NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency: Non-profit Security Grant Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations Use: Target hardening and physical security enhancements for sites that may be a target for a terrorist or extremist attack. Funds: $210 million in FEMA dollars has been made available nationally. PEMA will serve as the grantee and subgrant funds to recipients in Pennsylvania. Application Deadline: December 16, 2024 More information: PA Grants website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Developing Satellite Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) Who May Apply: A NCA accredited CAC who, in conjunction and partnership with another county MDIT, seeks to develop a satellite CAC location within that county. Use: Supporting the development of satellite location(s) in counties in the Commonwealth that may not have enough child abuse cases to sustain an independent CAC Funds: A total of approximately $1,200,000 in state Endowment Act funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 4 grants. Maximum awards of $300,000 are available for the three-year project period. Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion matching Grant Program Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations that Read more
MCCANDLESS, Nov. 18 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that a $20,000 state grant was awarded to La Roche University in McCandless for multi-faceted efforts to connect students with food and food resources. The funds are made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Hunger-Free Campus Grant program, which helps schools address food insecurity on campus and includes expanding access to food options, creating awareness initiatives, and upgrading facilities. “Students are more excited to learn and better equipped to excel inside and outside of the classroom when they receive the nutrition needed to fuel and sustain themselves,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “These dollars will help provide the ingredients they require every day and give them the energy they need to tackle the demands of their coursework.” All grant recipients are members of the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative , a coalition of PA institutions of higher education focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students, creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates, providing resources and strategies for campuses, and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity. The PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative began in 2022 and is a focus of First Lady Lori Shapiro and part of her work to advocate for students and families to ensure they have the support they need to thrive and live Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Aging: Senior Community Center Grant Program Who May Apply: Senior community centers with an existing, contractual relationship with an Area Agency on Aging. Use: Funding opportunities are intended for enhancements to increase participation and programming, attract a new generation of older adults, and enable Senior Community Centers to provide a safe and healthy environment for their participants. Funds: $2 million in competitive grant funding is available. Application Deadline: December 13, 2024 More information: PA Grants website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program Who May Apply: County governments and non-profit agencies. Use: To support communities in their efforts to develop and strengthen effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence through multidisciplinary collaboration. Funds: A total of $870,000 over the three-year project period in federal STOP Formula Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund two grants with budgets not to exceed $145,000 per 12-month project period. Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Military and Veterans Affairs: Veterans’ Trust Fund Who May Apply: Non-profits serving veterans, veterans’ service organizations, Read more
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that $333,200 in state conservations grants were awarded to two projects in Pennsylvania’s 30th Legislative District in McCandless and Franklin Park, along with over half a million related dollars for the city of Pittsburgh. “As a practicing emergency physician, I’m keenly aware of the importance exercise and green space are for our overall well-being, and these funds will help our community have fun and stay healthy at the same time. Growing recreational opportunities and taking care of our surroundings will make our communities more appealing to residents and visitors alike and do our part for the planet too,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Thank you to all my state legislative partners for their work in procuring these grants.” Venkat and state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, helped facilitate $288,400 in Community Conservation Partnership Program funds for rehabilitating North Park in McCandless Township. Work will include: Construction of a pedestrian walkway. Parking area and stormwater management. Installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing. ADA access. Landscaping. Other related site improvements. “North Park is a destination for so many people in our region, whether it’s to walk, bike, row, ice skate or celebrate with friends and family. This investment in keeping the park safe and accessible Read more
Last week, South Asians and Hindus across Pennsylvania celebrated their first Diwali since Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a law making the festival of lights an official state holiday in Pennsylvania. Read more
“Our volunteer firefighters protect us every day. I am always proud to work with my colleague, Sen. Williams, and Gov. Shapiro to support their vital work,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This grant will ensure the Peebles District Volunteer Fire Company in McCandless has the infrastructure it needs to continue their essential duties.” 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
