“No one should be deprived of compassionate care or respect or be forced to risk the health of their child, even when they are a child themselves under the law. Better prenatal, pregnancy and post-natal protections and support for incarcerated people in Pennsylvania is a matter of compassion and common decency,” Cephas said. Read more

“Research has shown that doula support leads to improved birth outcomes, including reduced rates of cesarean sections, shorter labor durations and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. By providing continuous support throughout pregnancy and the important first year following birth, doulas contribute to safer and more positive experiences for families," Cephas said. "Lack of coverage for doula services in Medicaid leads to a vast disparity in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black birthing people at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This new law will give these parents a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey. " Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Mixed-Use Housing Development Pilot Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, Economic Development Organizations, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities, For-Profit organizations. Use: Mixed-use site development, conversion projects, rehabilitation projects, a combination of the three afore-mentioned projects. Funds: $10 million in PA Sites funding has been allocated for this program. There is no limit on the amount of grant funding that may be awarded to an applicant. Application Deadline: December 6, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Support Services (RSS) Who May Apply: Applicant must have at least two years of experience as of July 1, 2024, providing RSS and demonstrate the capacity to provide RSS to individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorder (SUD). Use: Expand or enhance RSS to individuals in recover from OUD and other concurrent SUD. Funds: Approximately six grants totaling $1,500,000 each will be awarded. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic Read more

Seven Philadelphia schools are getting building upgrades thanks to a $175 million state program that helps districts across Pennsylvania fix up facilities.The money will replace windows and doors, remove asbestos and lead paint, put on new roofs, renovate bathrooms, and more; it will be matched by district funds. Read more

Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker joined fellow members of the Women’s Health Caucus in celebrating $3 million in funding to supply schools with menstrual products. Parker says that no young adult should have to miss school due to lack of access to proper products and is glad to get this done. Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that eight grants from the Statewide Local Share Account were awarded to projects in the 185th Legislative District totaling $2,055,232. In Delaware County, the Colwyn Borough Police Dept. received $227,500 to improve environmental and egress issues in their facility, as well as technology upgrades to increase the department’s capacity to accurately investigate incidents of crime and serve and protect the community.In Southwest Philadelphia, the PIDC Financing Corp. was awarded seven separate grants for projects throughout the area, as follows:•$250,000 for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Inc. toward construction of a freshwater mussel hatchery at Bartram's Garden.•$250,000 for the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to replace an electric substation located at the Navy Yard.•$250,000 for the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for electrical, mechanical and structural system repairs on the Navy Yard Lift Bridge, which was constructed in 1942.•$500,000 for Sharing Excess Food rescue redistribution and composting expansion effort.•$375,000 for the Caring People Alliance to replace the roof and all windows at the South Philadelphia Boys & Girls Club.•$69,644 for The Friends of FDR Park to buy a new vehicle and equipment for park maintenance.•$133,088 for the Inglis Foundation, for the installation of sidewalks and crosswalks along Mario Lanza Boulevard at the... Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. announced today that she has secured funding for local projects through grants from the Statewide Local Share Account totaling more than $1.57 million. Grants were awarded to the PIDC Funding Corp. to facilitate projects for the Overbrook Community Development Corp., Umoja Inc. and the Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation.Project details are as follows:Overbrook Community Development Corp. was awarded $48,353 to install holiday decorative light fixtures along Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia as part of the Haverford Avenue Beautification and Light Project. LSA funds will be used for construction costs, administrative costs, and the purchase and installation of equipment. Umoja, Inc. was awarded $550,000 for the construction of a space to host a “MakersLab and Entrepreneurial Hub” at the Umoja Inc. facility in West Philadelphia. LSA funds will be used for renovations and site preparation for a significant portion of the current Umoja facility to create space for this hub for creators and entrepreneurs. $977,000 was awarded to The Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation for restoring and maintaining the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course.Cephas praised the Commonwealth Financing Authority for seeing the value in these community development projects. “This funding is a real investment in the people and neighborhoods of West Philadelphia. Improved street lighting brightens not only our sidewalks... Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. today announced that the School District of Philadelphia has been awarded two grants from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program totaling $8.65 million to support renovation projects at Overbrook High School. The projects will renovate the auditorium and replace the roof at the historic 98-year-old building. •$5 million was awarded for roof replacement, HVAC, energy savings, plus health and safety upgrades in the school auditorium, including complete asbestos and lead paint abatement, and removing moldy walls and ceilings.•$3.65 million was awarded for the roof replacement project for the entire school, due to ongoing leak issues that have escalated air quality and mold concerns. The School District of Philadelphia will provide $10.75 million in matching funds to cover the total cost of both projects. “At nearly 100 years old, Overbrook High School is one of the oldest and most iconic school buildings in Philadelphia but riddled with environmental concerns following years of disrepair. With its easily distinguishable architecture and beauty, these renovation projects will keep this star of our community shining for future generations,” said Cephas.“This is part of our commitment to remediating toxic school buildings across the state. I’m thankful that the Shapiro administration understood the dire need of these restorations so that we can keep Overbrook High healthy, safe and clean for our students,... Read more

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., release the following statement after a violent weekend in North Philadelphia’s Hartranft neighborhood: “Once again, what should have been a joyful community celebration in Hartranft ended in tragedy, and my heart is heavy. Too many lives in our city have been cut short by gun violence, leaving families and neighborhoods mourning. As someone who calls North Philly home, I’ve seen both the strength of our communities, and the deep pain violence leaves behind. While we’ve made progress, we can’t be satisfied. There’s still so much work to do to ensure safety for everyone. “We must care for each other. When conflict arises, we must meet it with empathy and understanding—not with violence. Too often, social media turns small disagreements into something much bigger. We are stronger than that, and violence cannot be the way we respond. “I’m thinking of those injured over the weekend and sending my deepest wishes for their recovery, both physically and emotionally. Now is the time for us to come together to focus on what unites us as a community so we can all live with the safety, peace and hope that we deserve.” Read more

As part of the commonwealth’s effort to increase access to internet resources in all communities, state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority has awarded a $1 million grant to the Office of Innovation and Technology in the city of Philadelphia for technological infrastructure improvements to create a southwest digital access hub at the Finnegan Rec Center in Southwest Philadelphia. Read more