Pathways PA E-Newsletter: April 25, 2011

Federal Policy Update

CONGRESSIONAL SPRING RECESS IS A GREAT TIME TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

While federal legislators are back in their home districts for the spring recess it is a great time to invite them to visit your program offices or tour your facilities. Help them learn about your work and meet your clients, so they will be able to see firsthand who would be affected if drastic budget cuts are made.

  

The Child Welfare League of America encourages you to let Congress know that These Cuts Won't Heal! CWLA Advocacy staff can answer questions about what messages to share.

State Policy Update

ACTION ALERT: INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP LEGISLATION

Industry Partnerships are consortiums that allow employers to improve and expand their workforce by bringing together companies committed to the development of their workforce.

• This program provides workers with access to training that gives them the skills necessary to maintain jobs and obtain employment with sufficient wages so workers can adequately support their families.
• In Pennsylvania, more than 6,300 businesses are involved with more than 70 Industry Partnerships across the state. More than 70,000 workers have been trained since 2005.
• On average, those workers have seen their wages rise by 6.62 percent within the first year after receiving the training.

The Senate is scheduled to return to session on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. SB 552, the Industry Partnership Legislation, is on 1st Consideration on the Senate's voting Calendar. The bill needs to be moved up to 3rd Consideration before it can be voted on by the entire Senate. Unfortunately many bills are put on the Senate calendar for first consideration and never reach a final vote.

In order to prevent this, you can assist in moving the process along by contacting the Majority Leader of the Senate, Sen. Dominic Pileggi, who is responsible for the scheduling decisions in the PA Senate.

Please contact Senator Pileggi by making a call, sending a letter (click here), or sending an customizable email (click here) requesting that he allow a vote on SB 552 as quickly as possible. Remind him of the overwhelming bi-partisan support for Industry Partnerships as well as Governor Corbett's support.

Then send a letter to ALL the senators asking for an AFFIRMATIVE vote on SB 552 WITHOUT AMENDMENT.

Background information on SB 552, sample letters of support and contact information for senators can be obtained from the PFWS website at www.workforcepa.com.

This information provided by the Pennsylvania Fund for Workforce Solutions.

Information/Events

JOIN PHAN’S CALL SERIES ON TUESDAY NIGHTS FROM 6:00-7:00 PM

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network is constantly tracking what's happening in Harrisburg and DC and can give you the latest information.

On Tuesday, April 26 from 6:00-7:00 PM, Patrick Tigue will join their call series for a comprehensive talk on setting up Health Insurance Exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. RSVP Here.

Tigue is the Children's Health Care coordinator for the New England Alliance for Children's Health. He has also performed Medicaid policy analysis and has previous experience as a Health Insurance Analyst.

Click here to learn more about PHAN’s policy call series or to access resources from previous calls.

Contact Athena with questions at aford@pahealthaccess.org.

EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE COMMISSION

A town hall is hosted by the United States Department of Education Equity and Excellence Commission. It will include presentations by regional educational leaders and a forum for members of the public to share their thoughts with the Commission on this important educational and financial issue.

The Commission will examine the disparities in meaningful educational opportunities that give rise to the achievement gap, with a focus on systems of finance, and recommend ways in which federal policies could address such disparities.

WHEN: Friday, April 29, 2011 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: University of Pennsylvania Houston Hall, Bodek Lounge 3417 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

To RSVP for the event, please e-mail equitycommission@ed.gov, with “RSVP for April 29 Philadelphia Town Hall meeting” in the subject header.

Special Requests: The venue is accessible, but please indicate if you require additional disability assistance or translation/interpretation services.

Feel free to contact the Commission at: equitycommission@ed.gov. To track updates please visit the Equity Commission webpage.

PA STATE BUDGET - AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE IMPACT ON OUR REGION AND THE NONPROFIT SECTOR

Join the United Way of Southeastern PA for breakfast and a unique opportunity to discuss the State budget. You will be hearing from State and non-profit leaders about the budget and what the impact will be on local human services in the future.

WHEN: Monday, May 2, 2011 - 9:00-11:00 AM

WHERE: United Way of Southeastern PA, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
*Breakfast will be available at 8:30, the program starts at 9:00

Please RSVP to budgetforum@uwsepa.org by Thursday April 28, 2011

STATEWIDE BUDGET RALLY AND LOBBY DAY

As we brace ourselves for a Pennsylvania House budget that may slash human services, we need to speak out against the cuts- the only approach that puts all of us at risk.

