Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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occurringduring the current two-week period or are newly listed as part of the longer term
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processes for their own events.
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NEW THIS WEEK: CARN Adopts System of Care Approach for Education
Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) of services providers and interested persons is
joining a System of Care approach to education this month based on four life stages:
senior, adult, youth and children, with monthly topics rotating through these stages.
Important Changes in Health Care Coverages will be the topic for the Wednesday,
October 19, meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the 4th Floor Conference Room,
Brandywine Center, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville.
Antoinette Kraus, director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, will discuss the latest
developments in regard to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Health Insurance Marketplace,
changing coverages and providers, rates, free consumer ACA counseling assistance and
more.
Ted Pawlik from Chester County's APPRISE volunteer Medicare counseling also will provide
information on primary component changes of that program and the group's free senior
counseling services.
Medicare open enrollment runs from Saturday, October 15, through Wednesday,
December 7, with ACA enrollment from Tuesday, November 1, through Tuesday,
January 31.
The new format is similar to that developed by the Chester County Faith Community Health
Ministry Network that alternates monthly meetings between West Chester and Kennett
Square and work over the past several months by the Inter Gen Coalition in Kennett
Square.
Each group will be exploring different topics within the four life stages, providing even
broader opportunities for development of community-wide, community-based,
intergenerational and multicultural person-centered Systems of Care.
CARN meetings also include a Problem Corner at which provider representatives can bring
unresolved issues they may need assistance in finding answers to, and a Community
Happenings component that includes announcements and distribution of fliers and other
materials about current or upcoming activities.
Further information about the free session, which includes light refreshments, is available
from Kathryn Spurlock, a group facilitator, at ccch@comcast.net or (610) 380-7111 x16.
NEW THIS WEEK: State Lowers Time Element for Divorces Based on Separations
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has approved legislation, to take effect in December, to
lower the length of time for a no fault divorce based on separation from two years to one
years.
Details of the legislation are at www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?
syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=380, with information on eight other new laws
at www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-signs-eight-bills-into-law.
NEW LAST WEEK: Nickel Mines School House Shooting 10 Years Later
Foregiveness frees us to move forward, but it doesn't take away all the pain resonates
throughout a LancasterOnline series that commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Nickel
Mines School House shootings in Bart, Eastern Lancaster County.
Reflections, including video interviews, of the impact on the children, survivors now being
teenagers and young adults, their families, the shooter's wife and mother, first responders,
the Amish community and more are available at
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/years-after-nickel-mines-forgiveness-frees-us-tomove-forward/article_7e896608-873d-11e6-9ff3cfbfbcc825b6.html#utm_source=lancasteronline.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters
%2Fnews%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline.
NEW LAST WEEK: Pennsylvania Nursing Home Use Above National Average
Older Pennsylvanians are using nursing home and residential care, at both 65 years and
85 years and above, at a significantly higher rates than the national average.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided the information in a new
report, Providers and Users of Long-Term Care Services in Pennsylvania, by Sector and
Selected Characteristics, 2013 2014.
It is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nsltcp/2014_nsltcp_state_tables.pdf, with graphics
starting at Page 4 and data on at Page 187.
public transportation for low-income people who need services and lack their own private
transportation, at www.gih.org/Publications/ViewsDetail.cfm?itemnumber=8259.
NEW LAST WEEK: Some Pennsylvania School Test Scores Are Better; Others Need
Improvement
School-level results of the 2016 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and the
Keystone Exams have been released by the state education department.
The 2016 PSSA data indicates that more students are scoring proficient or advanced than in
2015 in nearly all categories of English language arts and math, according to the
department but "statewide results also show there is more work to do to help the students
scoring in the basic or below basic levels."
PSSA is administered in grades three through eight in English language arts (ELA) and
mathematics. The spring administration of the assessment was the second year that the
test was aligned to the more rigorous Pennsylvania Core Standards. The PSSA science
assessments administered in grades four and eight were unchanged.
Downloadable results for school districts are available at
www.education.pa.gov/Pages/PSSA-Information.aspx#tab-1, with state comments at
www.media.pa.gov/Pages/education-Details.aspx?newsid=256.
