PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS

IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of June 12, 2016

Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources
and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them
_________________________________________________________________
Activities are subject to change without notice; participants are encouraged
to use contact information to confirm times and dates.
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2009-2016 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial 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

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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)

Camps Cadet Various Pennsylvania Locations.
GSK Science in the Summer for Elementary Students Area Libraries.
Walking Girls to Success Series Honey Brook.
Summer Concert Exton (Eagleview).
Family Night West Grove.
Lunch and Learn King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Meet the Congregations Presentation New Holland.
Lunchtime Concert King of Prussia.
Town Tour and Village Walk Chester County.
Art Classes Kennett Square.
Bird Walks Audubon.
Longs Park Summer Concert Series Lancaster.
Parent Cafes Pottstown.
Gospel Roller Coaster Upper Darby.
Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Look Good, Feel Better for Women Various Locations.
Summer Concerts Exton and Eagleview, and Malvern.
Summer Music Festival Upper Providence
Ice Cream and Movie Downingtown (West Bradford Township).
Lunch and Learn King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Movie Night Exton (Eagleview).
Art and Craft Feast Exton (Eagleview).
Flag Day Ceremonies King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Acrylic Painting Hands-on Demonstration Exton.
Christian Music Talent Challenge Manheim.
Tractor Night West Chester.
Elder Justice Day West Chester.
School's Out Park Party Malvern.
Medicare 101 Workshop Phoenixville.
Franchising Workshop Pottstown.
Art in the City Coatesville.
Keyboard Concert Phoenixville.
Summer Concert Series Thorndale (Caln Township)
Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorTM Dreamcoat Drama Ministry Theater
Downingtown (Guthrieville).
Youth Choir Concert West Chester.
Art and Music Festival Ambler.
Personal Paper Shredding West Chester.
Personal Hazardous Waste Collection Abington.
Pollinator Garden Dedication and Children's Activity West Chester (East Goshen
Township).
State Rep. Milne Kids Fest Malvern.
Continental Army March Out King of Prussia (Valley Forge).

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Car Show and Concert Coatesville (West Brandywine Township).

Death Cafe Downingtown.
Overdose Vigil Aston (Upper Chichester Township).

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

Camps Cadet Various Pennsylvania Locations.
Personalities, Practices and Churches from the Reformation Era Ispeaker Series
New Holland.
GSK Science in the Summer for Elementary Students Area Libraries.
Walking Girls to Success Series Honey Brook.
Summer Concert Exton (Eagleview).
Family Night West Grove.
Meet the Congregations Presentation New Holland.
Lunchtime Concert King of Prussia.
Town Tour and Village Walk Chester County.
Bird Walks Audubon.
Longs Park Summer Concert Series Lancaster.
Parent Cafes Pottstown.
Gospel Roller Coaster Upper Darby.
Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Look Good, Feel Better for Women Various Locations.
Shingles Clinic Kennett Square.
Children's Author Discussion Berwyn.
Drug Overdose Kit Training and Distribution Coatesville.
Community Festival and Fireworks Downingtown.
Historic District in Lights Bryn Athyn.
Scientellers for Kids Presenttion Berwyn.
Wondergy: Sound Science for Kids Berwyn.
Checking Account Accessibility Personal Finance Workshop Coatesville.
Pottstown Rumble Volleyball Tournament Pottstown.
Personal Hazardous Waste College Coatesville.
Summer Jam Concert Series Downingtown.
Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorTM Dreamcoat Drama Ministry Theater
Downingtown (Guthrieville).
Vacation Bible School One-Day Camp Glenmoore.
Prescribe-A-Trail Phoenixville.
New:

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

Community Fair Pottstown.
Summer Movie/Activities Series Thorndale.
Veterans Community Day Pottstown.

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

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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.

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Our E-Update, Calendar of Events and E-Update ResourcesTM, along with many
supplemental updates of information during the week, now are available at
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NEW THIS WEEK: Over 100 New Links Added to E-Update ResourcesTM Guide
We have updated our E-Update ResourcesTM guide of links to thousands of free services,
from local governments in Chester and adjoining counties up to the federal level.
Everything new is highlighted in yellow for easy perusal.
Please "Share" this wealth of information with others. If you are aware of items that are
missing, please forward the information, including the Internet link, to bps461@msn.com.
The updated guide is available at www.scribd.com/doc/314937588/E-Update-ResourcesTMJune-5-2016 and is included weekly with our regular E-Update and Calendar of Events,
delivered free by direct e-mail or downloadable at www.facebook.com/TransformationIni.

