Online Editions Our E-Update, Calendar of Events and E-Update ResourcesTM, along with

supplemental updates of information, during the week now are available at

www.facebook.com/TransformationIni

You do not have to be a Facebook user to access the Page but do need to be a user

to access other than basic features.

PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of August 17, 2014

Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources

and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them ___________________________________________________________________

In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might improve our publications, content and convenience of use.

E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their

families or organizations. If you have a short description that might be helpful to others and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences that provide specific uses of benefit to bps461@msn.com.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Activities are subject to change without notice; participants are encouraged

to use contact information to confirm times and dates.

To unsubscribe, please send a message to bps461@msn.com with the word Unsubcribe in the Subject line.

2009-2014 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families. Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.

Sections Available in the attached Calendar of Events:

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Special Activities: Upcoming primarily free activities

listed by day over the next several months. Special Ongoing Scheduled Activities: Primarily free activities held regularly

each week or month. Area Ministries for Those Who are Struggling. GriefShare, DivorceCare,

Celebrate Recovery, Mending Hearts. Day Trip Destination Sites: Free admission sites for individual and family outings. E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including

Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.

- 2 -

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Calendar of Events - Please Submit Additions Today

Upcoming Activities The following items are detailed in the accompanying Calendar of Events and are in addition to those described within this E-Update. They will be occurring during the current two-week period or are newly listed as part of the longer term Calendar. These activities are provided for both personal use and printing out and sharing with others

through suggested posting on public and employee bulletin boards, hard copies or e-mail. Updated: This Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

Summer Food Service Program for Children Various Locations. American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge). Wood Works Exhibit Malvern.

Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations. PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties. Summer Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries. Technology Topics Tech Group Phoenixville.

State Rep. Truitt Legislative Breakfasts West Chester. National Aviation Day Fair Lititz. Willistown Country Fair Malvern.

Summer Concert on the Square Exton (Eagleview). Veterans Families Supportive Services Coatesville. Budgeting and Debt Reduction Financial Workshop Exton. Housing Counseling Workshop Pottstown.

Carillon Concert King of Prussia (Valley Forge). Immunization Clinic Coatesville. Women Navigating the Workplace Workshop Wayne. Poetry Readings West Chester (East Goshen Township).

John Romans Village Tour Coatesville (Romansville). Summer Concert and Picnic West Chester. THE SURVIVAL! Gridlocked Presentation Exton.

Family Movie Night West Chester. Alzheimers Workshop Kennett Square. Kids Fire Camp Christiana. Back-to-School Fair Coatesville.

Sunset Hike and Campfire Glenmoore. Family Fest Phoenixville. Back-to-School Kickoff with Dads Norristown.

Sunset Hike and Campfire Coatesville (Wagontown). Community Day Downingtown (East Brandywine Township). Family Fest Phoenixville. Back-to-School Kickoff with Dads Norristown.

Sunset Hike and Campfire Coatesville (Wagontown). Summer Concert Green Lane. Movie in the Park West Chester (East Goshen Township).

Updated: Next Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

Summer Food Service Program for Children Various Locations. American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).

Wood Works Exhibit Malvern. Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations. PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties. Summer Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.

- 3 -

Summer Concert Series West Chester (West Goshen Towship). Decision-making and Parkinsons Forum New Holland.

Pennsylvania Rep. Truitt Legislative Breakfast West Chester. Summer Concert on the Square and Fireworks Exton (Eagleview). Family Playgroup Pottstown. Housing Counseling Workshop Pottstown.

Carillon Concert King of Prussia (Valley Forge). Parent Leadership Academy Pottstown. End of Summer Celebration West Chester (East Goshen Township). Movie Under the Stars Limerick.

Kids Cookie Break Fest Manheim. Muhlenberg Day King of Prussia (Valley Forge).

New: Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events)

Composting Presentation Phoenixville. Community Day Atglen. Caln Township Day Thorndale.

Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Collections Royersford, King of Prussia, Penn Valley, Landeburg, Media, West Chester and Upper Chichester.

Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! Community Fair Kennett Square.

Penn Township/Jennersville Regional Hospital Community Picnic and Health and Wellness Fair West Grove (Jennersville).

Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongo-ing services and activities, along with special events, as soon as possible after establishing a date to maximize publicity and to help individuals and other organizations with planning processes for their own events.

Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown on the current, accompanying Calendar of Events. Further information about submissions appears

at the end of this E-Update and the Calendar. Information should be submitted to bps461@msn.com. Don't let your important activity be left unknown.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free College Education Enrollment for High School Dropouts

and At-Risks Until Monday, August 25 Eligible youth, ages 16 to 21, who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of doing

so, can enroll through Monday, August 25, in a Montgomery County Community College Gateway to College initiative that enables receipt of a Commonwealth diploma while attending college.

The free program at both the Pottstown and Blue Bell campuses is available to eligible students of participating school districts. An appointment for an orientation session must be scheduled by Wednesday, August 20,

with Terece Gamella at (610) 278-5933 Further information is available at www.mc3.edu/student-resources/outreach.

NEW THIS WEEK: Back-to-School Prep Tips Provided

KidsPoll reports that 65% of children liked school on most days while 35% said they didn't.

- 4 -

Here are links to some articles compiled by Kids.gov to help parents recognize and discuss

underlying issues that may be on a child's mind:

Going Back to School: www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html?tracking=K_RelatedArtic

le

What to Do if You Don't Like School: www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/hate_school.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle

Moving to Middle School:

www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/middle_school.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticl

e

When Tests Make You Nervous: www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/test_anxiety.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle

Talking About Your Feelings:

www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/thought/talk_feelings.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticl

e

Getting Homework Help: www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/homework_help.html?tracking=K_RelatedArti

cle

Getting Along With Teachers: www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/getting_along_teachers.html?tracking=K_Rela

tedArticle

The Story on Self-Esteem:

www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/self_esteem.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle In addition, tips are provided for parents who have children who need vaccinations, along with a link for vaccination schedules to help protect children at every age at

www.kids.usa.gov/parents/articles/shots-parents/index.shtml.

NEW THIS WEEK: Area Counties Quarantined for Movement of Wood Products The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has placed a quarantine on the movement of all wood products out of Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, expanding a 2011 quarantine for Bucks County.

The Thousand Canker Disease was found in fields with black walnut trees in Franklin, London Britain, and Lower Oxford townships in Chester County, with samples being verified by the state and federal departments of agriculture. Officials say it poses a significant

threat to the states nation-leading hardwood industry. Although the quarantine restricts the movement of all walnut material including nursery

stock, budwood, scionwood, green lumber and firewood, along with other walnut material living, dead, cut or fallen including stumps, roots, branches, mulch and composted and uncomposted chips, all hardwood firewood is considered quarantied due to the difficulty of

- 5 -

distinguishing between species of hardwood firewood. Hardwood imports from some states also have been affected.

Non-compliance with the quarantine order can result in criminal penalties of up to 90 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $300 per violation, or a civil penalty of up to $20,000 per violation.

Further information is available at www.pa.gov/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?agency=Agriculture&item=15892#.U_GQ3WOB_Sh.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Chesco Breast Pump Program A refundable rental program for breast pumps for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

eligible mothers has been initiated by Chester County. Mothers in the WIC program can receive a pump with a $20 to $40 refundable, cash-only deposit that depends on the pump type, with the deposit being refunded in full when the

pump is returned. Further information is available at

http://webapps.chesco.org/health/lib/health/wic/breastpumps.pdf or (610) 383-3824 in Coatesville, (610) 268-5153 in Toughkenamon, or (610) 344-6240 in West Chester. WIC, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, also provides education and nutritional food

assistance for income-eligible mothers to help in development of healthy babies and children. Further information is available at www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=367 or six offices listed at www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=932.

NEW LAST WEEK: Area Community Health Centers to Establish or Expand

Behavioral Health Services

Three area federally-qualified community health clinics have been awarded Community Health Centers in Kennett Square, Pottstown and Reading have been awarded $250,000 each by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to establish or expand behavioral health services.

La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) in Kennett Square, Community Health and Dental Care in Pottstown and Berks Community Health Center in Reading are among those receiving $54.6

million in Affordable Care Act funds to be used by clinics nationally for efforts such as hiring new mental health professionals, adding mental health and substance use disorder health services, and employing integrated models of primary care.

Further information is available in regard to: The awards, including a list of all state and national recipients, at

www.hhs.gov/news/press/2014pres/07/20140731a.html. Federally-qualified Community Health Centers at www.hrsa.gov/index.html.

Community Health Clinics at www.bphc.hrsa.gov. Comunidad Hispana at www.lacomunidadhispana.org. Community Health and Dental Care at www.ch-dc.org.

