State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38 Update

*

*2023
Events Review!**

As hard as it is to believe, 2023 is coming to a
close so we thought it would be fun to highlight some of our favorite
events in the next few issues of the newsletter.
We've hosted 10
events over the past 11 months, and choosing our favorites isn't easy!
*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*Event
Feature - Birds and More Nature Walk at Beechwood Farms in Fox
Chapel*

We plan at least one nature walk or park tour event every
year because not only does it raise awareness of the abundance of
natural areas in Senate District 38, it's also a refreshing change of
pace to meet one-on-one and talk with constituents in the great
outdoors!

We joined the Birds and More Nature Walk at Beechwood Farms
Nature Reserve - Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania [link 1] on
September 6th and had a wonderful walk through the Reserve. Chris, our
guide, helped us see a few special birds-- even a warbler! He also
educated us about the importance of native plants to the region's bird
and insect populations and how to identify invasives. We look forward
to next year's park tour or nature walk and hope you will join us!
[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Good
News**

[image =
[link removed]]

*Hampton
Heroes*

Last week I joined the Hampton Township School District [link
2] in celebrating the 2023 Class of Hampton Heroes, which honors local
Veterans. This year's honorees are Gavin Church, Mark D'Amico, Bill
Daugherty, Robert Kuhn, Bill Marsh, Timothy Tocci and Wayne
Koble.

Thank you to all of the students who made this event so
special for the community-- it's a wonderful way to recognize and
thank our Veterans!

[image =
[link removed]]

*Good
Jobs Principles for Pittsburgh*

I was happy to join U.S. Department
of Labor [link 3] Acting Secretary Julie Su, Mayor Ed Gainey [link 4],
City Solicitor Krysia Kubiak, Steve Mazza from Carpenters Pittsburgh
Training Center [link 5], Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT) [link 6] Executive Deputy Secretary Cheryl Moon-Siriani, and
other local leaders last Wednesday to celebrate Pittsburgh's
designation as a Workforce Hub [link 7].

I and other community
members publicly endorsed and committed to uphold the Good Jobs
Principles for Pittsburgh [link 8].
These guiding principles will help
provide pathways into good paying jobs and careers for thousands of
people who call the Pittsburgh region home.

[image =
[link removed]]

*West
Deer VFC #3 Celebrates 60th Anniversary*

On November 4th I joined the
members, families, and community of West Deer Volunteer Fire Company
#3 to celebrate the Department's 60th Anniversary!

[image =
[link removed]]

*New
Flagpole Dedicated at Southwestern Veterans Center *

On Veterans Day,
I had the honor of joining resident Veterans and staff at the
Southwestern Veterans Center [link 9] and members of Boy Scout Troop
9329 for a new flagpole dedication at the Center. The flagpole
replacement, surrounding courtyard redesign, and dedication ceremony
were all planned and carried out by Life Scout and Senior Patrol
Leader Brenna Collery as part of her Eagle Scout Project.

Because
many of the Veterans at Southwestern Veterans Center have mobility
difficulties, Brenna designed the courtyard for maximum accessibility,
which will allow all residents to participate in flag raising and
lowering every day.

Thank you to Brenna for this thoughtful and
meaningful tribute to our Veterans for all of their service!

[image =
[link removed]]

*2023
Marine Corps Birthday Ball*

Thank you to the Allegheny Valley
Detachment 827 of the Marine Corps League for inviting me to their
annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball! It was wonderful to celebrate the
history and sacrifices of the Marine Corps with members and their
families. I was incredibly honored to help their detachment secure
funding to replace the building's roof earlier this year and to work
alongside this organization that gives so much back to the community.
Happy Birthday and thank you for your service!

[image =
[link removed]]

*Lowries
Run Slopes Expansion Project in Ross*

Last week my staff and
Representative Emily Kinkead [link 10] met with the Allegheny Land
Trust [link 11] to explore the Lowries Run Slopes Expansion Project
that will create and protect a 67-acre greenway in Ross Township. We
also got to see a map of the potential site drawn by two of the
projects' young neighbors!

Protecting this land would help to address
water quality and flooding issues in Lowries Run by allowing the
continued absorption of 20 million gallons of rainwater annually. It
would also help to maintain air quality by annually sequestering
97,000 pounds of carbon and removing 1,700 pounds of other pollutants.
You can learn more about the project at Lowries Run Slopes Expansion
Project - Allegheny Land Trust
[link 12]

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Legislative
Update **

*
[image =
[link removed]]
[link 13]*

*Transgender Awareness Legislation*

I'm honored to be the
Prime Sponsor of the Senate Resolution recognizing Transgender
Awareness Week as November 13 - 19 and Transgender Day of Remembrance
as November 20 in Pennsylvania again this year, along with my fellow
Members, Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Senator Katie Muth, and Senator
Tim Kearney.

