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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS

IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Week of May 31, 2015
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
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.

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2009-2015 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities

Through Healthy Families. Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or noncommercial uses only.
Sections Available in the attached Calendar of Events:
UPDATED THIS WEEK: Special Activities: Upcoming primarily free activities
listed by day over the next several months.
Ongoing Scheduled Activities: Primarily free activities held regularly each week
or month.
Area Ministries for Those Who are Struggling. GriefShare, DivorceCare,
Celebrate Recovery, Mending Hearts.
Day Trip Destination Sites: Free admission sites for individual and family outings.
E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including
Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Calendar of Events - Please Submit Additions Today

Upcoming Activities The following items are detailed in the accompanying Calendar of
Events and are in addition to those described within this E-Update. They will be occurring
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)

Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
Our Town Art Exhibit Pottstown.
Family Summer Fun for Everyone Series West Grove.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Women Business Strategies Workshop West Chester.
Community Service Block Grant Public Hearings Coatesville and West Chester.
Lets Talk Conversation for Parents Pottstown.
Community Fair Limerick.
Problem Gambling Presentation Exton.
Effective Communications Between Generations Business Presentation Strafford.
Differences in Grief Support New Holland.
Downsizing for Seniors and Empty Nesters Presentation Exton.
Photography Workshop Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Family Finances Workshop Exton.
Widowers Breakfast New Holland.
State Sen. Aument Town Hall Meeting New Holland.
55-Plus Games Kennett Square.
Sportsman/Outdoorsman Forum Collegeville CANCELLED
Plastic Paradise Documentary Film Screening and Discussion Malvern.
Swingin Summer Thursday West Chester.
Dining with Diabetes Series Pottstown.
Our Town Artists Reception Pottstown.
Early Bird Walk East Norriton.
Residential Tire Collection Blue Bell.
Treasure Hunt Pottstown.

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Historic Goshenville Artisans Fair West Chester (Goshenville).

AMCs Best Day Hikes Near Philadelphia Author Discussion and Tour King of Prussia
(Valley Forge.
Summer Concert Series Quarryville.

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

Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
Our Town Art Exhibit Pottstown.
Family Summer Fun for Everyone Series West Grove.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Super Sunday West Chester.
Car Show Parkesburg.
Longs Park Summer Music Series Lancaster
End-of-Life Issues for Alzheimers Caregivers Support New Holland.
Veterans Town Hall Meeting Coatesvillle.
Butterfly Gardens Author Discussion Exton.
Jerry Spinelli Author Lecture Berwyn.
Pardons and Expungements Workshop Coatesville.
Discovering the Impressionists Presentation Strafford.
Accessing Adult Services Workshop South Coatesville.
Heart Health Workshop Norristown.
Evening Bird Walk Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Women and Money Workshop Exton.
Take Charge of Your Health Presentation Phoenixville.
Coping with Low Vision Support New Holland.
Outdoor Family Movie Downingtown (West Bradford Township).
Mobile Food Market Debut Exton.
Dining with Diabetes Series Pottstown.
Liv-Live Concert West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Writing Memoir Changes Life Author Discussion Phoenixville (Kimberton).
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Coatesville.
Girls STEM Series Pottstown.
Personal Hazardous Waste Disposal Newtown Square.
Pennsylvania Rep. Milnes Kids Fest Malvern.
Farm Explorer Presentation Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Worship Concert Coatesville.
New:

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

ABCs of Life & Financial Planning for Baby Boomer Series Berwyn.
Our Town Art Exhibit Pottstown.
Fathers Day Cookout - Coatesville.
Coping with Parkinsons Support New Holland.
Building a Better Credit Report Workshop Exton.
Poetry in the Park West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Residential Tire Collection Pottstown.
Community Day - West Chester (East Goshen Township).
An Ode to Ireland Concert - West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Pre-School Entertainment - West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Shakespeares The Tempest - West Chester (East Goshen Township).

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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
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: Eastern Lancaster Community of Care Initiative Rated Tops by
United Way
A Lancaster County Pequea Valley School District collaboration is being granted $297,500 in
each of the next three years to further its community-wide, community-based System of
Care approach for services delivery to those in need.
United Way of Lancaster County made the award, under a new grant focus to a Together
Community Center in Paradise that includes The Factory Ministries as the lead. The
coalition also includes Amish View Resorts, Grace Point Church of Paradise, Hildebrandt
Learning Centers, Pequea Valley School District, Safe Families and Safe Families Plus, Urban
Outfitters, and Welsh Mountain Medical & Dental Centers.
The initiative will offer a breadth of services including transportation to and from the
Paradise site, located in the former Pequea Valley Elementary School along Route 30, Pre-K
Counts childcare, adult education and mentoring and medical, dental, and behavior health
services.
The award, one of the two top among 16 to receive $2,483,706.85 in funding, reflects a
new county United Way focus to achieve four goals by 2025: 100% of Lancaster County
children will enter kindergarten ready to learn; 100% of students and adults will have postsecondary credentials; individuals and families living in poverty will be decreased by 50%;
and 100% of individuals, children, and families will have a medical home.
The new grant focus requires development of true collaborations among nonprofit
organizations, businesses, schools, faith-based groups, volunteers, and government to
achieve results unable to be accomplished by individual entities.
As reported previously in our Facebook postings, some long-time funded organizations won't
be receiving awards under the new initiative criteria, leaving significant gaps in their
budgets.
Further information on the new initiative, described as "bold, new impact Partnerships", is
available at www.lancasteronline.com/news/local/a-reinvented-united-way-aiming-for-boldsocial-change-awards/article_7d9cf166-0173-11e5-a74d-5f9f84819d2c.html.
A list of award recipients and collaborative initiatives is available at
http://www.uwlanc.org/News/ID/56/UNITED-WAY-OF-LANCASTER-COUNTY-INVESTORSTO-HELP-UNDERWRITE-WORK-OF-16-IMPACT-PARTNERSHIPS.