Berks Community Health Center at www.berkschc.org.

- 6 -

NEW LAST WEEK: Kennett School District Highlighted by Associated Press as to

Changing Cultures in Education

Kennett Consolidated School District is among examples focused on in an Associated Press national article, White students to no longer be majority in school, regarding the changing cultural landscape in education.

The story is the first in an occasional look at education by the news service as students prepare for the new school year. The full story is at www.bigstory.ap.org/article/white-students-no-longer-be-majority-

school-0.

NEW LAST WEEK: First Phase Construction Funded for Paoli Transportation

Center Phase 1 construction of the Paoli Transportation Center is completely funded, with community design and related work, some concepts of which may be applicable to other

areas, scheduled to get underway in the near future. This story first was reported in our Facebook Posts last week.

Pennsylvania Rep. Warren Kampf reports that work will bring the train station into Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance through improving accessibility, including construction of a pedestrian overpass, a new high level center platform and the installation of three elevators linking the inbound and outbound parking lots.

Total construction cost is $36 million, he said, with SEPTA, PennDOT and Amtrak all advancing $12 million from their capital budgets to fully fund this phase and related work. Completion is scheduled for 2018.

A separate but inter-related project is replacement of the existing bridge on North Valley Road with construction of a new structure connecting to Darby Road, along with related

road improvements, the legislator said, noting that this phase has preliminary funding of $35 million for design, right-of-way acquisition and construction through fiscal year 2019. Further information in regard to the complete design plan, including traffic, landscape and

building facade improvements showing what the community may look like in the future, is available at Paoli on the Move at www.paolionthemove.org/?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a

%2f%2fwww.paolionthemove.org&utm_campaign=Legislative+Update. NEW LAST WEEK: Study Says Parents Part of Problem in Distracted Teen Driving

Crashes That Can Result in Fatalities. Parents play a direct role in distracted teen driving, with more than half of teens talking on cellphones with their mother or father while driving, according to new research presented at the American Psychological Association annual conference over the weekend in Washington,

D.C. Parents also serve as role models for talking by a cellphone while driving, the report says. This story first was reported in our Facebook Posts last week.

Distracted driving is the leading cause of crashes among all drivers and contributes to 11% of fatal crashes involving teens, 21% involving cell phones, according to the presentation.

- 7 -

A summary of the research is available at www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/08/teen-driving.aspx and the presentation at www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/08/teen-

drivers.pdf. NEW LAST WEEK: Medicare Answers Question in Regard to Relationship with the

Health Insurance Marketplace Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has published a listing of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the relationship between Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace, with topics including general enrollment, End Stage Renal Disease

(ERSD), and coordination of benefits. It is available at www.cms.gov/Medicare/Eligibility-and-Enrollment/Medicare-and-the-

Marketplace/Downloads/Medicare-Marketplace_Master_FAQ_8-1-14.pdf. NEW LAST WEEK: FTC approves iKeepSafe Under Safe Harbor Program for Child

Online Protections Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved the Safe Harbor Program of iKeepSafe, also known as the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, as a safe harbor oversight program under the

Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the agencys COPPA Rule. This story first was reported in our Facebook Posts last week. The COPPA Rule, adopted unanimously following a public comment period, requires

operators of online sites and services directed at children under the age of 13 to provide notice and obtain permission from a childs parents before collecting personal information from that child.

The provision promotes flexibility and efficiency by encouraging industry members and others to develop their own COPPA oversight programs, known as safe harbor programs.

Further information is available at www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/08/ftc-approves-ikeepsafe-coppa-safe-harbor-oversight-program?utm_source=govdelivery. Additional information about other COPPA components and evolution is available at

www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/protecting-consumer-privacy/kids-privacy-coppa?utm_source=govdelivery.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Toolkit Details Ways to Fight Community Blight The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania has released Blight to Bright: A Comprehensive Toolkit for Pennsylvania, a data-driven manual that identifies key strategies to help

eradicate harmful effects that abandoned and lighted properties have on communities. The document was unveiled in Western Pennsylvania this week, with events planned in Mid-state and the Philadelphia regions in the Fall.

Further information and the link to an online version are available at www.housingalliancepa.org/node/1859.

- 8 -

All Area Counties Reporting West Nile Virus Tests All area counties now are reporting mosquito trap samples testing positive for West Nile

Virus (WNV). Daily report updates from throughout the state, including information on spraying and prevention information, are available at www.westnile.state.pa.us.

