PathWays PA Policy Blog

We at PathWays PA hope that everyone is having a nice Memorial Day! Please remember to thank those who have and who are serving our country. This Wednesday! The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 Philadelphia Release PathWays PA is proud to announce the Philadelphia release of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 ! WHEN: Wednesday, June 2nd 2:00-4:00 WHERE: United Way Building of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA The Standard measures how much income a family of a certain composition in a given place must earn to meet their basic needs without public or private assistance. The Standard is based on the cost of each basic need in each county—food, housing, health care, child care, transportation and taxes— determined independently using official and publicly available data. Join us to learn more about the Self-Sufficiency Standard from the President and CEO of PathWays PA, Carol Goertzel, and the aut

PathWays PA has begun a new blog designed to share our resources online! As a nonprofit organization that serves more than 6,000 women, children, and families in the Greater Philadelphia area each year, PathWays PA has developed a number of resources to help us meet our mission: "To help women, teens, children and families achieve economic independence and family well-being."  Throughout the past thirteen months or so, you have been able to access some of these resources through our website , this blog , and our sister blog, The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces .  Now, you can access even more resources on our newest blog, PathWays PA Resource Library . PathWays PA Resource Library is a compilation of financial education and asset development resources, public benefits information, and career tools for agency staff and community members.  It will be run by PathWays PA's AmeriCorps VISTA members, and will cover topics including: banking budgeting cover

By Dan Berrett Pocono Record Writer May 28, 2010 How much does it truly cost to make ends meet in the Poconos? For a family of four — two parents with one child in day care and another school-age — the answer in Monroe County is nearly $55,000. In Pike, the same family needs close to $59,000. Those numbers come from a study released last week that calculates the "Self-Sufficiency Standard" for each of Pennsylvania's counties. Read the full story !

Women’s poverty in the United States is rising. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of women living in poverty in 2008 was at its highest level in 10 years. Congress is set to reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program this year. TANF, the 1996 “welfare reform” law, made low income “work first” its priority and severely restricted women’s access to a postsecondary education, making it virtually impossible for a TANF recipient to earn a four year college degree. Higher educational attainment has been shown dramatically reduces a woman’s chance of living in poverty and significantly increases her earning potential. Women with a bachelor’s degree or higher were only 7 percent of all women living in poverty in 2008 – earning an average of $955 per week; but women with only a high school diploma were 24 percent of those living in poverty – earning slightly more than half as much ($520) per week as their college educated sisters. Moreover, the

Last night the U.S. House Committee on Rules set the stage for a vote today on H.R. 4213 -the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010. Despite some modifications to the bill, the extended enhanced Medicaid match rate (FMAP) remains in the bill. The extension includes $24.1 billion for 6 months, of which Pennsylvania will receive $848 million. H.R. 4213 also includes crucial extension of the provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) related to unemployment, COBRA, a temporary extension of the Emergency Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) fund, as well as other provisions. This enhanced FMAP is central to PA balancing its 2010-2011 budget without deep cuts to education, health and human services and the job losses that inevitably would follow. If you feel FMAP is important, please pick up the phone, send an email, and/or offer up a Tweet to members of Congress and ask them to support the reworked Jobs/Tax Extenders Bill and thank th

Our friends at Wider Opportunities for Women are hosting a "Budget Matters" Blogging Day today. They challenged people to blog about two questions: "What can President Obama and Congress do to help Americans be economically secure while balancing the budget? And what do President Obama and Congress need to know about your budget – or that of those you represent?" You can go to their site and blog your own answers to these questions, and see what other people have to say. Right now, President Obama and Congress are deciding how to balance America’s budget. When making decisions about the budget, our nation’s leaders need to hear about what matters when it comes to the budgets of all Americans – young and old. With the current recession, we know that more and more individuals are facing an incredibly tight budget – one where some are forced to decided between such essentials as medicine or food. In Pennsylvania, depending on housing, health, and other circum

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 Release Over the years of debating the state budget, Pennsylvania has seen many important programs on the chopping block. Some of these programs assist with adult literacy and education, job training, child care, health care, or other work supports. It is important to know just how expensive it is for working families to make ends meet and how much work supports and education can mean to a family when the budget is being debated. In light of this need for data, PathWays PA is proud to announce the release of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011, which shows the cost of making ends meet in every county in Pennsylvania. With this report, we can now see just how much Pennsylvania families need to earn and why so many working adults and families are struggling. Please join us to learn more about this important publication: WHEN: Wednesday, June 2nd 2:00 - 4:00 WHERE: United Way of Southeastern Penns

By Tom Murse Lancaster Intelligencer Journal May 25, 2010 A couple raising two young children in Lancaster County needs to earn at least $54,821 a year to survive, nearly three times the income the government says it takes to escape poverty, a new study shows. The findings paint a dire picture for families whose wages have remained stagnant over the last several years as the cost of everything from groceries to child care to doctor bills has steadily risen, advocates say. Read the whole story!

