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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Week of July 13, 2014

Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources
and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them
___________________________________________________________________

In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in
yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might
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E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their
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and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences
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2009-2014 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.
Special 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.
UPDATED LAST WEEK: E-Update Resources
TM
: Accompanying Information
About Services, Including Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.

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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)
Summer Food Service Program for Children Various Locations.
Science in the Summer for Elementary Students Area Libraries.
Delaware County Summer Music Festival Upper Providence.
Wood Works Exhibit Malvern.
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Summer Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Weird Animals Vacation Bible School West Grove.
Meet the Congregations Christ Our Savior Anglican Church Presentation New
Holland.
Preschool Science Show West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Family Playgroup Pottstown.
Shakespeare in the Park Radnor and West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Magic Show Berwyn.
Summer Concert on the Square Exton (Eagleview).
Sundaes in the Park Limerick.
Veterans and Families Assistance Screenings Coatesville.
Social Media and Job-Seeking Workshop West Chester.
Lunch and Learn King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Night in the Park Pottstown.
Shakespeare in the Park West Chester.
Children Science Series Berwyn.
Concert Series Kennett Square.
Carillon Concert King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Fricks Lock Town Tour Pottstown.
Summer Concert and Picnic West Chester.
Summer Concert Series Chesterbrook.
Sounds Under the Stars Concert West Chester (Pocopson Township).
Lego Movie in the Park Oxford.
Community Breakfast Parkesburg.
Observing Odonata Walk Pottstown (Warwick).
Solar Saturday Strafford.
Document Translation Assistance Coatesville.
Feria Latina Community Festival Phoenixville.
Summer Concert Green Lane.
Concert in the Park West Chester (East Goshen Township).

Updated: Next Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)
Summer Food Service Program for Children Various Locations.
Science in the Summer for Elementary Students Area Libraries.
Delaware County Summer Music Festival Upper Providence.
Wood Works Exhibit Malvern.
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
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PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Summer Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Turks Head Music Festival West Chester.
Summer Concert Series Pottstown.
Agency D3! Vacation Bible School Parkesburg.
Summer Concert Exton.
Medicare 101 Workshop Exton.
Meet the Congregations Christ the Savior Orthodox Church Presentation New
Holland.
Kimberton Fair Phoenixville (Kimberton).
Preschool Concert West Chester.
World War I Causes Presentation Exton.
Summer Concert Green Lane.
Summer Concert on the Square Exton.
Lunch and Learn King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Pardons and Expungements Workshop Coatesville.
Fire Company Carnival Cochranville.
Jack and the Beanstalk Performance Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Design for Enhanced Senior Living Presentation Kennett Square.
Summer Concert Series Pottstown.
Concert Series Kennett Square.
Carillon Concert King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Phoenixville Town Tour Phoenixville.
Wilderness First Aid Workshop Exton.
Summer Concert Series Chesterbrook.
Family Movie Night West Chester.
Sounds Under the Stars Concert West Chester (Pocopson Township).
Shakespeare in the Park Lansdale, Chester Springs and Lansdowne.
Spark a Reaction Science Night for Teens Exton.
Movie Under the Stars Limerick.
Ranger Academy Pottstown (Warwick).
Healthy Families Block Party Pottstown.

New: Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events)
From Bach to Rock for Kids Berwyn.
Local Garden Gems Tour Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Chester County 4-H Fair Honey Brook.
Montgomery County 4-H Fair and Open Class Collegeville (Creamery).
Muhlenberg Days King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
The Heart of the Matter Alzheimers Workshop Kennett Square.


Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongo-
ing 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.


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UPDATED THIS WEEK: All Area Counties Reporting West Nile Virus Tests
All area counties now are reporting mosquito trap samples testing positive for West Nile
Virus (WNV).

Additional information, including steps for prevention is available at
www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/18850.

Daily report updates from throughout the state, including information on spraying, are
available at www.westnile.state.pa.us.


NEW LAST WEEK: Changes at Federally Supported Health Centers in Coatesville
and Pottstown.
Changes have occurred for patients at Federally Qualified Health Centers in Coatesville and
Pottstown.

Chester County Community Dental, which has shared facilities with ChesPenn Health
Services at the Brandywine Center in Coatesville, now has become the dental office of
ChesPenn's Center for Community Health, while Community Health and Dental Care, a
separate Pottstown organization, has opened a second location at 700 Heritage Drive, on
the Boroughs East Side.

