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Our E-Update, Calendar of Events and E-Update ResourcesTM, along with supplemental
updates of information during the week, now are available at
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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in
yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might
improve our publications, content and convenience of use.
E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their
families or organizations. If you have a short description that might be helpful to others
and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences
that provide specific uses of benefit to bps461@msn.com.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Activities are subject to change without notice; participants are encouraged
to use contact information to confirm times and dates.
To unsubscribe, please send a message to bps461@msn.com
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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.
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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.
NEW THIS WEEK: Free Veterans Day Meals and More Including Tuesday,
November 11
Active and retired military can obtain free coffee, donuts, a meal, haircuts, car washes,
admission to national parks, goods and services discounts, and a host of other items at
dozens of locations around the country on Veterans Day, November 11, with some offers
extended to the week and month.
Offers vary, with some dependent on local franchises, additional purchases, or others
conditions. A check of individual business websites or calling ahead to confirm conditions
and acceptable identification is suggested.
Some websites providing summaries of some offers include:
www.army.mil/article/137791/Veterans_Day_deals_available_to_troops
www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-day-military-discounts.html
www.themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts
Local businesses also may offer benefits on Veterans Day or during the year with
appropriate identification.
NEW THIS WEEK: Montco Sheriff Hosting Firearms Safety and Awareness
Seminars Starts Wednesday, November 19
Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono has initiated a series of five free Firearms Safety
and Awareness Seminars into next year, with free gun locks also
being provided to those who complete the course.
The first session will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. November 19 at
the Public Safety Training Campus, 1175 Conshohocken Road,
Conshohocken.
The right to bear arms is absolutely guaranteed under the
constitution, the sheriff says. "However, responsibilities come with it
(and) misuse of firearms or that right comes with potential criminal and civil liability.
Some 50,000 gun permits are registered with the department with 325 new permits and
265 renewals issued in an average month. Nearly 3,800 United States residents died from
unintentional shootings between 2005 and 2010, according to the Law Center to Prevent
Gun Violence.
Further information and required registration are available at
www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/8126.
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NEW THIS WEEK: AAA Foundation Finds Driver Fatigue is Major Issue
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, in new research, finds that more than one-in-five fatal
crashes -- 21 percent -- involve driver fatigue and has provided tips on how to overcome
this danger.
Drivers often underestimate the risk and overestimate their ability to combat drowsiness
behind the wheel, the organization says, noting that one third of crashes involving a drowsy
driver result in injuries and over 6,000 fatigue-related crashes per year result in at least one
fatality.
Further information on the report, including safety tips, is available at
www.newsroom.aaa.com/2014/11/one-five-fatal-crashes-involve-drowsy-drivers.
NEW LAST WEEK: LIHEAP Heating Assistance Program Starts Ends Friday,
April 3
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program that assists eligible homeowners and
renters with home heating bills has started and runs through April 3, for both regular and
crisis grants.
Funds are sent to utility companies for qualifying
individuals at 150% of federal poverty guidelines, for
example $17,505 for a single person and $35,775 for a
family of four.
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NEW LAST WEEK: Senior and Disable Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline
Approaching; Eligibility Modified for Some Seniors Wednesday, December 31
Senior citizens who lost their Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate this year due to Social
Security cost-of-living adjustments now may be eligible.
Gov. Corbett has signed into law a provision that any homeowner who receives Social
Security, was paid a property tax rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012 and had annual
income up to $35,298 last year, with half of Social Security income excluded from the
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calculation, can apply for a rebate for claim year 2013. Renters with annual incomes last
year up to $15,128 also may apply. Previous eligibility levels were $35,000 and $15,000.
Reports indicate that over 2,300 individuals who were denied a rebate or didn't file because
of the cost-of-living adjustment now may be eligible.
The deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2013 is December 31.
Rebates are available for eligible seniors ages 65 and over, widows and widowers 50 and
over, and persons with disabilities 18 and over.
Additional information on the changes is available at
http://www.pa.gov/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?agency=REVENUE&item=16233#.VFfNmsmwT
Kc, with information on the program available at Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislator offices.
NEW LAST WEEK: Veterans Adult Day Health Care Services Now in Three Chester
County Locations; Fourth Being Pursued
Coatesville Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center has started an adult day health care
program at the American Legion Post 602 in Spring City, joining previous locations at
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 845 in Downingtown and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 106
in West Chester. A fourth site is being investigated.
