PathWays PA E-Newsletter - January 18, 2010
Federal Policy Update
HELP STOP THE REPEAL OF HEALTH CARE REFORM
Congress has rescheduled the vote to repeal health care reform. It is now scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 19.
Join PHAN and sign the petition against repeal.
Have a story about how the Affordable Care Act has helped you, your business or family member? Share it today! Email Athena at aford@pahealthaccess.org.
As always, PHAN is continuing education efforts around the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Do you know of a local organization that would like someone to explain what's in the new law and it's impact? PHAN can send staff anywhere in the state for presentations ranging from 20 minutes - 3 hours. Contact Athena for more info.
On Facebook? Sign up for the Cause: Say NO to Repeal! Protect the Affordable Care Act!
URGE YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO ENSURE CHILD CARE FUNDS ARE NOT CUT
The battles over funding for FY 2011 are still not settled. In December, the omnibus bill that included significant increases in child care, Head Start, and funding for an Early Learning Challenge Fund was pulled in the Senate and Congress instead enacted temporary funding measures that expire on March 4, 2011. If Congress does not significantly increase funding levels for child care and Head Start, which are expected to face deep cuts, as many as 300,000 children and their families could lose access to these critical programs.
Please take a moment to call your Representative and Senators and urge them to protect, sustain, and maintain critical funding for early childhood programs.
It's the new year, time is ticking and we must do everything we can to keep the increases that we won in the Economic Recovery Act for child care, Head Start, and Early Head Start.
Below are some talking points put together by the Women of Color Policy Network that you can use during the call:
State Policy Update
HELP SAVE ADULTBASIC
adultBasic is the only affordable health insurance program for adult Pennsylvanians making just a little too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford health coverage. 42,000 Pennsylvanians who otherwise would slip through the cracks currently receive health care through adultBasic.
Most of the adultBasic funding comes from the state's Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies, this funding was supposed to come to an end December of 2010 but the program was meant to be extended until June of 2011. Despite the agreement adultBasic is close to running out of money due to a cut in funding from the state Tobacco Settlement and lower-than-expected payment rates from insurance companies who fund the programs.
To continue the adultBasic program, Blue Cross and the new Administration must reach an agreement. The state's Blue Cross plans, which have built up a surplus of over $5.6 billion, have been using some of that surplus to fund adultBasic, a low cost health plan for adult Pennsylvanians.
Please sign this petition to help encourage continued funding for the adultBasic program.
In a Commonwealth where people die every day from lack of health insurance, Pennsylvania cannot afford to add another 42,000 to the ranks of the uninsured.
PENNSYLVANIA LOBBY DAY TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Did you know that human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, and it is a crisis taking place right here in Pennsylvania? It is a horrific crime that drastically impacts women as 80% of transnational human trafficking victims are women and girls.
Please join the Philadelphia Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition as we head to Harrisburg to raise awareness around human trafficking, and build support for important state legislation that would assist victims and help put an end to this brutal crime.
Please RSVP Today!
WHEN: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (registration starts at 8:30 AM)
PLACE: Room 8 E-A East Wing, Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120
This lobby day will provide an opportunity for us, as constituents, to educate legislators about this serious crime and urge them to take steps to address it. You do not need to be an expert or have lobbying experience to take part in this day. We will provide you everything you need to advocate for this important issue! Please join us in Harrisburg for an exciting day of advocacy to help end human trafficking in Pennsylvania! RSVP Now!
You can find more information here. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Foley, WOMEN'S WAY's Director of Education & Advocacy Initiatives.
Information/Events
HELP SUPPORT EARNED SICK TIME IN PHILADELPHIA
Did you know that 41% of workers in Philadelphia are forced to choose between going to work sick, or sending a child to school sick, or losing their pay or possibly their job? The majority of workers without paid sick days are those preparing and serving our food and caring for our children.
Philadelphia's City Council has the opportunity to ensure that all workers in the city have access to earn paid sick days. Please urge your members of City Council to support workers their families and their communities, by supporting the Promoting Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Bill No. 080474).
Workers should have the opportunity to earn a minimum amount of paid time. Please take a few moments to write a letter to your members of City Council. For more information visit the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces Blog.
