Professional Documents
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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
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Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.
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E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including
Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.
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Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown on the
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UPDATED LAST WEEK: Free Pennsylvania Weather Alert System Fills Ongoing
Chester County ReadyNotifyPA Gaps
AlertPA, a Pennsylvania government emergency alert system, is available for those wanting
to fill ongoing gaps in some of the Philadelphia-area county ReadyNotifyPA Find Out First
systems.
The state system works similar to ReadyNotifyPA as it relates to signup but provides more
timely information in a variety of situations, particularly as it pertains to weather.
For example, AlertPA generally provides a broader range of alerts for subscriber-determined
counties within minutes of NWS postings. Despite ongoing advertising to the contrary, it
continues to be common for Chester County not to post many alerts or post extended times
after they are issued, leaving residents at risk of timely emergency alert notifications.
AlertPA subscribers have an option of clicking on a link to receive the full NWS alert, or go
to the www.weather.gov/phi page and use map legends to obtain desired forecasts or the
clickable geography feature to obtain local weather forecasts.
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In other differences, the state system provides a link to National Weather Service categories
of reports while ReadyNotifyPA, if posted, may provide greater detail in the initial alert. In
addition, if one registers for alerts from more than one county, AlertPA identifies the county
and the alert in the e-mail notification but omits the name of the county in cell phone alerts,
directing a user to the category link.
To receive alerts from local governments, which sometimes occur sooner than similar
county disseminations, one must subscribe to ReadyNotifyPA and choose those
government(s) of interest.
Further information and registration for AlertPA e-mail and/or cell phone alerts are available
at https://alert.pa.gov, with information and registration for ReadyNotifyPA at
www.readynotifypa.org.
Examples of the county ReadyNotifyPA and other public information dissemination gaps are
available at www.facebook.com/TransformationIni/posts/804579812940605.
Free General and Youth Mental Health First Aid Classes Being Offered March
Several eight-hour Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid classes
are being held in February and March in West Chester and Coatesville.
The courses, being presented in full-day and two, four-hour sessions, are designed to
acquaint participants with the risk factors, warning signs and impact of mental health
issues.
Schedules and locations are available at
https://chescodhstrainings.schedulemeappointments.com for Adult Mental Health First Aid
held in West Chester, and
www.brandywinefoundation.org/sites/default/files/YMHFATrainingFlyerWinterSpring2015.pdf
for Youth Mental Health First Aid held in Coatesville.
NEW THIS WEEK: Free Matter of Balance Coaches Training Friday, March 27
Chester County Health Department and Neighborhood Health Agencies Senior HealthLink is
offering coaches training for an eight session series to help older adults learn positive coping
methods to reduce fear of falling and remain active and independent.
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The eight-hour Matter of Balance Certification training will be held form 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. March 27 at the North Hills Medical Building, 795 East Marshall Street, West
Chester.
Further information and required registration area available from Katie Kuffner at
kkuffner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5340, and at www.mainehealth.org/mob.
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Pottstown Opens New Homeless Intake Center Location; Other Homeless Services
Changing Through Thursday, April 30
Ministries on Main Street, which provides winter homeless sheltering at community
churches, has opened a new intake center at Trinity United Church of Christ (UCC) -rear
entrance, 60 North Hanover Street, Pottstown, after its former center at St. Johns
Evangelical Lutheran Church closed.
The Center will open for registration at noon weekdays, with pre-registration requested at
(610) 970-2444. Individuals will be housed nights during the remainder of January at
Zions UCC at 209 Chestnut Street; starting Saturday, February 2, at St. Johns UCC at
111 South Price Street; starting Saturday, March 2, at St. Pauls UCC at 927 North Franklin
Street; and April to be determined.
Further information is available at www.ministriesatmainstreet.org.
In addition, the Pottstown Recovery & Education Center, which has been located at 249 East
High Street, is relocating this week to the First Methodist Church at 414 High Street and
only will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Trinity UCC is seeking volunteers to staff an 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays Drop-in Center
at its facility. Further information is available at
http://www.trinityuccpottstown.org/saturday-drop-in-center-for-the-homeless.html or (610)
326-2243. Further information on the daily center is available at (267) 507-3525.