%2fwww.cpbj.com%2farticle%2f20160829%2fCPBJ01%2f160829822%2flancasterchamber-seminar-teaches-overtime-101-to-businessleaders&utm_campaign=Lancaster+chamber+seminar+teaches+
%27Overtime+101%27+to+business+leaders.
Frequently asked questions about the new rules, the first changes to the white collar
exemptions since 2004, are available at www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/final2016/faq.htm.
Pennsylvania laws and rules, that also apply, are available at
www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Labor-Management-Relations/llc/minimumwage/Pages/default.aspx.
On October 18, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) will discuss its home
financing opportunities at a meeting at Penns Crossing, 1400 West Wyomissing Boulevard
(Route 724), West Lawn.
On October 20, Landis Communities and Conflict Resolution Services will present in the
Harvest View Building, Landis Communities, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz.
Bucks-Chester-Montgomery Counties LINK to Aging and Disability Resources
meets at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at various dates and locations in the three counties. Further
information and suggested registration is available at
www.buckschestermontgomerylink.weebly.com, buckschestermontgomerylink@aim.com or
(484) 364-6981.
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 hProear presentations from
various services providers. Additional information about the group is available from Debbie
Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at debbie.openhearth@verizon.net or (610) 792-9282
x201.
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. 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.
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
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 1:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of
the month from September through May. Further information and registration are
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:
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 October 8, Lynne Williams will present
Strategic Research-based Approaches for LinkedIn. Further information and required
registration are available at http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcomingmeetings.
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.
Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month:
Berwyn/Main Line - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at the
Hagenbach Room, St. Monicas Church, 635 First Avenue. Further information is
available from Bob Schubert at bobschubertjr@aim.com or (610) 755-2398.
Central Delco Groups at three locations in Central Delaware County now
coordinate meetings in Media and Upper Darby at 7 p.m. on the first three Tuesdays
of the month. First Tuesday: St. Francis Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church,
2400 North Providence Road, Media, with further information at
smmemploy@gmail.com or (610) 873-7117. Second Tuesday: St. Laurence
Church Parish Hall - Rear Entrance, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby. On
October 22, Ernie Russom, executive director of executive search and staffing firm
The Westview Associates, will share Prepare for Effective Networking tips. Third
Tuesday: Hassler Chapel, Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike,
Media, with further information at robinst37@gmail.com.
Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, in the
Parish Meeting Room Rear of the School Property, St. Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor
Avenue (Route 322). Information about the affiliate is available by leaving a
message at (610) 873-7117. On October 25, the group will have a Share & Prayer
Night. Further information and required registration for limited seating are available
at www.josephspeople.org/retreat.
Upper Uwchlan Township 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the School
Education Center, St. Elizabeths Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester
Springs. Further information is available at (610) 321-1200 or at
david.bolz@verizon.net.
Reading 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm. on the first and third Wednesdays at St Catharine's of
Siena Parish Center. 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Further information is
available from John Senick, facilitator, at (610) 779-4005.
West Grove 6:45 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month from September to
June in the new Parish Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church,
300 State Road, West Grove. On October 26, Lou Pappa will provide A Message of
Hope & Inspiration, including how to overcome fear and anxiety during a job search.
Further information is available from John Colgan at johnfcolgan@gmail.com.
Additional information on all St. Josephs People chapters is available at
www.josephspeople.org.
Opioid Crisis Hitting White, Middle-Class in Non-Urban Settings, with Health Care
Costs Skyrocketing
The epidemic of opioid abuse, including prescription pain relievers and heroin is
disproportionately affecting white, middle-class individuals in non-urban settings, with
charges for opioid-related diagnoses and allowed amounts for such diagnoses jumping over
1,000 percent in four years.
FAIR Health, a national, independent, nonprofit organization focused on transparency in
healthcare costs and health insurance information has issued two reports as to impacts of
addictions on individuals and insurance providers.
In its latest analysis for the four-year period through last year, the organization also says
that private payor average costs for a patient diagnosed with opioid abuse or dependence
were more than 550 percent higher, nearly $16,000 more per patient, than the per-patient
average cost of all patient claims in 2015.