NEW THIS WEEK: Pottstown School District Focusing Community on Early

Childhood Trauma
The issue of early childhood trauma will be a focus within the Pottstown School District, with
a new initiative to inform the public and enlist it to help solve the problem.
An initial plan was unveiled at the annual meeting of the Pottstown Early Action for
Kindergarten Readiness (PEAK), an early childhood education collaboration, held at
Montgomery County Community College (MCCC).
A Pottstown Trauma Informed Community Connection will hold a community partners
launch meeting in July and three Trauma 101 community trainings in late summer and fall,
with a new website explaining the issue at www.pottstownmatters.org.
Retiring School Superintendent Jeff Sparagana praised the efforts of PEAK over the past 11
years to dozens of educators and community leaders, saying the school district not only has
acted to change lives but our work is now about saving lives by attacking the negative
impacts of early childhood trauma.
He said the focus in the district hasn't been on starting new programs and just maintaining
them but to keep feeding them to maximize impact.

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He noted the district has been able to do this with no property tax increase for the second
year, noting the PEAK initiative is funded entirely with outside funds.
Mary Rieck, PEAK coordinator, introduced the new collaboration, with Jack Tebes, PhD,
psychiatry professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University School of Medicine, having
been hired as a consultant in the new phase of parental and community engagement.
A panel discussion with a Pottstown police representative, a school family engagement
coordinator, and a pre-K teacher noted that addressing the issue of childhood trauma
requires a new mindset in which a child's or family's unruly actions aren't viewed in the
context of what is happening at the time but, rather, in perspective as to its underlying
cause.
It is pointed out that many parents discipline based on what was done to them as a child so
what they do is what they know, often resulting in trauma.
Superintendent Sparagana noted that a child is unable to learn if they have other issues
going on in their lives, including violence, parents fighting, hunger and more.
He said the district, in what he calls a bookends approach, has a quality pre-K initiative that
now is expanding to one in which students can obtain a year of college credit while still in
high school.
A new Social/Emotional Learning Initiative will use a systems approach to develop
family/school/community connections through a theory of change.
Earlier in the day, in an unrelated meeting at MCCC's main Blue Bell campus, Montgomery
County was hosting a Maternal & Early Childhood Summit on Investing in Healthier Families
that also had a focus on the issue of early childhood trauma and providing additional
assistance to help stabilize families.

NEW THIS WEEK: Montco to Seek Family Stability, Low Birth Weights and
Childhood Trauma Improvements
Investing in Healthier Families to seek improvement in family stability and well-being and
birth outcomes was the focus at a Maternal & Early Childhood Summit at Montgomery
County Community College (MCCC) in Blue Bell.
Dr. Val Arkoosh, vice-chair of the county Board of Commissioners and interim medical
director of the county health department, and Dr. Cindy Christian, endowed chair in
Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, made the case
for investing early in what can help; supporting parents rather than blaming them, including
trauma informed care; increasing pre and postnatal home visits; and developing a full
collaboration to focus on the issues.
The commissioner said goals involved in family stability include reduction of child
maltreatment, reducing risk factors while increasing protective factors, and early and
holistic provider engagement with families and communities.
Improving birth outcomes include reducing infant mortality rates, promoting full-term
pregnancies, and building strong relationships among communities, providers and families,
including access to prenatal care and social services.

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Dr. Arkoosh told some 100 summit attendees that families suffer from the fact that
resources are not distributed equally across the county, adding that she is determined to
find a pathway out of these statistics associated with infant deaths.
Dr. Christian said that great strides have been made in bettering conditions of senior
citizens in the United States but this hasn't occurred with vulnerable children because they
come with parents.
Parents voices get lost, she said due to a disproportional balance between racial bias and
child trauma risk.
Coincidentally, while the Blue Bell summit was underway, an unrelated meeting was starting
at MCCC's Pottstown campus at which a plan to begin educating the community about early
childhood trauma and its effect on education and child well-being was unveiled.

NEW THIS WEEK: Individual Health Insurance Buyers May be Hit Hard Next Year
Millions of Americans buying their own health insurance may be hit next year with major
premium hikes.
The Associated Press is reporting that those who pay the full cost of their health insurance
will face the sting of rising premiums, with no financial help from government subsidies.
Renewal notices bearing the bad news will go out this fall, according to the AP.
Further information is available at
www.bigstory.ap.org/article/bb2893d74c98434d9cbc2c759ef28be0/proposed-premiumhikes-rattle-consumers-paying-their-own#.

