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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
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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
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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: Montgomery County Sets Forum on Future Transit Initiatives
Thursday, April 16
Montgomery County, along with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Public Transit Authority
(SEPTA) Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association, The Partnership
TMA, and TransNet, will host a forum on Your Transit Dollars at Work from 6:00 p.m. to
7:30 p.m. April 16 in the the Whitemarsh Township building meeting room, 616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill.
The event will focus on the future of Montgomery County transit, with representatives from
the County Planning Commission, SEPTA, and local transportation management associations
presenting information and receiving public comment.
Participants will have an opportunity to learn about SEPTAs draft capital plan with station
improvements and system upgrades, current commuting alternatives, and Montcos
comprehensive plan, Montco 2040: A Shared Vision.
Further information and registration are available at www.montcopa.org/PlanningTransit,
with the countys new comprehensive plan is at www.montcopa.org/Montco2040, or at
cgilchri@montcopa.org or (610) 278-3734.
UPDATED LAST WEEK: LIHEAP Heating Assistance Program Extended Now Ends
Friday, May 1; Other Energy Assistance Available
Pennsylvania has extended by a month the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) that was due to expire April 3.
Eligible residents now have until Friday, May 1, to apply for financial help through the LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The federally-funded initiative provides cash grants to eligible recipients that are sent
directly to utility companies, or crisis grants for households in immediate danger of being
without heat, including repair or replacement of heating equipment. Qualifying individuals
must be at or below 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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Officials said the decision to extend was made due to the protracted and severe cold
weather.
Further information and online applications are available at
www.dhs.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap, local County Assistance Offices or
(866) 857-7095. Tips on saving energy are available at
www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver.
The state Public Utility Commission provides information on five different categories of
assistance, along with other help links, at
www.puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/electricity/energy_assistance_programs.aspx or (800)
692-7380.
In addition, eligible homeowners and renters in Chester, Delaware and Lancaster counties
also can obtain home weatherization assistance, including insulation, heater service, window
and door replacement and other energy conservation measures through the Community
Action Agency of Delaware County.
Further information and application information is available at
www.caadc.org/pdfs/Flyer%20Brochure%202013.pdf or (610) 521-8770.
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Free General and Youth Mental Health First Aid Classes Being Offered April - May
Registration is underway for several eight-hour Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth
Mental Health First Aid classes are being held in April and May in West Chester and
Coatesville.
The courses, being presented in full-day or two, four-hour sessions, are designed to
acquaint participants with the risk factors, warning signs and impact of mental health
issues.
Schedules, locations registrations are available at
https://chescodhstrainings.schedulemeappointments.com for Adult Mental Health First Aid
held in West Chester, and
www.brandywinefoundation.org/sites/default/files/YMHFATrainingFlyerWinterSpring2015.pdf
for Youth Mental Health First Aid held in Coatesville.
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UPDATED THIS WEEK: Prescription Drug Take Back Day Continued in Collegeville,
New Holland and Malvern Saturdays, April 18 and 25
State Rep. Mike Vereb has joined locations in two other counties to continue the focus on
Prescription Drug Take Back Day this year, despite the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) ending the national campaign last fall due to a proliferation of local
drug disposal boxes.
The Representative will host a Take Back event with the Lower Providence Police
Department from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 18 at the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW), Local 98, 3900 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, in conjunction with a paper
shredding collection activity.
Further information is available at www.repvereb.com/shred.aspx or (610) 409-2615.
Garden Spot Village and New Holland Police also will be continuing a New Holland
Prescription Drug Take Back from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday at Village Square
Entrance 1, Garden Spot Village, 433 Kinzer Avenue.
Expired or unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can be disposed of safely
and anonymously to keep them out of the hands of children, youth and addicted adults,
along with public water supplies due to flushing. Further information is available at
info@gardenspotvillage.org or (717) 355-6000.
Next Saturday, State Rep. Duane Milne will hold a dual event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
Penn State Great Valley campus in Malvern, in conjunction with the legislators annual
Spring shredding and recycling collection. This event traditionally resulted in the largest
annual one-time prescription drug collection in Chester and neighboring counties.
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East Whiteland Township Police will coordinate the rain or shine activity, held in the campus
parking lot at 30 East Swedesford Road.
Prescription drugs have been identified as a gateway to heroin use, with young people
obtaining unused and unsecured pills from family and friends medicine chests. They are
reported to ingest them at pharm parties by tossing various pills into a bowl or other
container and then scooping them out and downing them, often with alcohol, without
knowing what they are or the effects.