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of more than $1.8 million in state grants was awarded to several local institutions. Venkat and state Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, helped facilitate The Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program’s allocation of $1 million to the Avonworth School District for roof replacement work at Avonworth Middle/High School. In addition, $841,100 in Local Share Account funds was awarded to the following four projects: Ohio Township -- $500,000 for the expansion of AHN Site Park. Ben Avon Heights Borough -- $181,100 for pedestrian, curb and roadway improvements along Canterbury Road. Franklin Park Borough -- $100,000 for purchasing a bucket truck. Franklin Park Borough -- $60,000 for roof replacement work on two buildings in Blueberry Hill. “Securing these dollars means giving communities the tools and resources they need to keep neighbors safe and stay on top of local priorities, as well,” Venkat said, “It is my honor and privilege to do all I can in my role to best serve the good people of the 30th Legislative District.” PSFIG provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. The LSA supports projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is made possible by gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Read more
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat and state Sen. Lindsey Williams announced that a total of $1.12 million in state grants was awarded to several local institutions. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of neighbors young and old and keeping our communities proactive in addressing issues as they arise is vital,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said, “Thank you to Senator Lindsey Williams for her collaboration in securing these crucial dollars.” “Funding our EMS agencies so they have the equipment that they need to provide high-quality services to our communities is a top priority for me,” Williams, D-Allegheny, added, “I’m incredibly grateful for the work that McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority does to keep this community safe and healthy every day, and I’m proud to partner with them and local municipal leaders and elected officials to secure funding that will help them continue that work.” Venkat, Williams and state Rep. Rob Mercuri, R-Allegheny, helped facilitate The Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program’s allocation of $700,000 to Hampton Township School District for roof replacement work at Hampton Township Middle School. In addition, $426,485 in Local Share Account funds was presented to the following three projects: McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority-$200,000 for purchasing a new ambulance. McCandless Township-$166,000 for repairing Read more
Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402(opens in a new tab) into law — officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania while attending a Diwali, Tihar, and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebration hosted by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs in the atrium of the Keystone Building in downtown Harrisburg. Read more
Medical debt is an issue that disproportionately impacts rural Pennsylvanians. Efforts to reduce medical debt have been thwarted by legislators representing those communities. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Global Access Program (GAP) Who May Apply: Pennsylvania companies that meet specific criteria (criteria available at link below) Use: Valid uses include: overseas and domestic trade show participation, overseas trade mission participation, foreign market sales trip, subscription to US DOC services, translation/interpreter fees, website internationalization, shipping sample products, and compliance testing. Funds: $800,000 in grant funding is available. Companies are eligible to receive up to $10,000 grants. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until funding is depleted. More information: DCED website Department of Environmental Protection: Orphan Well Plugging Grant Program Who May Apply: Qualified well pluggers Use: Funds are to be used to plug orphaned gas wells. Funds: Grants of $40,000 are available for plugging wells 3,000 feet deep or less. Grants of up to $70,000 are available for plugging wells deeper than 3,000 feet. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until funding is depleted. More information: DEP website Department of Education: It’s On Us PA Who May Apply: Post-secondary institutions, including public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Use: Funding is intended to be used to implement strategies Read more
As an emergency physician, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of untreated mental health conditions. For far too many young people, the first time they access mental health care is in a moment of crisis – often in the ER, when their symptoms have already escalated beyond what community care could have addressed. Read more
Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Reps. Emily Kinkead (D-20) Arvind Venkat (D-30) announced that Northland Public Library will receive a $650,000 Multipurpose Community Facilities Program grant. Northland is currently undergoing a major renovation project to upgrade their entire facility and improve accessibility for all patrons while adding much needed space for work, study, and gathering. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – Legislation that would make Diwali an official holiday in Pennsylvania passed the General Assembly with a bipartisan majority today and will soon become law. Senate Bill 402 was introduced by state Sens. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland/Dauphin/Perry, and Nikil Saval, D-Phila., and would not require school, government or employer closings. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, as a time of reflection and gathering,” Rothman said. “Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.” “Wherever we’re from and whatever our background, all of us deserve to have our cultures recognized and honored. As the number of Asian Americans grows steadily here in Pennsylvania and across the country, our commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion,” Saval added. “I am so proud to have worked with my colleagues in the state legislature to put Pennsylvania at the forefront by acknowledging Diwali’s deep cultural significance and inviting all people to reflect on the endless struggle of light over darkness.” State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s companion legislation, House Bill 436 , passed the Pennsylvania House in April of last year. “Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists worldwide, including hundreds Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bills that would enhance licensure flexibility for physician assistants related to their supervising physicians passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously today. House Bills 2294 and 2295 would amend the physician licensure acts in Pennsylvania and allow physician assistants to work with either classification of physician, a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, without having to align with the physician’s license type. Current law requires that physician assistants and supervising physicians must be licensed by the same state medicine board. “Medical professionals want to help as many patients as possible, and my commonsense bills eliminate a circumstantial barrier to performing their sworn duty,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their affirmative votes and their personal investments in the health and livelihood of patients and health professionals alike.” Both bills now move to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Transportation: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports and rail freight entities. Use: To improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: The MTF requires a 30% match of the amount award. Awards are available for projects with a minimum cost of $100,000 and no more than $3,000,000. Application Deadline: November 5, 2024 More information: PennDOT website Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Unconventional Gas Well Fund Who May Apply: Volunteer and career fire, EMS, and rescue companies in counties where unconventional gas well drilling is permitted and counties that directly border permitted counties and respond to related emergencies. Use: Funds may be used for certification, equipment, and Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would provide greater oversight to the implementation of artificial intelligence by health insurance companies when determining the appropriateness of claims was the subject of an informational hearing today in the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee. “The rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence in the health industry may help improve the efficiency of processing insurance claims, but streamlining this process may deprive people of the human connection essential in doctor-patient relationships,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “My bill would not only keep that bond intact, but it would ensure that the deciding determination of claims is in the hands of qualified medical professionals and out of the hands of software programmed to make that call.” House Bill 1663 would place several requirements regarding AI that insurers must follow. They are: Disclosing to clinicians, subscribers and the public that claims evaluations use AI algorithms. Defining “algorithms used in claims review” as clinical review criteria and, therefore, ensuring they are subject to existing laws and regulations that such criteria is grounded in clinical evidence. Requiring specialized health care professionals who review claims for health insurance companies and rely on initial AI algorithms for such reviews to individually open each clinical record or clinical Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would establish timelines for Medical Assistance applications to be approved or renewed for eligible individuals transitioning to long-term care facilities and compensate those facilities for all services provided during the application processing period was the subject of an informational hearing today in the Pennsylvania House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee. As proposed, H.B. 2320 would require the state Department of Human Services and county assistance offices meet said benchmarks. Long-term care facilities could receive part of the funds owed to them faster and request a status update on pending application(s). The department could also end reimbursement to facilities if a person’s Medical Assistance request is denied and claw back any previous interim payments in such circumstances. “Long-term care facilities are vital pillars of the health community in more ways than one. This includes maintaining quality and quantity of care as an individual’s eligibility for Medical Assistance is determined,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “We must, however, compensate these institutions in a timely manner so they can continue to perform their great work. My bill holds state and county offices accountable, in terms of MA application turnaround, and benefits patient and provider alike.” House Bill 2320 will be the subject of further deliberation in the Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Please note, the NAP is broken down into 5 programs (The Neighborhood Assistance Program, the Special Program Priorities, the Charitable Food Program, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program). Please visit the DCED website for specifics on each program. Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. Eligible neighborhood nonprofits apply for tax credits based on pending contributions from for-profit companies. Funds: The total available NAP tax credit amount has increased from $36 million to $72 million. Application Deadline: October 25, 2024 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: The primary purpose of the CCAPPG funds is to provide funding from the Commonwealth for costs incurred by the county for the supervision of adult offenders. Funds: PCCD is announcing a total of $16,150,000 in state Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant funds. PCCD expects to fund up to 65 county adult probation Read more
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