School Safety & Community Violence Prevention Funding

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is accepting applications for meritorious and competitive School Safety and Security grants and the Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Initiative. Applications for three grant programs will be accepted through Nov. 4.  All applications must be submitted electronically through the PCCD e-grant system, which can be found at https://www.pccdegrants.pa.gov/Egrants/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx.

The Meritorious School Safety and Security grant program has $18.72 million in funds to help make school districts safer. It is only available to school districts. The Competitive School Safety and Security grant program has $33.78 million in funds available. Eligible applicants include: school districts; intermediate units; area career and technical schools; charter schools; cyber charter schools; regional charter schools; approved private schools; chartered schools for the education of the deaf and the blind; or private residential rehabilitative institutions. Funds from both programs must be used to support any, all, or one of a listing of 23 items or activities that can be found within each grant announcement.

Program staff can answer questions on the program via email at [email protected].  Please put either “Meritorious Application” or “Competitive Application” in the subject line. Technical questions concerning the e-grants system should be made directly to the e-grants help desk at either 717-787-5887 or 1-800-692-7292 or by emailing [email protected].

The third program with available funding is the Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Initiative.  $7.5 million in funding is available for local efforts to reduce and/or prevent violence for certain specific purposes.  These include:

• Increasing access to quality trauma-informed support services and behavioral health care by linking the community with local trauma support and behavioral health systems;
• Providing health services and intervention strategies by coordinating the services provided by eligible applicants and coordinated care organizations, public health entities, nonprofit youth service providers and community-based organizations;
• Providing mentoring and other intervention models to children and their families who have experienced trauma or are at risk of experiencing trauma, including those who are low-income, homeless, in foster care, involved in the criminal justice system, unemployed, experiencing a mental illness or substance abuse disorder or not enrolled in or at risk of dropping out of an educational institution;
• Fostering and promoting communication between the school entity, community and law enforcement; or
• Any other program or model designed to reduce community violence and approved by the PCCD School Safety and Security Committee.

Eligible applicants for the Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Initiative include municipalities, counties, institutions of higher education, and community-based organizations.

Questions on the funding announcement can be emailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Nov. 1. Please include “Community Violence Prevention/Reduction or CVPR” in the subject line.  Technical questions concerning the e-grants system should be made directly to the e-grants help desk at either 717-787-5887 or 1-800-692-7292 or by emailing [email protected].

REAL ID Reminder

I want to remind anyone interested in getting a REAL ID how to go about it.  In March, PennDOT began issuing REAL IDs to customers for the first time.

If you received your first Pennsylvania driver's license, learner's permit or photo ID card AFTER September 2003, PennDOT may already have your required REAL ID documentation on file.

If you fall into this category and would like PennDOT to verify that your required REAL ID documentation is on file, please click here to begin the REAL ID Online Pre-Verification application process. Once PennDOT has reviewed your record, you will receive an email stating whether your documentation is on file with the department. If you did not provide an email address, once PennDOT has reviewed your record, you will receive a postcard stating whether your documentation is on file with the department. If your documentation is on file with PennDOT, you will be able to order your REAL ID online without visiting a driver's license center at www.dmv.pa.gov and your REAL ID will be sent through the mail.

Individuals who wish to obtain a REAL ID and received their first product BEFORE September 2003 must visit a PennDOT Driver License Center with the required documentation to pre-verify in person. Required documentation includes the following:

• Proof of Identity (original or certified copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal, issued by an authorized government agency, or a valid U.S. Passport)
• Social Security card
• Proof of all legal name changes (marriage certificate, court order or divorce decree)
• Two proofs of current, physical PA address (examples include a current PA license or ID and no more than a 90-day old bank statement or utility bill with the same name and address)

For additional information about REAL ID in Pennsylvania please visit www.penndot.gov/REALID or  http://www.pasenate.com/RealID/.

Getting a REAL ID is optional for Pennsylvania residents but as a reminder, beginning October 1, 2020, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, photo ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.

Absentee Ballot Reminder

Any voter who needs an absentee ballot for the Nov. 5 General Election can now request those ballots online at www.votesPA.com/ApplyAbsentee. When an applicant completes the online form, the information is forwarded directly to the appropriate county elections office for processing. Anyone not wishing to apply online can download an application at www.votespa.com or pick one up at any of my district offices.

The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is October 29 and voters must still mail or hand-deliver their completed ballot to their county election office by the deadline, which is 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1.

Anyone voting by absentee ballot will be required to provide a PA Driver’s License number, PennDOT ID number, or last four digits of your Social Security number.  If you do not possess any of the aforementioned items, a copy of an acceptable ID must be provided with the application.  For any questions please contact 412-350-4510 or visit www.votespa.com.