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Kennett Area Bridging the Community meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of
January, March, May, July, September and November at various community locations with
any interested individual or organization welcome to attend and share information on
resources and needs that can build "bridges" toward a more integrated Kennett area
community. On Wednesday, March 11, the group will meet at Friends Meeting House,
125 West Sickle Street for its 100th session. Additional information is available from Joan
Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Minutes from prior meetings are
available at www.bridgingcommunity.com/bridging.php.
Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third
Wednesday of the month, except August and December, in the fourth floor conference room
at Brandywine Health Center at 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Representatives of
community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and
hear presentations from various services providers. Further information is available from
Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610) 380-7111 x16.
Berks-Lancaster-Lebanon Counties LINK to Aging and Disability Resources meets
from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at various Lancaster area
locations, and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on different days of the month and locations in
Berks County for services cross-trainings and exchange of information on creating a onestop, no-wrong-door resources for older adults and adults with disabilities, including
consumers, family members and others, seeking information about local resources. On
March 19, the Lancaster County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and the
United Way of Lancaster County collaborative impact model will be discussed at the
Lancaster County Firemans Association, 632 East Oregon Road, Lititz. On Tuesday,
March 17, the Berks group will meet at Vision Resource Center of Berks County, 2020
Hampden Boulevard, Reading, for presentations by the Center and the Bureau of Blindness
and Visual Services. Specific topic workshops also are being scheduled in the counties.
Further information is available at http://berkslancasterlebanonlink.org, or from Brian Long,
coordinator, at blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north
entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations
exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from
various services providers. On April 28, the Pennsylvania Office of Vocation Rehabilitation
(OVR) and the Bucks-Chester-Montgomery Link for Aging and Disability Services will
present. On May 26, Optum Hospice and The House womens homeless shelter will discuss
their work. Additional information about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at
Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 792-9282 x201 or debbie.openhearth@verizon.net.
Chester County Family and Community Partnership meets from 10 a.m. to noon on
the first Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December at various locations.
The group is a diverse partnership of individuals, families, community organizations, service
agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in
living self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Additional information is available from
Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262.
Communities That Care (CTC) groups in several Chester County school districts provide
networking opportunities for community organizations and individuals that use a planning
and mobilization model to promote healthy youth development and prevent and reduce
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negative youth health and behavior issues that may include substance abuse, delinquency,
teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence.
West Chester CTC meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Thursday of
each month of the school year at the West Chester Area School District Spellman
Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Lunch is provided by
reserving at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817.
Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the
month from September through May at the Administrative Offices, Downingtown
Area School District, 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown. Further information and
registration available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090 x2827.
UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed Ongoing
Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for
persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific
services in support of those who attend:
Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- Barnabas Group, at Calvary Fellowship Church,
95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) is named after
the Biblical disciple known as the Son of Encouragement. Weekly sessions are part of
the churchs Care Monday, that includes a prayer group that meets at the same time
in the Prayer Lobby (Portico Entrance), with intercession for those attending the
Barnabas Group and the churchs other Care Ministries, including DivorceCare for
those coping with separation or divorce, even years later; Mending Hearts for those
with prodigal children and other family members; and various offerings focused on
assistance in healing and coping. Further information for Barnabas Group activities
is available at barnabasgroup@cfdownington.com or (610) 363-7171.
Malvern Penn State Great Valleys Alumni Association and My Career Transitions
(MCT), an all-volunteer job counseling group, meets from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
the second Saturday of the month, except August and December, in 130 Main
Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a
new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. On March 14, Cheryl Bonner, director of
Penn State Alumni Career Services, will discuss Job Searching is Bad for Your Health:
Tips and Techniques to Stay Sane and Healthy! Further information and required
registration are available at http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcomingmeetings.
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West Chester Unemployment support group meets bi-weekly from 5:45 p.m. to
7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner Street, West Chester, to
learn tips and techniques related to job searches. Further information is available
from Elisabeth Hartwell at ehartwell@firstpreswc.com, at (610) 696-0554.
West Chester BarnabasWC group meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Mondays,
except holidays, in the Community Room, Providence Church, 430 Hannum Avenue,
West Chester. Further information is available at www.barnabaswc.org or
info@barnabaswc.org.
UPDATED THIS WEEK: Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job
Openings Report March
Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning,
along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities,
can take advantage of a broad series of services and monthly workshops offered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor CareerLink at its Exton offices in Suite 500, 479 Thomas
Jones Way in the Oaklands Corporate Center.
