PathWays PA Policy Blog

The Food Research and Action Council is hosting a series of child nutrition programs in the coming weeks in preparation for the beginning of the school year. Please feel free to sign up for all that you are interested in:  Wednesday, September 11 from 2:00pm-3:15pm Afterschool Meals Matter Webinar:  Strategies for Running a Successful Program Register  Thursday, September 12 beginning at 3:00PM Breakfast Matters-Keeping the Classroom Clean Conference Call  One of the biggest challenges schools face when transitioning from the traditional cafeteria breakfast model to an in-classroom model is how to ensure that classrooms and hallways remain clean after service is complete without an interruption in the school's daily routine or instructional time. Register  Wednesday, October 16 beginning at 1:00pm Serving Meals on Weekends and During School Holidays Conference Call  Learn more about extending your afterschool program service into weekends and over school holidays and

Part of my assignment as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) in the City of Chester was to create a survey that would be made available to nonprofits within the community that would serve to gauge their impact, highlight their value, and uncover areas for improvement. The results would be used to inform the nonprofit community, potential donors and supporters, and other members of the Chester community of both the current state of affairs in the nonprofit sector and of what opportunities might exist for improvement in the future. The survey linked to here - Chester Nonprofit Survey - is the final product. It was developed with guidance from PathWays PA, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in Delaware County, Chester Education Foundation, and the Chester Youth Collaborative. I had a series of meetings with leaders from the aforementioned nonprofit organizations to help me sculpt the survey into something that would not only

View Chester Nonrpofits in a full screen map City of Chester Nonprofit Map During June of 2012, I came to the City of Chester as an AmeriCorps VISTA placed with support from PathWays PA at the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA).  This map and the accompanying list of nonprofit organizations' basic information, located underneath the map and accessible by scrolling down in the map window, is one product of my term of service, and I hope it is effective in improving access to services in the Chester community. This map and list are not exhaustive in that they do not include all nonprofits based in the City of Chester. Some organizations operating in Chester are not 501(c)(3)-registered, some are difficult to locate, and I'm sure there are some I am still not aware of despite lots of time and effort spent searching. This list certainly does not provide information regarding nonprofits based outside of Chester that have a heavy presence in the City, althou

AmeriCorps NCCC is now accepting service project proposals for 2014. AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based service program for men and women aged 18-24. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. Now is your chance to take advantage of an affordable way for your community to get short-term projects completed. Whether it's blazing trails, installing rain gardens, building homes, or supporting disaster recovery efforts, the NCCC is the program to help you achieve your goals! AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region (states served: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands) invites prospective Project Sponsors to apply for an NCCC team in the 2014 program year, beginning March 2014. Deployment of teams is organized by rounds (4 to 8 weeks). There is a simple two-step process to apply for a team: A Proj

With the upcoming cuts due to sequestration that will affect 57,000 children in Head Start, the Center for American Progress and the National Head Start Association will hold and event tomorrow, August 28 beginning at 10:00am to focus on the impact of the cuts to the Head Start program and the need to refocus the conversation on early childhood toward one about strategic investments. Panel of guests will include: Martha Coven, Associate Director for Education, Income Maintenance, and Labor, U.S. Office of Management and Budget  Michael Linden, Managing Director, Economic Policy, Center for American Progress  Sharon Parrott, Vice President for Budget Policy and Economic Opportunity, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities  Colleen Rathgeb, Director of Policy, Office of Head Start  Space is limited, so RSVP is required!  You can also watch the live webcast!

A new review of recent polling results , compiled by Hart Research Associates on behalf of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), continues to show high rates of public support for government efforts to combat hunger, high rates of support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), and high rates of opposition to SNAP cuts. The review provides data on the following points: Despite an improving economy, hunger and food insecurity remain serious problems for many American families.  Americans still feel strongly that the federal food stamp program is very important for the country.  Despite concerns about federal spending, there is a strong and stable consensus that cuts to the program are the wrong way to reduce government spending.  The review also reveals the extent of food insecurity across the country -- many families still struggle to put food on the table despite reports of a recovering economy. For example, a just-release

