State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

*

*2022 Events Review**

We highlighted our Harrison
Hills Park D38 Parks Tour Event in last week's 2022 Events
Review.
This week we are revisiting our 2022 Small Business Resource
Fair!

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*Event
Feature - **Small Business Resource Fair in Highland Park*

We
hosted a Small Business Resource Fair on August 10, 2022 at the Union
Project [link 1], located at the nexus of the Highland Park,
Morningside, and East Liberty neighborhoods. This was our first time
hosting an event for business owners and it was a great success!
Everyone who attended said they found new information on a variety of
business challenges from the wide array of resource organizations we
invited.

-
Honeycomb Credit [link 2]

-
Innovation Works Inc
[link 3]. [link 4]

-
Bridgeway Capital Inc. [link 5]

-
The
Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence [link 6]

-
Urban
Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh [link 7]

-
Innovation Works
[link 8]

-
Steel Valley Authority [link 9], Kiva Pittsburgh [link
10]

-
Riverside Center for Innovation [link 11]

-
Center for
Women's Entrepreneurship (CWE) [link 12]

-
The University of
Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center [link 13]

Small
businesses are the engine of local economies and supporting them is
one of our highest priorities. Thank you to organizations who came to
support our entrepreneurs and who made this event
worthwhile!

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*

*Legislative
Update**

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*District
38 Redevelopment Grant Awards*

This week I announced that six local
projects have been awarded a total of $9.5 million in grant funding
through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
[link
14]

These Redevelopment Grants are extremely competitive statewide.
Each of these projects will take this capital investment and turn into
a benefit to the surrounding community by creating jobs, renovating
blighted and unused properties, and expanding existing programs that
do so much good in our neighborhoods. I was proud to advocate for
these projects and I can't wait to see the return on these
investments.

-
*The Kingsley Association* in East Liberty will
receive *$500,000* to renovate and restore their pool area, including
replacement of the HVAC, pump systems, and roof in that section of the
building.

-
*East Liberty Development Inc.* will receive *$1
million* for the renovation of the *Saints Peter and Paul Event
Center*. Plans for renovations include demolition of the old school
building and site development, as well as the installation of new
roofing, lighting, flooring, and mechanicals in the former church.
-
*Maitri Holdings *will receive *$1 million* for the expansion of
their existing medical cannabis cultivation facility.

-
*R & Z
Harrison Properties* will receive *$1 million* for site preparation
activities, including grading, construction of a culvert, installation
of utilities, and highway improvements.

-
*Pittsburgh Glass
Center* will receive *$1 million* for renovations and expansions to
the existing facility, including adding a fabrication lab, expanding
and redesigning retail space, and adding flexible classroom space.
-
*Riverfront 47* will receive *$5 million* for the Allegheny Shores
site preparation and revitalization project that will transform a
1.5-mile brownfield site into a mixed-use development along the
Allegheny River in O'Hara Township and Sharpsburg.

RACP funding is
awarded to projects that focus on the acquisition and construction of
regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical
improvement projects. These projects should either increase or
maintain current levels of employment, tax revenue, or other measures
of economic activity.

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*District
38 School Grant Awards*

This month $190 million in PCCD School
Safety and Security Grants [link 15] were awarded to school districts
across Pennsylvania, including $95 million for student mental health.
For the 2022-23 school year, this grant program is being administered
with the express purpose of funding projects that directly impact both
physical security enhancements and mental health initiatives, with
separate funding available for both.

The School Mental Health Grant
program is based on SB1285 [link 16], the "Grant to Support Students'
Mental Health" legislation I introduced alongside Senator Jim
Brewster, which was later incorporated into the 2022-23 School Code
[link 17]. This program allocates $95 million, half of the total PCCD
School Safety and Security Grant funding, to improve access to mental
health supports for students.

Funding student mental health
initiatives in this year's school code was a top priority for me.
Students and teachers are telling us that there is an unprecedented
mental health crisis in our schools. Providing funding that can
address that crisis head on is a huge win for our students, our
schools, and our communities. Seeing this funding being distributed to
districts and put to use to help our students is extremely
exciting.