Free Strengths-Based Family Worker (SFW) Credential Training Offered Chester County has opened registration for the next 80-hour Strength-Based Family Worker

(SFW) Credential training, to start in September at the Government Services Center in West Chester, for family workers at government and private and nonprofit agencies.

The national family development course, eligible for undergraduate college and Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits, is designed to equip individuals working with families on how to use strength-based approaches and family engagement skills to increase a familys ability to set and reach their own goals.

In addition to classroom training, participants must complete a skills portfolio and pass a written exam to receive the credential.

Further information and required registration for limited seating are available at www.temple.edu/harrisburg/Default.aspx?PageID=131, www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/18828, vcapobianco@chesco.org or (610) 344-

5885. Montco Launches Regional Community Fatherhood Initiative Starts Saturday,

August 23

Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth and community organizations are launching a major new regional fatherhood initiative, with kickoff events to include Pottstown and Norristown.

Focus of the plan is to call attention to engagement of fathers being critical to a childs success in life, organizers say.

The Fathers Matter initiative will kick off with three father-child events across Montgomery County from August through October, including an opportunity for a father or male mentor to sign a Fathers Matter Pledge to be an active and responsible father or father-figure in a

childs life. The diverse activities will include:

A Back-to-School Kick-off with Dads from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 23, at Carson Valley Childrens Aid Society, 1314 DeKalb Street, Norristown, that will feature free father/child activities, book bags and school supplies, food, music and photos.

A Fathers Matter Family Day at Manatawny Memorial Park, Manatawny Street,

Pottstown, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 13, to include father-child

interactive games, food, father-child mini-workshops and activities, a health fair, and parent information.

- 9 -

An October Friday Movie Night with Fathers in the Willow Grove area, with Monster University being shown on a large screen, with refreshments and prizes at a location

still to be determined. A large "I Took the Fathers Matter Pledge" banner will be displayed at each event, allowing fathers or male mentors to affirm their intent to be an active and responsible father or

father-figure who is considerate of the well-being of their child in all matters, will love and take the time to know what matters to the child, be available when the child needs his or her father, stay connected to, listen and help a child succeed, help nurture a healthy well-being of body, mind and spirit within a child, and leave the child with memories of a father

who values his child. Organizers say there is a national crisis of absent and disengaged fathers that is destroying

family foundations that children crave and need in order to cope adequately with the ongoing stages and struggles of life. Although absence may be due to neglect, they note it also can occur as a result of a father

not knowing how to connect with a child, incarceration, or rifts between parents that prevent father involvement and other situations. Fathers also can have a physical presence but be emotionally detached.

Organizers say that recognition of the issue and support for affecting change will be needed from the entire community, including individuals, organizations and businesses that want to help create positive impacts in the lives of families.

Individuals and organizations with interest in this initiative can contact Fred Blankenburg at fblanken@montcopa.org or (610) 278-5906 or Kathleen Sullivan at ksulliva@montcopa.org or (610) 278-5873.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Post-Adoption and GrandFamilies Support Groups

Starting Wednesday, September 3 Several Chester County departments and agencies will host a series of six Wednesday night support groups for post-adoption parents and children and grandfamilies, starting September 3 at the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.

The sessions will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on alternating Wednesdays through November 12.

Separate groups will be held for parents, teens ages 14-18, separate boys and girls ages six through 13, and pre-school ages two through five, with children groups to include age appropriate discussions, activities, games, stories and crafts.

Further information and required registration are available at www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/75, kboyd@chesco.org or (610) 344-5890.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Free Drug Abuse Training Workshop Thursday,

September 4

Registered Pharmacist Ken Dickinson will present a training on Prescription Drug Abuse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., September 4, in Suite 171, Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.

- 10 -

The seminar, hosted by the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, will examine current epidemic trends, including the role of internet and other contributing

factors in how prescription drugs are obtained and used, symptoms, toxicity, treatment and prevention. Further information and required registration are available from Betty Wade at

bwade@chesco.org. NEW LAST WEEK: Free Recovery Health Symposium Friday, September 12

Community Crossroads will be holding its annual Recovery Health Symposium from noon to 4 p.m. September 12 at its facility at 825 Paoli Pike, West Chester.

The event, part of National Recovery Month activities, will include information about recovery issues and other health and wellness, Further information is available www.recoverymonth.gov/Community-

Events/2013/Recovery-825-6035.aspx, Bernie.Tiger@hhinc.org or (610) 429-1702.