The Coatesville merger, effective July 1, enables uninsured and underinsured dental
patients to use the sliding fee payments scale associated with ChesPenn being a Federally
Qualified Health Center.

In addition to the Coatesville facility at 744 East Lincoln Highway, ChesPenn operates two
offices in the City of Chester and a fourth in Upper Darby.

Further information is available at www.chescodental.blogspot.com or (610) 380-4660.

In Pottstown, Community Health and Dental will continue its subsidized care for individuals,
based on income, at its 11 Robinson Street facility. It also will continue its free
transportation from various area locations to the sites.

Further information is available at www.ch-dc.org or (610) 326-9460. A list of sites of
additional federally-supported facilities is available through a searchable database at
www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx.


NEW LAST WEEK: Consumer Issues Reported With Graco Car Seats and T-Mobile
Two federal agencies have reported consumer issues involving the largest child car seat
recall in U.S. history and allegations of T-mobile scamming customers.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that Graco Children's Products
is recalling 1.9 million car seats due to a faulty buckle that can become stuck in the latched
position, making it difficult to remove a child from the seat and increasing risk of injury in
an emergency.

In a separate situation, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a complaint in U.S.
District Court charging that T-mobile cell phone company placed charges on mobile phone
bills for purported premium texting subscriptions that in many cases were bogus charges
never authorized by its customers, a practice known as cramming.
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Further information on both reports is available at our Facebook location at
www.facebook.com/TransformationIni.


NEW LAST WEEK: Special Enrollment for Health Insurance Marketplace Available
Although next years open enrollment for federal health insurance coverage under the
Health Insurance Marketplace wont start until November 15, one may qualify for special
enrollment provisions due to special life circumstances.

Qualifying life events for special enrollment include, but are not limited to:
Marriage or divorce.
Having a baby, adopting a child, or placing a child for adoption or foster care.
A change in residence, gaining citizenship, or leaving incarceration.
Losing other health coverage due to losing job-based coverage, the end of an
individual policy plan year in 2014, COBRA expiration, aging off a parents plan,
losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP, and similar circumstances not involving
voluntarily ending coverage or losing coverage that doesnt qualify as minimum
essential coverage.
Having a change in income or household status that affects eligibility for premium
tax credits or cost-sharing reductions for people already enrolled in Marketplace
coverage.
Gaining status as a member of an Indian tribe.

Further information, including an online screening tool, is available at
www.healthcare.gov/how-can-i-get-coverage-outside-of-open-enrollment/#part=2, or at
(800) 318-2596.


Free Strengths-Based Family Worker (SFW) Credential Training Offered
Chester County has opened registration for the next 80-hour Strength-Based Family Worker
(SFW) Credential training, to start in September at the Government Services Center in West
Chester, for family workers at government and private and nonprofit agencies.

The national family development course, eligible for undergraduate college and Continuing
Education Unit (CEU) credits, is designed to equip individuals working with families on how
to use strength-based approaches and family engagement skills to increase a familys ability
to set and reach their own goals.

In addition to classroom training, participants must complete a skills portfolio and pass a
written exam to receive the credential.

Further information and required registration for limited seating are available at
www.temple.edu/harrisburg/Default.aspx?PageID=131,
www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/18828, vcapobianco@chesco.org or (610) 344-
5885.


Free Summer Food Service Program for Children Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), designed to help
low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session, is
being conducted at dozens of sites throughout the area.

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Free meals that meet Federal nutrition guidelines are provided to all children 18 years of
age and under at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income
children.

Further information, including a database of sites with differing start and ending dates and
hours, is available at www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp or (866)
3-HUNGRY or (877)-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish speakers).


Library Promotes Importance of Summer Reading Programs to Help Overcome
Summer Learning Loss Signups Occurring Now
The National Summer Learning Association reports that children can lose approximately two
months of grade level equivalency when they dont engage in educational activities during
the summer and also gain weight more rapidly during summer breaks.

The Pottstown Regional Public Library, in an e-mail message to patrons, captures the
essence, excitement and importance of children and adult summer library reading programs
throughout the region that now are getting underway.

Reading Begins!
Hundreds sign up in the first week ---

We are off to a great start and gearing up for all the wonderful programs occurring in
June, July, and August. Our first "Wednesday Morning" performance is at 10:30 on
June 25th. The crowds are so big for these Wednesday performances that we hold
them on the main floor of the library and put all other functions of the library on
hold. There are six Wednesday Morning performances scheduled, so there are plenty
of chances to join the fun. (all free, no registration required).