These trainings include an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.
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A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month, along with
several company job fairs, is available at http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/24516.
Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at
http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/24542. Daily position openings updates are
available through www.cwds.state.pa.us.
Websites for additional county PA CareerLink offices in the area, at which many services are
available to out-of-county residents, include:
Berks: www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/CareerLink/Pages/default.aspx
Delaware: www.delcoworks.org
Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com
Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024
UPDATED THIS WEEK: Pottstown and Phoenixville Locations Providing Additional
Job-Seeker Support
Pottstown YWCA and the Phoenixville Public Library are continuing to expand services for
job-seekers.
Pottstown YWCA has started a weekly Job-Seekers Connection support group from 6 p.m. to
8 p.m. Wednesdays at its Tri-County Area Adult Literacy Center at 1830 East High Street.
Sessions are designed to provide a supportive environment on how to obtain assistance in
revising resumes, write cover letters, start an internet-based job search, and maximize job
search visibility.
The organization currently offers adult literacy classes, including reading, writing, math,
English language, and GED and U.S. citizenship tests preparation, along with a six-week Job
Skills Program, for eligible area residents.
Further information on the new support group is available at
www.facebook.com/ywcatricountyarea/photos/a.468031103259613.106123.142873902442
003/813804245348962/?type=1, on the adult literacy and other workforce development
components at www.ywcatricountyarea.org/adult-literacy.html, or at (610) 326-7323.
Phoenixville Public Library will host its monthly, fourth Thursday JobSeeker Workshop Speaker Series from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. March 26, with
presentations on career transitions by John Copeland who has been
involved in the training and development field and Renato Amarena,
founder of Successfactor4u.com.
On April 23, Kimberly Wilkinson of Surrey Services for Seniors will discuss Careers in
Healthcare. On May 28, a representative of the Pennsylvania Civil Service Commission will
present information on state and local government positions.
In December, the library began hosting a free weekly support group and individual job
coach assistance for the unemployed and underemployed, expanding already significant
library services available to job-seekers.
A sampling assists is available at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/category/adults/learn,
www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/resources, www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/ovr-employment-
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Legal Requirements Increase for Workers and Volunteers Involved with Children
Legislation that significantly impacts 23 areas of reporting, investigation, assessment,
prosecution and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases, including response to
abuse situations by child workers are being detailed by the state.
Information on new requirements, applications, effective dates, in-person and online
training availability, paid and volunteer clearances and more are available at
www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov.
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Montgomery County Chosen for Cultural and Linguistic Competency Pilot Project
Montgomery, York and Northumberland counties have been selected to participate in a
Cultural and Linguistic Competency (CLC) Pilot Project through the PA System of Care (SOC)
Partnership to incorporate and improve cultural and linguistic competency at the county
level of care.
The initiative will run through April 1 and will involve a joint effort between SOC county
leadership and community partners to develop programs that address the cultural and
language needs of youth and families being served, enabling delivery of services in a more
efficient and effective manner.
A final report will include best practices and recommendations for future CLC
implementation initiatives in other System of Care counties and the Commonwealth.
Further information about the Partnership is available at www.pasocpartnership.org or
leonardkt@upmc.edu.
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Please Note: New and Updated tags refer only to the time of appearance of information in these
E-Updates. Some on-going activities may have been in existence for some time and are being listed for awareness.
Blessings
Casey
Casey Jones
Transformation Initiative
Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families
(610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com
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Name of Event:
Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:
Times (Starting and ending):
Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a Mapquest or Google
Maps searchable address:
Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address:
Participant Eligibility (Ages, gender, etc.):
Description of Activities and, as applicable, the presenter and the purpose of the event (Two to three
descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous words such as
"wonderful", "great", etc.):
Any Fees, including free-will offerings:
Contact name, e-mail, telephone, along with any web page that is focused primarily on the specific
activity:
Any registration requirements:
We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small materials fee is
charged.
Fund-raising activities generally are not published unless there is a good mixture of free activities also
available, including free admission, and a participant has the choice of purchasing incidental items, such
as food or crafts.
Church events generally are published only if they are separate from normal weekly worship services.
Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a case-by-case
basis in context with focus of the publications.