STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Improvement Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : An entity enrolled with the Department’s OLTL as a Medical Assistance provider type 59 and have a signed OLTL-HCBS Waiver Agreement and be actively rendering services to participants in the CHC or OBRA waiver programs or both as of the date of May 1, 2022. Use : To help HCBS providers implement projects to improve the quality of services provided to individuals in the CHC and the OBRA waiver programs. Funds : Up to $40,000 in funding. Application Deadline : December 31, 2022 or until funds are expended. More Information : Click on https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/Long-Term-Care-Providers.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Work Force Support Grant (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Certified child care providers. Use : To support the work force of DHS certified child care providers. Funds : Amounts vary by award. Application Deadline : June 17, 2022. More Information : Click on https://www.pakeys.org/workforcesupportgrants/ . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2022 Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Policy and Implementation Program Read more
In the wake of Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker is frustrated with the lack of action by the legislature when it comes to moving bills that would address the growing #GunViolence in Philadelphia and other communities across the Commonwealth. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker joined legislative leaders and healthcare officials to announce state funding to address health equity, including $1 Million for the Black Doctors Consortium Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity in North Philadelphia. The pandemic laid bare the vast inequities in healthcare for Black and brown communities, which the Black Doctors Consortium worked hard to alleviate. Read more
Today, Pennsylvania lawmakers held a hearing to ask the question: who is helping older Pennsylvanians bridge the digital divide and what are the consequences if we don’t?State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., hosted the hearing held by the Democratic Policy Committee, chaired by state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, and attended by other members of the state House at the Community College of Philadelphia -- Northwest Regional Center. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – State grant awards totaling $1 million have been awarded to the Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise and DePaul Campus for improvement projects, according to state Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila. “These projects are vital to these organizations as well as the community,” Parker said. “This is a perfect example of tax dollars coming back to the community to provide for economic revitalization. These organizations employ and educate community residents and provide economic stimulus to the region. It is important the state provides financial assistance to ensure their success.” The Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise will use $500,000 to construct a 6,000-square-foot innovation and manufacturing center. The proposed space will house wet labs, space for small-batch manufacturing, equipment to develop prototypes, office space, and training facilities for area residents. DePaul Campus and Independence Mission Schools will use $500,000 to preserve a former church and renovate it into a preschool facility on one level, and a multi-use assembly/recreation/gym space on the first floor. Improvements include interior ceiling and wall repairs, exterior pointing and masonry repairs, roof repairs, heating and mechanical repairs. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, from which the grants were awarded, is a commonwealth grant program Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – State grant awards totaling $1 million have been awarded to the Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise and DePaul Campus for improvement projects, according to state Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila. “These projects are vital to these organizations as well as the community,” Parker said. “This is a perfect example of tax dollars coming back to the community to provide for economic revitalization. These organizations employ and educate community residents and provide economic stimulus to the region. It is important the state provides financial assistance to ensure their success.” The Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise will use $500,000 to construct a 6,000-square-foot innovation and manufacturing center. The proposed space will house wet labs, space for small-batch manufacturing, equipment to develop prototypes, office space, and training facilities for area residents. DePaul Campus and Independence Mission Schools will use $500,000 to preserve a former church and renovate it into a preschool facility on one level, and a multi-use assembly/recreation/gym space on the first floor. Improvements include interior ceiling and wall repairs, exterior pointing and masonry repairs, roof repairs, heating and mechanical repairs. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, from which the grants were awarded, is a commonwealth grant program overseen by the Office of the Budget to assist Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker welcomed Gov. Tom Wolf to James Logan Elementary School in her district. Parker knows that education is everything when it comes to the success of children and believes that every student deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their Zip code. She says that Level Up funding would give teachers and students the resources they need to succeed, providing children with opportunities they may not have had otherwise. Read more