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NEW THIS WEEK: Chester County Food Bank Going Mobile Wednesday, July 1;
Preview is Friday, June 12
Chester County Food Bank (CCFB) is launching a new Fresh2You Mobile Market next month
in Coatesville and Honey Brook that is designed to reach food insecure communities with
fresh produce, healthy food samples, and educational resources about healthy foods.
The 18-foot truck, complete with walk-in refrigeration and a stainless steel food preparation
area, will be unveiled at 11 a.m., June 12, at CCFB headquarters at 650 Pennsylvania Drive,
Exton.
The dedication will be part of the Live United Community Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive that
includes the United Way of Chester County in an attempt to encourage corporations and
community groups to collect these high demand pantry staples for distribution to those in
need.
The mobile market will accept all forms of payment, with those paying with SNAP (food
stamp) cards receiving double dollars for all produce purchases.
The project is being funded in part by a $76,000 grant from the United States Department
of Agriculture Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program.
Further information is available from Anne Shuniak at ashuniak@chestercountyfoodbank.org
or (610) 873-6000.

NEW THIS WEEK: Meteorological Summer is Here Be Safe

Summer arrived this week, at least Meteorologic Summer which is based on four calendar
quarters (the summer solstice wont occur until 12:38 p.m. on Sunday, June 21).
Regardless, Summer is a time for you and your family and friends to enjoy by staying safe.
Visit the National Weather Service's Summer Safety website at http://1.usa.gov/1LNBpo2
#SummerSafety for ways to do just that.

NEW THIS WEEK: NIDA Says Abuse of Prescription Pain Medications Risk Heroin
Use
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that one in 15 people who take non-medical
prescription pain relievers will try heroin within 10 years.
In an infographic campaign, it is noted that nearly one in 20 adolescents and adults, or
12 million people, used prescription pain medication in 2010 when it was not prescribed for
them or only for the feeling it caused.

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While many believe these drugs are not dangerous because they can be prescribed by a
doctor, abuse often leads to dependence, according to the NIDA. And eventually, for
some, pain medication abuse leads to heroin.
Further information on prescription drug and other abuse is available at
www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/abuse-prescription-painmedications-risks-heroin-use.

NEW THIS WEEK: Study Says Early Sipping by Kids Increases Alcohol Risks
Students having a sip of alcohol before sixth grade were four times more likely to have been
drunk by the ninth grade, according to a Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction
Studies researchers study.
In the report, approximately three in 10 students reported having sipped alcohol before the
sixth grade. In addition to ninth graders having been drunk, those children were five times
more likely to have consumed a full drink of alcohol and 3.7 times more likely to have tried
binge drinking.
The study counters many parental hypotheses that introducing children to alcohol when
they are young will reduce its tempting taboo and help them better manage alcohol as they
get older.
Further information about the study and its results are available at
https://news.brown.edu/articles/2015/03/kidsip.

NEW LAST WEEK: Pennsylvania Seeks Missing Photos of Vietnam Veterans

Pennsylvania is aiding the search for photos of 606 state service members who sacrificed
their lives in the Vietnam War so their faces will
never be forgotten.
The state Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs (DMVA) has partnered with the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. (VVMF) to locate
pictures of all 3,148 service members from
Pennsylvania whose names are on the Vietnam Memorial -- known as The Wall -- in
Washington, D.C. To date, 606 from Pennsylvania still are being sought, with some 14,000
photos still to be located nationally.
A list of Pennsylvanian photos attempting to be located is available at
www.dmva.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/veterans_benefits/11386/faces_never_f
orgotten/2039552, with further information on the project nationally at
www.vvmf.org/faces-never-forgotten.

NEW LAST WEEK: Veterans Honor Park Planned in Lancaster County

A Veterans Honor Park is being planned in Lancaster County
as a tribute to service members in every branch of the
United States military Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines,
Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

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The 2.4-acre project, being constructed at 651 Kissel Hill, Warwick Township, Lititz, as a
joint venture with Lititz Public Library and local government, is projected to break ground
early next year and be completed by Veterans Day 2017.
Further information is available at www.vetshonorparklanco.org and
www.lancasteronline.com/news/local/let-us-never-forget-warwick-park-will-honorlancaster-county/article_a735b558-00a1-11e5-a884-2b1709f30f6a.html.

NEW LAST WEEK: Hailed US Airways Pilot Relates His Story of Depression
Former US Airways pilot Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger, who performed an emergency landing
of Flight 1549, with 155 passengers on board, in
the Hudson River in New York on January 5,
2009, is telling his story of depression as a result
of that incident in a U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs Make the Connection feature.
"I didn't have to carry this myself," Sully says,
urging those who experience emotional struggles
for any number of reasons to get and "stay
connected". The video is available at
www.facebook.com/VeteransMTC/videos/816397305112931/?fref=nf.
For additional insight by veterans, their families and those in civilian life into the world of
struggles in all types of life circumstances, what it is like to need connection and obtaining
assistance, go to www.maketheconnection.net.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, with one out of every five individuals in the United
States, including children, said to have a diagnosable mental health issue at any point in
time. A key to overcoming situations is early treatment and connection.
A map for how to obtain adult mental health services in Chester County is available at
www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/19240, for children at
www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/19242 and intellectual disabilities at
www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/19238.