After becoming addicted to prescription medicines, users become susceptible to heroin,
officials report, because of its low cost, high quality and accessibility in Philadelphia suburbs
and beyond.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has warned of traces of prescription
drugs starting to show up in municipal water supplies due to improper flushing.
No-questions-asked drop boxes for unused prescription drugs are available throughout the
year at various locations. Further information and locations are available at
www.ddap.pa.gov/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1666644&mode=2.
Rep. Milnes shredding and recycling component will include personal paper shredding to
help combat identity theft, usable family clothing, kitchenware, sporting goods, books, small
appliances and others items with cords, eyeglasses, torn and faded flags, and more.
Further information on what is being accepted at the combined event is available at
www.repmilne.com, dmilne@pahouse.com or (610) 251-1070.
Pottstown Opens New Homeless Intake Center Location; Other Homeless Services
Changing Through Thursday, April 30
Ministries on Main Street, which provides winter homeless sheltering at community
churches, has opened a new intake center at Trinity United Church of Christ (UCC) -rear
entrance, 60 North Hanover Street, Pottstown, after its former center at St. Johns
Evangelical Lutheran Church closed.
The Center will open for registration at noon weekdays, with pre-registration requested at
(610) 970-2444. Individuals will be housed nights during the remainder of January at
Zions UCC at 209 Chestnut Street; starting Saturday, February 2, at St. Johns UCC at
111 South Price Street; starting Saturday, March 2, at St. Pauls UCC at 927 North Franklin
Street; and April to be determined.
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Community Foundation, 237 Court Street, Reading On May 21, the work of Haven
Behavioral Hospital of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Community Homeless Assessment and
Referral Team (CHART) will be discussed at Juniper Village at Mount Joy, 607 Hearthstone
Lane, Mount Joy. Further information is available at http://berkslancasterlebanonlink.org,
or from Brian Long, coordinator, at blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north
entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations
exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from
various services providers. On April 28, the Pennsylvania Office of Vocation Rehabilitation
(OVR) and the Bucks-Chester-Montgomery Link for Aging and Disability Services will
present. On May 26, Optum Hospice and The House womens homeless shelter will discuss
their work. Additional information about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at
Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 792-9282 x201 or debbie.openhearth@verizon.net.
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.
COSECHA (Harvest) meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the
month from September through June at the Head Start Center, 380 West Cedar Street,
Kennett Square. Further information is available from Elizabeth Garduno at
elizabethga@cciu.org or (610) 444-2880 x305.
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 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.
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.
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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. 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
Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a
new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. On May 9, author Kelly Cornish, a diversity
and inclusion executive and talent leader, will discuss Finding Your Next! position.
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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Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job Openings Report April
Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning,
along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities,
can take advantage of a broad series of services and monthly workshops offered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor CareerLink at its Exton offices in Suite 500, 479 Thomas
Jones Way in the Oaklands Corporate Center.
These trainings include an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.
A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month, along with
several company job fairs, is available at www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/24796.
Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at
www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/24797. 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:
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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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In December, the library began hosting a free weekly support group and individual job
coach assistance for the unemployed and underemployed, expanding already significant
library services available to job-seekers.
A sampling assists is 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.
Further information and required registration for limited workshop seating is available at
mpinto@ccls.org or (610) 933-3013 x132.
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Jones overall initiative is to develop community-wide Systems of Care, based on life stages,
through collaborations among churches, faith-based and community organizations, including
governmental agencies, to help meet the needs of families.
Emergency preparedness is a critical component for family health, Jones said, saying his
community Facebook presence was developed after last years ice storm due to significant
voids that were experienced in having quality, broad-based and consistent preparedness
and response information available to greater Chester County residents.
Although our own capacity is limited to volunteer manpower and minimal equipment, and
without in-house meteorologists to provide direct weather forecasting opportunities, our
system is designed to consolidate and report in one place information from multiple
sources; make adverse weather potential easier to recognize in advance and to understand
and track; and provide quick access to resources in event of a weather-related situation,
he noted.
In addition, we not only try to serve residents of our reporting area, but those who travel
into and out of local and nearby locales for work, shopping and other activities.
This effort, which is provided without cost to consumers, has proven to be highly effective
in multiple weather reporting situations, Jones added.
