Sep. 01, 2023

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#Listrak\DateStampLong# The latest news from the State Capitol
 
In this Edition:
  •   Local High School Ranks in Top 3% Nationally
  •   DMVA Highlights Financial Assistance Available to Eligible Children of Veterans
  •   PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Labor Day Holiday
  •   Pennsylvania State Police Removes College Credit Requirement for Cadet Applications
  •   Pennsylvania Department of Health Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (PA-BCCEDP)
  •   Department of Labor & Industry to Invest Up to $4 Million to Strengthen Industry Partnerships Across the Commonwealth
  •   You’re Invited to Tea with Tom
  •   Out and About Photos – Major General Carl Reese
 
 
Local High School Ranks in Top 3% Nationally

Hershey High School was recently ranked among the best public high schools in the state, as well as the nation, in the latest U.S. News & World Report annual high school rankings that look at scores on state assessments and college-level exams, graduation rates and more. Hershey was placed in the top 3% of the 25,000 high schools assessed. A hardy congratulations to Hershey High!

You can read more about how the rankings are made, and search for other schools here.
 
 
DMVA Highlights Financial Assistance Available to Eligible Children of Veterans


With the start of another school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding eligible veterans with children and their family members that financial assistance may be available to help them pursue higher education. The DMVA’s Educational Gratuity Program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during periods of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who died in service during a period of war or armed conflict.

The Educational Gratuity Program supports both children of veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions, who have 100% permanent service-connected disabilities, and who served during a period of war or armed conflict, and children of veterans who died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. The eligible child must be between the ages of 16 and 23, must be living within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania five years prior to application, and must attend a school within the Commonwealth. All applicants must demonstrate a financial need. Payments will not exceed $500 per term or semester per qualified child to each approved educational institution over a total of eight terms or semesters.

To apply, contact the County Director of Veterans Affairs for the county in which you reside. For more information about the program’s criteria, eligibility and needed documentation, go to the Educational Gratuity Program page on DMVA’s website. Learn more about the DMVA by visiting online at www.dmva.pa.gov.
 
 

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Labor Day Holiday

All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.
 
 
Pennsylvania State Police Removes College Credit Requirement for Cadet Applications

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Commissioner, Col. Christopher Paris, announced the PSP will remove the college credit requirement for Pennsylvanians who want to serve as state troopers. The previous educational requirement of 60 college credits has been in place since the 1990s, and this move will expand opportunities for individuals seeking careers as state troopers.

Municipal police shortages across the Commonwealth are one of the most pressing workforce shortages the Commonwealth faces, and waiving the college degree requirement on a trial basis for this next period of cadet applications will help the PSP attract and retain quality talent. The change to the requirement will be re-evaluated pending the results of multiple application cycles.

Cadet applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license from any state. Applicants must be at least 20 years old at the time of application, and they must be at least 21 years old and cannot have reached age 40 upon entry into the training academy. Cadets must be a Pennsylvania resident and possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license at the time of graduation.

The PSP will continue to regularly evaluate its hiring practices to ensure the Commonwealth is recruiting the most well-qualified public servants possible.

For more information on becoming a Pennsylvania State Police trooper or to apply, visit patrooper.com. For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit psp.pa.gov.
 
 
Pennsylvania Department of Health Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (PA-BCCEDP)

The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers free cancer screening to women who meet certain requirements. One out of eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, but 99% percent of people survive breast cancer if tests happen at an early stage where cancer treatment is more effective. Read through the qualifying requirements to see if you are eligible for this potentially life-saving, free service.

The below requirements may qualify you for free cancer screening:
  •   Ages 40 through 64 for breast cancer testing
  •   Ages 21 through 64 for cervical cancer testing
  •   Some women who are younger or older may qualify for screening services.
  •   You must live in Pennsylvania.
  •   You may be able to get tests for free if your family's total income before taxes is at or below the income limits.
  •   You may be able to get breast and cervical cancer tests if you don’t have health insurance or if you are underinsured. Underinsured means you have health insurance, but it does not pay for all of your breast or cervical cancer testing. The program may be able to pay the part your insurance doesn’t pay. If you have Medicare Part B or Medicaid, you do not meet the rules for the program.
  •   You may be able to get testing from the program if you only have Medicaid Family Planning Services program.
  •   Transgender people may be able to get tests.

If you meet the above requirements, you may be able to get these tests for free:
  •   Mammograms to look for breast cancer;
  •   Pap and HPV tests to look for cervical cancer;
  •   Follow-up tests if results are not normal; and
  •   Patient navigation, which means help setting appointments and solving other things that make it hard for you to get your tests.

If breast or cervical cancer or a precancerous condition is found through the program, you may be able to get free treatment through the Department of Human Services (DHS) - Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program (BCCPT). Free treatment for BCCPT is decided by DHS. For more information visit the BCCPT website.

If cancer was found by this program’s healthcare provider, the provider will send the BCCPT application for you.

If cancer was found by any other healthcare provider, the provider can download the application form found on the BCCPT website.
 
 
Department of Labor & Industry to Invest Up to $4 Million to Strengthen Industry Partnerships Across the Commonwealth

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) announced an investment of up to $4 million in Industry Partnership grant funding to strengthen workforce development projects across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is actively seeking business partnerships to support specific industries through training, networking, recruitment and collaboration – raising career and industry awareness.

The Industry Partnership program encourages partnerships among businesses in various sectors to address education and training, economic development needs, coordination of regional support teams, identifying community resources, and providing further opportunities for collaboration. By focusing on sectors such as agriculture, information technology, robotics, healthcare, transportation, and reshoring manufacturing operations, Pennsylvania is aligning its efforts with current and future industry needs.

The $4 million of available funding will be awarded in increments of up to $250,000 to support industry partnerships across the Commonwealth to both improve economic growth while preparing workers with training for their current position and future advancement.

Eligible applicants include local workforce development boards, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, educational and post-secondary educational organizations, labor organizations, business associations, and economic development entities.

Additional details and the application for the Industry Partnership grants can be found on L&I’s website.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Sept. 29. L&I anticipates a performance period beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2024.
 
 
You’re Invited to Tea with Tom

Couples who have been together for 30 years or longer are invited to join me on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at the South Hanover Township municipal building, 161 Patriot Way in Hershey. During the event we will enjoy tea and other light refreshments, celebrate your marital milestones, and discuss state programs and services available to those in attendance. Reservations are required due to limited seating. Please call 717-534-1323.
 
 
Out and About Photos – Major General Carl Reese



Last week, I had the great pleasure of meeting with Major General Carl Reese who I presented with a citation for his 44 years of service with the Pennsylvania National Guard!

Thank you for your service for our country and for Pennsylvania!
 
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