NEW LAST WEEK: Coatesville and Kennett Groups Tackle What a CommunityBased System of Care Looks Like
Community groups in Coatesville and Kennett Square, in separate forums, are continued
focuses on development of community-based Systems of Care to span all life stages.
Government and agency participants at a Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN)
meeting has discussed need for an integrated continuum of systems from pre-conception
through teen years, with education of the general public, including parents, children and
youth, about various topics of need. It expects to expand this to adults, including seniors,
next month.
The group, facilitated by Kathryn Spurlock of the Coatesville Center for Community Health,
also discussed tearing down silos of singular focus programming for a broader-based system
that enables persons in need, regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status, to obtain
desired assistance.

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In Kennett Square, community advocate Joan Holliday facilitated an Inter Gen Coalition
discussion involving identified areas of need for all age groups, including healthy eating and
exercise, greater cultural understanding and intergenerational relationships.
The group agreed to become advocates for greater awareness by organizations as to
opportunities available to better serve a broader sector of the community by developing
new or expanded services and activities, as appropriate, that are multicultural and
intergenerational.
Further information on the Coatesville initiative is available at ccch@comcast.net or (610)
383-4612 and the Kennett Square focus at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.
Information on development of community-based Systems of Care in other areas are
available from Casey Jones at bps461@msn.com or (610) 707-1494.

NEW LAST WEEK: Lyme Disease Now in all Pennsylvania Counties; Chester and
Montgomery Leads List of Cases
Heightened risk of lyme disease from
blacklegged ticks comes with summer
excursions and activities into areas
populated by deer, with Chester and
Montgomery counties leading the way in
the number of Pennsylvania cases.
The state Department of Environmental
Protection says that lyme disease,
caused by commonly referred to deer ticks, now has been recorded in all 67 Pennsylvania
counties, with the state also leading the nation in the number of recorded cases.
The state Health Department describes lyme disease as a multi-system, multi-stage,
inflammatory illness that in early stages can be readily cured with oral antibiotics.
However, untreated or inadequately treated infection may progress to late-stage arthritic
or nervous system complications requiring more intensive therapy, it says.
In 2013, the last reported period, 489 cases were cited in Chester County, down from 610
the year before, with 301 reports in Montgomery County, up from 248 in 2012. The
number of reported cases regularly fluctuate from year to year.
Further information about the disease, along with annual statistics, is available at
www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=196.

NEW LAST WEEK: New Consumer Hospital Discharge

Planning Checklist Available
Medicare has published a six-page checklist to help individuals
avoid being re-admitted after a hospital stay.
It is suggested by Medicare that Your Discharge Planning
Checklist be used early and often during your stay and that a
patient talk to their doctor and hospital staff, such as a discharge
planner, social worker or nurse, about items on the list.

-9-

The publication, including a list of additional resources, is available at

www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11376.pdfm with the The Joint Commission, an
independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health
care organizations and programs in the United States, providing additional information at
www.jointcommission.org/toc.aspx.

NEW LAST WEEK: Women Entrepreneurs to Share Social Media Marketing

Practices Tuesday, June 2
A panel of area women entrepreneurs will share best practices in social media and digital
marketing during a Women Driving Success: Marketing Strategies for Growth and
Sustainability workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 2 at the Chester University
Graduate School, 1160 McDermott Drive, West Chester.
The event, hosted by Chester and Delaware County Service Corps of Retired Executives
(SCORE), Bryn Mawr Trust, and Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry's
Women In Business, will include engagement marketing, anticipating customer needs and
becoming a center of influence.
Further information and required registration are available at
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eayxw9rbcc907fac&os
eq=&c=&ch=&utm_source=FOR+IMMEDIATE+RELEASE+WIB+060215&utm_campaign=Ch
apter+of+the+Year&utm_medium=email or (610) 344-6910.

Chesco Human Services Grant Hearings Set Tuesday, June 2, and Thursday,
June 4
Chester County will host June public hearings in Coatesville and West Chester to receive
public comment in regard to expenditure of some $23 million in discretionary human
services block grant funds for the 2015-16 state fiscal year starting in July.
Hearings will be held at 1:30 p.m. June 2, in the fourth floor Community Room at the
Brandywine Center, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, and at 4:30 p.m. June 4 in Room
170 at the Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.
Comments also can be e-mailed by Friday, June 5, to the County Department of Human
Services at cchumanservices@chesco.org.
The county is one of 20 counties in the state to implement a five-year pilot process for
discretionary funding and is in the fourth year of the process.
Further information and a draft of the tentative plan, when posted, are available at
www.cheso.org/human or (610) 344-5262.

Free Chesco Accessing Adult Services Workshop Wednesday, June 10

A public workshop on Accessing the Adult Serving Systems in Chester County will be held
from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 10 at the Chester County Public Safety Training Facility,
137 Modena Road, South Coatesville.
Representatives of County human services, adult probation, mental health/intellectual and
developmental disabilities, drug and alcohol, aging, health, prison and community
development agencies will provide agency representatives and the public with information
on services and qualifications and how to access them.