Districts can use this funding on specific mental health
services, resources, training and supports for students, staff, and
faculty. This list of allowable activities [link 18] was expanded this
year and includes:

-
Developing curriculum that addresses risk
assessment, violence prevention, mental health early intervention, or
self-care and suicide awareness and prevention;

-
Implementing
violence prevention programs that address risk factors including
mental health early intervention, self-care, bullying, and suicide
awareness and prevention;

-
Providing counseling services for
students, either through hiring counselors or expanding contracts with
outside mental health providers that provide support to students in
the school setting;

-
Staff training programs on positive
behavior supports, de-escalation, and trauma-informed treatment;

-
Training and compensation for certified school counselors, social
workers and school psychologists;

-
Screening students for
adverse childhood experiences and providing of trauma-informed
counseling services as necessary based on the results of
screenings;

-
Increasing student and employee access to quality
trauma support services and behavioral health care;

-
Expanding
telemedicine delivery of school-based mental health services;

-

Creating and expanding intervention frameworks;

-
Training that
focuses on identifying signs and signals of anxiety, depression,
suicide or self-harm in students and best practices for seeking
appropriate mental health assistance;

-
Providing, increasing, or
enhancing partnerships with nonprofits and libraries for out-of-school
programming for at-risk school-aged students;

-
Coordinating with
local and county mental heath services and programs for employees and
students;

-
Providing online programs, educational materials, and
applications to provide supplemental mental health services to
students.

While this grant funding is administered statewide,
school districts within the 38th district receiving funding are:


*Safety and Security Grants*

*Mental Health Grants*

*Total
Received*

Allegheny Valley
SD

$114,073

$114,073

$228,147

Deer Lakes
SD

$128,202

$128,202

$256,405

Fox Chapel Area
SD

$162,067

$162,067

$324,134

Hampton Township
SD

$140,045

$140,045

$280,091

Highlands
SD

$135,219

$135,219

$270,439

North Allegheny
SD

$225,811

$225,811

$451,621

North Hills
SD

$170,153

$170,153

$340,306

Pine-Richland
SD

$166,301

$166,301

$332,602

Pittsburgh Public
SD

$474,137

$474,137

$948,274

Shaler
SD

$160,546

$160,546

$321,093



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*Progress
on Blight*

Headed to the Governor's desk are a package of bills I
supported aimed at fighting blight. Last March I joined my House and
Senate colleagues in hosting a Policy Hearing [link 19] on the needed
changes to abandoned and blighted properties. So many of our local
municipalities struggle with cost-effective ways to manage blighted
properties in a way that both improves the safety and appearance of
their neighborhoods and moves these properties off the delinquent tax
rolls. I am thrilled to see some meaningful changes becoming
law.

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*

*Good
News**

*
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*New
Western PA Urban Search and Rescue Team*

On October 12, I joined
Mayor Ed Gainey [link 20], Senator Jay Costa [link 21], and PA State
Rep. Natalie Mihalek [link 22] to celebrate the introduction of the
new Urban Search and Rescue team in Western
Pennsylvania.

Fortunately, after the collapse of the Fern Hollow
Bridge, search and rescue wasn't necessary. But if it had been needed,
the nearest team capable of this sort of effort is based in
Philadelphia, which means that lives could have been lost in the hours
it would have taken search and rescue to arrive on the scene. In these
situations, seconds mean the difference between life and death.

I'm
committed to ensuring that all of our first responders are fully
funded so that they can do their jobs safely and professionally and
I'm proud to support this new Urban Search and Rescue
Team.

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[link 23]

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*Hard-To-Read
License Plate Event in Ross Township*

Thank you so much to the
Shaler Township Police Department [link 24], the Ross Township Police
Department [link 25], and the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office [link
26] for helping out with our Hard to Read License Plate Replacement
Event on October 13th! We were able to provide a one-stop shop for
constituents to have their forms completed for their free license
plate replacement.

Couldn't make the event? No problem! Contact our
office at [email protected] or by phone at
412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Natrona Heights) to get the
necessary forms and instructions on how to obtain a free license plate
replacement for your vehicle!

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*Wexford
Eagle Scouts Honored*

Congratulations to Matthew Carper, Anthony
Joseph King, and Nicholas Paul King of Boy Scouts Troop #344 of
Wexford for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and thank you for
inviting me to celebrate with you and your families last
week.

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*Sheldon
Park Fall Festival*

We had a great time at Sheldon Park's
neighborhood Fall Festival last weekend in Harrison Township! The
kiddos had great costumes and everyone had a great time enjoying food,
friendship, games, and pumpkins!

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*Heinz
History Center Meeting in Harrisburg*

This week my staff met with
the President and CEO of the Heinz History Center [link 27], Andy
Masich, to discuss the Center's future plans, receive a mini history
lesson, and practice our jazz hands!

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*Humane
Society Meeting in Harrisburg*

I was honored to meet Libre and
members of the Humane Society of the United States [link 28] this week
in Harrisburg to discuss how we can do even more to protect animals
here in Pennsylvania.

Libre is the inspiration for "Libre's Law",
which was passed in 2017 and limits the amount of time that dogs can
be tethered outdoors, especially in extreme cold and heat. It also
requires that they have water and shade available to them.

Our pets
are part of the family and I'm proud to support legislation that
protects them.

