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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS

IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of March 20, 2016

Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources
and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them
_________________________________________________________________
In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in
yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might
improve our publications, content and convenience of use.
E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their
families or organizations. If you have a short description that might be helpful to others
and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences
that provide specific uses of benefit to bps461@msn.com.
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-2-

2009-2016 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities

Through Healthy Families. Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or noncommercial uses only.

Sections Available in the attached Calendar of Events:

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Special Activities: Upcoming primarily free activities
listed by day over the next several months.
Ongoing Scheduled Activities: Primarily free activities held regularly each week
or month.
Area Ministries for Those Who are Struggling. GriefShare, DivorceCare,
Celebrate Recovery, Mending Hearts.
Day Trip Destination Sites: Free admission sites for individual and family outings.
E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including
Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.
UPDATED THIS WEEK: Calendar of Events - Please Submit Additions Today
Upcoming Activities The following items are detailed in the accompanying Calendar of
Events and are in addition to those described within this E-Update. They will be occurring
during the current two-week period or are newly listed as part of the longer term Calendar.
These activities are provided for both personal use and printing out and sharing with others
through suggested posting on public and employee bulletin boards, hard copies or e-mail.

Updated: This Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

Dare to Be the Best Fatherhood Initiative Pottstown.
Biweekly Cancer Survivors Well-Being Activity Pottstown.
Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Marks of Leadership Author Presentation Phoenixville.
Coaching Boys into Men Training West Chester.
Living on a Little Finance Workshop Exton.
Preventing Sexual Violence on College Campuses Presentation Pottstown.
Evolution of Earth Day Presentation Exton.
The Arc of Her Journey Eleanor Roosevelt Author Presentation Chester Springs
(Ludwigs Corner).
50 Years of Feminism Forum Exton.
Mentored Youth Fishing Day Region, Including Chester and Adjoining Counties.
Egg Hunt West Chester (East Goshen Township).
EGGzPLOSION Oxford.
Updated: Next Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)
Dare to Be the Best Fatherhood Initiative Pottstown.
Biweekly Cancer Survivors Well-Being Activity Pottstown.
Personal Finance Classes Pottstown and Norristown.
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
Primary Voter Registration Deadline Online or County Voter Services.
Parkinsons and Nutrition Presentation New Holland.

-3-

New:

Craniosacral Therapy Presentation Phoenixville.

Community Caf Luncheon West Grove.
Bluebirds Presentation Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Taking the Mystery Out of College Admissions Presentation Berwyn.
State Rep. Truitt Town Hall Meeting West Chester.
Pennsylvania Access Card Benefits Chat-n-Chew West Chester.
Presidential Election Controversies Presentation Exton.
State Sen. Schwank Women Business Workshop Reading.
Street Road Bridge Reconstruction Hearing West Chester.
School Children Behavioral Health Forum Souderton.
Farm-to-Table Lunch Forum West Chester (East Goshen Township).
Anti-Teen Sexual Exploitation Conference Philadelphia.
Arts Weekend Wayne.
Continental Army for Kids King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events)
U.S. Navy Band Commordores Concerts Pottstown and Reading.
Philadelphia in Films Presentation Berwyn.
Spotlight Film Screening Phoenixville.
Building a Better Credit Report Presentation Exton.
International Spring Festival Lansdale.
Medicare 101 Workshop Exton.
Being a Savvy College Consumer Presentation Exton.
The Iditarod Alaska Dog Sled Race Presentation Exton.
Putting Yourself in the Drivers Seat Car Buying Workshop Exton.

Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongoing services and activities, along with special events, as soon as possible after establishing a
date to maximize publicity and to help individuals and other organizations with planning
processes for their own events.
Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown
on the current, accompanying Calendar of Events. Further information about
submissions appears at the end of this E-Update and the Calendar. Information
should be submitted to bps461@msn.com. Don't let your important activity be left
unknown.

