“This budget reflects our priorities for the city of Philadelphia through historic fair, adequate and equitable funding for the School District of Philadelphia; addressing affordable housing and homeless assistance; investments in health care and maternal health, while infusing one-time funding to keep SEPTA moving,” said Cephas. Read more
State Rep. Morgan Cephas is commending the American Chinese United Association for donating Tuesday more than 5,000 pieces of personal protective equipment to help protect communities in West Philadelphia from the COVID-19 virus. "As this crisis persists, there is a great demand for protective equipment," said Cephas, D-Phila. "I am forever grateful to the Chinese United Association for stepping up to help us provide relief to those who need it most across our neighborhoods." Cephas and Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. received the PPE, which included masks, hand sanitizer and gloves. They plan on working with Crest Auto to distribute the materials to area organizations, including: The 19th Police District Wynne Senior Homes Wynnefield Place Apartments Calvary Baptist Church Local fire stations "These resources are critical to keep first responders and essential employees safe on the front lines of this pandemic. It's also going toward safeguarding those most vulnerable to COVID-19," Cephas explained. "I will continue working with federal, state and local leaders to open the door to more opportunities like this to aid in stopping the spread, flattening the curve and moving the commonwealth forward." Read more
The U.S. Small Business Association has resumed accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program but funds aren't expected to last long. Here's how to apply. Read more
If you or someone you know is a Philadelphia resident in need of food assistance, please take the time to fill out this form. Read more
From Gov. Wolf's plan to reopen PA in phases, to news about food distribution in the area, checkout the latest COVID-19 updates. Read more
“Playing politics with women’s health is something we’ve come to expect of the majority party in Harrisburg,” Cephas said. “But playing politics now is truly appalling when it’s critical that we connect patients with their doctors safely to ensure they can still receive the quality care and assistance they need during this pandemic." Read more
From Chromebook distribution information for students to how self-employed individuals can now file for unemployment, check out the latest COVID-19 updates. Read more
From free food pick-up for seniors to assistance for families with infants, check out the latest information about COVID-19. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 14 – As part of Black Maternal Health Week, state Rep. Morgan Cephas participated in an online forum Monday, focusing on her ongoing fight to reduce the maternal mortality rate in Pennsylvania -- a phenomenon that disproportionately impacts women of color. The Oshun Family Center hosted the webinar titled Black Maternal Health: Advancing the Village to Hold the Mother, where Cephas discussed her package of bills that would: Offer Medicaid coverage for doulas (H.B. 2109) . Expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum women (H.B. 2108) . Add "severe maternal morbidity" to the list of reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health (H.B. 2107). Require implicit bias training for health care professionals ( H.B. 2110 ). "Access to quality health care should never be based on a person's skin color or zip code," said Cephas, D-Phila. "However, the maternal mortality rate for women of color remains disproportionally higher than white women and demands collective and immediat e action . From legislators to stakeholders, we must come together and work to secure funding, develop policies and pass laws that result in better health outcomes." "Black Maternal Health Week has been a passion project for the Maternal Wellness Village and me, due to the personal impact on our lives," said Saleemah McNeil, founder of Read more
Check out COVID-19 updates and resources from the week of April 6, 2020. Read more
While schools are closed, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is offering a grant opportunity for schools to help provide continued learning for students. Read more
From the stay-at-home order being extended to schools now closed indefinitely, here are the COVID-19 updates you need to know from the week of March 30, 2020. Read more
As we work to overcome the ongoing challenges associated with COVID-19, I am committed to bringing you up-to-date information about the virus and connecting you with the available resources aimed at helping you overcome this public health crisis. Here's new information you need to know from this week. Taking action to provide COVID-19 relief for Pennsylvanians I'm working to protect myself, my colleagues and you by working from home, while still working to make sure you have a voice in Harrisburg. In our fight against COVID-19 this week, we passed bills to: Reschedule Pennsylvania’s Primary Election from April 28 to June 2, 2020. Provide $50 million in emergency funding to assist hospitals, nursing homes and emergency medical services in acquiring the supplies needed to care for the influx of patients and protect health care workers. Support education by guaranteeing that teachers, bus drivers and other school employees don't lose their salaries or benefits while schools are closed. It also waives the requirement that schools provide 180 days of instruction this school year. Assist employees/employers by easing Read more