Jay Atlas (son of PathWays PA employee Rosemarie Whiteley) and childhood friend Shannon Sprowal are partway through their journey on a walking route from Atlantic City to Los Angeles to bring attention to the horrors of human trafficking . The pair left Atlantic City on July 15 with just $21 in their pocket and 50 lbs. of gear on each of their backs. The brothers, as they call themselves, are carrying perishable food, a tent, a red sharpie and an "End Human Trafficking" sign. They travel about 30 miles per day and plan to reach Los Angeles by the end of October.  You can stay up-to-date on their journey through their Facebook page, Long Road to Freedom and Twitter @KeepsJayWalking . PathWays PA is a proud partner of the Philadelphia Anti Trafficking Coalition that works to bring awareness to the Greater Philadelphia area about human trafficking and works with legislators and law enforcement to stop those involved in the human trafficking world.

The online radio show "Office Hours" will air this tomorrow, August 21 from 1:00PM-1:30PM to discuss Building Your Financial Confidence. The show will be hosted by Samantha Ettus, a bestselling author and guest Diane MacPhee, and certified financial planner. The broadcast is designed to give you the tools you need to build your financial confidence. Samantha has helped hundreds of women champion themselves in the workplace. Diane is a certified financial planner as well as a professional certified coach and helps her clients through a variety of issues. During this broadcast Diane will share insights that will help you learn how to: Face your money fears  Get educated  Take charge of your financial future  Samantha and Diane will be addressing your questions during the live broadcast. If you are interested in being featured on the show please email info@conferencesforwomen.org with your name, contact information, and brief overview of your financial challenges. R

With 2014 right around the corner, organizations are being inundated with requests to bring the popular health care reform training to communities, businesses, conferences and organizations across the state. The Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) will be offering free webinars on health care training this week! Each training will cover:  Insurance Reforms  Changes to Medicare and Medicare Advantage  Calculating small business tax credits The new health insurance marketplace  Tax subsidies and affordability issues  Navigators versus Certified Application Counselors  Essential Health Benefits and Qualified Health Plans  Medicaid expansion and Pennsylvania  Plus - time for your questions  The training will be offered: Thursday, August 22nd 6:00 - 7:30 PM  Thursday, September 12th 6:00 - 7:30 PM  Wednesday, September 18th 3:00 - 4:30 PM  You MUST RSVP to participate!

For 19 years, Carol Goertzel has been lighting the path for thousands of homeless and low-income women, children, teens and families as President and CEO of PathWays PA. Please join us as we recognize Carol Goertzel  with a special retirement tribute at our 35th Anniversary PathWays to the Stars Celebration on Friday, November 1st at The Franklin Institute. We invite you to recognize her remarkable achievements and dedication in your own words with a tribute ad in our PathWays to the Stars program book.

Friends and Supporters of PathWays PA Since 1994, Carol Goertzel has championed the needs of women, teens, and families as President and Chief Executive Officer of PathWays PA. After 19 years at PathWays PA and over 30 years in service to women and families, Carol has decided to retire effective November 1, 2013. Carol Goertzel During Carol's tenure at PathWays PA, her vision and dedication has helped focus the organization's goal of creating a path to economic self-sufficiency for women and families. With Carol's guidance, PathWays PA has opened new residential and community-based initiatives giving families access to parenting resources, financial strategies, and industry-approved job-training. In 2012, Carol led our efforts to form an innovative partnership with Women In Transition (WIT), which saw that organization become a subsidiary of PathWays PA and a partner in service delivery. PathWays PA has earned consistent community recognition throughout Carol'

The Bernardine Center , and organization that helps low-income residents in Chester, will hold an anti-human trafficking presentation on Wednesday, August 28, from 9:00AM- 1:00PM at the J. Lewis Crozer Library in Chester located on: 620 Engle St. The presentation will focus on a victim's story entitled " Kids for Sale " . Please RSVP to Sister Sandra Lyons at: (610) 497-3225 or director@bernardinecenter.org . Light lunch and refreshments will be served.

The U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau will be holding a green business workshop Monday, August 19 from 1:00PM-3:00Pm at Congreso de Latinos Unidos located at 2800 North American St. in Philadelphia.  Please come to learn about green businesses and how to green your business. Participating organizations are the Small Business Administration and the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Register Here!