NEW THIS WEEK: Chester and Montgomery Counties Top State Health Rankings
Chester and Montgomery counties continue to jockey for top spots in County Health
Rankings, with Lancaster also within the top 10 in Pennsylvania for area counties.
The ratings, involving a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI), compare counties
within each state on more than 30 factors that impact health, including such social
determinants as education, jobs, housing, exercise, commuting times and more.
During the past seven years the Rankings have been said to be an important tool for local
communities working to build a Culture of Health.
Chester County is first in Pennsylvania in 2016 for overall health outcomes, with
Montgomery third, and second in overall health factors, with Montgomery first. Lancaster is

-4-

ninth in both categories. Berks County is at 25th place and Delaware at 37th in overall
health outcomes and 27th and 15th respectively in overall health factors.
Last year, Chester was fourth in overall health outcomes, with Montgomery sixth and
Lancaster eighth, and Montgomery first, Chester third and Lancaster ninth in health factors.
Annual overall ratings and those for specific health areas since 2011 are available at
www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/pennsylvania/2016/overview.

NEW THIS WEEK: Elevated Lead Levels Found at Various Sites, Including Schools
A number of area schools, daycares and other entities have been included in a national USA
Today report on elevated lead levels in tap water samples.
PennLive, also reporting on the issue, provided additional local detail at
www.pennlive.com/news/2016/03/pa_tops_nation_in_daycares_and.html, with a link to
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) comments about lead hazards.
The USA Today report includes area listings accessible by clicking on Pennsylvania at the
bottom of the story at www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/03/17/drinking-waterlead-schools-day-cares/81220916.
A separate story, highlighting issues in Lancaster County, is at
www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/03/16/lancaster-county-pa-lead-drinkingwater/81576034.

NEW THIS WEEK: Flood Awareness Week Monday-Friday, March 21-25

This week is Flood Awareness Week in Pennsylvania, ,
with education by the National Weather Service in
regard to Preparedness and Awareness, Turn Around
Don't Drown, Flood Hazards, National Weather Service
Water Resources, and Partner Resources.
Further information for each days topic is available at
www.weather.gov/bgm/preparednessFSAWPA2016.
The designation differs from National Flood Safety
Awareness Week that occurred last week.

NEW THIS WEEK: Chester County Child Abuse Cases Skyrocket

The number of child abuse reports to Chester County law enforcement jumped more than
three times between 2014 and 2015, with an anticipated rise this year by another 30
percent.
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan reports 219 reports were received in 2012,
291 in 2013, and 414 in 2014, but the number then escalated to 1,306 in 2015, with 1,700
to 1,800 anticipated this year, based on current trends.
The sharp increases are attributed to new mandatory reporting laws resulting from the highprofile Penn State-Jerry Sandusky case. One sergeant and three full-time detectives
currently are assigned to investigate county reports.

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Further information is available at www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/32748.

NEW THIS WEEK: Celebrate Victory Support Ministry to Start Wednesday, April 6
A new Celebrate Victory support ministry for individuals and families struggling with all
types of hurts, habits and hangups will
start next month at Calvary Fellowship
of Downingtown, 95 West Devon Drive
at Route 113 in Lionville/Exton.
The outreach, an expansion of the
international Celebrate Recovery model
for both men and women, will create
availability of the basic nondenominational ministry every
weeknight in Chester County.
The basic Celebrate Recovery was
started 25 years ago at Saddleback
Church in California, led by Pastor Rick
Warren, author of Purpose Driven Life, and now is offered at free weekly gatherings in some
20,000 churches world-wide.
New Life in Christ Fellowship started on Monday nights in Coatesville earlier this year.
Celebrate Recovery also is available Mondays at Willowdale Chapel at Kennett Square,
Tuesdays at Hopewell United Methodist Church at Downingtown (Guthrieville), Thursdays at
Westminster Presbyterian Church at West Chester, and Fridays at both Christ Community
Church at West Chester and Gateway Church at Parkesburg. Further information about
locations and times is available on individual church web sites.
The Celebrate Victory ministry will help participants connect with other Calvary Fellowship
supports such as Care Monday offerings of DivorceCare, GriefShare, Job-Seekers, Parents
with Prodigals, Financial Peace University, prayer, and marriage classes, StepFamilies and
Single&Parenting support, along with other opportunities for children and adults. It will be
part of the churchs Community of Care ministry umbrella designed to connect with many
different church and community supports for individuals and families.
Further information about Celebrate Victory is available at
www.cfdowningtown/celebratevictory, care@cfdowningtown.com or (610) 363-7171.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Motorcycle Safety Training Available

The Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program is offering free training to all state residents
and active duty military with a class M permit or motorcycle license.
The course focuses on training motorcyclists of all levels, from beginning riders to
intermediate, three-wheeled and advanced riders.
Further information on the year-around program is available at www.pamsp.com or (800)
845-9533.