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Further information and required registration are available at www.chescodhstrainings.com

or (610) 344-6640.

NEW LAST WEEK: Faith Community Resource Fair Scheduled Monday, June 15
The Faith Community Gathering on Hunger, Homelessness and Poverty and the Chester
County Department of Emergency Services will host a Creating an Informed Community
Resource Fair from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 15 at St. Pauls Baptist Church, One Haggerty
Blvd., West Chester.
The forum, for houses of worship, community organizations and government agencies
addressing hunger, homelessness and poverty, will include sharing of information regarding
services and resources, exploration of possible opportunities for collaboration, a
presentation and refreshments.
Further information and required registration are available at
www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/25715, rslater@chesco.org or (610) 344-5022.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Nonprofit Conference Thursday, June 18

TriCounty Community Network (TCN) will host a Nonprofit Conference from 9 a.m. to noon
on June 18 at Montgomery County Community College, 101 College Drive, Pottstown.
Workshops about social media, volunteering and collaborating, along with a vendor
showcase and breakfast, highlight this event.
Further information and required registration are available at www.tcnetwork.org/nonprofitconference or (610) 705-3301.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)
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. On June 4, in
the first floor conference room of the Neighborhood Health Agencies building, 795 East
Marshall Street, on the grounds of Chester County Hospital, West Chester, Susan Rzucidlo,
executive director of SPEAK, a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of the
disabled population, educates family members and trains first responders including police,
firefighters and paramedics about individuals with disabilities, will discuss needs of those
with disabilities, along with the Pennsylvania Premise Alert System that she co-developed.
Further information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 7172180.
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. On June 5, presentations will involve
early childhood trends and practices. Additional information is available from Kathy Brauner
at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262.

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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. On July 8, the annual community potluck picnic will be start the gathering at
6 p.m. at His Mission, 342 East Birch 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.
Berks-Lancaster-Lebanon Counties LINK to Aging and Disability Resources meets
from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at various Lancaster area
locations, and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the third Tuesdays of the month at various
locations in Berks County for services cross-trainings and exchange of information on
creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door resources for older adults and adults with disabilities,
including consumers, family members and others, seeking information about local
resources. Specific topic workshops also are being scheduled in the counties. Further
information is available at http://berkslancasterlebanonlink.org, or from Brian Long,
coordinator, at blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
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. Further information is available from
Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610) 380-7111 x16.
Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north
entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations
exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from
various services providers. Additional information about the group is available from Debbie
Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 792-9282 x201 or
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 Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon

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Drive, Exton (Lionville). Further information and registration available at

dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090 x2827.

Coatesville CTC Community Prevention Board, a body coterminous with the

Coatesville Youth Initiative Steering Committee, meets periodically in the fourth floor
Community Room, Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway,
Coatesville. Further information and requested lunch reservations are available from
Jarvis Berry, CTC community mobilizer, at Jarvis@coatesvilleyouthinitiative.org or
(610) 380-0200.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed Ongoing
Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for
persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific
services in support of those who attend:
Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- 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 June 13, Rod Cohen, chief executive
office officer of ME, Inc., will discuss Interviewing Secrets and Techniques. On
July 12, Amy Dinning, a senior training and talent development leader, will discuss
Youve Lost Your Job Now What? 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
info@barnabaswc.org.

- 13 -

Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month:

Berwyn/Main Line - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at the
Hagenbach Room, St. Monicas Church, 635 First Avenue. Further information is
available from Bob Schubert at bobschubertjr@aim.com or (610) 755-2398.
Central Delco Groups at three locations in Central Delaware County now
coordinate meetings in Media and Upper Darby at 7 p.m. on the first three Tuesdays
of the month. First Tuesday: St. Francis Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church,
2400 North Providence Road, Media, with further information at
smmemploy@gmail.com or (610) 873-7117. On June 2, Human resources and
career consultant Betty Hirsch will discuss Behavioral Interviewing Tips. Second
Tuesday: The Parish Hall Rear Entrance, St. Laurence Church, 8245 West Chester
Pike, Upper Darby. On June 9, mock interviews will be conducted for job-seekers
providing a job description reflecting a position they are seeking and a resume.
Third Tuesday: Hassler Chapel, Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike,
Media, with further information at robinst37@gmail.com.
Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, in the
Parish Meeting Room Rear of the School Property, St. Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor
Avenue (Route 322). Information about the affiliate is available by leaving a
message at (610) 873-7117.
Upper Uwchlan Township 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the School
Education Center, St. Elizabeths Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester
Springs. Further information is available at (610) 321-1200 or at
david.bolz@verizon.net.
Reading 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm. on the first and third Wednesdays at St Catharine's of
Siena Parish Center. 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Further information is
available from John Senick, facilitator, at (610) 779-4005.
West Grove 6:45 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the new Parish
Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 300 State Road, West
Grove. 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:..Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job
Openings Report June
Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning,
along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities,
can take advantage of a broad series of services and monthly workshops offered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor CareerLink at its Exton offices in Suite 500, 479 Thomas
Jones Way in the Oaklands Corporate Center.
These trainings include an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.
A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month is available at
www.pacareerlinkchesco.org/calendar.

- 14 -

Monthly job openings list that provides several pages for the Chester County area is
available at www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/25877. 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

Free Certified Nursing Assistant Training Available

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) is enrolling income-eligible
individuals for its Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program.
Further information is available at (610) 692-2344.