Free Landlords Forum Wednesday, September 17 Chester County Department of Communtiy Development will host its annual landlord forum from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., September 17, at the Chester County Public Safety Training Center, 137 Modena Road, South Coatesville.

Participants will receive information regarding tenant assistance resources, renting to special populations, reducing barriers to affordable housing, the eviction process, Section 8 and other subsidy programs, fair housing, environmental remediation and more.

Further information is available at http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/18997, strently@chesco.org or (610) 344-6900.

Free Art Classes for Veterans and Those Touched by Cancer

ArtFusion 19464 of Pottstown, a nonprofit arts association, is providing four open art classes

scholarships for veterans at the organizations facility at 254 East High Street through funding from the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 436.

In addition, pottery and art journaling classes will be provided for military veterans and cancer patients, survivors, family members and caregivers, starting in the Fall. Further information and applications are available at info@artfusion19464.org or (610) 326-

2506. New Language Access Cultural Competency Initiative Starting in Phoenixville Area

The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation has unveiled a new cultural competency training initiative for individuals and organizations interested in creating better language access for residents of its service area.

The plan, part of a Foundation focus to help open access to healthcare and human services for all residents of the Greater Phoenixville area, will be coordinated by the Maternal & Child

- 11 -

Health Consortium and include training in protocol development, interpreter training, and strategies for working with interpreters.

Purpose of the project is to develop a corps of trained, stipend-paid volunteers who are certified to do interpretations for non-English-speaking individuals attempting to receive various services in the health, human services, law enforcement, municipal, education, and

other fields. Any bilingual individual, including organization personnel in or serving the Phoenixville community, is eligible to participate. The protocol and strategies workshops will be half day

sessions, with interpreter training required for those who are bilingual being three full days. Further information and required registration are available at www.ccmchc.org/wp-

content/uploads/2012/06/MCHC-Phx-Interpreter-Training-flyer.pdf, naravalo@ccmchc.org or (610) 350-7660.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)

COSECHA (Harvest) meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the

month from September through June at various Southern Chester County locations. Paid and volunteer individuals who work with Chester County children, youth and families share information and build partnerships for after-school, out-of-school and summer programs. Further information is available from Laurie Szoke at las7@psu.edu or (610) 696-3500.

Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, except August and December, in the fourth floor conference room at Brandywine Health Center at 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Representatives of

community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from various services providers. In August, no meeting will be held. Further information is available from Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610)

380-7111 x16. Lancaster County LINK to Aging and Disability Resources meets from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at various Lancaster area locations for

services cross-trainings and exchange of information on creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door resource for older adults and adults with disabilities, including consumers, family members and others, seeking information about local resources. On August 21, Nathan Roth of the

Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) will present information on the organization at its offices at 123 East King Street, Lancaster. On September 18, OnLine Publishers will present at the Pleasant View Retirement Community, 544 Penryn Road, Manheim. Further information is available from Brian Long, coordinator, at

www.lancastercountylink.org/cross-training-meetings/2014-meetings, LancasterCountyLINK@mail.com or (717) 380-9714. Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the

fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from

various services providers. On August 26, Petra Community Housing and the Womens Resource Center will present. Additional information about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 792-9282 x201 or at debbie.openhearth@verizon.net.

- 12 -

Kennett Area Each and All Dialogue Group meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the first

Wednesday of the month at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square, to promote a living philosophy of being and becoming a peaceful, progressive and inclusive community. Further information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.

Community Nurse Network meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of alternating months to exchange information on promotion of holistic health within faith congregations and communities and to develop additional faith community nurses, also

known as parish nurses. On September 4, the group will meet at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square. Further information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.

Kennett Area Bridging the Community meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of January, March, May, July, September and November at various community locations with any interested individual or organization welcome to attend and share information on

resources and needs that can build "bridges" toward a more integrated Kennett area community. On September 10, the group will meet at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square. Additional information is available from Joan

Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Minutes from prior meetings are available at www.bridgingcommunity.com/bridging.php. Chester County Family and Community Partnership meets from 10 a.m. to noon on

the first Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December at various locations. The group is a diverse partnership of individuals, families, community organizations, service agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in living self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Additional information is available from

Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262. Communities That Care (CTC) groups in several Chester County school districts provide

networking opportunities for community organizations and individuals that use a planning and mobilization model to promote healthy youth development and prevent and reduce negative youth health and behavior issues that may include substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence.

