Legislation

2023 PA Grant and Resource Directory

I’m pleased to provide you with an updated resource that will help you find grants and other state government resources.

From the Department of Aging, to the state Treasury, to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority, the Pennsylvania Grant Directory is a great starting point for constituents and organizations seeking financial support for their work and ideas. Some of these state grant programs are open only to certain groups, such as municipalities or school districts, while others are open to nonprofit organizations and others, so please make sure you check the requirements of each program carefully. It is important to note that some grant, loan, and assistance programs change each fiscal year, so it’s best to check the appropriate agency website or contact my office to learn about the current status of any program.

Please reach out with any questions that you may have or call us at 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison). We look forward to working with you to support the amazing work that our communities and neighborhoods are performing!

Medicaid and CHIP Renewal Update

We want to remind our constituents that Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requiring annual renewals as of April 1, 2023. If you are a Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in PA) or CHIP household, keep an eye on the mail for your renewal paperwork which must be completed to continue your coverage. Households will also receive reminder notices from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) 90 days prior to their renewal date. 

Medical Assistance and CHIP renewals must be completed whether circumstances like income or household size have changed OR if nothing has changed. Once you receive your renewal, there are four ways to complete and submit it: 

• By mail — Complete and return the paper forms by mailing them back in the provided envelope
• Online — Complete your renewal online at COMPASS
• Telephone — Call 1-866-550-4355 to talk to a customer service representative
• In-Person — Complete and submit your renewal in person at any local county assistance office (CAO)

When you renew, your state healthcare coverage will continue or, if you are no longer eligible, you will be automatically connected with other affordable healthcare options on Pennie, Pennsylvania’s healthcare marketplace.

Don’t miss important information about your coverage! Update your address and phone number and find your renewal date by contacting the DHS Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930 or logging into your COMPASS account. 

For complete information on Medical Assistance and CHIP renewals go to Medical Assistance & CHIP Renewals (pa.gov). 

New Online Resources for Service Members Leaving Active Duty

Pennsylvania has two new tools for veterans! Welcome Home PA helps veterans settle in the Commonwealth after their service ends  and the Military Occupational Crosswalk is a tool veterans can use to convert their military experience into employment. If you or someone you know is a veteran living in Pennsylvania, the resources available on these sites are worth reading about. 

Welcome Home PA

Welcome Home PA was created by the Shapiro Administration as a one-stop-shop to help retired or recently separated active-duty service members access everything Pennsylvania has to offer veterans. 

The site includes information on:

• employment opportunities with the Commonwealth and in the private sector
• furthering military careers in the Pennsylvania National Guard
• how to use GI Bill benefits for post-secondary education or an apprenticeship
• other workforce topics

The site is also linked to:

• the PA Veterans Registry which connects veterans and their families to each other
• PA VETConnect which connects veterans to programs and services
• the PA Veterans Resource Guide which has comprehensive information on veterans’ benefits, housing, disability resources, and more

Military Occupational Crosswalk

Earlier this year, the Shapiro Administration created the Military Occupational Crosswalk. This tool allows veterans to translate their military experiences into civilian jobs licensed by the PA Department of State (DOS). To use the Military Occupational Crosswalk, veterans select a Licensing Board or Commission in a field that aligns with their professional goals and experience.The “crosswalk” is a table for each job that converts military experience to the private sector requirements for occupations licensed by DOS. The table also identifies gaps in training, experience or education and how to bridge them. 

Visit Welcome Home PA and the Military Occupational Crosswalk today to start taking advantage of all the benefits, employment opportunities, and connections to the veteran community that Pennsylvania has to offer! 

 

WWI Memorial Preservation Project at Obama Academy

The Peabody Memorial to Soldiers on the  Barack Obama Academy for International Studies high school campus in East Liberty has seen better days, but there is a new preservation effort underway to restore and have the memorial designated a historic landmark! Preservation Pittsburgh and the Military Community Support Project are joining forces to raise funds for this project as the monument reaches its centennial next May. 

Current plans for the memorial include:

• The full restoration of the memorial's bronze body and the recreation of Victory's missing hand & wreath
• The relocation of an existing flagpole on school property
• Architectural lighting
• Restoration the original setting before the 1970's renovation
• Connecting to East Liberty Boulevard

This project will preserve and restore the most significant piece of public art at a Pittsburgh school and create a much-needed welcoming outdoor space for Obama Academy students. 

The Peabody Memorial to Soldiers was created by Frank Vittor and was funded by Liberty Bonds. It was erected in 1924 at the base of a flagpole at the former entrance to Peabody High School (renamed Barack Obama Academy in 2012). It commemorates the 500 students who served and 15 who were killed in WWI. 

To learn more about Frank Vittor’s piece and how to donate, go to Peabody Soldiers Memorial Restoration — Preservation Pittsburgh (preservationpgh.org).

 

Sharpsburg Community Library Bike Ride
1212 Main St., Saturday, July 29, 2023, 11 AM - 1 PM

This Saturday, July 29th, Sharpsburg Community Library is hosting the Tour de Sharpsburg Community Bike Ride for grades 7th & up. Adults welcome!

For more information and to register click here.

Burtner House Honey Bee Festival in Natrona Heights!
965 Burtner Rd., Saturday, July 29, 2023, 11 AM - 4 PM

Come on out this weekend to the Burner House Honey Bee Festival. The 202 year old homestead will be “buzzing” this Saturday with a variety of “sweet” activities for the whole family to enjoy. Parking is free at Citizens Hose Fire Hall and shuttle service is provided! 

Burtner House in Harrison will host its first Honey Bee Festival | TribLIVE.com