We observe Transgender Day of Remembrance every year in
November by taking time and space to remember and celebrate the lives
of those transgender and non-binary individuals' whose lives were lost
over the previous year. Members of the community may be unable to
properly grieve these losses at the time, for many reasons. That could
include mis-reporting of the individual's death through the accidental
or intentional use of dead names by family or law enforcement, and
ongoing concerns about safety.

The annual Transgender Day of
Remembrance is a way for the community to claim and honor their dead.
In that spirit, I would like to lift up the names of two of our fellow
Pennsylvanians who were lost this year: Theadora "Thea" Cassidy and
River Paige Olmstead.

Thea Cassidy was an 18-year-old freshman at
Millersville University, where she was majoring in Social Studies
Education with plans to be a history teacher. Thea loved medieval
history and fantasy and was an avid player of Dungeons & Dragons. She
loved the arts, spending time painting minifigures for her D&D
campaigns and working on her sketching. Thea also loved spending time
with her family and friends and her dog, Leo. Family described Thea as
an "incredibly empathetic" person who wanted to help others.

River
Olmstead was a 17-year old student at Manheim Township High School.
River loved music. They were an accomplished musician who played the
mellophone in marching band and aspired to be a music therapist
working with children when they grew up. River also found music in the
written word and was an avid reader and writer. River was a devout
Christian, and an active volunteer with their church Sunday School and
with Lydia's Closet, which provides free clothing to school-aged
children in need. River met challenges with compassion and combined
their activism efforts with prayer and devotion to their fellow
humans.

Both Thea and River loved the outdoors and the Renaissance
Faire. They both enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

But
tragically, Thea Cassidy and River Olmstead died by suicide this fall.
Their lives, their love, and the possibilities that they carried
within them, lost to their families, friends, and community.

I want
to lift up the lives of Thea and River and all of those we have lost.
I want to lift up the families and loved ones of all of those we have
lost. WE SEE YOU, WE SEE YOUR CHILDREN, AND WE SEE THE STRUGGLE OF THE
TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY COMMUNITY. We see what the rhetoric that
comes out of Harrisburg does to you and your families. We see what
legislation that denies your right to see yourselves reflected in
literature, your right to free expression, and your right to just
EXIST does. We reject those efforts and we will fight for you and your
children every time they come up.

As the quote on Thea's obituary
says, "Pain doesn't make people, It's love that makes people. The pain
is inconsequential. It's love that saves them." Love must win- the
love of family, community, of one another. Love must win.



Until
the day that love does win, we will lift up their names and do the
work in their memory.

[image =
[link removed]]

[image
=
[link removed]]
[link 14]

*LIHEAP Application Period is Open!*

The Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services (DHS) [link 15] is now accepting
applications for the 2023-2024 Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) [link 16] season! LIHEAP is a grant program for
low-income families that pays from $300 to $1,000 toward heating
utility bills. This is a grant and does not have to be repaid!

How to
apply:

-
Online: at Pennsylvania's COMPASS website
(www.compass.state.pa.us [link 17]).

-
Download a paper
application: from the DHS LIHEAP website [link 18] and return
completed paper applications to the Allegheny County Assistance
Office, located at 5947 Penn Avenue, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA,
15206.

LIHEAP is funded by the federal government and eligibility is
based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. The 2023-2024 income
limits are listed in the graphic above.

After your application is
received, you will receive a written notice explaining your
eligibility and the amount of assistance you will receive. Payments
are generally sent directly to a utility company or fuel provider and
will be credited to your heating account. Crisis grants may also be
available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of
losing your heat. For more information, please contact the LIHEAP
hotline at 1-866-857-7095 or 412-562-0330. Individuals with hearing
impairments can call 711.

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 19]

*PA MEDI for Your Open Enrollment Medicare Questions!*

The
2023 Medicare open enrollment period runs from October 15th - December
7th and we are reminding seniors to take advantage of Pennsylvania's
FREE Medicare counseling program called PA MEDI
(Pennsylvania Medicare
Education and Decision Insight) [link 20].

Open enrollment is the
period of time every year that new Medicare beneficiaries can sign up
for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage and health plans that
complement Medicare. Current Medicare beneficiaries can renew and
join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Coverage
to better meet their needs during the open enrollment. Any changes you
make will take effect on January 1, 2024.

There are an overwhelming
number of Medicare health insurance options out there, but the
Pennsylvania Department of Aging (AAA) [link 21] PA MEDI counseling
service is available to help you make informed decisions based on your
individual needs. Counselors are trained to optimize your cost savings
and access to healthcare and benefits. They do not sell or endorse
Medicare insurance products, companies, or agents. Consultations are
free, confidential, and unbiased.

