Again sessions is available at
www.pottstownschools.org/EventAttachments/2015FallLet'sTalkflyerREV.jpg,
jbennett@pottstownsd.org or (610) 256-6370, and information and required registration for
the Parent Cafes at
www.fsmontco.org/sites/default/files/Parent%20Cafe%20flyer%20Fall%202015.pdf,
dcallender@fsmontco.org or (610) 326-1510 x330.

Free Overdose Prevention Symposium Scheduled Tuesday, October 13

Chester County Overdose Prevention Task Force will host an Overdose Prevention
Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. October 13 at the Chester County Public Safety
Training Center, 137 Modena Road, South Coatesville.

-9-

The event, Increasing Awareness of Overdose in Chester County, is designed for law
enforcement, medical and treatment providers, mental health agencies, and community
prevention organizations.
Further information is available from Dr. Kim Stone at
www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=3174, kstone@chesco.org or (610) 344-6225.

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.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)
COSECHA (Harvest) meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the
month from September through June at the Head Start Center, 380 West Cedar Street,
Kennett Square. Further information is available from Elizabeth Garduno at
elizabethga@cciu.org or (610) 444-2880 x305.

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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.
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
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 October 15, Tabor Community Services will explain its services at its facility
at 308 East King Street, Lancaster, along with a presentation by Laurie Reichert of Humana,
explaining Medicare options. On October 20, Haven Behavioral Hospital of Eastern
Pennsylvania will present in the Village Dining Room, Phoebe Berks, 1 Reading Drive,
Wernersville. 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 October 27, KenCrest and Bridge of Hope will provide
information. On November 24, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania will discuss a
variety of legal assistance issues facing low-income individuals and families. Additional
information about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City,
at (610) 792-9282 x201 or debbie.openhearth@verizon.net.
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 area
community. 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.
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. Further
information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.
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

- 11 -

agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in

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. On October 8, outcomes will
be provided for the Strengthening Families 10-14 program. 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. On October 10, author Anthony Gold will
conduct a Salary Negotiation Workshop. Further information and required
registration are available at http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcomingmeetings.

- 12 -

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 October 6, Thomas Rhoads, a
career transition consultant, will discuss Why Job Search Objectives Matter. 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. On October 13, Ernie Russom, group co-chair and executive director of
The Westview Associates, an executive search firm, will discuss Learn How to Ace
That Interview. 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). 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
to Avoid the Online Application Black Hole. Further information is available from
John Colgan at johnfcolgan@gmail.com.

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Additional information on all St. Josephs People chapters is available at

www.josephspeople.org.

Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job Openings Report September
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
http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/27970.
Monthly job openings list that provides several pages for the Chester County area is
available at www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/28105. 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.

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

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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.

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.

- 15 -

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.

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.

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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.
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.

Some Medicare Part B Enrollees Face 52 Percent Premium Hike

About 30 percent of Medicare Part B enrollees may be facing a 52 percent increase in
premiums next year if the federal Department of Health and Human Services doesn't
determine ways to lower it.

- 17 -

The estimate is contained within the 2015 Annual Report to Congress of the Boards of
Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary
Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
A hold-harmless provision in the law, which affects
about 70 percent of Medicare enrollees, limits the
current monthly dollar increase in the Part B premium
of $104.90 to the dollar increase in an individuals
Social Security benefit, according to the report.
Without the hold-harmless provision, beneficiaries
would face a premium of $120.70 for 2016. However,
due to no anticipated cost-of-living adjustment for
Social Security benefits next year, premiums would
remain at the current level for those beneficiaries.
As a result, the needed difference is transferred to the remaining 30 percent of beneficiaries
which include new enrollees during the year, those who do not receive a Social Security
benefit check, and enrollees with high incomes, along with state Medicaid programs that pay
the full premium for dual Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries.
The result is a $159.30 estimated payment for those 30 percent, according to the report,
available at www.cms.gov//Statis/ReportsTrustFunds/Downloads/TR2015.pdf, with the
analysis at Page 33.

Lyme Disease Up in Pennsylvania; Chester County Remains the Leader in

Southeast
Lyme disease is up 25% in reported cases in Pennsylvania last year, although area counties
other than Delaware showed a decrease.
Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy
reported last week the Commonwealth
recorded 7,400 cases of Lyme disease in
2014, compared with 5,900 cases in
2013, with the increase, in part,
attributable to heightened awareness
about Lyme disease, better reporting, and enhanced monitoring efforts, particularly in
Allegheny County.
"Lyme disease is present in every county in Pennsylvania," the Secretary reported, saying
that residents need to better protect themselves from tick bites and know the signs and
symptoms of Lyme disease
"For those with the disease it is important to seek early treatment to avoid any potential
long-term health complications," she said.
Chester County continues to lead the number of cases in our reporting area, with 2,022 last
year, or 134 per 100,000 average annual rate, versus 2,395 cases the year before, or a
159.5 average annual rate.
Delaware County, in the meantime, skyrocketed from 62 cases, or a 3.7 average annual
rate in 2013, to 320 cases, a 19.1 average annual rate, last year.

- 18 -

Other area county rates, all showing declines between years, are:
-- Berks: 142 cases in 2013 (11.5 average annual rate) / 79 in 2014 (6.4 average annual
rate).
-- Bucks: 1,977 (105.3) / 1,400 (74.5)
-- Lancaster: 36 (2.3) / 35 (2.2)
-- Montgomery: 1,262 (52.9) / 1,052 (43.6)
-- Philadelphia: 549 (11.9) / 435 (9.4)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and eight colleagues recently introduced the federal Lyme and TickBorne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2015 to increase public
awareness and strengthen efforts to combat tick-borne diseases. A text of the bill is at
www.blumenthal.senate.gov/download/lyme-and-tick-borne-illness-prevention-act.
A Department of Health Lyme Disease Fact Sheet is at
www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Diseases%20and%20Conditions/IL/Documents/Lyme%20Disease.pdf.
The 2014 County Health Profiles are available at
www.statistics.health.pa.gov/MyHealthStatistics/VitalStatistics/CountyHealthProfiles/Pages/
CountyHealthProfiles.aspx#.VXkgyUa9BP0.

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.

- 19 -

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.

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.

- 20 -

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.