We also have programs, crafts, and parties scheduled tailored by age. Some
programs require registration, so visit our website and event calendar to check it
out. http://ppl.mclinc.org/ Don't forget to register and record your reading - you
may win a prize.

Of course, this is our sneaky way of keeping kids reading over the summer. Research
shows that kids who read over the summer avoid a loss of reading skills. They call
that the "summer slide" (and it is one slide you want to avoid).

Individuals can check with local libraries or their online calendars for special introductory
parties, programs and even prizes. This year's theme for many is Fizz Boom Read.

Many library websites, locations and calendars are available at:
Berks County: www.berks.lib.pa.us
Chester County: www.ccls.org
Delaware County: www.delcolibraries.org
Lancaster County: www.lancasterlibraries.org
Montgomery County: www.mclinc.org

Further information about summer learning is available at
www.summerlearning.org/?page=know_the_facts.


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NEW LAST WEEK: Free Monthly Drug Abuse Training Workshops - Starting
Tuesday, July 15
Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services will host a series of monthly drug
abuse training workshops during July, August and September in Suite 171, Government
Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, including:

Opiates: Past, Present, Future, with Maxim Furek, will explore socio-cultural variable
that have promoted the use of narcotics into Americas mainstream, including
various substances and treatment recommendations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday,
July 15.
Twelve-Step Programs: How to Best Help Clients/Patients Access and Utilize Them,
with Registered Pharmacist Ken Dickinson, will discuss the basic concepts,
philosophies and principles that contribute to these programs being a provide
Evidence-based Best Practice for treating alcoholism and addiction, with Part 1 being
held from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, and Part II
being held during the same choice of times on Wednesday, August 20.
Prescription Drug Abuse, also presented by Dickinson, will examine current epidemic
trends, including the role of internet and other contributing factors in how
prescription drugs are obtained, used, symptoms, toxicity, treatment and prevention
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, September 4.

Further information and required registration are available from Betty Wade at
bwade@chesco.org.


NEW THIS WEEK: Homelessness Community Partnership Forum Wednesday,
July 16
Chester County Decade to Doorways Leadership Consortium will hold a Community
Partnership Networking Meetingat 10 a.m. July 16 at Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine
Street, Oxford.

Discussion will include the Decade to Doorways Plan, the one-year report on ConnectPoints,
the countys single point of access to homeless services, and a report on Family Promise of
Southern Chester County, a new inititive to serve homeless families.

Further information is available at strently@chesco.org or (610) 344-6900.


Free Mandated Reporter Training Wednesday, July 30
A workshop to equip participants, particularly those who are mandated reporters, to
recognize and report child abuse, will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 30 at the Chester
County Youth Center, 505 South Wawaset Road, West Chester.

Further information and required registration for the training, provided by the Pennsylvania
Family Support Alliance is available at www.pa-fsa.org/mandated_reporters.aspx,
pwebb@chesco.org or (610) 793-5910.


Free Bilingual Business Mentoring to be Provided in Kennett Square Starts
Thursday, August 7
Chester County Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is opening its first Spanish
language-based mentoring location at the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, 216 East State
Street, Kennett Square.
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SCORE volunteers will be at the library Thursday mornings, starting August 7, to provide
free counseling assistance to Spanish-speaking individuals who are in business or are
considering going into business. The business group's initial English language mentoring
location at the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, 217 West State Street, on
Friday mornings will continue.

SCORE has been involved in recent months with Kutztown University's Latino Business
Resource Center, La Comunidad Hispana, National Penn Bank, and the Southern Chester
County Chamber of Commerce in presenting a Business Skills for Latino Entrepreneurs
workshop in Kennett.

In addition to the two Kennett locations, volunteers also provide assistance at its office in
the Government Services Center in West Chester, along with the Exton Regional Chamber of
Commerce and the Chester County Economic Development Council in the Eagleview
Corporate Center, both at Exton; the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce, National
Penn Bank in Oxford; and the Lincoln University satellite campus in Coatesville.

Further information and counseling appointments are available at
www.chestercounty.score.org or (610) 344-6910.


Brandywine Valley and Upper Main Line YMCAs to Merge Effective January 1
The Brandywine Valley and Upper Main Line YMCAs have approved a merge into a new,
combined YMCA of Greater Brandywine, effective January 1.

