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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
with the word Unsubcribe in the Subject line.
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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New:
Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongoing services and activities, along with special events, as soon as possible after establishing a
date to maximize publicity and to help individuals and other organizations with planning
processes for their own events.
Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown on the
current, accompanying Calendar of Events. Further information about submissions appears
at the end of this E-Update and the Calendar. Information should be submitted to
bps461@msn.com. Don't let your important activity be left unknown.
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In the meantime, open enrollment for changes in plans for Medicare recipients ends this
coming Sunday, December 7, and open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act Health
Insurance Marketplace ends Sunday, February 15.
Healthy PA provides access to health care coverage through a private
coverage option to uninsured adults between the ages of 21 to 64 who are
below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level, general examples being $15,528
for a single person and $31,728 for a family of four.
Additional information and a link to an online application are available at
http://www.healthypa.com.
In addition:
Uninsured who are eligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act now
can enroll or modify existing coverages in the Health Insurance Marketplace, with
everyone already covered also needing to check possible plan changes to determine
whether updated plans still are the best choice.
A one-page assistance guide to open enrollment, which ends Sunday, February 15,
appears at https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/one-page-guide-to-themarketplace.
NEW THIS WEEK: Montgomery County Offering Free Flu Shots at County Clinics
December
Montgomery County Health Department is offering free flu shots for ages six months and
older at its Health Center sites in Pottstown, Norristown and Willow Grove during December.
The schedule is available at http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=1187 or (610) 2785117.
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NEW THIS WEEK: Area Nuclear Plants Performing Full Siren Public Alert Tests
Limerick Generating Station nuclear power plant at Pottstown will be conducting its biannual
full siren public alerting test at 2 p.m. Monday, December 1.
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Plant in Southern York County is scheduled to conduct its
monthly test at 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 3.
Further information about the tests and their timing is available at
http://www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=2457.
The 2014/2015 public Emergency Plan for the Limerick facility is available at
http://www.exeloncorp.com/assets/energy/powerplants/docs/Limerick/bro_Limerick_ENG_p
ib.pdf, with the Peach Bottom plan at
http://www.exeloncorp.com/assets/energy/powerplants/docs/Peach_Bottom/bro_peachbott
om_pib.pdf.
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NEW THIS WEEK: Staying Safe and Protecting Oneself During the Holiday Season
The U.S. Fire Administration is providing holiday fire safety tips through
a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfuSO6cMPYM, with
additional tips available at http:/
www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/holiday.html, from the
American Red Cross at
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/mi/lansing/Red-Cross-IssuesSafety-Tips-to-Prevent-Holiday-Home-Fires, and the National Fire
Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-andstatistics/fire-causes/holiday/christmas-tree-and-holiday-lights.
The Federal Trade Commission also provides some tips on how to
protect yourself and avoid hassles when shopping online at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w4t1dYCayM&list=PLrcvzEeHM66sw9_kqYzxIDy_MJ3I
prUbI&index=10, with the The National Crime Prevention Council providing a series of
awareness tips to help keep oneself and children safe during general shopping at
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/by-audience/parents/safe-shopping and
http://www.ncpc.org/about/news/safety-first-holiday-safety-tips-for-last-minuteshoppers/?searchterm=shopping.
And, here is information on How Not to Blow Your Budget:
http://blog.usa.gov/post/103638741577/holiday-spending-how-not-to-blow-your-budget.
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and 2 p.m. on Fridays, starting December 5, for those who have attended a support group
meeting.
Individual session appointments may be scheduled by e-mailing a current resume to
lsegarnick@gmail.com. Additional information is available at (610) 933-3013 x132.
The new offerings are part of a library focus on expanding assistance to job-seekers. In
addition to its many resource materials available for the unemployed, underemployed and
potential entrepreneurs, the library already offers several classes and other services.
A sampling of these are available at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/category/adults/learn,
www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/resources, www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/ovr-employmentsupport, www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/computer-services and
www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/programs-for-adults-2.
Senior and Disabled Property Tax/Rent Rebate Eligibility Modified for Some
Seniors Ends 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
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.
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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. In December, no meeting is held. Additional information
about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 7929282
x201 or at debbie.openhearth@verizon.net.
Communities That Care (CTC) groups in several Chester County school districts provide
networking opportunities for community organizations and individuals that use a planning
and mobilization model to promote healthy youth development and prevent and reduce
negative youth health and behavior issues that may include substance abuse, delinquency,
teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence.
West Chester CTC meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Thursday of
each month of the school year at the West Chester Area School District Spellman
Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Lunch is provided by
reserving at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817.
Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the
month from September through May at the Administrative Offices, Downingtown
Area School District, 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown. Lunch is provided, with
further information and registration available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 4589090 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 THIS WEEK: Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job
Openings Report - December
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/21292.
Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at
http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/21299. 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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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.
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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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less likely to drive intoxicated, two times more likely to wear seat belts and 30% less likely
to use a cell phone.
A 2010 study, Parents, Teens and Learner Stage of Graduate Licensing, conducted by the
AAA Foundation found that only four percent of parents use any resource when teaching
their teen to drive and parents stop the supervised driving process early and over-estimate
time spent in supervision.
Further information on the Safe Roads Alliance program is available at
www.theparentssuperviseddrivingprogram.com, the 2012 study at
https://teendriving.statefarm.com/system/article_downloads/State_Farm_Teen_Driving_Dri
ving_Through_Eyes_of_Teens_Closer_Look.pdf, and the AAA study at
https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/ParentsTeensReport.pdf.
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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.
Information on both the Southern Chester County and a similar Phoenixville area initiatives
are available at www.tmacc.org/public-transportation/ride-for-health-initiative.
Pennsylvania:
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1904738&mode=2
Chester and Montgomery have two of only six county health departments in Pennsylvania.
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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
Name of Event:
Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:
Times (Starting and ending):
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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.