PathWays PA E-Newsletter - 9 August 2010
Coffee Hour with Content:
Come Network and Learn about the Need for Earned Sick Time
Did you know that 46% of workers in Pennsylvania have NO earned sick time? In other words, 2.2 million Pennsylvanians either go to work sick or risk losing their pay when ill-or their jobs!
The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces is hosting a coffee hour where individuals can network while learning about the issue of earned sick time and current legislation working its way through the General Assembly and City Council. Come enjoy some free coffee and a light breakfast and learn more!
WHEN: Thursday, August 12th 8:00 am -9:00 am
(You must RSVP by August 11!)
WHERE: Ballard Spahr, LLP, 1735 Market Street, 42nd Floor, Peter Mattoon Conference Room, Philadelphia, PA
To register for the event visit: http://coffeehourwithcontent.eventbrite.com (You must RSVP to attend!)
Please join the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces to give workers the ability to earn sick time to care for themselves and their families. To learn more about our efforts visit http://earnedsicktime.blogspot.com.
Federal
FMAP Passes Hurdle in the Senate
Last week the Senate passed a bill that extends FMAP funding. Pennsylvania expects to receive approximately $600 million in funding from the bill, leaving a budget shortfall of $250 million for the upcoming year. Governor Rendell announced that he plans to meet with legislative leaders in the next week to determine how to fill that $250 million gap, which could be done through layoffs of up to 11,000 people, spending cuts, or a combination of the two.
As states piece together their budgets with FMAP funding, a few hurdles still must be crossed. The House must cast their votes in order for the bill to pass. While the House was not expected to return to session until September, Speaker Pelosi indicated that she plans to call the House into session so that they can vote on the bill.
If you believe this bill is important, please take a moment to contact your Representative to ask him or her to support FMAP funding when it comes before the House. You can learn more about the impact of FMAP in your district from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, and you can find ways to contact your legislators at Better Choices for Pennsylvania.
You should also know that while passage of FMAP can help the state avoid a devastating budget crisis, it also comes at a cost to families who rely on the SNAP (food stamps) program. In order to fund the $16.1 billion program, the FMAP bill cuts $11.9 billion in funding for SNAP. Many organizations are expressing concerns about this funding choice and are asking legislators to find ways to fund FMAP without cutting SNAP. To learn more and take action, please visit FRAC's website.
Turn Up The Heat This August for Paycheck Fairness!
It will come as no surprise to many of you that women earn less money than men for equal work, making 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. Here are a few things about that money you may not be aware of:
This August, take a moment to turn up the heat on the need for equal pay by contacting your legislator about the Paycheck Fairness Act. This legislation would close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act, enhance remedies, prohibit retaliation against workers who share wage information, and provide the government with new tools to monitor and address pay inequities. The House of Representatives passed this legislation in January of 2009 and it is now up to the Senate to take action. To do so, WOW and AAUW have teamed up to provide a calendar of action steps for the rest of the month. Even if you pick just one day to take action, you can make a difference!
State
PA Fair Care
As part of the national health insurance reform, Pennsylvania is opening an insurance program for uninsured individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions.
PA Fair Care offers a broad range of benefits that include preventive care, physician services, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, mental health services and prescription medications. Subsidized premiums are $283.20 a month, plus additional co-pays and coinsurance.
To be eligible for PA Fair Care, applicants must:
For info, visit www.pafaircare.com or call, toll-free, 1-888-767-7015. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. If you think you might qualify, apply soon - many applications have already been received!
Information/Events
Returning to Learning: A College Fair for Adults
The City of Philadelphia will sponsor the free Returning to Learning: A College Fair for Adults. The fair is intended for people who are over 19 and have some college credits and want to complete their degree, have an associate's degree and want to complete a 4-year degree, or have no college experience at all but want to start college.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 10: 11:00 to 3:00
WHERE: Municipal Services Building, Broad Street and John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia PA (Main Concourse)
The adult-friendly event will help participants explore options, interview colleges, and learn how they can complete their degree at one of the accredited local colleges.
Free college success services are available at several locations throughout the area. For more information, visit the Graduate Philadelphia or PhillyGoes2College websites.
Achieving Independence Center Mentoring Open House: Monday, August 16, 2010
The AIC strives to help members reach self-sufficiency by offering an array of programs such as education counseling, job readiness training, courses on technology, housing, life skills, healthy relationships, plus a dynamic mentoring program sponsored by PathWays PA. A project of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS), the AIC provides high valued programs and the necessary services to youth who are aging-out of the foster care system.
The AIC Mentoring Program is giving you the chance to be a change in a young person's life. In honor of National Foster Care Month, we would like to invite you to our Mentoring Open House held on Monday, August 16, 2010 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please feel free to drop-in for one hour to receive more information on how your company/organization can volunteer; plus be entered to win FREE TICKETS to The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre!
For more information and to RSVP to the Open House please contact the AIC by phone (215-574-9194 ext. 234) or email.
Webinar: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach in Your Community
Presented By: WHY Hunger
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Eastern Time
Learn About:
Target Audience:
Come Network and Learn about the Need for Earned Sick Time
Did you know that 46% of workers in Pennsylvania have NO earned sick time? In other words, 2.2 million Pennsylvanians either go to work sick or risk losing their pay when ill-or their jobs!
The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces is hosting a coffee hour where individuals can network while learning about the issue of earned sick time and current legislation working its way through the General Assembly and City Council. Come enjoy some free coffee and a light breakfast and learn more!
WHEN: Thursday, August 12th 8:00 am -9:00 am
(You must RSVP by August 11!)