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*PA
Preferred Lunch with Highlands Middle School*

I had the absolute
pleasure of visiting Highlands School District [link 29] Middle School
on Thursday to celebrate PA Preferred Days and National Farm to School
Month. We had a "Root for Potatoes" lunch featuring delicious loaded
smashed potatoes from Sterman Masser, Inc. Potato Farms [link 30] and
sweet potato pie, as well as samples from Turner Dairy Farms [link
31]. Thank you to Highlands' food service coordinator, administrators,
teachers, and staff who hosted me today and to all the students for
brightening my week!

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*Over-the-Counter
Voting Downtown!*

If you haven't yet applied for your mail-in
ballot and worry there isn't enough time before Election Day on
November 8, consider going to the Elections Division downtown to vote
over-the-counter! The process allows a voter to complete a mail-in
ballot application in person, wait while the application is processed,
and have a ballot issued. Voters may complete their ballot in a
privacy area and return it while they are there or may take the
materials with them and return them prior to the 8 pm Election Day
deadline.

Stop by Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30pm, in the concession
stand space in the lobby of the County Office Building (542 Forbes
Avenue, downtown).

Deadline to vote over-the-counter is Tuesday,
November 1!

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[link 32]

*Returning your Mail-in Ballot 101*

Make sure your
mail ballot is counted! If you are voting by mail-in or absentee
ballot [link 33], there are 4 simple steps to complete and return your
ballot:

-
Read the instructions carefully and mark your ballot.
Be sure to complete the front and back of each page.

-
Seal your
ballot in the inner secrecy envelope marked "official election
ballot." Do not make any marks on the secrecy envelope. Your ballot
must be sealed in this envelope, or it will not be counted.

-
Seal the inner secrecy envelope and place it inside the pre-addressed
outer declaration envelope. *Sign and date the declaration envelope or
your ballot will not be counted.*

-
Return your voted ballot to
your county board of elections [link 34] by mail or in person. In
Allegheny County the Department of Elections address is
City-County
Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For in-person
return, *you can only return your own ballot*. All mail ballots must
be received by 8 pm on Election Day, November 8. *Postmarks do not
count*.

***Don't forget proper postage!* Make sure to include
sufficient postage when you return your ballot.

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[link 35]

***Changed your mind about voting by mail?* Bring your
mail ballot and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your
polling place on Election Day to be voided. After you surrender your
ballot and envelope and sign a declaration, you can then vote
in-person at your polling place. If you do not have your mail ballot,
you may still vote provisionally at the polls.

***Lost your mail
ballot?* Go to your polling place on Election Day and ask to vote
provisionally. Your vote will be counted after Allegheny County
Elections verifies no mail ballot was received from you.

For
complete information on voting in Pennsylvania go to DOS Voting &
Election Information (pa.gov) [link 36].

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[link 37]

*Your Mail-in Ballot Hasn't Arrived*

If you applied
for a mail-in ballot and you haven't received it, here's what to
do:

-
Check your voter registration and confirm your mailing
address is up to date at Voter Registration Status (pa.gov) [link 38].
If you made any changes with your voter registration including
address, contact the Elections Division by calling 412-350-4500 Option
2.

-
Was your mail held by USPS? If so and you are ready for your
ballot, call the Elections Division to resend it.

-
Did you
recently move? If you are receiving mail forwarding services, your
ballot cannot be forwarded. Be sure to update your mailing address in
your voter registration and contact the Elections Division.

-
Is
your residential address different from your mailing address? Check
your voter registration to ensure it is correct. If any changes were
made, contact the Elections Division.

If you have more questions,
contact the Elections Division at 412-350-4500 Option 2 or email
[email protected] [link 39].

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[link 40]

*Poll Workers Needed!*

The Allegheny County Elections
Division is looking for poll workers for the November 8th General
Election. Our elections are made possible by thousands of regular
citizens serving as poll workers. You can serve on Election Day as a
Judge, Inspector or Clerk of Election. Poll workers, also referred to
as election officers, earn from $150 to $175 for the day. New poll
workers also receive paid training.

To learn more and apply go to
Elections | Election Poll Workers | Allegheny County [link
41].

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*Pittsburgh
Chief of Police Search Meetings*

Pittsburgh needs community input
for the selection of their next Chief of Police and there are only
three meetings left! Attend a meeting and contribute your ideas about
policing in our city. Your feedback ensures candidates are chosen that
reflect what our community needs.

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*Student
Loan Forgiveness Applications Open!*

President Biden announced his
student loan debt forgiveness program in August and last week the U.S.
Department of Education started accepting applications. Although a
federal appeals court decision temporarily halted the program last
Friday, the Biden Administration recommends loan holders still sign
up. The program allows up to $20,000 of student loan debt to be
canceled if you meet the following criteria:

-
You are a current
federal student loan holder

-
You earn less than $125,000 a year
or your household earns less than $250,000 a year.