In an earlier report, the organization found that although opioid dependence appears more
common in men, although the gap narrows in the 46-55 age group, the less severe
condition of opioid abuse was diagnosed more often in women than men in 2014.
Further information is available at www.fairhealth.org/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?
file=01532000001g4i3 and www.fairhealth.org/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?
file=01532000001nwD2.
One county, Potter, remains in a drought warning, with residents of that county being
encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use by 10 to 15 percent.
Further information, including water conservation suggestions, is available at
www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/NewsRoomPublic/articleviewer.aspx?id=21058&typeid=1.
Zika Virus Now Draws Travel Advisory in U.S.; Free Zika Virus Prevention Kits
Being Distributed in Area
The Zika virus, that can result in birth deformities, has now drawn nine travel, testing and
other recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for
both men and women who traveled to or lived in parts of the Miami area since June 15.
The alert currently centers on a Miami neighborhood where several Zika infections were
recently confirmed, the first identified from mosquitoes in the United States. Previous U.S.
cases were identified as emanating from virus contacts outside the country.
Further information is available at www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0801-zika-travelguidance.html.
As previously reported, Zika Prevention Kits for pregnant women are being distributed by
the Pennsylvania Department Health through 10 locations in our reporting area, included in
the region of the state identified as the most susceptible for transmissions of the virus.
In announcing the initiative, state Health Secretary Dr. Karen Murphy said that while Zika
is spread primarily by mosquitoes that are infected with the virus, it also can spread
through sexual contact with individuals who have the disease.
Because Zika poses serious health risks for babies born to women who contracted the virus
during pregnancy, the kits include health education materials and prevention tools to avoid
mosquito bites and sexual transmission of the disease to pregnant women. Using the
products in the Zika Prevention Kit can help protect you and your loved ones from the
virus," she said.
Additional information is available at
www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/NewsRoomPublic/articleviewer.aspx?id=21007&typeid=1, with a list of
distribution centers at www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Diseases%20and
%20Conditions/U-Z/Zikavirus/Pages/ZikaPreventionKits.aspx#.V4fq-6JYxLM.
An earlier report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that
shows counties in Pennsylvania that are most susceptible to having mosquitoes carrying the
disease, along with other Zika information, is available at
www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/resources/vector-control.html., with Pennsylvania's response
plan to the virus iat www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=307.
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.
Letting People Know/Making a Difference - Ongoing
Feedback indicates that a lack of communications tools is a primary deficiency in bringing community services
providers and those needing information together.
If you know of an activity designed to have a real impact on families (this includes individuals and youth) that we
should be aware of or might be interested in reporting in these periodic e-mail updates, please let me know, either
with details or a web site link. In order to maintain its value, this forum currently is a subjective, selective
distribution so all information submitted may not be used.
Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward all or selected portions
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typing "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" or something similar in the Subject line.
Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is based on information
reported to us. No endorsement is made or implied.
Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more advanced electronic
communications method for this type of material that will have more expansive yet less obtrusive characteristics.
Please stay tuned.
To submit materials for publication, please refer to the guidelines that follow.
Blessings
Casey
Casey Jones
Transformation Initiative
Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families
(610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com
2009-2016 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.
Information provided is designed to highlight activities within the broader community that can help
enhance Christian principles relative to development of healthy children, individual and family
relationships.
Recipients are encouraged to print and post this Calendar to employee and public bulletin boards
for benefit of others.
Activities included in this publication are gathered from various submissions and other sources. No
representation is made as to their accuracy or value.
Persons wishing to be included in future e-mailings of updates, should request inclusion by sending
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where you heard about the publications to bps461@msn.com.
General Guidelines for Information Submission:
Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure to new
subscribers, individuals who only may read the list periodically, and for other organizations that want
to avoid scheduling opposite an event or may want to collaborate with others in the area. For annual
events, even longer lead times may be appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the
week of publication.
A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what
actually is occurring and why they should consider attending) can be obtained by perusing the
publications or using the following guide:
Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.
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,
optional 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, with a participant having 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.