NEW THIS WEEK: Changes Made to Child Car Seat Law Effective August 12
Children under two years of age soon will be required to be in rear-facing child seats while
traveling in a motor vehicle.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed legislation, effective August 12, to implement the
seat direction refinement.
A copy of the legislation is available at
www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?
txtType=PDF&sessYr=2015&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=1152&pn=1591.

NEW THIS WEEK: Violence Can Become Acceptable to Children Exposed to High
Levels
Children with high levels of exposure to violence report the highest levels of depression,
anger and anxiety and can come to believe that violence is an acceptable way to solve
problems and is without consequence.
This is a conclusion of Case Western Reserve University professors Daniel J. Flannery,
director of the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education, and Mark I
Singer, professor of family and child welfare, in The Conversation online academic
journalism publication.

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Further information is available at www.theconversation.com/heres-how-witnessingviolence-harms-childrens-mental-health-53321?

utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+June+13+2016
+-+5026&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+June+13+2016++5026+CID_ff109eb7fb9b59fc9931e6a14bef3e48&utm_source=campaign_monitor_us&utm
_term=Heres+how+witnessing+violence+harms+childrens+mental+health.

NEW LAST WEEK: Sunflower Seed Products Recall Continues to Expand; Gold
Medal Flour Also Goes on List
Food markets and companies in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, are continuing to
expand a recall of products containing sunflower seeds due to potential Listeria
monocytogenes contamination, with Gold Medal Flour being added to a second recall
report.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Listeriosis is a serious
infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria
monocytogenes, and is an important public health problem in the United States, primarily
affecting older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune
systems.
Recalls started last month after a report to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Further information on the infection is available at www.cdc.gov/listeria/index.html, with
information on all types of recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts, along with a link to
receiving automatic alerts from the FDA, is available at
www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm.
In a separate action, manufacturer General Mills, says Gold Medal flour, Wondra, and
Signature Kitchens flour, accounting for 38 cases of apparent contamination since
December, were sold in Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel, Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls, and
Acme stores.
Recalled brands, lots and safety information are available at www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o12106-16/advice-consumers.html, with a map of areas impacted to date at
www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/index.html.

NEW LAST WEEK: Cash Welfare Payments More in Pennsylvania, But Many Not
Receiving Them
Pennsylvania spends more on cash welfare than the majority of states, but less than a third
of those in poverty are receiving it, according to a national report.
The Wealth & Poverty Desk of American Public Medias Marketplace, which identifies itself as
"the most widely heard program on business and the economy in the nation", says the bulk
of the state's welfare spending 72 percent, or $763 million went to the state's core
welfare reform goals of basic assistance, work support and child care in 2014, with a heavy
emphasis on child care. For every 100 families living in poverty in the state, only 31 percent
received a "welfare check".
The report says there are approximately 40,000 more families in poverty in Pennsylvania
than there were 20 years ago when national welfare reform went into effect, with 75,983

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out of 255,864 receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance in
2014.
In adjoining states, Delaware allocated 33% on cash payments in 2014 and spent the
second greatest proportion of its funds in the United States, behind Illinois, on childcare.
Maryland spent 29% in cash payments, and New Jersey spent only 24% on cash payments,
with $557 million of its total welfare expenditures being allocated to pregnancy prevention,
ranking number 1 in the country.
The full report is available at http://features.marketplace.org/yourstateonwelfare, with
Pennsylvania statistics at
http://features.marketplace.org/yourstateonwelfare/pennsylvania.html.

NEW LAST WEEK: Pennsylvania Health Department Promoting WalkWorks Routes

State Health Department is promoting an initiative to increase physical activity by "creating
a network of fun, fact-filled, community-based walking routes and walking group"
throughout Pennsylvania.
WalkWorks currently consists of 35 locations, with the closest to our area being in
Northampton and Schuylkill counties and the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.
Further information is available at
www.health.pa.gov/WalkWorks/Pages/default.aspx#.V1AM0-RYxLM.

NEW LAST WEEK: Medical Marijuana Working on Temporary Regulations for

Medical Marijuana; Authorization for Minors Leads List
Several news organizations are reporting that minors will be the initial recipients of state
authorization to use medical marijuana, with first step implementation as soon as this
summer.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Karen Murphy is said to make the comments during a news
conference providing status of work on temporary regulations to implement the medical
marijuana program in the state that will include seeking input from the public,
stakeholders, and partners throughout the process.
The department's official comments in regard to the status are available at
www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=309, with one news report on the
Secretary's comments at http://fox43.com/2016/06/01/some-pa-patients-could-obtainmedical-marijuana-this-summer.