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Free Local Income Tax Preparation Now Available, Along with Preparation
Software Through Friday, April 15
Free income tax preparation sites throughout the region are
providing income tax preparation services for individuals who
generally make $54,000 or less annually, persons with
disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers
who need assistance in preparing their own returns.
In addition, the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also is providing free tax preparation
software to aid individuals having less than $62,000 in 2015 income.
The free services take particular note of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that provides
up to $6,269 to an individual or couple with three or more qualifying children and earning
less than $53,506, all based on a sliding scale.
The IRS estimates that one out of five individuals who have earned money during a year
and qualify for the benefit, which can be more than that paid in taxes, fail to file for it.
Further information on the ETIC is available at www.irs.gov/Credits-&Deductions/Individuals/Earned-Income-Tax-Credit/EITC-Income-Limits-Maximum-CreditAmounts-Next-Year.
Information and searchable databases for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax
Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) preparers are available at www.irs.gov/Individuals/FreeTax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers.
Information on Free File software is available at www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-YourFederal-Taxes-for-Free.

Rep. Milne to Host Prescription Drug Take Back and Recycling Saturday, April 30
Pennsylvania Rep. Duane Milne will host his
annual Shredding, Recycling and Prescription
Drug Take Back Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in
the Penn State Great Valley Parking Lot, 30 East
Swedesford Road, Malvern.
The event, which traditionally has resulted in the highest collection of unused prescription
drugs in the area during the biannual Drug Enforcement Administrations nationallypromoted activity, also will include document shredding and small electronics and items
recycling.
Improper appropriation of unused prescription drugs from home medicine cabinets has been
identified as a leading cause of teenage and adult migration to heroin use in the Philadelphia
area and other parts of the country. Flushing of medicines has resulted in measurable
amounts being found in municipal water supplies.
Law enforcement officials coordinate Take Back activities at police departments,
supermarkets, drug stores and other locations that schedule the event from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m., with further information, including a searchable database of national locations
available starting Friday, April 1, at
www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.

-7-

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan recently reported that nearly two tons of
unused prescription drugs were collected last year through year-around secure drop boxes
at 19 county locations.
He reported 57 overdose deaths in 2015, with 42 involving prescription drugs.
Nationwide, more people are dying from prescription drug overdoses than from overdoses of
any and all illegal drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines, he said.
A searchable database of Pennsylvania drop box locations, including hours of collection, is
available at https://apps.ddap.pa.gov/GetHelpNow/PillDrop.aspx.
Additional information for the Milne event is available at
www.duanemilne.com/Display/SiteFiles/92/OtherDocuments/Milne%20Recylcing%20flyer%
202%2016%2016.pdf, dmilne@pahousegop.com or (610) 251-1070.

Pottstown Rotating Shelter is Open Through April

Ministries at Main Street Pottstown shelter for the homeless is open at different community
churches for the winter.
Intakes will be processed, starting at noon weekdays, at Trinity Reformed United Church of
Christ (UCC) at 60 North Hanover Street. Sheltered individuals then will be transported to
St. James Lutheran Church, 1101 East High Street, during November; Christ Episcopal
Church, 316 East High Street, in December; St. Johns UCC in January; remain at Trinity
Reformed in February; St. Pauls UCC, 927 North Franklin Street in March; and First United
Methodist Church, 414 East High Street, in April.
Further information is available at www.ministriesatmainstreet.org/calendar.html or (610)
970-2444.