PA CareerLink-Chester County Becomes GED Testing Site

PA CareerLink Chester County has become the countys first site for General Educational
Development (GED), also known as General Equivalency Diploma testing. The closest
testing since new, more difficult tests were initiated over a year ago has been in Media and
Reading, although preparatory classes have been conducted at several locations.
Testing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 9 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. Thursdays in Suite 500, 479 Thomas Jones Way in the Oaklands Corporate
Center, Exton.
Additional information and appointments are available from Jacqueline Painter at Chester
County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) at (484) 945-4084.

Pottstown and Phoenixville Locations Providing Additional Job-Seeker Support

Pottstown YWCA and the Phoenixville Public Library are continuing to expand services for
job-seekers.
Pottstown YWCA has started a weekly Job-Seekers Connection support group from 6 p.m. to
8 p.m. Wednesdays at its Tri-County Area Adult Literacy Center at 1830 East High Street.
Sessions are designed to provide a supportive environment on how to obtain assistance in
revising resumes, write cover letters, start an internet-based job search, and maximize job
search visibility.
The organization currently offers adult literacy classes, including reading, writing, math,
English language, and GED and U.S. citizenship tests preparation, along with a six-week Job
Skills Program, for eligible area residents.
Further information on the new support group is available at
www.facebook.com/ywcatricountyarea/photos/a.468031103259613.106123.142873902442
003/813804245348962/?type=1, on the adult literacy and other workforce development
components at www.ywcatricountyarea.org/adult-literacy.html, or at (610) 326-7323.

- 15 -

Phoenixville Public Library will host its monthly, fourth Thursday JobSeeker Workshop Speaker Series from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. On May 28, a
representative of the Pennsylvania Civil Service Commission will present
information on state and local government positions. On June 25, Casey
Jones Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities for
Healthy Families will present his four-hour 12 Steps Toward EmploymentTM workshop.
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.

Montgomery County Community College Offering Free Online Assistance to

Entrepreneurs
Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn the basics of Starting Your Own Business through an online
program developed by Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) for the
Pennsylvania Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives Collaborative.
The self-paced program allows individuals to explore five modules on topics such as
business basics, financial and legal considerations, and marketing, as well as an in-depth
case study. The final module guides learners through the process of developing a
customized business plan.
Individuals who successfully finish the program and business plan will earn a proof of
completion certificate and may be eligible for three credits at MCCC through Prior Learning
Assessment (PLA), with other colleges and universities also able to evaluate the completed
course and business plan for possible PLA credit toward one of their programs.
The program is available at www.beresource.com, with further information at
www.mc3.edu/component/content/article/87-about-us/news/8739-free-online-course-foraspiring-entrepreneurs, dcollins@mc3.edu or (215) 619-7313.

Free Online Job-Seeker Computer Technology Training Offered

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Delaware
Valley Regional Planning Commission are offering more than 100 online courses and 500
educational videos to job-seekers through Online Broadband and Technology Training.
Available topics include online and e-mail marketing, website development, social media,
advanced wireless technologies, cloud computing, internet security, information security for
end users, Quickbooks, Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
and Access, graphics and graphic design, business skills and project management.
Further information and enrollment is available at www.paobtt.com.

- 16 -

Free Online Training Available for Health Care Professionals Aiding Veterans
Health care professionals now have a free online course developed by the federal
Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD) to help serve veterans and service
members.
The eight-hour Military Culture: Core Competencies for Health Care Professionals training
covers a variety of topics through interactive features, video vignettes, case examples and
treatment planning scenarios.
Each of the four modules within the course was developed using research, surveys and
extensive interviews with service members and veterans.
Information and registration for the training, along with other military culture-related
materials, are available at www.deploymentpsych.org/Military-Culture.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness May be Available for Some Student Loans
Individuals working in governmental organizations, some charitable organizations and some
organizations providing specific services such as public education or health may be eligible
for a broad, employment-based forgiveness program on qualifying student loans.
Further information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is available at
www.ed.gov/blog/2015/04/how-to-qualify-for-public-service-loan-forgiveness-2 and
www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#page.

Area Said to be a Hot Spot for Human Trafficking

The Philadelphia area is a hot spot for human trafficking,
including sex and labor trafficking, according to 2014
statistics from the National Human Trafficking Resource
Center. Over 30 percent of cases involved children and youth.
Further information about the numbers and recognizing signs
of trafficking is available at
www.traffickingresourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/2014%20Minors%20Trafficking%20Re
port_FINAL.pdf and www.polarisproject.org.
Additional information about some area cases and impacts is at
www.facebook.com/chestercountyantihumantraffickingcoalition.

Pennsylvania Gears Up Against Bird Flu

Poultry and other avian competitions will be absent from this year's state-approved
agriculture fairs due to the threat of highly
pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N2, that has
intensified nationally.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
has suspended the competitions to minimize risk of the disease spreading from other states
and the estimated $13 billion in total economic activity in the state's poultry and egg
industry.

- 17 -

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is said to be "very contagious" and can
make domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and
turkeys, very sick or even cause death. It rarely affects humans, according to the federal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in those cases usually follows direct
or close contact with infected poultry, resulting in mild to severe illnesses.
Further information from the Department of Agriculture is available at
www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_department_of_agri
culture/10297 and from the CDC at ww.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-humans.htm.