-
You're a
Pell Grant recipient with loans held by the Department of Education
(this is required for additional forgiveness)

Canceled student debt
will not be taxed as income in Pennsylvania or by the IRS. Go to Debt
Relief | Application | Federal Student Aid [link 42] to complete your
application. The application deadline is December 31, 2023!

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*Student
Loan Forgiveness Scams*

The Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Agency (PHEAA) [link 43] is cautioning borrowers to be
aware of a new wave of scams that attempt to take advantage of
confusion surrounding President Biden's plan to forgive up to $20,000
in federal student loans.

Scammers promise to deliver student loan
services in exchange for fees. Borrowers often believe they are
talking to their loan servicer, or a company that is acting on behalf
of the U.S. Department of Education. Scammers use social media, text
messages, emails or phone calls to contact borrowers. They are also
very skilled at posing as government representatives and may even have
look-alike government websites and logos to trick unsuspecting
victims.

Borrowers should visit the U.S. Department of Education's
Federal Student Aid (FSA) website, www.studentaid.gov [link 44], to
check on the status of the loan forgiveness program and to only work
with their trusted partners when assistance is needed with managing
their student loans. Borrowers should never pay for a service that is
available to them for free.

For more information about what to
watch for to avoid being scammed, as well as what to do if you think
you have been scammed, click here. [link 45]

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SNAP
Food Assistance Eligibility Expanded!*

Every October 1st, the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) [link 46] income
guidelines are adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living. This
year, in addition to the usual annual adjustment, the Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services (DHS) [link 47] increased the SNAP Income
Guidelines to 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG) for
all households. This change means that individuals previously denied
due to their income might be eligible for SNAP benefits! In addition,
the SNAP Maximum amounts will also be increasing.

*Household
Size*

*Household Monthly Income Limit:
200 % FPIG*

*SNAP
Maximum
Benefit*

1

$2,266

$281

2

$3,052

$516

3

$3,840

$740

4

$4,626

$939

5

$5,412

$1,116

6

$6,200

$1,339

7

$6,986

$1,480

8

$7,772

$1,691

Each
additional member

$788

$211

SNAP is accepted at grocery
stores, food retailers, and certain farmers markets across
Pennsylvania, including at North Side Farmers Market and 14 other
farmers markets [link 48] around the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny
County. These partnerships directly support businesses and retailers
in Pennsylvania to help lower income and working adults and families
access fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced foods.

You can find
out if you are eligible for and apply for SNAP benefits with Just
Harvest [link 49]. Call 412-431-8960 (option 3) or sign up online at
How to Apply for Food Stamps in PA (justharvest.org) [link 50].
You can also apply for SNAP and other public assistance programs
online at www.compass.state.pa.us [link 51] or by calling the DHS
Consumer Service Center at 1-866-550-4355.On-site County Assistance
Office (CAO) [link 52] services are available if clients cannot access
online services or need additional assistance.

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[link 53]

*Etna Borough Manager Champion of Sustainability
Award!*

Congratulations to Etna Borough [link 54] Manager Mary
Ellen Ramage who was recognized as a "Champion of Sustainability" at
the 2022 Carnegie Science Awards! This award is given to innovators
whose contributions have led to significant economic or societal
benefit in western Pennsylvania. Mary Ellen led the Etna Riverfront
Trail & Park and the Etna EcoPark projects which are among the best
regional examples of public green spaces that manage stormwater. She
is currently spearheading a new multimodal connection project between
the community and the Etna Riverfront Park &Trail.

You can read
more about Mary Ellen's accomplishments at (4) Etna Community
Organization | Facebook [link 55].

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*PennDOT's
2022 Young Ambassadors All Live in District 38!*

Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation (PennDOT) [link 56] and Keep Pennsylvania
Beautiful [link 57] have announced their slate of Young Ambassadors of
Pennsylvania for 2022-2023. Congratulations to the new ambassadors
from Allegheny County who are all PA Senate District 38
residents!

-
Pine Richland students Luke A., Andy F., & Cale
K.

-
Highlands High School student Eli M.

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*Springdale
Tree Selected for Pittsburgh Holiday Tree!*

The City of Pittsburgh
launched a search for the perfect holiday tree, and they found it in
Springdale. The 40-foot blue spruce will be adorned with lights and
ornaments for Light Up Night downtown on Saturday, November
19th!

Read more at Pittsburgh's official holiday tree hails from
Springdale | TribLIVE.com [link 58]

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As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 62] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
63] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 64]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
[link removed]

Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928

Harrison Office
1826 Union
Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone: 724-224-2131
Fax:
724-224-2145

Harrisburg Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box
203038
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax:
717-787-8625

Unsubscribe:
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