Great American Cleanup of PA Underway Through Tuesday, May 31

Annual Great American Cleanup of PA, in which 128,000 volunteers collected six million
pounds of litter last year from Pennsylvanias roads, trails and shorelines, is in effect
through May 31.
During this period registered events can obtain free cleanup supplies, such as bags, gloves
and vests, from the Pennsylvania Department of Transporation (PennDOT) and Keep
America Beautiful. In addition, during Pick It Up PA Days, from April 16 to May 9,
registered events have access to reduced or free disposal.
Further information on Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is available at
www.keeppabeautiful.org, with details on the cleanup event at www.gacofpa.org.

LIHEAP Heating Assistance Re-Opens Through Spring

Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) has re-opened for the winter season.
Eligible individuals, both renters and homeowners, can receive
funds paid directly to home energy providers to assist with winter
fuel costs.

-8-

In addition, a crisis program provides funds for broken heating equipment, lack of fuel or in
danger of being without fuel or utilities, or repair of a primary or secondary heating source.
Being on public assistance or having an unpaid bill arent requirements of the program.
Further information on LIHEAP and other assistance programs and application methods are
available at www.dhs.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap or County Human
Services offices.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)
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 March 22, Transformation Initiative and Critical Time
Intervention will present. On April 26, presentations will be made by the Chester County
Library and TriCounty Community Network (TCN). On May 24, representatives of Health
Care Access, ResCare Home Care and Abilatools will speak. 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.
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 the Government
Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester. 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. On April 1, it will learn about Community Resources and the Center for
Community Solutions through West Chester University. Additional information is available
from Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262.
Chester County Faith Community Health Ministry Network meets from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., on
the first Thursday of each month, from September through June to exchange information on
promotion of holistic health within faith congregations and communities and to develop
additional faith community nurses, also known as parish nurses. Further information is
available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.
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 hear presentations from various services providers, discuss ways
to develop effective systems of care, help identify solutions to specific issues, and exchange
information about current and upcoming activities. 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
meetsfrom 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 the third Tuesdays of the month at
various locations in Berks County for services cross-trainings and exchange of information
on creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door resources for older adults and adults with
disabilities, including consumers, family members and others, seeking information about

-9-

local resources. Further information is available at http://berkslancasterlebanonlink.org, or

from Brian Long, coordinator, at blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
Bucks-Chester-Montgomery Counties LINK to Aging and Disability Resources
meets at various times 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.
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 May 11, the meeting will be at First Baptist Church, 415 West State
Street, Kennett Square. 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 available at
dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090 x2827.

Coatesville CTC Community Prevention Board, a body coterminous with the Coatesville
Youth Initiative Steering Committee, meets periodically in the fourth floor Community
Room, Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Further
information and requested lunch reservations are available from Jarvis Berry, CTC
community mobilizer, at Jarvis@coatesvilleyouthinitiative.org or (610) 380-0200.

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) Job-Seeker 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

- 10 -

assistance in healing and coping. Further information on Job-Seeker 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 April 9, Alex Freund, known as the
Landing Expert, will discuss Navigating Your Way to Re-Employment. Further
information and required registration are available at
http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings. Further information
and required registration are available at
http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings.

Wayne A one-on-one Employment Guidance Ministry, along with periodic special

employment related events to aid jobseekers is available at St. Davids Episcopal
Church, 763 South Valley Forge Road, Malvern. Further information is available from
George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com or (610) 688-7947.

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. On April 5, Doug Ferguson, director of
Alumni Programs for Delaware County Community College, will discuss the use of
LinkedIn as part of a job search. Second Tuesday: St. Laurence Church, 8245
West Chester Pike - St. Laurence Road Entrance, Upper Darby, with further
information at smmemploy@gmail.com or (610) 873-7117. On April 12, Ernie
Russom, executive director of The Westview Associates, a staffing firm, will discuss
How to Write the Best Resume Ever. Third Tuesday: Hassler Chapel, Media
Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike, Media, with further information at
robinst37@gmail.com. On April 19, Brenda Grove, director of College Outreach and
On-Site Programs at Villanova University, will discuss Open the Hidden Job Market
and More.
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

