PathWays PA E-Newsletter: May 11, 2009
In Pennsylvania, a large and diverse group of families who may not be below the Federal Poverty Level are experiencing economic distress and are routinely overlooked and undercounted. That’s the finding from PathWays PA’s latest publication, Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Pennsylvania, which uses The Self-Sufficiency Standard of Pennsylvania to determine how many households live below self-sufficiency.
This report will be released on May 12, 2009, at www.pathwayspa.org and at our blog, http://policypathwayspa.blogspot.com.
Also, for the news media PathWays PA will be hosting a conference call with the authors of the report on Monday, May 11 at 2:00 PM. If you are interested in joining us on the call, please email policy@pathwayspa.org to obtain the conference call information.
Senate Bill 850 – Cutting Many Important Programs
Last week the Senate passed their proposed budget, cutting many important programs. In these difficult times investments in education and economic development are needed more than ever, to create jobs as we strive to get through this recession. The budget passed by the Senate ignores these needs and therefore ignores the needs of vulnerable Pennsylvanians.
It is critical legislators know that preserving funding for these vital programs is needed. Please contact your legislator to express how and why these programs are important to you. To find how to contact your local representative please click here.
If you would like to learn more about the cuts please visit our blog at http://policypathwayspa.blogspot.com.
Delaware County – Here to Help Day!
Are you in need of services and programs to help you get through the economic downturn?
Many programs and services are available from state, county as well as local governments and organizations that will help Pennsylvanians get through these tough economic times. People attending will receive information about health care coverage, utility assistance, financial planning, re-employment and more.
When: Thursday, May 21, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Where: Thomas Bruder Life Center
Neumann College
1 Neumann Drive
Aston, PA 19014
Who: Sponsored by the Pennsylvania departments of Labor & Industry, Public Welfare and Insurance; Delaware County Council, Delaware County Workforce Investment Board, PA CareerLink Delaware County, Pathways PA, United Way of Southeast Delaware County, Neumann College.
Urge Your Legislator to Support Direct Care Workers!
Ask your legislators to support an initiative to ensure that Direct Care workers will no longer be excluded from the Fair Labors Standards Act.
Direct Care workers help millions of elder Americans and people with disabilities remain in their own homes. Their support enhances the quality of life for people they assist, allowing them to maintain their independence, yet many home care workers struggle to support themselves, caught in the poverty cycle as a result of substandard wages and benefits.
These crucial workers have taken care of our parents, grandparents, children, friends, spouses, and neighbors. We owe it to them to change the "companionship" exemption that excludes them from Fair Labor Standards Act coverage.
Please click here for more information and to sign the letter.
It’s Your Turn – Take the 2009 Health Care Survey!
The AFL-CIO wants to know more about how the health care system affects you and your family.
Do you and your family have health care coverage? Does your health insurance cover all the care you need at a price you can afford? Has an insurance company initially refused to cover a medical treatment for you or a family member that should have been covered? And what do you think overall about today’s health care system?
With Congress focusing on health care reform right now; it is more important than ever that you make your voice heard. The AFL-CIO’s 2009 Health Care for America Survey will ensure that leaders at every level understand what working families are experiencing.
Please click here to take the survey.
Support Loan Forgiveness for Child Welfare Social Workers and Early Childhood Educators
The Child Welfare league of America (CWLA) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAECY) are seeking support of loan forgiveness.
The loan forgiveness program would cover key human service professions including child welfare social workers and early childhood educators. The new program was enacted by Congress last year but it needs some initial funding before rules and regulations are issued.
Show your support by writing a letter to your Members of Congress. A sample letter can be found by clicking here or visit CWLA’s website for more information.
PA 7th Congressional District Hosts Veterans Summit
With 6,000 men and women from the PA National Guard returning to the current economic conditions, one in four homeless men and women are Veterans. Veterans of all ages and their families are facing numerous difficulties, this summit will be vital to coordinating efforts to address these problems
When: Monday, May 11th, 6 PM - 9 PM
Where: Ridley High School, 901 Morton Ave, Folsom, PA 19033
What: Direct access for Veterans, Active Duty Military members, and their families to the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies, organizations, and companies that serve them.
Panelists:
Congressman Joe Sestak, Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District
Mr. John R. Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs
Rear Admiral T. McCreary, President, Military Advantage and Vice President, Monster Worldwide
Mr. Michael Moreland, VISN-4 Health Director
Mr. Thomas Lastowka, Director Philadelphia VA Regional Office Insurance Center
Mr. Richard Citron, Mr. Gary Devansky, and Mr. Charles Dorman, Directors, Philadelphia, Coatesville, and Wilmington VAMCs
PA State Senator Andrew Dinniman, 19th Senatorial District
PA State Representative Bryan Lentz, 161st Legislative District
Professor Thomas Reed, Widener Veterans Law Clinic
Ms. Andrea Giles, Business Development Specialist, United States Small Business Administration
Mr. Doug MacPherson, Educational Liaison, Newark Regional Office
Mr. Matt Murphy, Senior Vice President, RecruitMilitary.com
Mr. Glenn McAllister, Director, Widener Small Business Development Center
Please register online at http://www.sestak.house.gov/veterans_summit.shtml
or by phone by calling the Congressman's District Office at (610) 892-8623.
Support Earned Sick Days in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia!
Support the paid sick days campaign in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia!
Become our friend! Show your support for earned sick time by visiting Facebook. Visit this link to support earned sick time in Pennsylvania, and visit this link to support earned sick time in Philadelphia. Support both!
Tell us your story! Are you a parent who lost their job to stay home with a sick child? Are you a business owner who provides/supports paid sick days? Email your story to us at policy@pathwayspa.org. Call your Representatives! If you live in Philadelphia, call your City Councilperson and urge them to support "Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces," which guarantees earned sick time for all working Philadelphians. Not sure who your City Councilperson is? Click on this link and type in your home address to find out which district you live in: http://www.phila.gov/citycouncil/districtform/districtform.html.
If you live in Pennsylvania (but outside of Philadelphia), call your state Representative. Tell him/her you support earned sick time for workers. Not sure who your Representative is? Simply type your address here:http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm.
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