Organization officials say the regional collaboration will increase opportunities to expand and
strengthen YMCA programs and services, particularly in the areas of youth development,
healthy living and social responsibility.

The new regional association, to be named the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, will serve
more than 80,000 members at nine locations, including Brandywine YMCA at Coatesville;
Jennersville YMCA at West Grove; Kennett Area YMCA at Kennett Square; Lionville
Community YMCA at Exton; Octorara Program Center at Atglen; Oscar Lasko Youth Program
Center at West Chester; Upper Main Line YMCA at Berwyn; West Chester Area YMCA at
West Chester and the YMCA at Great Valley, Malvern.

This will provide two regional YMCAs serving the Greater Chester County area. Last year,
the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity and the Freedom Valley YMCA formed the Philadelphia
Freedom Valley YMCA.

Further information on the latest merger is available at www.ymcabwv.org/transition.
Locations of the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA are mapped at
www.philaymca.org/branches.


Free Art Classes for Veterans and Those Touched by Cancer
ArtFusion 19464 of Pottstown, a nonprofit arts association, is providing four open art classes
scholarships for veterans at the organizations facility at 254 East High Street through
funding from the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 436.

In addition, pottery and art journaling classes will be provided for military veterans and
cancer patients, survivors, family members and caregivers, starting in the Fall.
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Further information and applications are available at info@artfusion19464.org or (610) 326-
2506.


New Language Access Cultural Competency Initiative Starting in Phoenixville Area
The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation has unveiled a new cultural competency
training initiative for individuals and organizations interested in creating better language
access for residents of its service area.

The plan, part of a Foundation focus to help open access to healthcare and human services
for all residents of the Greater Phoenixville area, will be coordinated by the Maternal & Child
Health Consortium and include training in protocol development, interpreter training, and
strategies for working with interpreters.

Purpose of the project is to develop a corps of trained, stipend-paid volunteers who are
certified to do interpretations for non-English-speaking individuals attempting to receive
various services in the health, human services, law enforcement, municipal, education, and
other fields.

Any bilingual individual, including organization personnel in or serving the Phoenixville
community, is eligible to participate. The protocol and strategies workshops will be half day
sessions, with interpreter training required for those who are bilingual being three full days.

Further information and required registration are available at www.ccmchc.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/06/MCHC-Phx-Interpreter-Training-flyer.pdf, naravalo@ccmchc.org
or (610) 350-7660.


UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings
(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)
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 exchange information about current and upcoming activities and
hear presentations from various services providers. On July 16, Jerald Koren from the
Chester County Public Assistance Office will discuss Accessing Public Assistance for Your
Clients and the services that are available through that state agency. In August, no
meeting will be held. Further information is available from Kathryn Spurlock at
ccch@comcast.net or at (610) 380-7111 x16.

Lancaster County 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 for
services cross-trainings and exchange of information on creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door
resource for older adults and adults with disabilities, including consumers, family members
and others, seeking information about local resources. On July 17, Nicole Whitehead and
Deborah Gable, Housing Development Corporation MidAtlantic will present at the Rockford
Chase Apartments, 375 South Rockford Road, Mountville. On August 21, Nathan Roth of
the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) will present at its offices at 123 East
King Street, Lancaster. Further information is available from Brian Long, coordinator, at
www.lancastercountylink.org/cross-training-meetings/2014-meetings,
LancasterCountyLINK@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.

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Chester County Family and Community Partnership meets from 10 a.m. to noon on
the first Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December at various locations.
The group is a diverse partnership of individuals, families, community organizations, service
agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in
living self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Additional information is available from
Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262.

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 July 22, CLARIFI and Arden Courts will make presentations.
Additional information about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth,
Spring City, at (610) 792-9282
x201 or at 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 September 10, the group will meet at the Kennett Area Senior Center,
427 South Walnut 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.

COSECHA (Harvest) meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the
month from September through June at various Southern Chester County locations. Paid
and volunteer individuals who work with Chester County children, youth and families share
information and build partnerships for after-school, out-of-school and summer programs.
Further information is available from Laurie Szoke at las7@psu.edu or (610) 696-3500.

Kennett Area Each and All Dialogue Group meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the first
Wednesday of the month at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street,
Kennett Square, to promote a living philosophy of being and becoming a peaceful,
progressive and inclusive community. Further information is available from Joan Holliday at
dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.