HELP CELEBRATE THE 38TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE VS. WADE
Please join the Raising Women's Voices Coalition, of which PathWays PA is an active member, and Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania as we celebrate the 38th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade!
We will be hosting an outdoor visibility event in Philadelphia to urge our incoming legislators to protect women's continued access to safe and legal abortion!
WHEN: Friday January 21st - 12:00 - 1:00 PM
WHERE: Center City, Philadelphia (exact location TBD)
Please RSVP today!
Special PathWays PA Information/Events
SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL TAX SEASON KICKOFF AND AWARENESS DAY
A consortium of agencies, educational, and financial institutions dedicated to promoting financial literacy in Delaware County, including PathWays PA, are hosting an event to kick off their work this tax season.
WHEN: Friday January 28 at 1:30
WHERE: Chester Housing Authority Booker T. Washington Community Center, 611 Central Ave, Chester PA
This tax season volunteers will file federal and state income tax returns helping low wage workers access the Earned Income Tax Credit of up to $5,666, making it one of the largest anti-poverty tools in the United States.
Please RSVP online by Tuesday, January 25th or by calling Georgia Julius at 610-543-5022.
FREE TAX PREPARATION
PathWays PA offers FREE certified tax preparation at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Free tax preparation is for taxpayers with an annual gross household income less than $50,000.
Keep your full refund and save your money:
Taxpayers must bring all necessary identification and required tax statement for taxpayer, spouse, and dependents.
Locations:
Call 610-543-5022 or 1-800-209-2914 to schedule your FREE tax appointment today!
PATHWAYS PA OFFERS ENGLISH LANGUAGE/CIVICS COURSES
PathWays PA is offering a course meant for those interested in learning and improving their English while also covering:
WHERE: Darby Borough Hall, 821 Summit Street, Darby PA
For more information about the class, please contact Kelly Binder at 610-543-5022 X 227.
Congress has rescheduled the vote to repeal health care reform. It is now scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 19.
Join PHAN and sign the petition against repeal.
Have a story about how the Affordable Care Act has helped you, your business or family member? Share it today! Email Athena at aford@pahealthaccess.org.
As always, PHAN is continuing education efforts around the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Do you know of a local organization that would like someone to explain what's in the new law and it's impact? PHAN can send staff anywhere in the state for presentations ranging from 20 minutes - 3 hours. Contact Athena for more info.
On Facebook? Sign up for the Cause: Say NO to Repeal! Protect the Affordable Care Act!
URGE YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO ENSURE CHILD CARE FUNDS ARE NOT CUTThe battles over funding for FY 2011 are still not settled. In December, the omnibus bill that included significant increases in child care, Head Start, and funding for an Early Learning Challenge Fund was pulled in the Senate and Congress instead enacted temporary funding measures that expire on March 4, 2011. If Congress does not significantly increase funding levels for child care and Head Start, which are expected to face deep cuts, as many as 300,000 children and their families could lose access to these critical programs.
Please take a moment to call your Representative and Senators and urge them to protect, sustain, and maintain critical funding for early childhood programs.
It's the new year, time is ticking and we must do everything we can to keep the increases that we won in the Economic Recovery Act for child care, Head Start, and Early Head Start.
Below are some talking points put together by the Women of Color Policy Network that you can use during the call:
- Protect funding for child care, Head Start, and Early Head Start to help us build a smarter, healthier, and stronger America
- Sustain the $1 billion funding for Head Start/Early Head Start as well as the $1 billion funding for child care during FY 2011, and
- Maintain these levels into FY 2012.
State Policy Update
HELP SAVE ADULTBASIC adultBasic is the only affordable health insurance program for adult Pennsylvanians making just a little too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford health coverage. 42,000 Pennsylvanians who otherwise would slip through the cracks currently receive health care through adultBasic.
Most of the adultBasic funding comes from the state's Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies, this funding was supposed to come to an end December of 2010 but the program was meant to be extended until June of 2011. Despite the agreement adultBasic is close to running out of money due to a cut in funding from the state Tobacco Settlement and lower-than-expected payment rates from insurance companies who fund the programs.
To continue the adultBasic program, Blue Cross and the new Administration must reach an agreement. The state's Blue Cross plans, which have built up a surplus of over $5.6 billion, have been using some of that surplus to fund adultBasic, a low cost health plan for adult Pennsylvanians.