NEW LAST WEEK: Homeless Services Prioritization Community Conversation Set

Wednesday, June 15
Decade to Doorways, Chester County's initiative to end homelessness will hold a Community
Conversation from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. June 15 in the Government Services Center thirdfloor cafeteria, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, to discuss a new services prioritization
system.
Officials said that 51% of individuals calling its ConnectPoints system for shelter are being
turned away, with a new Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool
(VI-SPDAT) to be used to prioritize response.
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Further information is available at http://pachestercounty2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/33655, LHutzel@chesco.org or (610)

344-6900.

Free Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Training Wednesday, June 15

Dan Dubovsky, independent consultant and former Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
specialist for the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) FASD Center for Excellence, will present Preventing Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Recognizing Those with an FASD to Improve Outcomes
training June 15 in Morton.
The session, to include professional continuing education units, will be held from 9 a.m. to
noon in room 171/172, Delaware County Intermediate Unit, 200 Yale Avenue.
The prevention and intervention strategies forum will examine why the prevalence of FASD
is greater than many other disorders yet is mostly misdiagnosed as psychiatric disorders,
the importance of screening individuals for a possible FASD, and identification of three
modifications for those with an FASD to improve outcomes for them, their families, and the
programs that serve them.
Further information and required registration for the session, which includes a light
breakfast, is available at http://files.ctctcdn.com/442d356b001/d807bfdb-ee33-433f-80d21bb089ee0a82.pdf, aria.walerski@holcombbhs.org or (484) 444-0412.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)
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. 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.
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. Further information is available at http://berkslancasterlebanonlink.org, or from
Brian Long, coordinator, at blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
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On June 16, the group will meet at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Facility,
101 Champ Boulevard, Manheim, to hear presentations by Matt Blank on home
modifications for sustainable living for disabled veterans and others, and Jennifer Wagner of
Lancaster General Hospital on advance care planning.
Bucks-Chester-Montgomery Counties LINK to Aging and Disability Resources
meets at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at various dates and locations in the three counties. Further
information and suggested registration is available at
www.buckschestermontgomerylink.weebly.com, buckschestermontgomerylink@aim.com or
(484) 364-6981.
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. 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 the Government
Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester. The group is a diverse partnership of
individuals, families, community organizations, service 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.

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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 1:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the
month from September through May. On June 21, in the YMCA Community Room, 100
Devon Drive, Exton, the group will recognize students who have assisted with CTC
activities during the past year. Further information and registration are 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

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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) Job-Seeker Group at Calvary Fellowship Church,

95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) holds weekly
sessions as part of the churchs Care Mondays of supports. Further information is
available at www.cfdowningtown.com/caremondays or
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.

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. 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 June 14,

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Brandi Baldwin-Rana, Ph.D., a psychologist, educator and leadership performance

advisor, will discuss how to Maintain Your Equilibrium And Emotional Well-Being!
during a job search. 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. Further information and required registration for
limited seating are available at www.josephspeople.org/retreat.
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 from September to
June in the new Parish Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church,
300 State Road, West Grove. On June 29, in the Children's/Adoration Chapel of the
Church, Christine Zaccarelli, pro bono director at Legal Aid of Southeastern
Pennsylvania, will discuss the organizations free services related to employment and
other law for qualifying individuals. 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.

UPDATED LAST WEEK: Free Job Assistance Workshops - June

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 services offered by the office.
A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month is available at
www.eventbrite.com/o/pa-careerlink-chester-county-8099178146.
Daily job opening 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

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Octorara School District Offering Homeland Security & Protective Services

Academy for Chester County High School Students
Octorara Area School District is accepting enrollment for Chester County high school
students to enter its fall Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy.
The Academy is said to prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills required to
perform entry-level duties in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and
other safety services, with training being conducted as part of high school curriculum at the
Chester County Public Safety Training Campus in South Coatesville.
On focus of the program is training for students to be nationally certified fire service
personnel due to declining number of volunteers in the fire service agencies, along with
receiving other public safety certification opportunities.
Further information is at http://octorara.schoolwires.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1536 or
Cyndi Manning at (610) 593-8238 x3549.