“Every Pennsylvania student deserves access to a quality education that puts them on a path to success regardless of zip code,” said Rep. Parker. “This is an ongoing fight for fair education funding for the school districts that need it the most. Philadelphia has been terribly underfunded for too long. Governor, thank you for your foresight and your support of this funding. Thank you for helping us help our teachers be equipped in the classroom to help our students be successful, thriving individuals.” Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT): Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Program (Funding Source: State, Federal, & Private Funding) Who May Apply : Private companies. Use : To develop innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Funds : Varies by award. Application Deadline : April 30, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.penndot.pa.gov/projectAndPrograms/p3forpa/Pages/default.aspx . FEDERAL PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Navigator Program for Racial Ethnic Minorities (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Public and private non-profit entities . Use : To provide training and education around the risks of substance use and HIV/AIDS, as well as the integration of a range of services for individuals with HIV/AIDS. Funds : Varies by award. Application Deadline : May 2, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sp-22-002 . Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP)/Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED): Pennsylvania’s Recovery Housing Read more
HARRISBURG, March 22 – This week, state Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., introduced the Fair Criminal Record Screening Act that, if passed, would help current and potential employees by prohibiting the use of their past criminal records in certain situations. Roughly one in three adult Americans have a criminal record, as many as have college diplomas. Having a criminal record can make it difficult to obtain housing, job placements, or public benefits. “All too often otherwise qualified individuals are not considered for jobs because they have a past criminal offense,” Parker said. “Many of these offenses are unrelated to the job in question, are non-violent in nature, or occurred in adolescence. While both federal and state law offer some protections in this area, it is clear more needs to be done to give these job seekers, as well as those currently employed, a second chance by removing unfair roadblocks to economic stability. Not only is this good for job seekers, it is also good for employers who might overlook otherwise qualified individuals because of a mistake made years ago.” Parker said this bill would continue the trend that Pennsylvania has taken in recent years in the area of criminal justice reform. This bill would better protect individuals currently employed as well as those applying for open positions by: Prohibiting employers from inquiring about or using information related to a job applicant’s or current Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker and her district office are ready to serve you. She is working to put Pa. on a path to better schools, better jobs and better communities for all. If you are wondering if you qualify for property tax/rent rebates, unemployment compensation, or need help filling out PennDOT paperwork, call her district office at 215-849-6426. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, March 1 – Today, the House Democratic Policy Committee examined the impacts of cannabis criminalization in Pennsylvania, including the downstream effect of criminalization on families, diversity disparities in the medical cannabis industry itself, and what legislators should consider in legalizing adult-use cannabis. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Children’s Trust Fund (Funding Source: Children’s Trust Fund) Who Can Apply : Any organization located and operating in Pennsylvania that provides direct services and meets the criteria in the Request for Application is eligible to apply. Use : To promote primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs in community-based settings. Funds : Up to $50,000 per year for up to three years. There is a minimum local match requirement of 25 percent of the requested grant award for the first year and a minimum local match 50 percent of the requested grant award for the second and third grant years. Application Deadline : January 13 More Information : Click on http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=RFA%2017-21 . Commonwealth Financing Authority: Business in Our Sites (Funding Source: Business in Our Sites Program Account – loan repayments) Who Can Apply : Municipalities, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development authorities and private developers. Use : For the acquisition and development of key sites for future use by businesses, private developers, and others. Funds must be used on previously utilized or undeveloped sites which demonstrate substantial likelihood of future use after the property is Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 6 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., today announced $3 million in state grants for redevelopment projects in the 198 th District. Philadelphia Youth Basketball will use $2.5 million to purchase and renovate an existing building into a world-class basketball and youth development-focused nonprofit community center. The renovations include structural work inside the building plus the construction of seven indoor basketball courts. I ndependence Mission Schools was awarded $500,000 for the DePaul Campus Expansion. The project will preserve a former church and renovate it into a preschool facility on one level, and a multi-use assembly/recreation/gym space on the first floor. Other improvements include interior renovations like repairs and upgrades. “The awarding of funds for these projects is so important to the district especially in this time of COVID and uncertainty,” Parker said. “These important projects bring invaluable programs to the children in the district, programs where they will learn and thrive and take what they learn with them throughout their lives. While they are growing in the district, they will have access to first class developmental programs.” The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Substance Use Disorder Provider Stabilization (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who Can Apply : Substance use disorder treatment providers. Use : Stabilization payments to substance use disorder treatment providers to assist with pandemic-related expenses. Funds : Up to $10 million will be awarded statewide. Application Deadline : December 8 More Information : Click on https://www.ddap.pa.gov/DDAPFunding/Pages/Funding-Opportunities.