Some Area High Schools Achieve Top Rankings

Several high schools in the region have been listed in top rankings by U.S. News & World
Report, including Radnor at fifth, Great Valley in Malvern seventh and Unionville in the
Kennett Square area at eighth.
A full list, including applicable national rankings, is available at
www.usnews.com/education/best-highschools/pennsylvania/rankings?schooltypepublic=y&int=9acb08&schooltypemagnet=y&state
=PA&schooltypecharter=y.
Free GSK Science in the SummerTM for Kids Registration Underway
Registration is underway for GSK Science in the Summer for elementary grade students in
June and July at local libraries in the Greater Philadelphia area.
The two-hour-long, four days of activities, held in partnership with The Franklin Institute,
provides a focus this year on bioscience in Bucks County, simple machines in Chester,
chemistry in Delaware, oceanography in Montgomery and physical science and electricity in
Philadelphia.
Experiment-oriented courses are taught by certified teachers to two classes of students,
those entering second and third grades and fourth through sixth grades.
Further information and online enrollment for limited seating are available at
www.scienceinthesummer.com/greater_phila/index.html.

Researchers Say Escaping Poverty is Easier in Area Counties

If you want a poor family to have the best chance of upward mobility out of poverty, a new
study indicates in Southeastern Pennsylvania they should live in Bucks County, followed by
Chester and Montgomery. Lancaster, Berks and Delaware counties also are OK, just not as
good.
Harvard University researchers Raj Chetty and Nathaniel Hendren, in a new The Impacts of
Neighborhoods on Intergenerational Mobility report, also found that the sooner young
children move to these new surroundings the better the results over their lifetimes.
In addition to the story and report links, an interactive map of Eastern Pennsylvania, along
with accompanying statistics and analysis, are available at
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/05/03/upshot/the-best-and-worst-places-to-grow-uphow-your-area-compares.html?abt=0002&abg=0.

- 18 -

New Thinking Needed by Governments and Agencies

Government and human services agencies are going to have to think differently if they
actually are going to be effective in helping to meet the
needs of people.
This is the message presented last week by Al Condeluci,
chief executive officer of Community Living and Support
Services (CLASS) and assistant professor at the University
of Pittsburgh who writes, speaks, and consults on issues
related to culture, community, and social capital.
Condeluci told several dozen agency representatives at a social capital workshop at Shady
Maple in East Earl that "we use a flawed paradigm" in addressing individual and family
needs, telling people what they need to do to be successful instead of listening to people,
actually understanding how various communities operate, and helping individuals build
relationships and decide themselves what they need for success.
He said government and many agencies focus on people being the problem when statistics
demonstrate that government and agencies are the problem due to their faulty mindsets.
The session was hosted by the Berks-Lancaster-Lebanon counties Link to Aging and
Disability Resources, a coalition of private and nonprofit services providers and persons with
needs, including seniors, persons with disabilities, veterans, caregivers and their families.
Further information on the speaker and his work is available at www.alcondeluci.com and
www.classcommunity.org.

Most Area Counties Get an F for Ozone Air Quality

Most area counties have been given a grade of F by the American Lung Association for air
quality related to ozone levels, with all but Lancaster County doing a little better for particle
pollution (soot) rankings.
The 2015 State of the Air report, the 16th annual examination of air monitoring information
across the United State, gave an F on ozone levels to all but Berks and Montgomery
counties, which received a D.
When it came to particle pollution, Lancaster still received an F and Montgomery a D,
with Berks also dropping to F, but Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties rose to a
C. The report also provides information as to affected populations and the number of
pollution alert days.
A searchable database is available at www.stateoftheair.org, with information on the
ranking process and impacts at www.lung.org/about-us/our-impact/top-stories/SOTA2015.html.

Department of Veterans Affairs Streamlines Benefits Process

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has streamlined its benefits process which, it says,
will make it faster and easier to apply.

- 19 -

Standardized forms will be sued to file disability claims and compensation appeals, with a
new intent to file a claim process also being implemented.
Further information is available at http://explore.va.gov/fileclaim?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_campaign=claimsandappeals&ut
m_content=18marchB.
Additional information on Veterans Affairs is available at www.va.gov.

Fathers Matter Initiative Kicks of in Chester County

Fathers Matter, a fatherhood initiative coalition started in Montgomery County last year, has
moved south into Chester County.
The effort debuted at YMCA Healthy Kids Days in Coatesville and Phoenixville last week,
with fathers, grandfathers and child mentors signing a banner and wallet card pledging to
be active in childrens lives.
The initiative, designed to develop a coalition of individuals and organizations that
encourage fathers to take an active role in their children's lives, include a pledge to children
that signers will:
-- Love you, teach you and take the time to know what matters to you.
-- Be available when you need me, even when it's inconvenient.
-- Play with you, listen to you and help you.
-- Leave you with memories of a father who values your health, spirituality,
education and self-esteem.
-- Be a responsible father who considers your well-being in ALL of my actions.
Organizers say the effort started due to a "national crisis of absent and disengaged fathers
that is destroying family foundations that children crave and need in order to cope
adequately with the ongoing stages and struggles of life.
"Although absence may be due to neglect, it also can occur as a result of a father not
knowing how to connect with a child, incarceration, or rifts between parents that prevent
father involvement and other situations. Fathers also can have a physical presence but be
emotionally detached."
A purpose of the effort will be to provide information and resources that can be used by
fathers to better connect with their children, together with building a coalition of individuals
and organizations that are involved in various aspects of strengthening families, both
directly and indirectly related to fatherhood.
"This initiative" organizers say, "will require support from the entire community including
individuals, organizations and businesses who want to help create positive impacts and
memories in the lives of families."
Additional information is available in the Phoenixville area from Michael Flott of I Can Dads
at Michael@icandads.com or (610) 996-8945 and in the Coatesville area and other parts of

- 20 -

Chester County from Casey Jones Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy
Communities Through Healthy Families at bps461@msn.com or (610) 707-1494.