Please sign this petition to help encourage continued funding for the adultBasic program.
In a Commonwealth where people die every day from lack of health insurance, Pennsylvania cannot afford to add another 42,000 to the ranks of the uninsured.
Did you know that human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, and it is a crisis taking place right here in Pennsylvania? It is a horrific crime that drastically impacts women as 80% of transnational human trafficking victims are women and girls.
Please join the Philadelphia Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition as we head to Harrisburg to raise awareness around human trafficking, and build support for important state legislation that would assist victims and help put an end to this brutal crime.
Please RSVP Today!
WHEN: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (registration starts at 8:30 AM)
PLACE: Room 8 E-A East Wing, Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120
This lobby day will provide an opportunity for us, as constituents, to educate legislators about this serious crime and urge them to take steps to address it. You do not need to be an expert or have lobbying experience to take part in this day. We will provide you everything you need to advocate for this important issue! Please join us in Harrisburg for an exciting day of advocacy to help end human trafficking in Pennsylvania! RSVP Now!
You can find more information here. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Foley, WOMEN'S WAY's Director of Education & Advocacy Initiatives.
Information/Events
Did you know that 41% of workers in Philadelphia are forced to choose between going to work sick, or sending a child to school sick, or losing their pay or possibly their job? The majority of workers without paid sick days are those preparing and serving our food and caring for our children.
Philadelphia's City Council has the opportunity to ensure that all workers in the city have access to earn paid sick days. Please urge your members of City Council to support workers their families and their communities, by supporting the Promoting Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Bill No. 080474).
Workers should have the opportunity to earn a minimum amount of paid time. Please take a few moments to write a letter to your members of City Council. For more information visit the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces Blog.
Please join the Raising Women's Voices Coalition, of which PathWays PA is an active member, and Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania as we celebrate the 38th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade!
We will be hosting an outdoor visibility event in Philadelphia to urge our incoming legislators to protect women's continued access to safe and legal abortion!
WHEN: Friday January 21st - 12:00 - 1:00 PM
WHERE: Center City, Philadelphia (exact location TBD)
Please RSVP today!
Special PathWays PA Information/Events
SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL TAX SEASON KICKOFF AND AWARENESS DAY
A consortium of agencies, educational, and financial institutions dedicated to promoting financial literacy in Delaware County, including PathWays PA, are hosting an event to kick off their work this tax season.
WHEN: Friday January 28 at 1:30
WHERE: Chester Housing Authority Booker T. Washington Community Center, 611 Central Ave, Chester PA
This tax season volunteers will file federal and state income tax returns helping low wage workers access the Earned Income Tax Credit of up to $5,666, making it one of the largest anti-poverty tools in the United States.
Please RSVP online by Tuesday, January 25th or by calling Georgia Julius at 610-543-5022.
FREE TAX PREPARATION
PathWays PA offers FREE certified tax preparation at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Free tax preparation is for taxpayers with an annual gross household income less than $50,000.
Keep your full refund and save your money:
- No tax preparation fees
- No E-filing Fees
- No check cashing fees
- Open a no-fee savings or prepaid debit card account
- Purchase a risk free US Saving Bond
- Find out it you're eligible for SNAP (food stamps)
Taxpayers must bring all necessary identification and required tax statement for taxpayer, spouse, and dependents.
Locations:
- Philadelphia County - 3617 Lancaster Avenue Philadelphia PA
- Delaware County - 310 Amosland Road Holmes PA
Call 610-543-5022 or 1-800-209-2914 to schedule your FREE tax appointment today!
PATHWAYS PA OFFERS ENGLISH LANGUAGE/CIVICS COURSES PathWays PA is offering a course meant for those interested in learning and improving their English while also covering:
- United States History
- Work Skills
- Citizenship Process
- Employment
- Math
- Reading
WHERE: Darby Borough Hall, 821 Summit Street, Darby PA
For more information about the class, please contact Kelly Binder at 610-543-5022 X 227.
It is about time lobbyists stepped up to put an end to human trafficking. It is unbelievable that millions of men, women and children are still being enslaved across the globe. Those of you who are interested in the cause should check out The Project to End Human Trafficking http://tinyurl.com/6357p2g.
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