- 11 -

message at (610) 873-7117. On March 22, Kurt Walser, Family Service of Chester
County counselor, will discuss How to Navigate During Difficult Times emotionally
during unemploiyment or underemployment periods. 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 in the new Parish
Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 300 State Road, West
Grove. On March 30, Ernie Russom, executive Director with the Westview
Associates staffing solutions, will discuss Discovering the Hidden Job Market. 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.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Free Job Assistance Workshops and Job Opening 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 services PA CareerLink has to offer.
A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month, including onsite job recruitment opportunities, is available at http://pachestercounty2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/32586.
The March Job Openings Report is available at http://pachestercounty2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/32585, with daily job opening 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

- 12 -

Free Mobile Job Lab Debuts

A new monthly Mobile Job Lab will be held from
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the first Monday of each month in
Room 114 at the University Center, 95 South
Hanover Street, Pottstown.
Montgomery County Community Colleges University
Center, its Career Services and TriCounty
Community Network (TCN) will host the activity the first Monday of each month, with
attendees being able to search for jobs and obtain resume writing and other job-seeker and
career support services. Representatives of the University Centers college and university
partners also will be available to discuss admission processes.
Further information is available at
http://calendar.mc3.edu/EventList.aspx?fromdate=2%2F1%2F2016&todate=2%2F29%2F2
016&display=Month&type=public&eventidn=12720&view=EventDetails&information_id=195
32 or (610) 850-0181, with additional information on the University Center at
www.mc3.edu/universitycenter.

Free Online Training Available for Health Care Professionals Aiding Veterans
Health care professionals now have a free online course developed by the federal
Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD) to help serve veterans and service
members.
The eight-hour Military Culture: Core Competencies for Health Care Professionals training
covers a variety of topics through interactive features, video vignettes, case examples and
treatment planning scenarios.
Each of the four modules within the course was developed using research, surveys and
extensive interviews with service members and veterans.
Information and registration for the training, along with other military culture-related
materials, are available at www.deploymentpsych.org/Military-Culture.

Over 500 Continuing Education Courses Now Available Online

Pottstown Regional Public Library now is offering over 500 online continuing education
courses for the price of a free library card.
A wide variety of offerings for professionals and others, including job-seekers, business
owners and housewives, including topics such as business, office skills, web development,
arts and photography, alternative medicine, crafts, pet and animal care, home and garden,
teacher tools, writing help, self-help, and homeschooling, according to reports.
Further information is available at www.sanatogapost.com/2015/11/21/library-offerscontinuing-education-courses or the library at 500 East High Street, Pottstown, or (610)
970-6551.

Zika Virus Now Being Linked in Pennsylvania

Zika virus travel health alert for pregnant women and others now are being linked to
Pennsylvania.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel alerts,
particularly for pregnant women who may be susceptible to babies with birth defects and

poor

pregnancy outcomes.
Reports of Pennsylvanians who have traveled being tested
and one of the mosquito species that carry the Zika virus
living in Pennsylvania followed at

www.facebook.com/TransformationIni/posts/987238388008079.
Experts aren't predicting widespread transmission of the virus within the United States,
according to reports, with the greatest concern associated with out-of-country travel, such
as to the Olympics this summer in Rio de Janeiro. Further CDC information is available at
www.cdc.gov/zika.

Weather Information Now Entirely on Separate Page

This week we have moved our emergency preparedness reporting for Chester and adjoining
counties from our Transformation Initiative Facebook Page to our companion Transformation
Initiative - Emergency Preparedness Page. This will include weather alerts such as
Warnings, Watches, Advisories, and general and specific preparedness information.
To help ensure continuation of weather information in your Facebook News Feed and
Timeline, go to that Page and "Like" and "Follow" in the dropdown menu next to "Like" to
reflect your own particular needs
In providing the most comprehensive multi-jurisdiction reports for Chester and adjoining
counties, we are finding during major incidents such as last month's Winter Storm Jonas
and the just concluded flooding situation that the amount of weather information is
overwhelming the Transformation Initiative Page, with important individual and familyrelated information being submerged.