West Chester CTC meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Thursday of

each month of the school year at the West Chester Area School District Spellman

Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Lunch is provided by reserving at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817.

Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the

month from September through May at the Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton. Further information is available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090 x2827.

Coatesville CTC Community Prevention Board, a body coterminous with the Coatesville Youth Initiative Steering Committee, meets periodically in the fourth floor Community Room, Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway,

Coatesville. On Tuesday, August 19, the group will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn about the current organizational status and activities. Further information and requested lunch reservations are available from Jarvis Berry, CTC community mobilizer, at Jarvis@coatesvilleyouthinitiative.org or (610) 380-0200.

- 13 -

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed -

Ongoing

Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific

services in support of those who attend: Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- Barnabas Group, at Calvary Fellowship Church,

95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) is named after the Biblical disciple known as the Son of Encouragement. Weekly sessions are part of

the churchs Care Monday, that includes a prayer group that meets at the same time in the Prayer Lobby (Portico Entrance), with intercession for those attending the Barnabas Group and the churchs other Care Ministries, including DivorceCare for

those coping with separation or divorce, even years later; Mending Hearts for those with prodigal children and other family members; and various offerings focused on assistance in healing and coping. Further information for Barnabas Group activities is available at barnabasgroup@cfdownington.com or (610) 363-7171.

Malvern Penn State Great Valleys Alumni Association and MyCareer Transitions

(MCT), an all-volunteer job counseling group, meets from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

the second Saturday of the month, except August and December, in 130 Main Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. In August, there is no meeting. Further information and required registration are available at

http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings.

Wayne A one-on-one Employment Guidance Ministry, along with periodic special employment related events to aid jobseekers is available at St. Davids Episcopal

Church, 763 South Valley Forge Road, Malvern. Further information is available from George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com or (610) 688-7947.

West Chester Unemployment support group meets bi-weekly from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner Street, West Chester, to learn tips and techniques related to job searches. Further information is available from Elisabeth Hartwell at ehartwell@firstpreswc.com, at (610) 696-0554.

West Chester BarnabasWC group meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Mondays,

except holidays, in the Community Room, Providence Church, 430 Hannum Avenue,

West Chester. Further information is available at www.barnabaswc.org or info@barnabaswc.org.

Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month:

Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, at St. Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor Avenue (Route 322), in the parish meeting room behind the school at the back of the property. Further information about the affiliate is available by leaving a message at (610) 873-7117.

Berwyn/Main Line - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at the Hagenbach Room, St. Monicas Church, 635 First Avenue. Further information is available from Bob Schubert at bobschubertjr@aim.com or (610) 755-2398.

Media -- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays for GetWorks, at Hassler Chapel, Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike, or in the St. Francis Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 North Providence Road. On August 19, no meeting will be held. Further information is available at (610) 566-3944.

- 14 -

Upper Uwchlan Township 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the School Education Center, St. Elizabeths Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester

Springs. Further information is available at (610) 321-1200 or at david.bolz@verizon.net. Reading 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm. on the first and third Wednesdays at St Catharine's of Siena Parish Center. 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Further information is

available from John Senick, facilitator, at (610) 779-4005. West Grove 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the new Parish Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 300 State Road, West Grove. Further information is available from John Colgan at johnfcolgan@gmail.com.

Additional information on all St. Josephs People chapters is available at www.josephspeople.org.

Support Many New Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job Openings Report

August

Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning,

along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities, can take advantage of a broad series of monthly workshops offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor CareerLink at its new Exton offices in Suite 500, 479 Thomas Jones

Way in the Oaklands Corporate Center. These trainings include an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.

A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month, along with several company job fairs, is available at http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/19116.

Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/19117. Daily position openings updates are available through www.cwds.state.pa.us.

Websites for additional county PA CareerLink offices in the area, at which many services are available to out-of-county residents, include:

Berks: www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/CareerLink/Pages/default.aspx Delaware: www.delcoworks.org Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com

Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024 Free Bilingual Business Mentoring Starts in Kennett Square

Chester County Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) has its first Spanish language-based mentoring location at the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, 216 East State Street, Kennett Square.

SCORE volunteers will be at the library Thursday mornings to provide free counseling assistance to Spanish-speaking individuals who are in business or are considering going into business. The business group's initial English language mentoring location at the Southern

Chester County Chamber of Commerce, 217 West State Street, on Friday mornings will continue.