Higher Education Planning Site Available

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) provides online resources for
students, parents and counselors in regard to choosing a
career or college, obtaining student aid, grants, loans
and scholarships along with other financial planning
tools, making a college visit and mastering standardized
tests.
It is available at www.educationplanner.org.

Free Child Abuse Prevention Resource Guide Published

A new 2015 Prevention Resource Guide: Making Meaningful Connections, along with other
publications to aid in combating child abuse, has been made available as part of April is
National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The materials and other information are available at
www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/?utm_source=Gateway&utm_me
dium=homepage&utm_campaign=NCAPM15.

National Pass IT On Campaign Designed to Thwart Scammers

A national Pass It On campaign is designed to help the elderly and others from being
scammed.
The Federal Trade Commission has reported to Congress its
ongoing education and outreach efforts to combat identity theft,
including tax identity theft and Internal Revenue Service imposter
scams.
Millions of consumers are victimized by identity thieves each
year, collectively costing consumers and businesses billions of
dollars and countless hours to repair the damage, the FTC reported.
According to the testimony, 2012 federal Bureau of Justice statistics estimated that
16.6 million consumers were victims of identity theft.
"The truth is that sharing what you know can help protect someone who you know from a
scam," the FTC says.
The agency shares protective information on all types of scams and what to do about them,
including spreading the word and helping others, at
www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it-on.
FTC's testimony to Congress is available at www.ftc.gov/publicstatements/2015/04/prepared-statement-federal-trade-commission-internal-revenueservice-agent?utm_source=govdelivery.

- 21 -

Free Motorcycle Safety Courses Scheduled

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) is offering all riders from novice to
experienced -- safety training for the riding season.
In addition, anyone under 18 years of age must take and successfully complete a
Pennsylvania motorcycle safety program basic rider course before he or she can receive a
motorcycle license. To be eligible to test, youth must have a motorcycles learners permit
for at least six months and have 65 hours of supervised riding.
Further information about new motorcycling laws effective last year is available at
http://dmv.state.pa.us/centers/motorcycleCenter.shtml, with information on PAMSP at
www.pamsp.com.

PECO Giving Away Over 2,000 Trees

PECO Energy is giving away more than 2,000 trees in a partnership with the Arbor Day
Foundation to help customers save energy and money.
The utility says that correctly planted trees can help reduce energy use through summer
shading and slowing cold winter winds. Once trees are fully grown, they can lower energy
bills by up to 15 to 30 percent, PECO reports, along with increasing property value, reducing
carbon footprint, improving air quality and more effectively catching storm water runoff.
Customers can reserve a tree at www.arborday.com/peco, with the website also helping
customers determine how to plant the right tree in the right place to save energy. Once a
reservation is confirmed, a three-foot tall, lightly branched tree seedling will be shipped to a
customer's home within two to four weeks.
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.

Transformation Initiative Becomes Weather-Ready Nation AmbassadorTM

Transformation Initiative Building Health Communities Through Healthy Families, an
umbrella initiative for this E-Update, has been designated
as a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) AmbassadorTM by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The endeavor by families and Systems of Care advocate
Casey Jones will involve participation in improving the
nations readiness against extreme weather potentials
that can be experienced by residents and businesses
throughout the region.
The local initiative, already publishing emergency preparedness and alerting information
through this E-Update, the accompanying Calendar of Events, the E-Update ResourcesTM
guide, and two Facebook pages is partnering with NOAA as part of the federal agencys
national awareness focus. The national WRN AmbassadorTM initiative is designed to help
unify efforts across government, research, media; the insurance industry; nonprofit

- 22 -

organizations and the private sector toward making the nation more ready, responsive, and
resilient to the impacts of extreme weather and water events.
To be recognized officially as a WRN Ambassador, a designee must be involved in promoting
Weather-Ready Nation messages and themes; engage with NOAA personnel on potential
collaboration opportunities; and share stories of preparedness and resiliency.
Jones, who has served as a public official in both Pennsylvania and New York and as an
organizational management advisor for more than a dozen communities and nonprofit
organizations, became involved with emergency management while still in high school
through mentorship of a county Civil Defense director.
He later oversaw emergency management operations, including declaration of several states
of emergency during his multi-year tenure as a city mayor, and served as a commander of
an award-winning Civil Air Patrol unit that engaged in search and rescue operations for
downed aircraft and other operations, twice receiving state public information officer of the
year awards.
Jones is part of the national SKYWARN spotter network, which provides timely and accurate
reports of local severe weather to the National Weather Service, and holds an amateur radio
license.
Last year he created a social media presence at www.facebook.com/TransformationIni for
reporting weather-related events and activities in Chester and adjoining counties that spans
portions of two National Weather Service forecast areas. A second site that primarily
encompasses weather and emergency preparedness education is at
www.facebook.com/TransformationInitiative.EmergencyPreparedness.
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

- 23 -

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.

