"Preserving green spaces is essential to our overall quality of life,” Shusterman said. “These spaces provide critical habitats for wildlife, help to regulate our climate, and offer opportunities for recreation and relaxation. This new nature preserve represents an important investment in the future of our community.” Read more
"Our region has faced unexpected hospital closures, resulting in increased pressure on our community's health care resources,” Shusterman said. “This essential grant will allow Paoli Hospital to expand its services and maintain a high standard of care for a larger number of residents. These funds are crucial to address both current and future demand.” Read more
State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, is celebrating the delivery of nearly $2.3 million in grants awarded to various organizations in the 157th Legislative District in the past month. 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
“Resolving family law disputes through court proceedings can be a bitter and financially ruinous process,” Shusterman said. “The partner with deeper pockets and access to the best legal counsel often has an advantage, frequently placing children in the middle of drawn-out legal battles. This law will give families another option to settle disputes, which can be especially helpful in matters of domestic violence as arbitration can lead to quicker resolutions." Read more
“Investments in safe, walkable streets will improve the economic, cultural, and physical health of our neighborhoods. This grant will encourage everyone to get out for a walk, stop by a local business, or meet up with a friend. It’s an investment in people,” Shusterman added. Read more
“As legislators, we are responsible for ensuring the support, development and safety of young people who are placed in the custody of the Commonwealth,” Shusterman said. “Allegations of abuse in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice facilities require us to act. Young people report that these facilities are unsafe, unclean, and unable or unwilling to provide effective treatment or education, and that grievance procedures are not always clear or fair.” Read more
“The state of reproductive health in our country has been in chaos since the Dobbs v. Jackson decision,” Shusterman said. “Pennsylvania is making it clear that we are going to protect women. We are going to uphold the privacy and safety that every mother should expect before, during and after the birthing process. Every area of reproductive health care is going to receive additional protections. I thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for coming to learn about what we are doing here in Pennsylvania and sharing the responses they have seen and heard from other states. This is a much-needed step in the right direction for us to work together in protecting reproductive health care across the United States.” Read more
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“Under the best of circumstances, divorce can take two-three years to resolve in Pennsylvania,” Shusterman said. “Our antiquated laws need modernization to streamline the divorce process, making it more efficient and less adversarial for all parties involved. It's time to rewrite these convoluted laws that keep people in bad, even abusive marriages.” Read more
“Last year in the commonwealth with the expansion of our Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, we made it a little easier for families to balance working and finding proper care for their children,” Shusterman said. “It was an honor to share the progress Pennsylvania has made when it comes to increasing access to child care. We've taken some crucial steps, but there is still more work to do, and I hope we can implement some of the successful programs created by my fellow legislators from across the country to help even more Pennsylvanians.” Read more
“This is the first time Rep. Howard and I have organized an event like this for our districts,” Shusterman said. “We are excited to offer animal lovers a wide range of resources to help them care for their pets. This event will help reduce costs for pet owners, and hopefully, some furry friends will find their forever homes!” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. See program guidelines for specific eligible uses of funds. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Education: Hunger-Free Campus Grants Who May Apply: Institutes of Higher Education. Use: Funding may be used to ensure students have access to healthy, nutritious food. Funds: Institutions with 3,000 or fewer students are eligible for $20,000 awards. Institutions with 3,001 to 7,000 students are eligible for $40,000 awards. Institutions with greater than 7,000 students are eligible for $60,000 awards. Application Deadline: September 23, 2024 More information: PDE website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more
I hope you have been enjoying your summer! My colleagues and I have spent most of our time out of the sun and in the chamber of the House passing numerous pieces of legislation and a state budget that works for YOU! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: School Safety and Mental Health Grants Who May Apply: Eligible school entities as defined under 24 P.S. §13-1314.1-B of the PA Public School Code. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: $100 million is available to be distributed via a formula that stipulates school districts are to receive $100,000 base average and an additional amount based on their 22/23 Adjusted Average Daily Membership. Other eligible school entities are to receive $70,000. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools Who May Apply: Nonpublic schools as defined under Section 924.3-A of the PA Public School Code, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, or approved vendors. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: A total of $19,665,000 in state school safety and security funds is being announced to support this initiative. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PennDOT: Rail Freight Assistance Program/Rail Transportation Assistance Program Who May Apply: Railroad company, transportation organization, municipality, municipal authority, user Read more
PAOLI, Aug. 5 – Beginning today, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is holding a series of five public hearings in the region to gather public input on proposed water and sewer rate hikes, announced state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester. There will be hearings in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties over the next week. Under the proposals, the average monthly bill for a residential water customer would increase by 19.9% ($16.10). For residential wastewater customers, the average monthly bill would increase 18.4% ($14.92). The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate filed with the PUC a formal complaint against these proposed rate increases . The hearing schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Delaware County 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Delaware County Community College STEM Building – Room #1403 (Auditorium) 901 S. Media Line Road Media, PA 19063 Thursday, Aug. 8 – Chester County 1 p.m. New Garden Township Municipal Building 299 Starr Road Landenberg, PA 19350 Monday, Aug. 12 – Montgomery County 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Spring-Ford Area High School (Auditorium) 350 S. Lewis Road Royersford, PA 19468 "Consumers are hit hard by rate hikes, making essential resources a financial strain," Shusterman said. "These increases turn a necessity into a growing expense, creating obstacles to access that can have wide-ranging consequences. Nonetheless, we have Read more
“I want to thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate for their support of this legislation,” said Shusterman. “I will always support initiatives to improve the lives of seniors in our Commonwealth. By encouraging communication between the Department of Health and nursing home staff, we hope that the exchange of ideas and information between these two groups will lead to a unified effort to provide the best senior care possible. I’m proud to have this bill signed in to law by Governor Shapiro.” Read more
My colleagues and I are proud of the 2024-2025 state budget that we passed yesterday and sent to the Governor’s desk. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Local Share Account: Monroe County Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development agencies, or redevelopment authorities within Monroe County or the five contiguous counties to Monroe (Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne). Use: Public interest projects, community improvement projects, economic development projects, or roadway improvement projects. Funds: Funded by gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Category 4 Facilities Program (Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York Counties) Who May Apply: Municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, or economic development agencies in a county hosting a Category 4 licensed gaming facility. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by gaming revenues from Category 4 licensed facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Luzerne County Who May Apply: All Luzerne County municipalities and the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by 2% of gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Read more
Veterans, friends, and family are ALL WELCOME to my Annual Veteran’s BBQ at Wilson Farm Park Pavilion on Saturday, July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A hearty buffet from MISSION BBQ will be served and several veterans' organizations will be on hand to answer questions about benefits and services. Read more
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42 E. Lancaster AveUnit APaoli, PA 19301-1455
P*: (484) 200-8260
F*: (484) 200-8272
Hours of Operation - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Need to meet outside of regular hours? Call (484)200-8260.
To access parking, turn on to Darby Rd from Lancaster Ave, then make the 2nd left into the parking lot. There’s a sign with my name and state seal on the office door. Park anywhere even though the spots are numbered and signs say bank parking only.
720 First AvenueBerwyn, PA 19312-1769
Hours of Operation - Third Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
111 Valley Park RoadPhoenixville, PA 19460-5700
Hours of Operation - Fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
114 Irvis Office BuildingPO Box 202157Harrisburg, PA 17120-2157
P*: (717) 787-7524
F*: (717) 772-3074