- 14 -

Those who have been with us for the last two years will remember that we started weather
reporting due to erratic, sporadic and unreliable information from Chester County,
something that we have document often as continuing today. We tried the changover once
before but it didn't catch on so we reverted back to a single page. However, as our
Transformation Initiative site has grown it has become evident that we need to split the
content.
We hope you will follow both Pages for the most comprehensive reporting of their types in
Chester, Lancaster, Berks, Montgomery and Delaware counties and beyond and apologize
for any inconvenience this may cause.
Again, please go to the Transformation Initiative - Emergency Preparedness site at
www.facebook.com/TransformationInitiative.EmergencyPreparedness and "Like" and
"Follow" to avoid information interruption. Like and Follow at
www.facebook.com/TransformationIni for regular individual and family-related news,
resources and events.
As always, if you should have any thoughts in regard to how we might improve either Page,
please let us know by dropping an e-mail to bps461@msn.com.

Chester County Commissioners Continue Cold Shoulder Toward Fixing Public

Emergency Alert Deficiencies
Chester County Commissioners this month continued to ignore deficiencies in its public
emergency alert system and procedures.
Commissioners listened to a short report at its meeting on February 9 from Casey Jones,
editor of this E-Update, on alerting deficiencies that occurred for as long as nearly four
hours during Januarys blizzard, motioned him to speed up his three-minute presentation,
and then adjourned with no comment.
Jones has made similar reports on numerous occasions to Commissioners for more than
three years and to the Department of Emergency Services starting more than five years ago
as to what he has termed erratic, sporadic and, therefore, unreliable emergency alerting
processes to the public.
He said in his latest presentation that county operating procedures for public notifications
are boiler plate; the County isnt recognizing the impact of National Weather Service
division of the County into two reporting sectors, with individuals on opposite sides of
Route 30, for example, sometimes receiving two different types of notifications, if delivered;
and individuals on the countys Preferred List often receiving notifications of conditions
much sooner than the rest of the population that sometimes receive them through the
Countys emergency alert system.
He says the Countys actions, and inactions in addressing the issues, put its half million
residents, along with more than 80,000 individuals traveling into and out of the county for
work, shopping and other business, at risk.
In prior situations, Jones has reported the County to have been hours late in issuing flood
warnings, and is relying primarily on technology, without human oversight, even when
directly advised of errors in reporting and system breakdowns.

- 15 -

Jones has alleged, based on volunteer efforts through his Transformation Initiative and
Transformation Initiative Emergency Preparedness Facebook pages, that the county
system can achieve major improvements overnight with little effort or increased costs but
it first has to come out of denial as to deficiencies.
County officials previously have said there is no intent to change its current practices.

Refugee Resettlement Project Takes Shape

Over a dozen faith organizations in the greater West Chester area have created a Refugee
Support Committee to sponsor a refugee family expected to arrive later this year.
The family is expected to have fled violence in central Africa and will have spent a year or
more in U.N. refugee camps.
Selection and transportation of the family are being handled by Lutheran Children and
Family Services, an international agency, in partnership with the U.S. Government.
Participating faith groups include Birmingham Meeting, Deaf Community Action Network
(DeafCAN), Downingtown Meeting, Grove United Methodist Church, Islamic Society of
Chester County, Newark Meeting, Unitarian Congregation of West Chester, United Methodist
Church of West Chester, West Chester Meeting, Westminster Presbyterian, Willistown
Meeting, Wilmington Meeting, and Westtown Meeting.
Further information is available from Support Team Chair Susan Brodessar at
be_still@verizon.net or (610) 399-0823.

New State Legislative District Resource Guide Published

Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Ross has published a new Resource Guide for his 158th District in
Chester County.
The 52-page document includes a wide variety of information on organizations and services
in and serving the District that includes East Bradford, East Marlborough, London Britain,
New Garden, Newlin, West Bradford, West Goshen Middle and South Precincts, and West
Marlborough Townships, along with Avondale Borough.
The guide is available online at
www.repross.com/Display/Display/SiteFiles/86/OtherDocuments/2016ResidentsGuide2-316.pdf with a few hardcopies available for those without online access through his district
office at 692 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, or (610) 925-0555.