Some 50 elderly or disabled veterans participate in the social and supportive program which
takes place one day a week at each location. A typical day consists of some combination of
coffee, social time, music, therapeutic exercise, current event discussion, trivia, art and
other leisure activities.
VA officials said activities are designed to help veterans stay in their homes and engaged in
life, and also provides caregiver respite.
Veterans must be enrolled and eligible for VA health care to participate with further
information available at
https://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleVAMC/posts/747397171962671, from Mandy
Trammel at (610) 384-7711 x6082 and at
http://www.coatesville.va.gov/services/Mobile_Adult_Day_Health_Care.asp.
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Veterans can contact an eligibility and enrollment specialist for a personal appointment at
(610) 384-7711 x5008 or can attend regular eligibility workshops.
Veteran Service Office partners also will schedule individual appointments at (610) 3847711 x4239 with veterans already enrolled for VA healthcare to help them file claims with
the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), such claims often being related to education,
compensation and pension, and home loans.
Veterans are encouraged to complete an application to determine eligibility, with further
information and an application form, available at
www.coatesville.va.gov/patients/eligibility.asp.
Further information on the new facility is available at
www.coatesville.va.gov/COATESVILLE/features/Open_to_Serve.asp.
NEW LAST WEEK: Free Recycling for Campaign Signs Through Wednesday,
November 12
Montgomery County residents can dispose of election campaign signs, stakes and posts of
all sizes from November 5 through 12 at a dozen county locations.
Further information is available at http://pamontgomerycounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7988, vharris@wsaemc.org or
(610) 278-3618.
Open Enrollment for Medicare and Health Insurance Underway Through Sunday,
December 7; Insurance Marketplace and Healthy PA Medicaid Expansion Coming
Up Saturday, November 15 and Monday, December 1
Officials are encouraging individuals in Medicare and Affordable Health Care insurance plans
to check coverages and premiums during open enrollment periods this and every year due
to potential changes.
Open enrollment for Medicare health and prescription drug plans is available through
December 7.
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For individuals in a Marketplace Qualified Health Plan, open enrollment starts November 15
and continues through Sunday, February 15. Individuals also may qualify for special
enrollment periods at other times if they experience certain events.
In addition, several hundred thousand Pennsylvanians will be able to join an expanded
Medicaid program starting Monday, December 1.
Further information about Medicare coverages is available at www.medicare.gov/find-aplan/questions/home.aspx or (800) 633-4227. Free information and individual
consultations are available through the Pennsylvania APPRISE volunteer assistance program
by contacting county Area Agencies on Aging or at
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=616587&mode=2 or (800) 7837067.
Additional information about the Health Insurance Marketplace is available at
www.healthcare.gov or (800) 318-2596. Local assistance sites also are available at
https://localhelp.healthcare.gov.
Initial information on Healthy PA Medicare expansion for low-income persons is available at
www.healthypa.com. However, results of next months gubernatorial election could result in
program changes due to differing candidate positions on the program.
Penn State Extension Develops Online Health Insurance Marketplace Assistance Site
Penn State Extension has developed an online Health Insurance Literacy Link to assist consumers in
understanding healthcare provisions and initiatives established by the federal Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how to buy health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
NEW LAST WEEK: Chesco Community Health Improvement Plan Forum Scheduled
Friday, December 5
Chester County RoadMAPP to Health will describe its Community Health Improvement Plan
from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. December 5 in the Cafeteria, Government Services Center,
601 Westtown Road, West Chester.
The session will provide an overview of planning activities and discuss the future of
RoadMAPP to Health, including opportunities for individuals and organizations to support the
projectd.
Further information on RoadMAPP to Health is available at
http://webapps.chesco.org/webapps/health/cha/home.html, aorr@chesco.org or (610) 3446633, with forum registration at www.surveymonkey.com/s/roadmappCHIP.
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information and build partnerships for after-school, out-of-school and summer programs.
On November 12, the group will meet at the Kennett Family Center, 637 Millers Hill,
Kennett Square. Further information is available from Laurie Szoke at las7@psu.edu or
(610) 696-3500.