Three Full-time Job-Holder Wages Needed to Pay for a Two-Bedroom Apartment in

Area Counties
A new report says it takes 3.2 full-time job holders at minimum wage in Chester, Delaware
and Montgomery counties and 2.4 in Berks and Lancaster counties to be able to rent an
average two bedroom apartment.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition made the analysis as part of a national Out of
Reach - No Refuge for Low Income Renters report financed by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
The fair market rate for a two-bedroom apartment in the top three counties is $1,210 a
month, based on 2016 U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD)
data, with it taking 1.3 full-time jobs in Chester and Montgomery and 1.6 in Delaware even
if occupants are earning average median incomes for those counties. In
In Berks County, the fair market rent is $892 and in Lancaster $897 per month, both with
1.5 job holders at average median income to pay the rent.
Hourly full-time wages required to pay the rent are $23.27 in the top three counties, with
$17.25 an hour in Lancaster and $17.15 in Berks. Calculations are based on one-third of
wages going toward rent.
The full report is available at
www.nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_2016_embargoed.pdf.

NARCAN Overdose Kits Now Available at Montco Health Centers

Montgomery County Health Department is making NARCAN two-nasal spray kits available at
its health centers to persons at risk of experiencing an opiate -related overdose; and to
family members, friends,
or other persons in a position to assist an individual at risk of experiencing an overdose.

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The kits are available to eligible county residents without insurance or those with a financial
hardship that renders them unable to afford the copay at a participating pharmacy, officials
said, with health department locations at 364 King Street, Pottstown; 1430 DeKalb Street,
Norristown; and 102 York Road - Suite 401, Willow Grove.
The action is in response to opioid overdose deaths continuing to be a major public health
issue in the United States, contributing significantly to accidental deaths among those who
misuse heroin and prescription opioid drugs, with deaths due to opiates in Montgomery
County increased by 72% between 2009 and 2014 and just over half being attributed to
heroin.
Officers in 26 of the 49 Montgomery County police departments currently carry Naloxone
while on duty; with 41 documented saves across the county since 2015, authorities report.
They said that due to an extensive pharmacy outreach, 24 independently owned pharmacies
have dispensed over 275 Naloxone kits to the general public under a County Standing Order
for the prescription, with five chains pharmacies also dispensing the drug under a
Pennsylvania Physician General order.
Further information is available at www.montcopa.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3078.

New Nutrition Labels to be Required on Packaged Foods

Consumers are going to have new Nutrient Facts labels on their packaged food, but may not
see them on everything for three years.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new rules that require a new label
design, modification of the list of required nutrients that must be declared on the label, and
updated serving sizes.
The new Nutrition Facts label will make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions
about the food they eat, according to the FDA, but implementation isn't required until July
26, 2018, with manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales having an
additional year to comply.
Label updates also will help increase consumer awareness of the quantity of added sugars in
foods, according to the FDA.
The agency says it is difficult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie
requirements if one consumes more than 10 percent of total daily calories from added
sugars
However, Americans on average get about 13 percent of their total calories from added
sugars, with the major sources being sugar-sweetened beverages (including soft drinks,
fruit drinks, coffee and tea, sport and energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages) and snacks
and sweets (including grain-based desserts, dairy desserts, candies, sugars, jams, syrups,
and sweet toppings), the FDA reports.
Further information is available at
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/L
abelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm.

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Driver Skills Private Test Centers Added in Three Area Counties

Delaware, Lancaster and Montgomery counties are among eight to participate in a new state
program to allow third-party businesses to administer non-commercial driving skills tests to
Pennsylvania resident permit holders who have successfully met the criteria to obtain a
license.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) says the 18-month pilot project
expansion involves 10 testing sites throughout the state, with the department providing
"close oversight of the participating entities" and performing performance audits and site
visits to ensure compliance with laws and policies.
Some sites, which include Defensive Driving Academy in Newtown Square and Drivin2Drive
in Bala Cynwyd, already are performing the tests, while others, such as an unannounced
one in Lancaster County, are expected to be operational by summer's end.
Further information on the project is available at http://www.penndot.gov/Pages/all-newsdetails.aspx?newsid=231#.V1cbJuRYxLO, with licensing centers information at
www.dot4.state.pa.us/locator/locator.jsp#top?20160528193534840=20160528193534840.