Community Nurse Network meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of
alternating months to exchange information on promotion of holistic health within faith
congregations and communities and to develop additional faith community nurses, also
known as parish nurses. On September 4, the group will meet at the Kennett Area Senior
Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square. Further information is available from
Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.

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
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Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Lunch is provided by
reserving at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817.

Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the
month from September through May at the Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon
Drive, Exton. Further information is 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 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the
third Thursday of every other month in the fourth floor meeting room of the
Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Further
information is available from Jarvis Berry, CTC community mobilizer, at
jberry@brandywinefoundation.org or (610) 380-9080 x105.


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 MyCareer 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. In August, there is no meeting. 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
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info@barnabaswc.org.

Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month:
Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, at St.
Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor Avenue (Route 322), in the parish meeting room behind
the school at the back of the property. Further information about the affiliate is
available by leaving a message at (610) 873-7117.
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.
Media -- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays for GetWorks, at Hassler
Chapel, Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike, or in the St. Francis
Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 North Providence Road. On July 15, at
the Presbyterian Church, Sue Kaiden, Getworks founder, will discuss Lessons
Learned: Secrets to Successful Job Search. Further information is available at (610)
566-3944.
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 7 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 July 23, John Colarusso, former job-seeker and Josephs People volunteer will
discuss How to Use LinkedIn. 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 THIS WEEK: Support Many New Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs
and Job Openings Report July
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 monthly workshops offered by the Pennsylvania
Department of Labor CareerLink at its new 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 is available at
http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/18855.

Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at
http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/18859. 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
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Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com
Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024


Chesco Housing Authority Two-Bedroom Waitlist Opened
The two-bedroom waitlist of the Housing Authority of Chester County is open online only
until the list is replenished.

Successful applicants will receive written notice within two weeks indicating an application
has been processed.

Further information is available at http://www.haccnet.org/News/View/bd67bb8f-0d31-
41eb-ad16-e7a979238a7e, HACC@haccnet.org or (610) 436-9200.


New PennDOT Park-and-Ride Open at Routes 30 and 322 in Caln Township
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has opened a new 32-space park-
and-ride located at the U.S. Routes 30 and 322 Interchange in Caln Township, Chester
County.

The new facility is designed to provide a convenient location along the Route 30 Bypass
where commuters can take advantage of ride sharing opportunities by parking and joining
friends or co-workers in car or van pools, officials said.

The park-and-ride is located at the southeast corner of the Routes 30 and 322 Interchange,
with motorists entering and exiting the lot from Lloyd Avenue, just south of its intersection
with Route 322 (Manor Avenue).

The $400,000 congestion mitigation program is part of the $63.3 million expansion of U.S.
Route 202 to six lanes in East Whiteland and Tredyffrin townships between the Route 401
and U.S. Route 30 interchanges and is the eighth opened in Chester County and 15
th
in the
five-county Philadelphia region.

In related activity, motorists are able to check conditions on the Route 30 Bypass and other
major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com which is available around the clock for traffic
delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 680
traffic cameras. This system also is available by calling 5-1-1 or by obtaining regional
Twitter alerts through the 511PA website.


Pennsylvania Expanding Community-Based Support for Older Americans and
Adults with Disabilities Through September 2015
The Pennsylvania Departments of Public Welfare and Aging say they will be expanding for
15 months community-based support for older residents and adults with disabilities to help
them stay in their homes.

Under a $94 million federal Balancing Incentive Program grant, one of 20 provided to
different states:

An additional 1,764 older Pennsylvanians will be served through the Medicaid home
and community-based aging waiver, with an additional 1,599 individuals with
physical disabilities served in community settings;

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700 young adults with intellectual disabilities who are graduating from the special
education system will receive home and community-based services, allowing them to
continue to live independently in the community, with 400 individuals on the
emergency waiting list also being served;

100 adults with autism spectrum disorders will be added to the autism waiver
program;

A web page will be created that provides information on all Medicaid community-
based supports for older Pennsylvanians, adults with physical disabilities, persons
with intellectual disabilities, persons with autism and persons with serious mental
illness, along with creation of an information and referral tool that allows individuals
to identify what programs may support their long-term needs, how to enroll in these
programs andr where to call for more information;

Individuals in need of long-term supports with questions about programs related to
long-term supports available in their local communities will be able to call a toll-free
hotline; and

Time will be reduced in determining which individuals are eligible for Medicaid long-
term supports.