- 15 -

SCORE has been involved in recent months with Kutztown University's Latino Business Resource Center, La Comunidad Hispana, National Penn Bank, and the Southern Chester

County Chamber of Commerce in presenting a Business Skills for Latino Entrepreneurs workshop in Kennett. In addition to the two Kennett locations, volunteers also provide assistance at its office in

the Government Services Center in West Chester, along with the Exton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Chester County Economic Development Council in the Eagleview Corporate Center, both at Exton; the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce, National Penn Bank in Oxford; and the Lincoln University satellite campus in Coatesville.

Further information and counseling appointments are available at www.chestercounty.score.org or (610) 344-6910.

Hankin Branch Library Opens New Digital Discovery Center Henrietta Hankin Branch Library at Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner) has opened a new

Digital Discovery Center to enable consumers to try out digital devices or receive instruction about their uses.

The Center, located at 215 Windgate Drive, now has a 23-inch Windows 8 computer with large type keyboard and ergonomic mouse, Microsoft Surface tablet, iPad Air, Samsung Galaxy Note tablet, Kindle Fire HDX and a Nook Simple Touch eReader.

Individuals can try out the devices during weekly drop-in hours or sign up for one-on-one appointments with a staff member during which one can use his or her own device or practice with a library unit.

Further information and individual appointments are available at www.chescolibraries.org/digital-discovery-center, hhreference@ccls.org or (610) 321-1710.

The library and its parent Chester County Library also have launched a new website at www.chescolibraries.org.

Nations Top Doc Says Skin Cancer is Major Health Problem The acting U.S. Surgeon General, in a policy report, has declared skin cancer a major public health problem that requires immediate attention.

Tanned skin is damaged skin, and we need to shatter the myth that tanned skin is a sign of health, said Acting Surgeon General Boris D. Lushniak, M.D., M.P.H. When people tan or get sunburned, they increase their risk of getting skin cancer later in life.

Even though most skin cancers can be prevented, rates of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, are increasing, officials said.

Nearly 5 million people nationally are treated every year for skin cancer, at an average annual cost of $8.1 billion. It is also one of the most common types of cancer among U.S. teens and young adults.

A key message of the report is that although people with lighter skin are at higher risk, anyone can get skin cancerand it can be disfiguring, even deadly. Over the last three decades, the number of Americans who have had skin cancer is estimated to be higher than

- 16 -

the number for all other cancers combined.

The report, the Surgeon General's Call to Action, and additional information on skin cancer, are available at www.surgeongeneral.gov.

Assistance for Replacing Some of Kids Computer Time with Healthy Living The National Institute of Health (NIH) has developed a website, We Can!, to provide resources for families and communities to help youth eat right, become active, and reduce screen time.

The We Can! EatPlayGrow website is available at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan. An online Parent Program Leader's Guide to

We Can! Energize Our Families is available at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/downloads/leadersguide.pdf.

Activities Input Sought for Families Of Children with Special Needs The Chester County Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC), a group of parents of children ages birth to five with special needs, along with provider agencies staff, is seeking

opinions on free activities to be offered to families during the next year. A survey is available at www.chesco.org/index.aspx?nid=615.

Chester County Library Receives Visual Assistance Equipment Chester County Library has received several pieces of equipment to assist those with visual impairment with using library resources.

The facility, located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, now has a 12-power magnifier with various features to help use printed materials, an iPad Air to help individuals read

online books, and noise-cancelling headphones to enable access to audio materials without interruption from outside sounds or providing distraction to other library patrons. Library patrons may request equipment and training from a library staff member.

Four other libraries also have been provided with similar equipment, including the Warminster, Ridley, and Horsham township libraries and the Free Library of Northampton Township in Richboro.

Additional information on the Access Beyond Stacks program, administered through the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, is available at www.disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/accessLib, iod@temple.edu, or by

telephone at (215) 204-1356 voice or (215) 204-1805 TTY. Summertime and Year-round Activities for Kids and Caregivers

Kids.gov provides many resources, not only to combat summer boredom but year-round education and fun, with printed information to learn, educational games and videos. Different sections are available for different ages, along with assistance for parents and

educators.

- 17 -

Topics include art and music, exercise and healthy eating, government, health and safety, history, jobs, math, money and finances, online safety, reading and writing, science and

social studies, including daily highlights. It all is available at kids.usa.gov.