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Veterans Employment Program (Funding Source s : General Fund & Reemployment Fund) Who Can Apply : Local workforce development boards, non-profit and non-governmental entities, community-based organizations, education and post-secondary organizations, labor organizations, business associations, and economic development entities. There is a special emphasis on the following counties with the highest veteran unemployment rates: Beaver, Delaware, Fayette, Lackawanna, Clearfield, and Lycoming counties. Use : To implement a veterans employment program. Funds : Up to $200,000 each. $800,000 will be awarded statewide. Application Deadline : December 30 More Information : Click on Read more
I’ve been deep in contemplative thought since the reporting of a SEPTA train assault. I don’t even need to specify because you know the assault of which I speak. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Labor & Industry: Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grants (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Local workforce development boards, non-profit agencies (community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, etc.) or small businesses meeting certain criteria (see program guidelines). Uses : To provide digital literacy classes emphasizing career development skills, including digital fundamentals, digital job seeking, digital citizenship, and digital information. Funds : Grants of up to $45,000 each. Application Deadline : December 21 More Information : Click on https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: State Clean Diesel Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding and State Mitigation Trust - Volkswagen Emissions Settlement) Who May Apply : Pennsylvania Businesses, Incorporated Nonprofits, State, Local, or Tribal Government Agencies, Air Quality or Transportation Organizations, Metropolitan or Rural/Regional Transportation Planning Organizations, and Federal Government Agencies. Uses : Diesel emission reduction projects, including, but not limited to: verified exhaust controls; engine upgrades and certified remanufacture systems; verified idle reduction technologies; certified engine Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Education: It’s on Us (Funding Source: General Fund) Who Can Apply : Public and private colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions. Use : Programs and initiatives to increase awareness, education, and resources to combat sexual assault. Funds : Applicants may apply for up to $30,000 per institution. Application Deadline : October 20 More Information : Click on https://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/Pages/Governor-Wolf's-It's-On-Us-PA-Grant-Program.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Business-Education Partnership Grants (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who Can Apply : Local Workforce Development Boards. Use : To connect businesses and school districts and to expand career awareness opportunities. Funds : Up to $150,000 per award. Application Deadline : November 18 More Information : Click on https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx . FEDERAL PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration: Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who Can Apply : Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency: Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities (replaces Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant) (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Local governments with a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan are eligible to apply to PEMA as sub-applicants. Individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations are not eligible to apply for funds directly; however, an eligible local government entity may apply for funding on behalf of individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. PEMA will be the statewide applicant to FEMA on behalf of eligible sub-applicants. Use : Pre-disaster mitigation activities to reduce risk from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on federal funding in future disasters. A federal disaster declaration is not required. Funds : Federal cost-share is 75 percent. Application Deadline : Letters of Interest (required step) must be sent to PEMA by 5pm October 15, 2021. Completed applications to PEMA are due 5pm November 19, 2021. More Information : Click on https://www.pema.pa.gov/Grants/BRIC/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency: Flood Mitigation Assistance (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Local governments may apply to PEMA as sub-applicants. PEMA will be the statewide Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: Environmental Education Grants (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Schools, nonprofits, colleges and universities, municipalities, county conservation districts, and businesses. Use : While all education project topics are considered, water quality, climate change, and environmental justice are priority areas. Project examples include tours, demonstrations, and hands-on learning experiences and workshops on stream monitoring, rain gardens, wetlands, green infrastructure, and other watershed stewardship; solar and other renewable energy, alternative transportation, energy conservation, and other approaches to address climate change; and improving air quality and community and municipal partnerships to address local environmental challenges. Funds : Mini grants up to $3,000 for local projects. General grants up to $85,000 for local, regional, and statewide projects. Application Deadline : December 10 More Information : Click on https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/EnvironmentalEducation/Grants/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grants (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Licensed childcare providers. Use : One-time grants for Read more
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