Below is the story of a PathWays PA client that was featured on our website : A few years ago Evette Braswell was in a tough situation. Young, scared and with a family to care for, Evette was on the brink of losing everything. How would she take care of herself? Her children? Without skills or education, she was unable to find good work that would give her family any sense of security. Desperate for help and with nowhere to turn, Evette’s caseworker referred her to PathWays PA’s Supervised Independent Living Program (SIL). Once at PathWays PA, Evette found the security she was looking for, as well as the tools to help her provide for herself and her family, and to Evette nothing could have been more important. At SIL, young pregnant and parenting teens are provided a place to live while they learn essential life, parenting and educational skills. They are coached toward meaningful education and/or career paths, and are encouraged to follow their game plan. Because many of the girls

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 Philadelphia Release PathWays PA is proud to announce the Philadelphia release of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 ! WHEN: Wednesday, June 2nd 2:00-4:00 WHERE: United Way Building of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA The Standard measures how much income a family of a certain composition in a given place must earn to meet their basic needs without public or private assistance. The Standard is based on the cost of each basic need in each county—food, housing, health care, child care, transportation and taxes— determined independently using official and publicly available data. Join us to learn more about the Self-Sufficiency Standard from the President and CEO of PathWays PA, Carol Goertzel, and the author of the Standard, Dr. Diana Pearce. Please register for this event today! Federal House Expected to Vote on Unemployment Insurance, COBRA, and TANF

Over the weekend, the Inquirer ran an editorial featuring the Self-Sufficiency Standard.  Others who have mentioned the Standard this weekend include: GROUP RELEASES 2010-2011 SELF-SUFFICIENCY STANDARD  PA 2010-2011 SELF-SUFFICIENCY STANDARD June 2: The Self-Sufficiency Standard for PA 2010-2011 Release 'Real world' costs rising for state's working families

Residential Worker Need caring and motivated individual to provide support and supervision for Delco group home serving women and children; HS/GED, Associates Degree and experience preferred; driver’s license required. Includes nights and weekends. Fax resumes to: LD/CFF 610-328-2807. Childcare Worker Child Learning Center at Delco Group home. Must have knowledge of early childhood development & ability to nurture and promote positive growth in pre school age children. AA in Early Childhood Ed. preferred. Fax resume to LD/CFF 610-328-2807. Trauma-informed Therapists PathWaysPA is seeking quality therapists to provide trauma-informed therapeutic services to women, teen mothers and teen girls in their homes. Must be trained-in trauma-informed services and be familiar with the S.E.L.F. model; must also be comfortable addressing sexual abuse and domestic violence issues. Flexible hours required. LSW and credentialed/eligible to be credentialed to provide services to CB

On May 14th, the Delaware County Healthcare Partnership, which is facilitated by PathWays PA, held a recognition breakfast to highlight the workers, educators, and employers who have made such a difference to our Industry Partnership. The Delaware County Healthcare Partnership is one of 70+ Industry Partnerships in Pennsylvania that bring together employers, workers, educators, and nonprofits to provide classes and training for high priority occupations in the state.  This video highlights some of the successes from the past year.

PathWays PA released it's 2010-2011 Self-Sufficiency Standard today in Harrisburg.  You can read the Standard on our website , and a front page article on it in the Philadelphia Inquirer as well. Other news media we've seen so far: Group Releases 2010-2011 Self-Sufficiency Standard Thursday Morning Coffee: The Lightning Round. Where else have you seen it? Please tell us in the comments!