Free 2014 Consumer Action Handbook Now Available Federal Citizen Information Center has published its 2014 Consumer Action Handbook which is available for online viewing or free by mail.

The 152-page guide to being a smart shopper contains tips about preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, and more.

The guide is available at www.usa.gov/topics/consumer/consumer-action-handbook.pdf, or can be ordered in English or Spanish at www.usa.gov/consumer-action-handbook/order-form.shtml.

Special Enrollment for Health Insurance Marketplace Available

Although next years open enrollment for federal health insurance coverage under the Health Insurance Marketplace wont start until November 15, one may qualify for special enrollment provisions due to special life circumstances.

Qualifying life events for special enrollment include, but are not limited to: Marriage or divorce. Having a baby, adopting a child, or placing a child for adoption or foster care. A change in residence, gaining citizenship, or leaving incarceration.

Losing other health coverage due to losing job-based coverage, the end of an individual policy plan year in 2014, COBRA expiration, aging off a parents plan, losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP, and similar circumstances not involving

voluntarily ending coverage or losing coverage that doesnt qualify as minimum essential coverage.

Having a change in income or household status that affects eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions for people already enrolled in Marketplace

coverage. Gaining status as a member of an Indian tribe.

Further information, including an online screening tool, is available at www.healthcare.gov/how-can-i-get-coverage-outside-of-open-enrollment/#part=2, or at (800) 318-2596.

Services Expansion of Free Southern Chester County Ride For Health Initiative

The Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) and the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation have expanded their Ride for Health Initiative

(RFHI) in Southern Chester County to include trips for human and social services needs in addition to the earlier healthcare focus.

The service provides taxi or public transit trips for eligible residents of Avon Grove, Kennett, Oxford and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts to health and human and social services sites, including those in Kennett Square, West Chester and Coatesville.

- 18 -

Scheduled transportation is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from Kennett Area Community Service, 136 West Cedar Street, Kennett Square. Earlier information is available

at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-1463/FREE+Medical+Transportation.pdf or (610) 925-3556. Information also is available from partner agencies at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-

1419/RFHI+Flyer+%28English%29_8+23+13.pdf. Information on a similar Phoenixville area initiative that has been in existence since 2000 is available at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-

1464/ride+for+health+brochure.pdf.

Please Note: New and Updated tags refer only to the time of appearance of information in these E-Updates. Some on-going activities may have been in existence for some time and are being listed for aware-ness.

Letting People Know/Making a Difference - Ongoing Feedback indicates that a lack of communications tools is a primary deficiency in bringing community services providers and those needing information together. If you know of an activity designed to have a real impact on families (this includes individuals and youth) that we should be aware of or might be interested in reporting in these periodic e-mail updates, please let me know, either with details or a web site link. In order to maintain its value, this forum currently is a subjective, selective distribution so all information submitted may not be used. Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward all or selected portions as you feel appropriate. If you would like to be added to or removed from this list, please hit reply and advise by typing "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" or something similar in the Subject line. Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is based on information reported to us. No endorsement is made or implied. Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more advanced electronic communications method for this type of material that will have more expansive yet less obtrusive characteristics. Please stay tuned. To submit materials for publication, please refer to the guidelines that follow.

Blessings

Casey Casey Jones Transformation Initiative Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families (610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com

General Guidelines for Information Submission: Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure for new subscribers, persons who don't read the list every week, and for other organizations that want to avoid scheduling opposite an event or might want to collaborate with another in the area. For annual events, longer lead times may be appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the week of publication. A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what actually is occurring and why they might like to attend) can be obtained by perusing the publications or using the following guide:

Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.

- 19 -

Name of Event:

Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:

Times (Starting and ending):

Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a Mapquest or Google

Maps searchable address:

Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address:

Participant Eligibility (Ages, gender, etc.):

Description of Activities and, as applicable, the presenter and the purpose of the event (Two to three descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous words such as "wonderful", "great", etc.):

Any Fees, including free-will offerings:

Contact name, e-mail, telephone, along with any web page that is focused primarily on the specific

activity:

Any registration requirements:

We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small materials fee is charged.

Fund-raising activities generally are not published unless there is a good mixture of free activities also available, including free admission, and a participant has the choice of purchasing incidental items, such as food or crafts.

Church events generally are published only if they are separate from normal weekly worship services.

Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a case-by-case basis in context with focus of the publications.