Kennett Area Bridging the Community meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of
January, March, May, July, September and November at various community locations with
any interested individual or organization welcome to attend and share information on
resources and needs that can build "bridges" toward a more integrated Kennett area
community. On November 12, the group will meet at PathStone Senior Training and
Employment Services, 421 McFarland Road, Kennett Square. Additional information is
available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Minutes from prior
meetings are available at www.bridgingcommunity.com/bridging.php.
Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third
Wednesday of the month, except August and December, in the fourth floor conference room
at Brandywine Health Center at 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Representatives of
community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and
hear presentations from various services providers. On November 19, Jarrett Jackson,
president of the board of directors of the Coatesville Memorial Community Center, will
present the CMCC vision for establishing a community-wide System of Care within the
Greater Coatesville area through true collaborations among community partners to meet
real needs of children and families throughout all its neighborhoods. 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 November20, Carol Yingling of
the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimers Association will present at Conestoga
View Nursing & Rehabilitation, 900 East King Street, Lancaster. On December 18,
Community Action Program (CAP) of Lancaster County will present at Keystone Villa,
100 North State Street, Ephrata. Further information is available from Brian Long,
coordinator, at www.berkslancasterlebanonlink.org/18-2/cross-training-meetings/2014meetings, blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north
entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations
exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from
various services providers. On November 25, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania will
provide a broad background of services information. 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.
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.
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Community Nurse Network meets from 4 p.m. to 5:15 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 January 8, 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
Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. On November 13,
participants will be involved with working groups. 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 Administrative Offices, Downingtown
Area School District, 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown. On November 18,
participants will be involved with working groups. Lunch is provided, with further
information and registration available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090
x2827.
UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed Ongoing
Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for
persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific
services in support of those who attend:
Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- Barnabas Group, at Calvary Fellowship Church,
95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) is named after
the Biblical disciple known as the Son of Encouragement. Weekly sessions are part of
the churchs Care Monday, that includes a prayer group that meets at the same time
in the Prayer Lobby (Portico Entrance), with intercession for those attending the
Barnabas Group and the churchs other Care Ministries, including DivorceCare for
those coping with separation or divorce, even years later; Mending Hearts for those
with prodigal children and other family members; and various offerings focused on
assistance in healing and coping. Further information for Barnabas Group activities
is available at barnabasgroup@cfdownington.com or (610) 363-7171.
Malvern Penn State Great Valleys Alumni Association and My Career Transitions
(MCT), an all-volunteer job counseling group, meets from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
the second Saturday of the month, except August and December, in 130 Main
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Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a
new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. In December, no meeting will be held.
Further information and required registration are available at
http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings.
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.
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UPDATED LAST WEEK: Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job
Openings Report - November
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 for the current month, along with
several company job fairs, is available at
http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/20861.
Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at
http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/20882. Daily position openings updates are
available through www.cwds.state.pa.us.
Websites for additional county PA CareerLink offices in the area, at which many services are
available to out-of-county residents, include:
Berks: www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/CareerLink/Pages/default.aspx
Delaware: www.delcoworks.org
Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com
Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024
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The organization distributes donated pet food, pet care items, and veterinary vouchers for
spaying/neutering and vaccines, when available, to families in crisis or within 200% of
federal poverty guidelines.
During the first six months of this year, the food pantry reports distribution of more than
12 tons of dry and over 6,000 cans of pet food to owners in need. Distribution is available
one Saturday a month in both Pottstown and through a mobile pantry in Downingtown.
Donation drop-offs are available at several locations.
Further information and applications are available at www.animalhouseproject.org,
info@animalhouseproject.org or (484) 558-0467.
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The charge has been dropped, with contributing hunters also receiving a S.P.O.R.T.
measuring tape as a reward for contributing.
Since 1991, HSH has had an annual goal of delivering 100,000 pounds of donated venison
that can provide more than 750,000 meals to those in need.
Further information on the program and the changes are available at
www.sharedeer.org/535/hsh-to-offer-new-donor-incentives-for-2014-season or (866) 4742141.
Pennsylvania:
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1904738&mode=2
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Chester and Montgomery have two of only six county health departments in Pennsylvania.
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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.
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.
Blessings
Casey
Casey Jones
Transformation Initiative
Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families
(610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com
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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.