To speak out join the Southeastern Pennsylvania Budget Coalition and the CLEAR Coalition for a rally and lobby day in Harrisburg.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 3 - Activities start at 11am.
WHERE: State Capitol, Harrisburg

Buses and lunches provided for those who register, while supplies last. REGISTER SOON, THE BUSES ARE FILLING UP!

Register online at www.clearforpa.org.

If you are bringing numbers and would like a speaker from your organization, please let Kate Atkins at the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center know ASAP.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY & PRACTICE LECTURE

Join CLASP on May 9th for an event on how workforce policy and programs can best contribute to economic growth, community renewal and individuals' economic mobility.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Ray Marshall, U.S. Secretary of Labor in the Carter Administration
• William E. Brock, U.S. Secretary of Labor in the Reagan Administration
• Steven Gunderson, Republican Congressman from Wisconsin 1980-1996
• Kitty Higgins, Deputy Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration
• Roberts T. Jones, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training in the Reagan and Bush Administrations

This is an especially strategic time for a bi-partisan discussion on how workforce policy and programs can best contribute to economic growth, community renewal and individuals’ economic mobility. Today, as we emerge from recession, U.S. workers and businesses face daunting challenges that require a strong workforce system. We will need to assure that all segments of our ever more diverse workforce are prepared for an innovation and skill-based economy. The pending reauthorizations of workforce-related programs provide an opportunity to address these challenges. Yet, despite a history of bi-partisan support in Washington and in the states for employment, training and workforce education programs, constrained resources threaten their very existence.

The symposium will be held May 9, 2011 from 3:00-4:30 PM at the Dirksen Senate Office Building SD-562, Washington, D.C. For more information, visit the CLASP website.

FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR NON-PROFIT PROFESSIONALS

Join Terry Travis, Assistant VP for Development at La Salle University for some practical information about financial literacy – from a basic explanation of developing and managing a budget, to balance sheet terms, to reporting fundraising numbers, or speaking with potential donors.

The workshop is free and open to the community. It will be held on

WHEN: May 20, 9:00 – 11:30 (A light breakfast will start at 8:30)

WHERE: La Salle Union Building in the Music Room on the second floor

Please contact Louise Giugliano, Director of Service-Learning with your name, organization and email to register.

This information provided by PHENND.

FDIC UPDATES MONEY SMART FOR YOUNG ADULTS

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has announced an updated and enhanced version of its instructor-led Money Smart for Young Adults financial education curriculum.

Key changes include updates about managing credit cards, avoiding overdrafts and financing higher education.

The revised curriculum also includes instructional enhancements, many suggested by instructors who use Money Smart, such as expanded pre- and post-tests that teachers can use to measure changes in student knowledge or use as quiz questions.

To obtain free copies of the updated curriculum, visit here.

This information provided by our friends at United Way of Southeastern PA.

Special PathWays PA Information/Events

PROJECT PEACE FOR TEENAGERS

Do you need help with education, childcare, welfare benefits, parenting or support? We can help!

The Project Peace Teen Parent Program provides one-on-one support for pregnant adolescents and teen parents.

Project Peace services are available at the MacDade Goodwill Store, 2137 MacDade Boulevard, Holmes PA, from Tuesdays from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Services provided will help you:

• Complete high school and plan for higher education
• Become a better parent
• Obtain appropriate community resources, such as childcare, supportive services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Parents (TANF), life skills training and employment
• Get in home support

For more information call 610-543-5022 or visit www.pathwayspa.org.

PATH$ TO BENEFITS

The PathWays PA Path$ 2 Benefits program provides access to counseling and workshops on banking and budgeting assistance, credit and debt management counseling, identity theft repair, financial goal planning, financial crisis management, college planning, housing assistance, and free tax preparation. Clients can also be screened for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and many other services. Even unemployed and dislocated workers can take part in programs that improve their credit without costing money.

For more information, please call 610-543-5022 or email financialpaths@pathwayspa.org.

FINANCIAL PATH$

Financial Path$, a new program from PathWays PA, helps individuals and families build paths toward economic self-sufficiency through financial education, asset building and economic empowerment. This program provides one-on-one financial counseling and financial education workshops. Financial Path$ is committed to assisting everyone carve their path to self-sufficiency.

If you or your clients would be interested in learning more about this program please contact wrahemtulla@pathwayspa.org.

For more information become Financial Path$ friend on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Stay turned as we will also be launching a blog very soon!