As schools remain closed, state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Peter Schweyer are introducing legislation to help connect all students with the critical resources they need to continue their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Advanced technology has made it possible for young people to learn outside of the classroom. However, not all families are able to afford these services and devices," said Cephas, D-Phila. "Access to quality education should not be based on your ZIP code, especially during times of crisis. This is just another way I am working ensure children in our communities have access to the same tools as everyone else." The bill would allocate grant money to school districts to provide or expand access to technology and technological equipment, like laptops or tablets, for students who do not have the means to purchase them or are unable to access the Internet from home. “As a parent of two children in the Allentown School District, I know that so many of our talented kids only have access to technology at school," said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. "When the need arrives when schools need to be closed, we must make sure students have the tools they need to continue their studies, regardless of their economic circumstances. This legislation will help close the digital divide for those less fortunate Read more
** Below is a list of informational links for resources in and around Philadelphia related to COVID-19. This will be updated as more/new information becomes available ** The latest info on COVID-19 cases and other data statewide from the Pennsylvania Department of Health : https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx The latest information on COVID-19 cases and other data in Philadelphia from the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health : https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/environmental-health-hazards/covid-19/ The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has activated a Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline . It’s available 24/7. If you have questions about symptoms and risk factors, what to do if you think you may have been exposed, testing resources, or recommendations for social distancing, you can contact the helpline at 1-800-722-7112. More info: https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-14-greater-philadelphia-coronavirus-helpline-opened-by-health/?fbclid=IwAR2HZUc0yYdy66IMO4nrx8g4Z8vKMHE9qWUXmmLDe3OZFIjVhiwGDu0ZFIo List of essential Philadelphia services and how to access them: https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-18-essential-city-services-remain-open-here-is-how-to-access-them/?mc_cid=7f7be1d618&mc_eid=eda5e48c86 . Information about how SEPTA is operating: http://www.septa.org/service/rail/midday-schedule.html Information about how Amtrak is Read more
The City of Philadelphia has published lists of hospitals, urgent care clinics equipped to accept seriously ill patients, and lists of schools and community centers serving free breakfast and lunch for students and others. Please find resources near you on the map below: Read more
I am committed to transparency and accountability among public servants and value this as an instrument to keep you informed on my work but also engaged with our shared decision-making process. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Mar. 12 – Members of Philadelphia leadership team in the state House were joined by fellow Philadelphia legislators in asking Gov. Tom Wolf to place a moratorium on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from further utility shutoffs for the foreseeable future for all Pennsylvanians in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia members in leadership positions, including Reps. Jordan Harris, Democratic whip; Joanna McClinton, Democratic chairwoman; Rosita Youngblood, Democratic secretary; Jason Dawkins, Philadelphia Delegation chairman; Stephen Kinsey, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman; and Jim Roebuck, Education Committee chairman, were joined by Philadelphia Reps. Donna Bullock, Morgan Cephas, Joe Hohenstein, Malcolm Kenyatta, Brian Sims, Maria Donatucci, Danilo Burgos, Isabella Fitzgerald, Mike Driscoll, Mary Isaacson, Pam DeLissio, Chris Rabb, Elizabeth Fiedler, Jared Solomon and Kevin Boyle in issuing the following statement: “The COVID-19 virus situation is literally evolving by the hour in Pennsylvania as we continue in what’s a situation many Pennsylvanians have never experienced. Many of our neediest residents have life-saving medical equipment that they use in their home, and it’s of the utmost importance that they have consistent access to that equipment through their electric utility. Our emergency rooms and first responders can’t be asked to spend finite resources on Read more
Out of an abundance of caution, our office will be closed to the public starting Monday, March 16th until further notice. Tomorrow, March 13th, our office will also be closed for complete office cleaning. For any assistance with state services, please contact our staff by phone (215) 879-6625, email RepCephas@pahouse.net or fax (215) 879-8566. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 11 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today announced a $25,000 state safety and security grant to Mahdieh Inc., a nonprofit Islamic educational center established in February 2000. The center serves the Iranian American Muslim community of the Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware area and is founded and operated by its members. It serves as a resource for Muslim parents to raise their children and celebrate Muslim holidays. This grant will be used to bolster the organization’s efforts to reduce hate crimes and help those who are victims of hate. “This critical grant will ensure the sustainable operations of Madhieh, an organization important to the Iranian American community in our district,” Cephas said. “Today and every day I celebrate the decision to award these funds. I am proud to be an advocate for our diverse community.” According to Cephas, the grant is provided through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, established by Act 83 of 2019. The act directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who have been or who are likely to be targets for hate crimes. Priority consideration was given to organizations that indicated they – or their membership – were victims of a hate crime or had a credible hate-crime threat. ### Read more
Pa. state Rep. Morgan Cephas is fighting to make higher education affordable and accessible for everyone. She talked with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education about reducing student loan debt and the need to "ban the box" on college applications Read more
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