Oct. 19—WILKES-BARRE — As Pennsylvanians continue their efforts to help those affected by the hurricanes, Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), reminded donors this week to make sure ensure their donations go to reputable charities. Make sure it benefits those who need it most, when they need it.
If you choose to donate items such as food or clothing, only give what the relief organizations have requested so that the items don’t get lost or overwhelm local recovery workers.
“When disaster strikes, Pennsylvanians have always been willing to help their neighbors in need, near and far,” Padfield said. “As the southeastern United States recovers from back-to-back major hurricanes, Pennsylvanians will receive requests for assistance. Most of these will come from legitimate sources, but unfortunately, disasters also bring scammers and bad actors.”
Scammers try to take advantage of these situations, so be vigilant and consider these tips before donating:
– Never give to a charity you know nothing about.
—Don’t feel pressured to give on the spot or have someone come to your home to pick up the donation.
—If asked in person, always ask for the attorney’s identification.
–Hang up the phone on aggressive and intimidating lawyers.
—Never commit to calling over the phone unless you are familiar with the organization and have verified that the call is from a legitimate number associated with the organization.
—Never give out credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Instead of cash, write a check to the charity so that you have an overview of your donation.
—Don’t be fooled by a name that sounds like a well-known charity, but is not the same organization.
– Don’t make assumptions when you hear words like “police” or “firefighter” in the name of an organization. While an organization may claim to have local ties or work with local first responders, that does not mean its contributions will be used locally.
Padfield noted that the Pennsylvania Department of State (DOS) maintains an online database of charities registered to raise funds in the Commonwealth, which provides registration and financial information on more than 13,000 reputable charities. Take the time to research the charity before sending the donation.
You can determine whether the charity is registered with the DOS Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations by searching the online database at www.charities.pa.gov or by calling 1-800-732-0999.
To file a complaint about a charity soliciting donations in the Commonwealth, call 717-783-4849 or email RA-ST-Complaints@pa.gov.
Representative Meuser is co-sponsoring legislation to expedite removal of illegal immigrants
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored H.R. 1394 – the American Safety and Fairness Through Expedited Removal (SAFER) Act – which aims to strengthen Customs and Border Protection (CBP) efforts to address the ongoing border crisis by restoring the use of expedited removal.
On March 21, 2022, amid a surge of illegal immigrants, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas rescinded a Trump-era regulation expediting the removal of illegal individuals apprehended outside 100 miles of the border who cannot prove they are continuously present in the US for at least 14 days. . Since the repeal of this regulation, more than 7.7 million illegal immigrants have been found nationwide.
Meuser said H.R. 1394 would reinstate these restrictions so that all illegal immigrants — regardless of location — who entered the U.S. through fraud, misrepresentation or without valid documents and have been in the country for less than two years would be subject to expedited removal.
Meuser said the bill also gives future Republican administrations the flexibility to expand this tool as needed to address the crisis at the border.
“The ongoing border crisis poses a serious threat to our national security, public safety and economic stability,” Meuser said. “This legislation guarantees the enforcement of the expedited removal process without radical provisions. Illegal immigrants who travel further from the border are still breaking the law and should face the same consequences as those caught crossing the Rio Grande. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to give CBP the tools it needs to secure our borders and protect American lives – rather than allowing criminals to evade justice.”
H.R. 1394 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
PA is investing $9 million to expand recovery support across Pennsylvania
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) this week announced the availability of $9 million in funding to expand or improve recovery support services for individuals recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD).
This opportunity is part of the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to strengthen the SUD treatment system and enable sustainable recovery across Pennsylvania by investing more than $100 million in SUD-related supports and services since Governor Josh Shapiro signed the power has come.
“The Shapiro Administration recognizes that an essential part of recovery for people with OUD is having accessible support within their community,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “This funding opportunity is intended to improve the delivery of recovery support services to individuals initiating or maintaining their recovery process.”
Recovery support services are non-clinical services that assist individuals in recovery with the skills and resources needed to initiate, maintain and support long-term recovery. This may include care coordination, recovery coaching, spiritual guidance, group support, vocational training, transportation and assistance with accessing recovery homes. Recovery support programs are person-centered and self-directed, allowing the individual in recovery to choose his or her provider.
DDAP will award approximately six grants of up to $1.5 million each. Applicants must have at least two years of experience providing recovery support services as of July 1, 2024, and be able to demonstrate the capacity to provide these services to individuals recovering from OUD and other concurrent SUD.
In addition, applicants must outline a plan to provide recovery support services as part of the submission process to provide:
—Peer-to-peer support, individual and group meetings where individuals newer to recovery can receive support and advice on an individual basis.
—Supported recovery educational workshops, events, trainings, and activities using a structured curriculum covering addiction and recovery, life skills, and vocational skills.
— Educational events in recovery, health and wellness, culturally based recovery practices, arts recovery, social support for recovery and inclusion activities.
Telephone recovery support or recovery checks for individuals who could benefit from a weekly call to stay involved in the recovery process and maintain commitment to recovery.
Recovery planning to help someone manage their recovery.
—Support community-based recovery groups for individuals such as veterans and youth.
Based on a variety of criteria from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s 2022 overdose death data, DDAP will select two beneficiaries in Philadelphia, two beneficiaries in Allegheny County, and two beneficiaries from the remaining 19 eligible Pennsylvania counties with a higher gross mortality rate. than the state average.
All applications must be submitted electronically by noon on Friday, November 15, 2024. Applications are competitively reviewed and scored based on the applicant’s compliance with funding announcement guidelines and timely submission to DDAP.
Lawmakers will co-host a veterans recognition event at Misericordia
Rep. Mike Cabell (R-117), along with Sen. Lisa Baker (R, D-20) and Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120), will once again co-host a Veterans Recognition Ceremony and Expo on Saturday, Nov. 1. 2, at Misericordia University.
“The event we hosted last November was well attended and we expect attendance to be similar this year,” the lawmakers said. “This is our small way of recognizing the service and sacrifice of our local veterans. The event also provides an opportunity to learn more about the various programs and services available to them in our region.”
The day begins at 10 a.m. with a special Veterans Recognition Ceremony in the university’s Lemmond Theater. Afterwards, veterans can stop by Insalaco Hall, where dozens of vendors will be gathered until 1 p.m
In addition, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Veterans Center will be available in the theater parking lot to provide counseling services.
Expo attendees can also safely dispose of expired or unused medications in the Drug Drop Box, sponsored by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
The events are open to all veterans living in Luzerne County. Veterans can bring their spouse or one guest.
Registration is required. To RSVP, contact Representative Cabell’s office at 570-675-6000, or Representative Kaufer’s office at 570-283-1001. The registration deadline is Friday, October 25.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
