If you are complaining about your tax dollars paying off someone else’s student loan debt, or proudly declaring that you worked hard to pay your own student loan debt, or if you were silent when billions of tax dollars paid off the debt of big corporations under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), have a seat. If you were fortunate enough to have family or someone who could save or even scrape together money for your higher education costs, by all means, count your blessings. You are not begrudged that good fortune. However, not everyone was or is in that same position. According to the Federal Reserve, the gender and racial wealth gap is significant. The median wealth of white families is 10 times that of Black families and more than 8 times that of Latinx families. A white man’s median net worth is 100 times higher than a Black woman’s. Yes, there is a cost to closing the gender-racial wealth gap. But the up-side is huge: Black women contributing to their communities through home ownership, purchasing goods and services, and on and on. So it stands to reason, Black women will benefit the most from President Joe Biden’s cancellation of student loan debt, which may explain some of this backlash. Historically, Black women have been left out of the higher education game, first by blatant discrimination and now by cost. This gender-racial wealth gap affects everyone. It affects entire communities. But at its core, it has economic impacts on a Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation, cooperatives or any other legal entity. Use : To support projects that grow agricultural infrastructure in urban food deserts to improve access to fresh, local food and provide opportunities for hands-on learning, community-building, and for people to become social entrepreneurs. Community gardens are eligible projects. Funds : $2,500 micro grants or up to $50,000 for collaboration grants. Application Deadline : September 16, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Funding/Farmbill/Pages/Urban-Ag-Grant.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation or any other legal entity. Use : To support the development and expansion of current or future very small meat and poultry processing operations. Funds : Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant. Application Deadline : September 26, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Funding/Farmbill/Pages/Very-Small-Meat-Processor-Grant.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Agriculture and Youth Grant Program Read more
The House Democratic Policy Committee convened a hearing Tuesday morning in Philadelphia that brought landlords, tenants and housing officials together to discuss how lawmakers could strike a balance in the rental market. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker joined Philly Bolt, Frontline Dads and Youth Vote at the state Capitol to hear from young people about their experiences with #gunviolence. Parker says it’s unfortunate that so many kids in Philadelphia have lost friends and family members to gun violence. She hopes that Republicans will hear their testimonies and act on legislation that would help stop the killing. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker delivers the Pa. House prayer. She focuses on working in Christ's image and walking in his footsteps. She wants the Pa. House to come together to do good work for all Pennsylvanians. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., has introduced legislation to improve the Pennsylvania Instant Check System to purchase guns and raise the minimum age to purchase and possess a firearm to 21. The bills were introduced in response to the rising gun violence in Philadelphia and across the state, and the inaction on bills currently introduced in the PA House to combat gun violence. “All we can do is continue to introduce bills that will help to keep folks safe and that will curb the rising tide of gun violence in our communities,” Parker said. “I implore our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to consider these types of commonsense measures so that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel on gun violence near our homes and in our neighborhoods. It’s time to pass bills that will make a difference, not to turn a blind eye.” In Pennsylvania, every firearm sale that is carried out by a licensed seller must involve a request for a criminal history, juvenile delinquency history and mental health record check of the potential purchaser or transferee. The state police PICS searches numerous databases to determine whether or not the potential buyer is legally allowed to own a firearm. However, currently a licensed seller can transfer a firearm to someone without first conducting a proper background check if there is an electronic failure, scheduled computer downtime, or similar event beyond the control Read more
"The problems that plague Philly are everywhere. Gun violence is on the rise in Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Erie, Scranton, York, Reading, Allentown." Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Assessing Racial & Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) in PA’s Criminal Justice System (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Higher education institutions (public/not-for-profit), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit institutions (i.e., consulting firms). Use : To develop and implement a statewide research initiative to identify current R/ED levels using quantitative methods, understand potential drivers using qualitative methods, and make recommendations to chart a path forward. Funds : Up to $250,000. Application Deadline : July 12, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Victim Advocacy – School District of Philadelphia (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply: Organizations that provide direct services to crime victims and may be operated by a non-profit organization or public (governmental) agency, or a combination of such agencies or organizations. Use : To support students and their families who are victims of violence within the School District of Philadelphia. Funds : Up to $375,000 over three years. PCCD expects to fund one (1) applicant over a three-year project period. Application Deadline : Read more
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
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