Southwestern Veterans’ Center Open House

The public is invited to an open house this Friday at the Southwestern Veterans’ Center (SWVC), located at 7060 Highland Drive, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The SWVC is one of six veterans’ homes operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

The SWVC provides residents with essential equipment and furnishings, complete on-site medical and pharmacy services, physical, speech and occupational therapy, and 24-hour nursing care. The home also offers year-round recreational activities such as crafts, games, musical entertainment, shopping, trips to local sporting events, as well as other stimulating activities.

The DMVA provides residency to more than 1,300 eligible veterans and their spouses throughout the commonwealth. The other five veterans’ homes are: the Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home in Philadelphia; the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center in Scranton; the Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home in Hollidaysburg; the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home in Erie; and the Southeastern Veterans’ Center in Spring City.

For more information about admissions at SWVC, contact the admissions coordinator at 412-665-6782 or visit www.VeteransHomes.pa.gov.

Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest for Students

In an effort to continue the dialogue about the dangers of underage drinking, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) is encouraging students from across the commonwealth to participate in the 28th annual Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest.

The contest is open to all Pennsylvania students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including those who are home-schooled or in private or parochial schools. Students may enter through their schools, clubs, or scout troops, or individually.

Entries must feature a clear no-use message about underage drinking and may be created using any artistic medium. Students are encouraged to use positive messages and images, such as the benefits of being alcohol-free or alternatives to underage drinking.

Posters are selected by a panel of judges for acknowledgement, and each artist who creates a selected poster will be notified of his or her accomplishment and awarded prize money and/or recognition by the LCB. Artwork may be reproduced in various formats and distributed across Pennsylvania.

Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, Dec. 20. For additional information about submission dates and guidelines, review the contest guidelines and entry form available at www.lcb.pa.gov under “Education,” then “Poster Contest.”

Questions about the contest may be directed to 717-772-1432 or [email protected].

Statewide Video Competition Challenges Students to Share Ideas on Farming

Pennsylvania has a rich heritage of farming that dates back centuries, and agriculture remains the state’s top industry today. However, that heritage is threatened by difficult market conditions and an aging population of farmers. For every four farmers in Pennsylvania over the age of 65, there is only one farmer under the age of 35.

The third annual “Talk To Your State Senator” statewide video competition challenges middle and high school students to share their ideas about how Pennsylvania can reverse these trends and ensure the agriculture industry will have a bright future in our Commonwealth.

The contest, which is sponsored by the Senate of Pennsylvania and Rutter’s, is open to Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12, including all public school, private school and home school students. Participants are encouraged to submit video entries of no longer than three minutes that promote the future of farming in Pennsylvania.

A total of $10,000 in prizes will be awarded through the PA 529 college savings program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury. Contest entries must be submitted by January 31, 2020.

More information on the contest is available online at www.legis.state.pa.us/talk-to-your-state-senator/.

Halloween Schedules

While the official date of Halloween is October 31, some communities celebrate the holiday at different times with trick-or-treat schedules varying by neighborhoods and various parades and other celebrations taking place in the days leading up to the official holiday. Please be mindful of this if you are driving through neighborhoods where children are out trick-or-treating and watch your speed.

The following is a listing of trick-or-treating schedules and other Halloween events taking place throughout the 42nd Senatorial District.  The City of Pittsburgh will be holding official trick-or-treat hours on October 31 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh Carmalt Fall Fantasy Craft & Vendor Show

Pittsburgh Carmalt is hosting a Fall Fantasy Craft & Vendor Show on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the school, located at 1550 Breining Street in Brookline. The event allows attendees to get a jump on their holiday shopping and browse offerings from local crafters and vendors.  There will also be a 50/50 raffle and basket auction.  Proceeds benefit the Pittsburgh Carmalt Academy of Science & Technology PTSA.

Additionally, Carmalt students are holding a non-perishable food drive to help the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.  Anyone who brings a non-perishable food item can enter a drawing to win a $25 GetGo gift card.

Fontana Fact

A systemic review of studies published between 1950 and May 2019 by the American Heart Association show that dog ownership was associated with a 31 percent risk reduction for cardiovascular death.

Brookline District 1039 Brookline Boulevard Suite 2 Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Phone: 412-344-2551 Weekdays – 9 am – 5 pm	Harrisburg 543 Main Capitol | Box 203042 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone: 717-787-5300 Fax: 717-772-5484 Weekdays – 8:30 am – 5 pm	Kennedy Township Kenmawr Plaza 524 Pine Hollow Road Kennedy Twp, PA 15136 Phone: 412-331-1208 Weekdays – 10 am – 4 pm
Beechview Satellite 1660 Broadway Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15216 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – First Tuesday of each month or by appointment