Several Area High Schools Rate Among Pennsylvanias Best Based on SAT Scores
Several area high schools are ranked among tops in the state last year based on the
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores for reading, math and writing.
Pennsylvania Department of Education says that schools in our reporting area held six of the
seven top spots, with Downingtown STEM Academy second with a composite average score
of 1837, followed by Conestoga Senior High School in Tredyffrin-Easttown School District at
1820, Unionville High School in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District with 1786,
Harriton Senior High School in Lower Marion School District at 1777, Radnor Senior High
School at 1771, and Lower Merion High School at 1744.

- 16 -

The clear overall leader state-wide was Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and
Demonstration School in Philadelphia at 1993.
The complete sortable list is available at www.education.pa.gov/K12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/Pages/SAT-and-ACT.aspx#.VrT_OVIaL-t.

Homeless Students Exist in Every County and Most School Districts in Pennsylvania
Every county in the state and 96 percent of school districts in Pennsylvania have homeless
students, according to a report for the state Department of Education.
PennLive analyzed the data at
www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/by_the_numbers_how_many_homele.html, along with a
look at life for the states 22,000 homeless schoolchildren at
www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/working_title_homeless_student.html#incart_river_index
and the ten numbers behind the spike in homeless students at
www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/pennsylvanias_homeless_student.html#0.

Unborn Babies at Risk from Drinking Mothers

More than three million U.S. women are at risk of causing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
(FASD) in unborn children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
In a new report, the agency warns that "alcohol use during pregnancy, even within the first
few weeks and before a woman knows she is pregnant, can cause lasting physical,
behavioral, and intellectual disabilities (FASD) that can last for a childs lifetime."
Sexually active women who stop using birth control should stop drinking alcohol, the CDC
says, but most keep drinking.
"There is no known safe amount of alcohol even beer or wine that is safe for a woman
to drink at any stage of pregnancy," according to the warning.
The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0202-alcohol-exposedpregnancy.html.

- 17 -

Estimated 100,000 Pennsylvanians To Lose Food Stamp Benefits

Some 100,000 Pennsylvania residents are expected to lose food stamp benefits after a
three months period this year due to better employment opportunities.
Under a 1996 federal law, waived during the economic downturn, unemployed adults
without children who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food
stamp benefits are limited to three months of benefit within a three-year period.
Reports indicated this will affect 43 state counties, including all but Delaware and
Philadelphia in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Cities of Lancaster and Reading due to
high unemployment rates.
Further information about the action is available at
www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/philadelphia/89640-food-stamp-changes-in-2016affect-100000-pennsylvanians?l=df, with a United State Department of Agriculture
explanation at www.fns.usda.gov/snap/able-bodied-adults-without-dependents-abawds.

Adult Depression Screening Being Recommended

A federal task force is recommending that primary care clinicians screen the general adult
population, including pregnant and postpartum
women, for depression.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force)
published its final recommendation yesterday, saying
it should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis,
effective treatment, and appropriate follow-up.
The Grade B recommendation means the task force found there is high certainty the net
benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to
substantial.
The task force says that (d)epression is one of the leading causes of disability in adults and
affects millions of Americans.
It can affect a persons quality of life and is associated with an increase in suicide rates,
among other health problems
Pregnant women and new mothers are also affected by depression, and both mother and
child can experience the effects of the illness.
The Task Force found that patients who were identified through depression screening and
went on to be treated with antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or both showed
improvement in depression symptoms.
The group is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and
evidence-based medicine that is said to work to improve health of all Americans by making
evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services such as screenings,
counseling services, and preventive medications.
Further information on the recommendation is available at
www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/d
epression-in-adults-screening1.

- 18 -

FTC Unveils New Website for Reporting and Recovery from Identity Theft
U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has debuted a new website that is said to make it
easier to report and recover from identify theft.
The initiative, at www.IdentityTheft.gov provides a personal recovery plan that walks one
through each recovery step, tracks progress and adapts to changing situations and pre-fills
letters and forms for easier reporting.