Ignition Interlock Devices to be Required for First Time DUIs; More ThreeWheelers Required to be Licensed
First-time offenders of driving while under high blood alcohol levels now will be required to
have ignition interlock devices on vehicles under legislation signed by Pennsylvania Gov.
Tom Wolf.
State Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr., area bill sponsor, said research shows over 30,000 firsttime DUI offenders each year and that a substantial number will violate the terms of their
license suspension and become repeat offenders.
The device prohibits an operator from starting a vehicle until they breathe into the interlock
system, demonstrating they haven't been drinking.
Similar laws are in place in 15 states, Rafferty said, and according to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration recidivism rates have dropped by as much as 60 percent in
those states requiring the devices.
Further information and a copy of the legislation is available at
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?
syear=2015&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=290.
The Governor also signed legislation that more clearly defines the distinction between newly
developed three wheeled vehicles with two forward wheels and the more recognizable three
wheeled trike-style motorcycles that have been in existence, requiring the new vehicles also
to be licensed.
Further information and a copy of that legislation is available at
www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?
sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1108.

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Expanded Anti-Hazing Legislation to Take Effect

New legislation, designed to strengthen the ability of Pennsylvania school districts to crack
down on hazing and requiring school boards to adopt anti-hazing policies, will take effect
Monday, July 25.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed legislation that expands current anti-hazing laws
that currently apply only to institutions of higher education.
The new legislation:
Expands the current law to apply to secondary schools, defined as any public or private
school providing instruction to grades 7 through 12.
Amends the definition of hazing to apply the prohibited behaviors to any person, rather
than only a student.
Requires each governing board of a secondary school to adopt a written anti-hazing
policy and to provide this policy, along with the schools rules, penalties, and program
enforcement, to all athletic coaches involved with the schools programs.
Requires each governing board of a secondary school to post its written anti-hazing
policy on its website.
Amends the enforcement and penalties subsection of the law to provide that expulsion
may also be a penalty for a violation of the institutions anti-hazing rules.
Further information is available at www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-signs-anti-hazingbill-four-others-into-law, with the legislation at
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?
syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1574.

Surf and Rip Current Forecasts Now Available

National Weather Service (NWS) has started publishing its summertime surf and rip current
forecasts through September 30.
Main components of this forecast, in addition to a rip current risk, include weather
conditions, ultraviolet rays (UV) index, surf wave height and water temperatures.
The report is available at www.weather.gov/phi/surfrip4, with a video on the dangers of rip
currents, which can be dangerous and potentially deadly, even on nice days, at
www.oceantoday.noaa.gov//htt//www.weather.gov/phi/surfrip4.

Further information and the projects list are available at www.governor.pa.gov/governorwolf-announces-12-million-in-green-light-go-traffic-signal-improvement-funding.

Zika Virus Response Plan Developed

Plans are underway to bolster surveillance, mitigation, and response efforts for the Zika
virus, although risks of contracting it in Pennsylvania are termed "very low".

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Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Environmental Protection have announced a

Pennsylvania Zika Virus Response Plan that outlines the phases of education, surveillance,
and response activities that will occur for various levels of mosquito activity within the
commonwealth as well as triggers based on the presence of the virus within the state.
The phases range from the current situation of a moderate level of travel-associated cases
to potential widespread local transmission by mosquitos.
The agencies noted the only confirmed cases in Pennsylvania of Zika, which is identified as
being of danger to unborn children, are in individuals who contracted the virus while visiting
one of the areas where the virus is actively spreading.
They say, however, that "once warmer temperatures arrive in the commonwealth and
remain in place throughout the summer months, the risk of limited local transmission of
Zika virus by the type of mosquitos that potentially carry it will increase."
Additional information, including the response plan, is available at
www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=307.

Area Counties Now in Range for Zika Virus

Chester and adjoining counties are on new maps for
range of potential Zika virus spread, although risk or
likelihood, or exact locations or numbers of mosquitoes
living in these areas aren't shown.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
says that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are more likely to
spread viruses like Zika that is being linked to birth
deformities with pregnant mothers.
The new report is available at www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/resources/vector-control.html.

Zika Virus from Mosquitoes Drawing Increasing Concern for Both Women and Men
The Zika virus is drawing increasing focus, particularly for
women who could become pregnant and men who can
transmit the disease, from the federal Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), with new guidance and
information to prevent transmission and health effects.
The CDC says there is "mounting evidence" that supports a
link between Zika, transmitted initially by mosquitoes, and
microcephaly, a birth defect that is a sign of incomplete
brain development, and possibly other problems such as miscarriage and stillbirth.
The new guidance is available at www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/s0325-zika-virusrecommendations.html, with further information on the disease at www.cdc.gov/zika.

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.

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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
2009-2016 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.

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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.

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