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Season’s Greetings
From my family to yours, I want to extend the warmest holiday wishes and happiest new year.
May you have a wonderful and safe season that is full of peace and cheer. My district office hours may be limited in light of the holidays. Please call ahead to be sure my offices are open.
Also, PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 25, for Christmas, and on Monday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s. 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.
If you’re traveling, you can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
Helping Seniors Stay in Their Homes
Recently, the House approved legislation that would make it easier for seniors to maintain their independence and receive care in their homes.
Currently, a disparity in Pennsylvania law limits access to in-home care, which can force some seniors into nursing homes when home care would have been more appropriate, preferred and less expensive. When an individual applies for Medicaid, he or she can be “presumed eligible” for nursing home services and receive those services immediately while their Medicaid application is being fully reviewed. However, if the individual wishes to receive in-home care, he or she must wait until the application is fully approved, which sometimes takes months.
House Bill 1829 would extend “presumptive eligibility” to those who meet the qualifications for Medicaid and wish to remain in their own homes instead of in a more costly and restrictive setting. Home care has been shown to promote more rapid recovery, greater mobility and an overall better quality of life.
According to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, Pennsylvania saves an estimated $34,000 annually for every person who is served at home instead of in a long-term care facility.
House Bill 1829 now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Congratulations, Claudette
I would like to congratulate outgoing Monroe County Treasurer Claudette Segear on her well-deserved retirement. Claudette is a lifelong resident of the Poconos and has been serving Monroe County since 1976. Claudette was elected county treasurer in 1990 and has served in that role ever since. Claudette did not seek reelection in 2017 and leaves behind a legacy of over 40 years of service to Monroe County.
Claudette has also served the community as a member of the board of directors for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Youth Employment Services, as well as through her volunteer work with the Monroe County United Way, the Pocono-Jackson Historical Society, the Monroe County Arts Council, the Pocono Township Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and many other organizations. Monroe County Treasurer-elect Theresa Johnson will be taking over in the office in January. We wish her best of luck!
102nd Farm Show Kicks off Jan. 6
Celebrating one of Pennsylvania’s top industries, the Pennsylvania Farm Show near Harrisburg will kick off Saturday, Jan. 6. The show will run through Saturday, Jan. 13.
The Farm Show, which features 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors, emphasizes the importance of agriculture in daily life, highlights the latest in ag technology and advancements, and offers attractions for all ages.
Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Shuttle service is provided.
More information is available at www.farmshow.pa.gov.
Applications for 2018 Pennsylvania House Scholarships Now Available
High school seniors interested in receiving financial assistance to help pay for college can now apply for a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship.
Each year the program awards four-year scholarships to two students preparing for post-secondary education. The scholarship is privately funded by individual and corporate donors; no tax or other public funds are used, and it is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities.
The program is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. Students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school in order to be eligible for a scholarship. Other factors taken into consideration for the awards are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need.
The application is available through the foundation’s website at www.tfec.org. Once on the site, click on the “Scholarship” tab at the top of the page. Then click on any of the counties listed underneath or the link entitled “any other county in the state of Pennsylvania” to access the scholarship information. The application deadline is March 1, 2018.
Free Tax Preparation Available for Seniors Beginning Feb. 7
AARP provides free tax preparation assistance for seniors who meet certain income eligibility requirements. This service is for seniors and low-to-moderate income taxpayers, and will be offered at my Pocono Pines district office every Wednesday beginning on Feb. 7. Call 570-643-7683 for an appointment.
Out and About in the 176th
Recently Camp Papillion Animal Shelter held its annual Christmas tree lighting. To learn more about Camp Papillion or for information on adopting an animal, call (570) 801-6166. |