WHERE: Ballard Spahr, LLP, 1735 Market Street, 42nd Floor, Peter Mattoon Conference Room, Philadelphia, PA
To register for the event visit: http://coffeehourwithcontent.eventbrite.com (You must RSVP to attend!)
Please join the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces to give workers the ability to earn sick time to care for themselves and their families. To learn more about our efforts visit http://earnedsicktime.blogspot.com.
Federal
FMAP Passes Hurdle in the Senate
Last week the Senate passed a bill that extends FMAP funding. Pennsylvania expects to receive approximately $600 million in funding from the bill, leaving a budget shortfall of $250 million for the upcoming year. Governor Rendell announced that he plans to meet with legislative leaders in the next week to determine how to fill that $250 million gap, which could be done through layoffs of up to 11,000 people, spending cuts, or a combination of the two.
As states piece together their budgets with FMAP funding, a few hurdles still must be crossed. The House must cast their votes in order for the bill to pass. While the House was not expected to return to session until September, Speaker Pelosi indicated that she plans to call the House into session so that they can vote on the bill.
If you believe this bill is important, please take a moment to contact your Representative to ask him or her to support FMAP funding when it comes before the House. You can learn more about the impact of FMAP in your district from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, and you can find ways to contact your legislators at Better Choices for Pennsylvania.
You should also know that while passage of FMAP can help the state avoid a devastating budget crisis, it also comes at a cost to families who rely on the SNAP (food stamps) program. In order to fund the $16.1 billion program, the FMAP bill cuts $11.9 billion in funding for SNAP. Many organizations are expressing concerns about this funding choice and are asking legislators to find ways to fund FMAP without cutting SNAP. To learn more and take action, please visit FRAC's website.
Turn Up The Heat This August for Paycheck Fairness!
It will come as no surprise to many of you that women earn less money than men for equal work, making 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. Here are a few things about that money you may not be aware of:
- If women earned equal wages to their male peers, they could use that money to buy groceries for a family of four for eight months. (The USDA estimates that a family of four spending "liberally" on groceries will spend $264.10 per week. The wage gap per week is $162.)
- Women are the "breadwinner" or "co-breadwinner" in two-thirds of families in the United States, which shows the extent to which families are relying on wages earned by women.
- One year after graduating college, women earn on average only 80 percent of their male counterparts' wages. During the next 10 years, women's wages fall even further behind, dropping to only 69 percent of men's earnings ten years after college.
This August, take a moment to turn up the heat on the need for equal pay by contacting your legislator about the Paycheck Fairness Act. This legislation would close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act, enhance remedies, prohibit retaliation against workers who share wage information, and provide the government with new tools to monitor and address pay inequities. The House of Representatives passed this legislation in January of 2009 and it is now up to the Senate to take action. To do so, WOW and AAUW have teamed up to provide a calendar of action steps for the rest of the month. Even if you pick just one day to take action, you can make a difference!
State
PA Fair Care
As part of the national health insurance reform, Pennsylvania is opening an insurance program for uninsured individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions.
PA Fair Care offers a broad range of benefits that include preventive care, physician services, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, mental health services and prescription medications. Subsidized premiums are $283.20 a month, plus additional co-pays and coinsurance.
To be eligible for PA Fair Care, applicants must:
- Be a US citizen or lawful resident
- Be a Pennsylvania resident
- Have a pre-existing condition
- Be uninsured for the previous six months
For info, visit www.pafaircare.com or call, toll-free, 1-888-767-7015. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. If you think you might qualify, apply soon - many applications have already been received!
Information/Events
Returning to Learning: A College Fair for Adults
The City of Philadelphia will sponsor the free Returning to Learning: A College Fair for Adults. The fair is intended for people who are over 19 and have some college credits and want to complete their degree, have an associate's degree and want to complete a 4-year degree, or have no college experience at all but want to start college.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 10: 11:00 to 3:00
WHERE: Municipal Services Building, Broad Street and John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia PA (Main Concourse)
The adult-friendly event will help participants explore options, interview colleges, and learn how they can complete their degree at one of the accredited local colleges.
Free college success services are available at several locations throughout the area. For more information, visit the Graduate Philadelphia or PhillyGoes2College websites.
Achieving Independence Center Mentoring Open House: Monday, August 16, 2010
The AIC strives to help members reach self-sufficiency by offering an array of programs such as education counseling, job readiness training, courses on technology, housing, life skills, healthy relationships, plus a dynamic mentoring program sponsored by PathWays PA. A project of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS), the AIC provides high valued programs and the necessary services to youth who are aging-out of the foster care system.
The AIC Mentoring Program is giving you the chance to be a change in a young person's life. In honor of National Foster Care Month, we would like to invite you to our Mentoring Open House held on Monday, August 16, 2010 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please feel free to drop-in for one hour to receive more information on how your company/organization can volunteer; plus be entered to win FREE TICKETS to The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre!
For more information and to RSVP to the Open House please contact the AIC by phone (215-574-9194 ext. 234) or email.
Webinar: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach in Your Community
Presented By: WHY Hunger
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Eastern Time
Learn About:
- Qualifications to be eligible for the SNAP program
- How individuals can contact representatives from SNAP
- Where the SNAP program is accepted
- How the SNAP program assists individuals and helps communities
- Successful SNAP outreach campaigns
- Access to SNAP program in farmers markets/EBT
Target Audience:
- National and community-based agencies that make referrals to individuals in need
- Emergency Food Providers (EFPs)
- Agencies and community-based organizations working on hunger and poverty issues
- People who work in Farmers Markets
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