This work is done with the help of
approximately 250 dedicated PA MEDI volunteers housed in local AAAs
across the Commonwealth. PA MEDI Counselors can help you
understand:

-
Medicare eligibility and enrollment

-
Benefits &
Services covered under Parts A & B

-
Financial Assistance
Programs

-
Benefits under Long-Term Care policies

-
Medicare
Prescription Drug (Part D) Benefit

Individuals can learn more about
PA MEDI, events and programs, or becoming a volunteer by clicking here
[link 22] or by calling the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067, Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., or the Allegheny County Area Agency
on Aging at 412-350-4234.

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 23]

*Pennie Open Enrollment *

Pennie [link 24] open enrollment
started November 1, 2023 and runs through January 15, 2024. You still
have plenty of time to sign up through Pennie, Pennsylvania's health
insurance marketplace, for high-quality, affordable health insurance
coverage in an unexpectedly simple and approachable way.

-
If you
enroll by December 15th, you will have a coverage effective date of
January 1, 2024.

-
If you enroll by January 15th, you will have a
coverage effective date of February 1, 2024.

You can apply and get
covered through Pennie if you are a PA resident who is a citizen, a
U.S. national, or if you have qualified immigration status. If you're
not covered through your employer or another program like Medical
Assistance (PA's Medicaid) [link 25], you can enroll in a high-quality
plan through Pennie.

If you've lost your Medicaid coverage, Pennie
can help! Pennie and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
(DHS) [link 26] are working together to ensure that qualified
Pennsylvanians have access to health coverage either through Medical
Assistance, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) [link 27],
or affordable, high-quality coverage available through Pennie.

To
compare plans, get a quote, or get help from a Pennie navigator, go to
Home | Pennie [link 28] or call 1-844-844-8040. To enroll you will
need the following:

-
Photo ID(s) - driver's license, passport, or
other document proving your identity

-
Social security number(s)

-
Last four weeks of pay stubs

-
Immigration documents, if
applicable

-
Most recent tax return(s)

For more information go to
Home | Pennie [link 29]. If you have questions contact: Contact Us |
Pennie: Connecting Pennsylvanians to Health Coverage [link 30] or call
Pennie Customer Service Call Center at 1-844-844-8040, 8 AM - 7 PM
Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 7 PM Saturday, closed Sunday.

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 31]

*PHEAA to Host Public Service Virtual Webinars*

The
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) [link 32] has
announced their November and December Public Service Virtual Webinars!
Funding for higher education can be confusing. These webinars will
cover topics to prepare families for filing for Financial Aid and
understanding the next steps!



*Understanding the Offer Letter and
Balances:*

The Offer letter, or Financing Plans, that you receive to
provide an idea of the cost associated with attending post-secondary
education can be confusing as each school formats their information
differently. Learn to understand and navigate through the types of Aid
that are listed, what you are being offered and identifying the
balances and next steps needed so you can make knowledgeable and
affordable decisions. Q&A interaction is encouraged!

-
November 30
Thursday, 6:30pm

-
December 14, Thursday, Noon;

-
December 19,
Tuesday, 6:30pm

*Covering the Gap: Pieces of the Puzzle to Help Pay
Your Education Bill:*

Understanding education balances can be
confusing and whether you're trying to address the costs or beginning
to plan for higher education, this review is for you. Join PHEAA
representatives Linda Pacewicz and Daniel Wray for a 1-hour webinar
that will emphasize best practices (such as seeking grants and
scholarships first), remind families about additional resources (such
as payment plans), and review private/alternative loans as a last
resort in the process of covering the Gap and keeping balances
affordable. The discussion will also include the basics of credit,
what factors impact a credit score, how can a credit score be improved
and the effects on your borrowing capability.

-
November 28th
Tuesday Noon

*Financial Aid and Planning Q&A with PHEAA:*

Articles
related to funding a higher education are in the news almost every day
and it can lead even the most knowledgeable of us into information
overload. Have you ever wanted to simply ask a few specific questions,
yet couldn't find anyone to ask? Maybe you have questions about
planning for college, finding the right school, applying for
scholarships and for federal and state aid, understanding offer
letters, competing loan applications, comparing federal loans to
private loans, repaying/refinancing loans after graduation - etc. Join
Linda Pacewicz and Daniel Wray of the Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Agency (PHEAA) for a wide open one-hour Q&A session. Ask
your questions in an open forum or privately via chat.

-
December
12, Tuesday, 6:30pm;

-
December 21, Thursday Noon

Register for
sessions here: Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)
Webex Enterprise Site [link 33].