Montgomery Replaces Chester for Healthiest County Status

A national County Health Ratings initiative says that all area counties but Montgomery aren't
doing as well this year when compared with 2014 as it relates to health factors, and all but
Delaware and Lancaster have dropped as it relates to health outcomes.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin
Population Health Institute, develops the often-heralded report annually to provide a
snapshot of "how health is influenced by where we live, learn, work and play" and
"a starting point for change in communities."
Chester County, which was rated first in Pennsylvania last year for health factors, dropped
to third, with Montgomery County rising from second to the top spot. Lancaster County
declined from eighth to ninth and Delaware from 14 to 16. Berks County dropped the most,
from 21 to 30, moving from the top fourth of Pennsylvania county ratings to the second
quarter.
Health factors are based on weighted scores for health behaviors, clinical care, social and
economic factors, and the physical environment.
For health outcomes, based on an equal weighting of length and quality of life, Chester
County dropped from second to fourth place, with Montgomery from fifth to sixth, and Berks
from 16 to 20. Lancaster County rose from ninth place to eighth, and Delaware from 41 to
39, although it still remains in the bottom half of state rankings. Philadelphia was ranked
last in both categories.
A searchable database for the current and past five years, ratings for each category and
methodology is available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.

Montco Doubles Community Connections Navicates Resident Assistance Sites

Montgomery County has doubled its four current Community Connection sites to assist
residents in accessing services.
Navicates (navigator/advocates), currently located in
Pottstown, Norristown, Lansdale and Willow Grove, now
also will be available in Pennsburg/East Greenville,
Souderton, Ambler and Narbeth.
The initiative is designed to provide a front door
approach to providing services to people who need them most -- in their community,
officials say, at the same time helping to create a stronger partnership between
government, community organizations and families to foster better care.

- 24 -

Since inception, navicates have serviced nearly 3,500 individuals and families, providing
over 8,400 referrals to various agencies.
Further information is available at www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1585,
thutson@montcopa.org or (484) 674-6562.

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.

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.
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.

Free Online Spring Disaster Preparedness Videos Available

New national Just in Time videos from the Disaster Resistant Communities Group on Spring
weather hazards now are available at http://www.drcgroup.com/project/jitt.html#winterawareness.

Berks County is under Drought Watch

Berks and 26 other Pennsylvania counties are under a DROUGHT WATCH due to belowaverage groundwater levels.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says that "despite the recent surge of
surface water caused by snow melt .... low groundwater levels can cause well-fed water
supplies, both private and public, to go dry.
"The very dry fall and below-normal precipitation in January and February have contributed
to low groundwater levels in the northeast and central portions of the state. The increasing
temperatures and melting snow have helped, but groundwater levels may not be back to
normal before the summer," it says.

- 25 -

A drought watch declaration is the first and least-severe level of the states three drought
classifications. It calls for a voluntary five percent reduction in non-essential water use and
puts large water consumers on notice to begin planning for the possibility of reduced water
supplies.
Further information and conservation information are available at
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=20710&typeid=1.

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.

Letting People Know/Making a Difference - Ongoing

Feedback indicates that a lack of communications tools is a primary deficiency in bringing
community services providers and those needing information together.
If you know of an activity designed to have a real impact on families (this includes
individuals and youth) that we should be aware of or might be interested in reporting in
these periodic e-mail updates, please let me know, either with details or a web site link. In
order to maintain its value, this forum currently is a subjective, selective distribution so all
information submitted may not be used.
Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward
all or selected portions as you feel appropriate. If you would like to be added to or removed
from this list, please hit reply and advise by typing "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" or
something similar in the Subject line.
Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is
based on information reported to us. No endorsement is made or implied.
Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more
advanced electronic communications method for this type of material that will have more
expansive yet less obtrusive characteristics. Please stay tuned.
To submit materials for publication, please refer to the guidelines that follow.

Blessings
Casey
Casey Jones
Transformation Initiative
Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families
(610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com
2009-2015 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.

Information provided is designed to highlight activities within the broader community that can help
enhance Christian principles relative to development of healthy children, individual and family
relationships.
Recipients are encouraged to print and post this Calendar to employee and public bulletin boards

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for benefit of others.

Activities included in this publication are gathered from various submissions and other sources. No
representation is made as to their accuracy or value.
Persons wishing to be included in future e-mailings of updates, should request inclusion by sending
an e-mail with Subscribe in the Subject line, along with your name, organization, community and
where you heard about the publications to bps461@msn.com.
General Guidelines for Information Submission:
Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure to new
subscribers, individuals who only may read the list periodically, and for other organizations that want
to avoid scheduling opposite an event or may want to collaborate with others in the area. For annual
events, even longer lead times may be appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the
week of publication.
A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what
actually is occurring and why they should consider attending) can be obtained by perusing the
publications or using the following guide:
Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.
Name of Event:
Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:
Times (Starting and ending):
Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a
MapQuest or Google Maps searchable address:
Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address:
Participant Eligibility (Ages, gender, etc.):
Description of Activities and, as applicable, the presenter and the purpose of the event (Two to
three descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous
words such as "wonderful", "great", etc.):
Any Fees, including free-will offerings:
Contact name, e-mail, telephone, along with any web page that is focused primarily on the
specific activity:
Any registration requirements.
We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small,
optional materials fee is charged.
Fund-raising activities generally are not published unless there is a good mixture of free
activities also available, including free admission, with a participant having the choice of
purchasing incidental items such as food or crafts.
Church events generally are published only if they are separate from normal weekly worship
services.
Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a
case-by-case basis in context with focus of the publications.