The enhanced federal funding starts in July and concludes on September 30, 2015.

Further information is available at
http://listserv.dpw.state.pa.us/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind14&L=NEWS-RELEASES&P=70595.


State in Bottom Quartile for Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults,
Individuals with Physical Disabilities and Family Caregivers
Pennsylvania has been ranked 42nd nationally, or in the bottom quartile, as it relates to
Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with physical disabilities
and family caregivers.

In a report, Rising Expections: 2014, compiled by the AARP and the Commonwealth Fund
and SCAN Foundations, states were ranked on the basis of Affordability and Access (46th for
Pennsylvania), Quality of Life and Quality of Care (37th), Support for Family Caregivers
(36th), Effective Transitions (28th) and Choice of Setting and Provider (25th).

The state's absence from federal Medicaid expansion provisions appears to weigh
significantly in the calculations, with the report saying that if the state improved to the level
of the best-performing state 70,106 more low/moderate-income adults with Activities of
Daily Living (ADL) disabilities would be covered by Medicaid, 14,928 more new users of
Medicaid LTSS would first receive services in the community, 3,963 nursing home residents
with low care needs would instead receive LTSS in the community, 4,439 more people
entering nursing homes would be able to return to the community within 100 days, and
7,735 more people who have been in a nursing home for 90 days or more would be able to
move back to the community.

Further information, including ratings methodology, is available at
www.longtermscorecard.org.


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Hankin Branch Library Opens New Digital Discovery Center
Henrietta Hankin Branch Library at Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner) has opened a new
Digital Discovery Center to enable consumers to try out digital devices or receive instruction
about their uses.

The Center, located at 215 Windgate Drive, now has a 23-inch Windows 8 computer with
large type keyboard and ergonomic mouse, Microsoft Surface tablet, iPad Air, Samsung
Galaxy Note tablet, Kindle Fire HDX and a Nook Simple Touch eReader.

Individuals can try out the devices during weekly drop-in hours or sign up for one-on-one
appointments with a staff member during which one can use his or her own device or
practice with a library unit.

Further information and individual appointments are available at
www.chescolibraries.org/digital-discovery-center, hhreference@ccls.org or (610) 321-1710.

The library and its parent Chester County Library also have launched a new website at
www.chescolibraries.org.


Free 2014 Consumer Action Handbook Now Available
Federal Citizen Information Center has published its 2014 Consumer Action Handbook which
is available for online viewing or free by mail.

The 152-page guide to being a smart shopper contains tips about preventing identity theft,
understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, and more.

The guide is available at www.usa.gov/topics/consumer/consumer-action-handbook.pdf, or
can be ordered in English or Spanish at www.usa.gov/consumer-action-handbook/order-
form.shtml.


Free Annual Chesco Local Farm Products Guide Published
Chester County Agricultural Development Council has issued A Guide to Local Farm Products
for this year.

The 32-page publication, in addition to a directory and map of farmer markets and outlets,
retail outlets, Community Support Agriculture (CSA) sites, and specialty products, includes
educational information about dairy products, seasonal eating including a calendar,
agriculture-related careers and more.

Further information, including an online downloadable guide, is available at
www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=1124 or (610) 344-6285.


Services Expansion of Free Southern Chester County Ride For Health Initiative
The Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) and the
Phoenixville Community Health Foundation have expanded their Ride for Health Initiative
(RFHI) in Southern Chester County to include trips for human and social services needs in
addition to the earlier healthcare focus.

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The service provides taxi or public transit trips for eligible residents of Avon Grove, Kennett,
Oxford and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts to health and human and social services
sites, including those in Kennett Square, West Chester and Coatesville.

Scheduled transportation is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from Kennett Area
Community Service, 136 West Cedar Street, Kennett Square. Earlier information is available
at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-
1463/FREE+Medical+Transportation.pdf or (610) 925-3556. Information also is available
from partner agencies at
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-
1419/RFHI+Flyer+%28English%29_8+23+13.pdf.

Information on a similar Phoenixville area initiative that has been in existence since 2000 is
available at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-
1464/ride+for+health+brochure.pdf.


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 aware-
ness.


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

General Guidelines for Information Submission:
Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure for new subscribers,
persons who don't read the list every week, and for other organizations that want to avoid scheduling opposite an
event or might want to collaborate with another in the area. For annual events, 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
- 17 -
occurring and why they might like to attend) 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 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, and a participant has 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.