--Embargoed until 12:00 AM May 20, 2010-- Income needs of Pennsylvania's working families continue to increase A family of two adults, one preschooler, and one schoolage child in Delaware County needs to earn $67,238 to make ends meet, which equals 305% of the Federal Poverty Level. WHAT: Release of statewide report on the financial condition of Pennsylvania's working families: Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 Audio from Tuesday's Press Conference Now Available at http://pathwayspa.org/Audio_Press_Conference_SSS_10_11.mp3 Copies of the report are available at http://pathwayspa.org/10-11_SS_Standard.pdf Includes comments from: Dr. Diana Pearce, author of the report, will be available to take questions along with Dr. Robert Garraty, Deputy Secretary of Workforce Development, PA Department of Labor and Industry and Carol Goertzel, President/CEO of PathWays PA HARRISBURG - From food to transportation, it costs Pennsylvania's

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 Release Over the years of debating the state budget, Pennsylvania has seen many important programs on the chopping block. Some of these programs assist with adult literacy and education, job training, child care, health care, or other work supports. It is important to know just how expensive it is for working families to make ends meet and how much work supports and education can mean to a family when the budget is being debated. In light of this need for data, PathWays PA is proud to announce the release of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011, which shows the cost of making ends meet in every county in Pennsylvania. With this report, we can now see just how much Pennsylvania families need to earn and why so many working adults and families are struggling. Please join us in Harrisburg to learn more about this important publication. WHEN: Thursday, May 20th - 10:00 AM WHERE: Harrisburg - Capitol R

PathWays PA is proud to announce the release of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011! WHEN: Thursday, May 20th - 10:00 AM WHERE: Harrisburg - East Wing Rotunda WHO: Sandi Vito, Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry, and more! The Standard measures how much income a family of a certain composition in a given place must earn to meet their basic needs without public or private assistance. The Standard is based on the cost of each basic need in each county-food, housing, health care, child care, transportation and taxes- determined independently using official and publicly available data. Please join us in Harrisburg to learn more about this important publication. Call Kate Scully at 610-543-5022 x 255 to let us know if you can attend, and please bring your colleagues. Copies of the report will be available.

( From our friends at the Delaware County State Health Center and the Pennsylvania Department of Health . ) The PA Department of Health is offering Free Shingles Vaccinations at the Delaware County State Health Center for people over the age of 60. Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles includes a painful skin rash, often with blisters. Other symptoms include headache, fever, chills and upset stomach. Shingles is more common in people 50 years of age and older and occurs in at least one million people a year in the United States. It is also more common in people whose immune systems are weakened because of a disease such as cancer, or drugs such as steroids or chemotherapy. A single dose of the shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older. If you have questions about the vaccine or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 610-447-3250. Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos

EMBARGOED UNTIL 12 AM May 20 Income needs of Pennsylvania working families continue to increase Latest edition of Self-Sufficiency Standard finds costs growing even as incomes do not On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at 4:00 PM, reporters will have the opportunity to call a dedicated phone line to interview leaders from PathWays PA and the report’s author. Contact Marianne Bellesorte, Director of Policy, 610-543-5022 x209 or mbellesorte@pathwayspa.org if you wish to participate in the virtual press conference. You must register to get the press conference phone number. WHAT: Release of statewide report on the financial condition of Pennsylvania working families: Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 HARRISBURG – From food to transportation, it costs Pennsylvania’s working families more to adequately meet the rising costs of living, according to the latest edition of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011. PathWays PA, a services and advocacy organi

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011 Release PathWays PA is proud to announce the release of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania 2010-2011! WHEN: Thursday May 20, 2010, 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Capitol Rotunda The Standard measures how much income a family of a certain composition in a given place must earn to meet their basic needs without public or private assistance. The Standard is based on the cost of each basic need in each county—food, housing, health care, child care, transportation and taxes— determined independently using official and publicly available data. Please join us in Harrisburg to learn more about this important publication. Federal Urge Congress to Continue Tax Credits for Working Families In 2009, Congress made significant improvements to three federal tax credits that help working families with children: the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Targeted to assist low-inco

PathWays PA Celebrates AmeriCorps Week and the 700 Million Hours AmeriCorps Members Have Spent Addressing Problems in Communities AmeriCorps*VISTA members at PathWays PA, a non-profit organization that assists low-income families and individuals to gain self-sufficiency in the greater Philadelphia area, joined the fourth nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, spotlighting the vital work done by AmeriCorps members in communities across the country since the national service program began sixteen years ago. Since its inception in 1994, nearly 650,000 men and women have joined AmeriCorps, and they have committed more than 700 million hours to addressing real problems in communities -- from soaring dropout rates to unemployment and finding affordable housing. At PathWays PA, AmeriCorps VISTAs spent the months leading up to AmeriCorps Week coordinating the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in their local communities. This service assists low-income familie