November 15, 2023 Issue 532

211: Violence prevention support is a call, text, or online chat away

For Philadelphians, violence prevention support is a call, text, or online chat away. more

UW, Father's Day Rally Committee sponsor Expungement Clinic

The Father's Day Rally Committee and United Way are organizing an Expungement Clinic on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 10 am to 3 pm. more

UW Digital Navigator Network expands to collar counties

Thanks to a generous grant from Comcast, the Digital Navigator Network is expanding throughout the region to cover Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties! more

Income

United Way

News

US infant mortality rate rises for first time in over 20 years

For the first time in more than two decades, the United States saw an increase in infant mortality rates in 2022. more

Study ties state abortion restrictions to increase in foster care

In states with certain abortion restrictions, the number of children whose parents couldn’t or wouldn’t care for them increased and their children ended up in foster care. more

Pandemic ECE funding demonstrates impact of free child care

The pandemic opened the door to the potential of eliminating childcare expenses. Now it’s time to take the next step. more

New US legislation would simplify federal grant applications

The National Council of Nonprofits and the PA Association of Nonprofit Organizations are encouraging support for federal legislation that would simplify and streamline the grant application process. more

Advocacy

Low reading scores lead Harrisburg to set new school mandates

With nearly half of all Pennsylvania fourth graders reading below grade level, state lawmakers are proposing more stringent measures to boost literacy — ones proven successful in other states. more

Federal student loan forgiveness funds underutilized: report

As of 2022, fewer than 15 percent of the estimated 9 million workers eligible for PSLF have filed the paperwork necessary to apply. more

NJ launches new website dedicated to reproductive rights issues

While a growing number of states across the country are limiting access to abortion, the state of New Jersey launched a new website dedicated to educating residents about reproductive rights. more

First Up to offer Hispanic Advocacy Fellowship in 2024

First Up in partnership with Learn Empower Grow, will be creating and delivering a Hispanic Advocacy Fellowship, starting Spring 2024. more

This week is Philanthropy Week - focused on 'Social Capital'

Focused on “Social Capital,” the 5th Annual PHLanthropy Week (November 13-17) will focus on the three aspects of social capital - Linking, Bridging, and Bonding. more

New research on what motivates people to donate and volunteer

The Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland has released a new report, Understanding Generosity: A Look at What Influences Volunteering and Giving in the United States. more

Volunteer

Affordable Care Act open enrollment launches in region

Thousands of residents in our region who get their health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces have to lock in their plans for coverage beginning in 2024. more

Task Force recommendations for juvenile justice reform advance

More than two years ago, the Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Task Force delivered a final report and offered recommendations to overhaul the state’s embattled youth justice system. more

Advocacy

Report says that congregate care is best option for some youth

For young people with serious behavioral health challenges, a new report showed Pennsylvania's congregate-care settings may be the best option. more

Biden to crack down on Medicare Advantage marketing

The Biden administration is proposing a fresh crackdown on private health plans that have grown to cover half of the people on Medicare, restricting marketing practices to help consumers. more

US issues report on coordinating services for children, families

Across sectors, there are many effective services that promote healthy development in early childhood and support families’ well-being. more

City student test scores show low proficiency in math, science

Philadelphia students’ state test scores are slowly recovering back to pre-pandemic levels, but most students still aren’t proficient in English language arts, math, and science. more

City DHS offers supports to foster youth to get into college

Many young people who are transitioning out of foster care find that those last few steps into adulthood are more like a steep, mountainous climb. Philadelphia DHS wants to help. more

Kenney signs executive order on gender-affirming care

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has signed an executive order protecting access to gender-affirming health care in Philadelphia. more

Free posters for helping kids who have experienced trauma available

There's still time to order FREE poster series for helping kids who have experienced trauma. more

Foundation offers small grants to 'promote civil discourse'

GriffinHarte Foundation invites applications for projects promoting civil discourse. more

Survey says homelessness increased in city for second year in a row

Homelessness rose for a second year in a row in Philadelphia, according to the annual point-in-time survey. more

Chamber offers $5,000 scholarship for staff of member companies

The scholarship is awarded annually to professionals who are striving to complete their undergraduate degrees while working full-time at Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce member companies. more

Economy League report analyzes how people get to work

The report illustrates significant differences in Philadelphians’ reliance on public transit across racial and ethnic groups and across geographies. more

City homicide rate drops in first eight months of 2023

Homicides in Philadelphia are falling this year amid declines in overall violent crime, according to police department data. more

Germantown's FacetoFace: Not just another soup kitchen

FaceToFace believes that food-insecure members of the Philadelphian community deserve more than just a meal. more

Upcoming Events

Women's Way talk highlights wealth gap for women of color

Launching and running a business comes with its unique set of challenges, and for women of color, these hurdles are often magnified. more

Advocacy

Neighbor to Neighbor to host Holiday Bazaar 2023

Enjoy this free event filled with fun, food and vendors. more

West Philadelphia Promise Corps schedules information session

Are you interested in educational equity and workforce development? Interested in building a wide professional network while serving local communities? Currently exploring gap year options? more

HFU hosts webinar on Eviction Prevention Strategies (CE Credits)

Join Housing First University (a part of Pathways to Housing PA) for a webinar on Eviction Prevention Strategies. Licensed social worker credit is available for those in participating states.more

OCDEL sets annual ECE conference for March 25-26, 2024

Save the Date! March 25-26, 2024: OCDEL Early Childhood Conference, Stable and Secure: Supporting Children Through Trauma Sensitive Approaches. more

Statewide OST conference set for December in Lancaster PA

Whatever your role, attending this conference can inspire, inform and EMPOWER you to make a positive impact on young learners’ lives. more

Trauma-informed organizations: Moving from theory to practice

The time for human service agencies and organizations to become more culturally responsive and trauma Informed is now. more

Volunteer Requests

Ed Fund seeks STEM professionals for career presentations

Philadelphia Afterschool STEM Exploration (PASE) strives to create a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce through after school programming. more

Volunteer

Business on Board trains arts & culture board members

Applications for the Arts + Business Council's New season of Business on Board are now open! more

Volunteer