The CDC reported that a national trend of rising obesity rates among pre-school age children may be reversing. However, Pennsylvania continues to see an increase.  From 2008 to 2011, the Atlanta-based CDC collected height and weight data from about 11.6 million children ages 2 to 4 who participated in the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System across 43 U.S. states and territories. This week, the government agency published a report showing that, after decades of rising obesity rates, the prevalence had declined in 19 of the 43 states and territories studied and had remained statistically consistent in 21. But in three states -- Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Colorado -- the childhood obesity rate increased. 12.2% of Pennsylvania pre-schoolers are now considered obese. The report states that factors such as local and state initiatives focused on nutrition and exercise, as well as increases in breastfeeding, might explain in part the trend reversal. But the report gave no clear rea

Nearly 1.8 million Pennsylvanians will see a cut in food assistance this fall equal to 21 lost meals per month for a family of four, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data discussed in a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C. Nutrition assistance is our nation's first line of defense against hunger and a powerful tool to help keep families out of poverty. Benefits are modest, offering many Pennsylvania families a crucial bridge in this slow economic recovery. The cut, which takes effect in November, is the result of an expiring provision included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that temporarily boosted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to strengthen the economy and ease hardship in the wake of the recession. (SNAP is the program formerly known as food stamps.) All of the more than 47 million Americans, including 22 million children, who receive SNAP benefits will be affected by the No

There were an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault last year, but only 3,000 were reported. And when a survivor does file a complaint, the commander in charge has the ability to set aside guilty verdicts, return the attacker into the ranks, and in some cases even promote the attacker. This legislation transcends party politics - with Republicans and Democrats signing on to support the bill. They understand that our service members deserve better, and they're willing to work together to make it happen. Tell your Senators you won't accept anything less than a strong solution for military survivors of sexual assault. Keep up the pressure on your Senators to support this legislation. Ask them to stand with Senator Gillibrand.

For the first time ever, the United States Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a budget bill that includes $5 million to help states develop paid leave programs. The full Senate and House of Representatives still need to vote to keep the State Paid Leave Fund in the budget bill. Only 11 percent of employees in the U.S. are provided any kind of paid family leave by their employers. The State Paid Leave Fund can help by providing states with grant money to assist with the planning and start up of state paid leave programs. These programs are good for families, they are also great for tax payers and the economy too. Help keep the momentum for paid leave going and make sure Congress knows we want the State Paid Leave Fund included in the budget.

Generocity is excited to be a coalition partner for this year's reGenerate Philly Summit, hosted by Mobilize.org . This collaboration is directly in line with their mission to equip citizens, in this case specifically millennials, to be innovative and engaged in the future of Philadelphia. The reGenerate summit will be held in September, but applications are open to any millennial in the Philadelphia area to submit their ideas to give the local economy a kickstart. The winning proposals will receive a share of the $25,000 investment from Mobilize.org to get their project going. Make sure you get your application in; the priority deadline is August 7th.

PathWays PA is pleased to announce the launch of its Wallet Watchers series. This financial education workshop series can be offered onsite and is customizable to meet your client or constituent needs. Workshop topics can address creating and following a spending plan - even when today is a rainy day, get credit, funding education, financial fitness for buying a home or car, everything you wanted to know about banks and credit unions. Workshops can be offered a series of two or more parts. Interested participants can also schedule free individual financial counseling follow-up sessions with a PathWays PA Financial Educator. To schedule a workshop, contact PathWays PA at (610) 543-5022.

From 11AM-Noon on Wednesday, August 7, the Coalition on Human Needs and National Council for Jewish Women will host a program call for anti-poverty professionals, local leaders, and activists about the impact of the federal budget and sequestration on vulnerable families in Pennsylvania and the potential impacts on programs and services. The discussion will surround what policies must be enacted in order to lower poverty rates and increase fairness. Please RSVP . If you have questions, please contact Angie Evans: aevans@chn.org

Congress is making decisions about tax reform and they have an opportunity to make working families a priority. Ask Congress not to shift more of the tax burden to parents and away from the very wealthy . They can do this by strengthening the EITC and CTC. Both tax credit programs significantly reduce the number of children living in poverty, and help working parents make ends meet and save for the future. There were significant improvements made to both of these tax credits in 2009 as part of the economic recovery package. Combined, these improved credits are currently helping 13 million households and over 26 million children. These tax credits are also stimulating our economy. Congressional focus on tax reform right now offers a key opportunity to make sure these improvements are extended permanently and no harmful cuts are made.