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 34]

*Coats for Kids Winter Clothing Drive with the Pittsburgh
Firefighters!*

Join the Pittsburgh Fire Fighters, Duquesne Light
Company, MSA, and the Pittsburgh Penguins this *Sunday, November 19
from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM* for a free winter coat distribution at the
*Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Local No. 1 Union Hall, 120 Flowers Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15207*.

Coats are available for children from
Kindergarten through grade 5. Children must be present to receive a
coat!

This distribution is first come, first served. Please contact
[email protected] [link 35] with any questions.

[image
=
[link removed]]

*ACHD
Air Monitoring Network Plan Needs Your Input!*

The Allegheny County
Health Department (ACHD) [link 36] is accepting public comment through
Friday, December 1 on its 2024 Air Monitoring Network Plan. The plan
is an annual report that provides a detailed description of how and
where air pollution is monitored in Allegheny County.

The 2024 Air
Monitoring Network Plan [link 37] is a document required by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It provides the specific
location of each monitoring station, sitting criteria, monitoring
methods and objectives, frequency of sampling, pollutants measured at
each station and aerial photographs showing their physical
location.

The network includes the following 10 locations within the
county: Avalon, Clairton, Glassport, Harrison, Lawrenceville, Liberty,
North Braddock, Parkway East (Wilkinsburg), South Fayette, and a new
location in Chateau.

One or more of the following pollutants is
measured at each site: Sulfur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen
oxides, total reactive nitrogen, Ozone, PM10, PM2.5, and other air
toxics.

Comments may be submitted via email to
[email protected] [link 38] or by mail to:

Allegheny
County Health Department

Attention: David D. Good

Air Quality
Program

836 Fulton Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15233

All correspondence
must include first and last name and a complete mailing
address.

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 39]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 40]

*Job Openings and Volunteer Opportunities at NAMS in
Sharpsburg*

The Northern Area Multi-Service Center (NAMS) [link 41],
headquartered in Sharpsburg, has been helping at-risk individuals in
Allegheny County since their founding in 1968. NAMS focuses on seniors
in the region and keeping them independent and living at home in their
communities. Their agency is one of the largest ACCESS Transportation
providers in the area; they manage four senior centers and provide
home delivered meals to over 400 individuals three days per week via
the Meals on Wheels program.

NAMS also works with Landmark Home
Health Care, which provides a one-stop shop for seniors who are
independent, but might need additional care in their homes following a
hospitalization or surgery.

The NAMS organization is full of
wonderful staff members and volunteers, but they are currently looking
to add to both groups. Information on current employment and volunteer
opportunities is listed on the graphics above.

If you want to learn
more about NAMS employment opportunities or to submit an application,
please contact Brian Metzer at
[email protected] [link 42] or call
412-781-1176 x 2072. To volunteer or receive more information about
volunteer opportunities contact the Sharpsburg NAMS Senior Center
Coordinator, Pegi Prycl at 412-781-1176 x 4499.

[image =
[link removed]]

[image
=
[link removed]]

As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 43] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
44] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 45]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

[image =
[link removed]]

Senator
Lindsey Williams


----------------------
footnotes
----------------------
[link 1]
[link removed]
[link
2] [link removed]
[link 3]
[link removed]
[link
4] [link removed]
[link 5]
[link removed]
[link
6] [link removed]
[link 7]
[link removed]
[link
8]
[link removed]
[link
9]
[link removed]
[link
10] [link removed]
[link 11]
[link removed]
[link
12]
[link removed]
[link
13]
[link removed]
[link
14]
[link removed]
[link
15] [link removed]
[link 16]
[link removed]
[link
17] [link removed]
[link 18]
[link removed]
[link
19]
[link removed]
[link
20]
[link removed]
[link
21] [link removed]
[link 22]
[link removed]
[link
23] [link removed]
[link 24] [link removed]
[link 25]
[link removed]
[link
26] [link removed]
[link 27]
[link removed]
[link 28]
[link removed]
[link 29] [link removed]
[link 30]
[link removed]
[link
31]
[link removed]
[link
32] [link removed]
[link 33]
[link removed]
[link
34] [link removed]
[link 35]
mailto:[email protected]
[link 36]
[link removed]
[link 37]
[link removed]
[link
38]
[link removed]
[link
39] [link removed]
[link 40]
[link removed]
[link 41]
[link removed]
[link
42] mailto:[email protected]
[link 43]
tel:412-364-0469
[link 44] tel:724-224-2131
[link 45]
mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
[link removed]

Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928

Harrison Office
1826 Union
Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone: 724-224-2131
Fax:
724-224-2145

Harrisburg Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box
203038
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax:
717-787-8625

Unsubscribe:
[link removed]
Privacy
Policy: [link removed]