He applauded NOAAs initiative, saying the federal agencys approach to building awareness
of potential year-around weather threats through a collaborative approach is much needed
in creating greater knowledge, understanding and responsiveness in helping to protect
individuals and families against weather-related events.
Information on Weather-Ready Nation is available at
www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation, the Ambassador initiative at
www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/ambassadors.html and becoming a SKYWARN
spotter at www.skywarn.org.
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Jones told Commissioners that a system only is as good as its weakest link and he has
advised County DES of many of the same alerting issues for more than four years, following
hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, a tornado, last years ice storm and other incidents
occurring during that period. He also reminded Commissioners that he had appeared before
them on numerous occasions for more than two years with the same issues remaining
unresolved.
He alleged the County, by its continued inaction, is playing Russian Roulette with the
safety of its half million county residents, along with the tens of thousands that travel into
and out of the County to work, every minute getting closer and closer to potential for a
major disaster.
He also has told Commissioners that he doesnt believe the solution is costly or should take
much time to implement, citing a less robust system that he set up in two days in response
to what he has termed last years poor ice storm alerting procedures. His system involved
no additional equipment and is operated solely by a single volunteer. That site appears at
www.facebook.com/TransformationIni.
The latest incident is reported at
www.facebook.com/TransformationIni/posts/827690307296222:0.
A few of the multitude of prior instances that have been recorded include:
February 17, 2015 False advertising for Chester County public alert system? -www.facebook.com/TransformationIni/posts/815904801808106
May 25, 2014 State Public Utility Commission determines that communications
were a problem during ice storm www.facebook.com/TransformationIni/posts/675927652472489:0
May 17, 2014 Over three hours delay in Flood Warning notifications -www.facebook.com/TransformationIni/posts/671076209624300
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Customers are reminded to dial 811 at least three days before digging to ensure the area is
safe for planting.
Additional information about the Energy-Saving Trees program is available at
www.peco.com/community.
Legal Requirements Increase for Workers and Volunteers Involved with Children
Legislation that significantly impacts 23 areas of reporting, investigation, assessment,
prosecution and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases, including response to
abuse situations by child workers are being detailed by the state.
Information on new requirements, applications, effective dates, in-person and online
training availability, paid and volunteer clearances and more are available at
www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov.
Chester and Lancaster Among Top Five Pennsylvania Population Growth Counties
Chester and Lancaster are estimated to be in the top five fastest growing Pennsylvania
counties, with Montgomery having the 72nd largest county population in the United States.
In a Research Brief, the Pennsylvania State Data Center, the state's official source for
population and economic statistics, reported that Chester and Lancaster counties have had a
2.7 percent population increase -- third and fourth in the state -- since the decennial census
in 2010. Montgomery County's current population is estimated at 816,857.
Philadelphia County, which had the largest numeric estimated gain, along with Montgomery,
Chester, and Lancaster counties, comprised 93.4 percent of the entire overall Pennsylvania
population gain since 2010.
The Research Brief is available at
www.pasdc.hbg.psu.edu//resear/2014_County_Estimates_RB.pdf.
Montgomery County Chosen for Cultural and Linguistic Competency Pilot Project
Montgomery, York and Northumberland counties have been selected to participate in a
Cultural and Linguistic Competency (CLC) Pilot Project through the PA System of Care (SOC)
Partnership to incorporate and improve cultural and linguistic competency at the county
level of care.
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The initiative will run through April 1 and will involve a joint effort between SOC county
leadership and community partners to develop programs that address the cultural and
language needs of youth and families being served, enabling delivery of services in a more
efficient and effective manner.
A final report will include best practices and recommendations for future CLC
implementation initiatives in other System of Care counties and the Commonwealth.
Further information about the Partnership is available at www.pasocpartnership.org or
leonardkt@upmc.edu.
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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Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward all or selected portions
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Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is based on information
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Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more advanced electronic
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Blessings
Casey
Casey Jones
Transformation Initiative
Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families
(610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com
2009-2015 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.
Information 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
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Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure to new subscribers,
individuals who only may read the list periodically, and for other organizations that want to avoid scheduling
opposite an event or may want to collaborate with others in the area. For annual events, even longer lead times
may be appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the week of publication.
A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what actually is
occurring and why they should consider attending) can be obtained by perusing the publications or using the
following guide:
Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.
Name of Event:
Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:
Times (Starting and ending):
Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a MapQuest or Google
Maps searchable address:
Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address:
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descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous words such as
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We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small, optional materials
fee is charged.
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Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a case-by-case
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