Free AlertBerks Crime Tips App is Introduced

Crime Alert Berks County has introduced a new smart phone application that allows county
residents to provide anonymous tips about crimes or suspicious activity, including
anonymous two-way conversations.
AlertBerks, developed by tip411, can be downloaded at no charge via the Google Play Store,
iTunes App Store, or by visiting the Crime Alert Berks County Web site at
www.alertberks.org.
Further information is available at www.bctv.org/special_reports/safety/crime-alertberkscounty-launches-tip/article_51ee8ace-b55b-11e5-baa823552383f307.html#.VpeOrMTuKmg.facebook or (877) 373-9913.

Court Rules Permanent Employment Ban Law Unconstitutional

Pennsylvanias Commonwealth Court has ruled that the state's lifetime ban on certain
convicted criminals obtaining full-time employment in nursing homes and long-term care
facilities is unconstitutional.
The court, in its decision, said it defies logic to suggest that every person who has at any
time been convicted of any of the crimes listed in (the law), including misdemeanor theft,
presents a danger to those in an Act-covered facility. It also took issue with lawmakers
determining that individuals employed on July 1, 1998, would be safe when those employed
after that date would fail the test.
The General Assembly is able to create a more logical law if it chooses.
A copy of the decision is available at
www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Commonwealth/out/216MD15_12-30-15.pdf?cb=1.

Pennsylvania Establishes New State Veterans Benefits Portal

Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs(DVMA) has established a new
online application that allows veterans to obtain
information about state benefits, programs and services.
Registrant information will be shared with County
Directors for Veterans Affairs and other Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania agencies to help facilitate local connections.

- 19 -

Officials say the PA Veterans Registry is the departments first step of a long-term strategy
to achieve a higher level of communication with veterans and partner providers supporting
them.
Further information and registration is available at www.register.dmva.pa.gov.

New Consumer Rating System for Hospitals Unveiled

Capital Blue Cross, which services Lancaster and Berks County west, along with the Lehigh
Valley, and LeapFrog are starting a consumer rating system for hospitals, designed to help
employers and consumers make informed health care decisions.
The Leapfrog Hospital Survey is said to be the only nationally standardized and endorsed set
of measures that captures hospital performance in patient safety, quality and resource
utilization. Rating results will be made available online.
Further information is available at www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capitalbluecrossnew-hospital-recognition-program-improves-quality-of-care-for-customers300200235.html.

Pennsylvania Not Well Prepared for Infectious Disease Threats

Pennsylvania is less prepared for protecting its residents from new infectious disease threats
than all surrounding states other than Ohio, according to a new report.
The Outbreaks: Protecting Americans from Infectious Diseases, from the Trust for America's
Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, finds that more than half of states,
including Pennsylvania, scored a five or lower out of 10 key indicators related to preventing,
detecting, diagnosing and responding to outbreaks.
Delaware and New York were among five states tying for the top score, achieving eight out
of 10 indicators, with Maryland in the second tier and New Jersey the third.
The report concludes the United States must redouble efforts to better protect the country
from new infectious disease threats, such as MERS-CoV and antibiotic-resistant superbugs,
and resurging illnesses like whooping cough, tuberculosis and gonorrhea.
Further information is available at www.healthyamericans.org/reports/outbreaks2015.

Several from Region on State Police Megan Law Absconder List

Pennsylvania State Police is seeking the publics help in locating over 140 absconded, or
wanted, sexual offenders throughout the Commonwealth.
The states Megans Law requires individuals convicted of a sexually violent offense to
register with the Pennsylvania State Police and to update and verify their information
periodically at an approved registration site, authorities say.
They said that offenders who have failed to register, update their information, or verify their
information as required are considered to be non-compliant with the statute, a felony
offense. Once a warrant is issued for their arrest, they are considered absconded.

- 20 -

A list of absconded offenders is available at http://ow.ly/VroNM. Persons with information

can tip the Megans Law Section at (866) 771-3170.

National Institute on Aging Issues Guidelines for What to Take to Hospital

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute on Aging has issued
some safety tips for before, during and after trips to the hospital, including some guidance
for family and caregivers.
The information, which also includes a patients rights, is available at
www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hospital-hints.

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 as you feel appropriate. If you would like to be added to or removed
from this list, please hit reply and advise by 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.

- 21 -

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
an e-mail with Subscribe in the Subject line, along with your name, organization, community and
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.