Bill OBoyle: L&I, DHS distribute stuffed toys to Pa. families this holiday season
Nov. 27—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania departments of Labor and Industry (L&I) and Human Services (DHS) kicked off the holiday season this week with an annual donation of stuffed toys collected throughout the year by L&I during routine inspections and later distributed to Pennsylvania families through DHS' Holiday Wish program.
"We collect these toys throughout the year because it's our job to make sure they're safe for all children in Pennsylvania," said L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier. "Donating our annual collection is a special opportunity to spark a little joy for a few of those children each holiday season. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to consider their neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members who might be struggling this holiday season. If you have a little extra to give this year, get in touch with an organization that collects holiday donations. You won't regret it."
Under state law, L&I's Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety must inspect all new stuffed toy samples for contents, choking hazards, and general safety. Toys that pass inspection get a registration number, which is on every stuffed toy sold in the state. Because of this process, the department accumulates hundreds of toy samples each year.
In the past six years, L&I has donated nearly 3,800 toys that passed inspection to holiday gift drives. This week, L&I delivered nearly 600 toys to DHS for its Holiday Wish program, which was started in 1989 by a small group of DHS employees.
Over the years, Holiday Wish has grown to include hundreds of employees in numerous departments, allowing the program to reach thousands of individuals in need around Pennsylvania during the holiday season.
When a family or individual visits a local DHS County Assistance Office (CAO) to apply for benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medical Assistance, CAO caseworkers identify families and older adults in need to take part in the Holiday Wish program.
Holiday Wish participants then select a few gifts they need or would like to receive, and state employees sponsor a family or individual to ensure they receive special gifts during the holiday season.
Commonwealth agencies and the Pennsylvania National Guard gather in December to distribute these gifts to hundreds of families across Pennsylvania.
"We want to do our part during this season of giving to help make the holidays better and brighter for the families we serve," said DHS Acting Secretary Meg Snead. "Holiday Wish allows us to give a little extra help to our neighbors who may be struggling or having a hard time. Our mission at DHS is to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the resources they need to meet their basic needs and live their lives with the dignity we all deserve. DHS administers programs to help, and I encourage any Pennsylvanian having trouble financially to apply and see if they qualify for assistance."
Applications for public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.dhs.pa.gov/compass. On-site CAO services are available if clients cannot access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling the Customer Service Centers at 215-560-7226 for Philadelphia clients or 1-877-395-8930 for clients in all other counties.
Rep. Meuser co-sponsors bill to help lymphedema patients
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, is a co-sponsor of legislation ensuring the treatment for lymphedema under Medicare Part B will cover compression garments, the clinically recognized treatment for this illness.
H.R. 3630 — the "Lymphedema Treatment Act" — passed in the House on Nov. 17.
Lymphedema is tissue swelling of an arm or leg caused by the accumulation of lymph fluids in tissue. Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments and other approved items that are prescribed by a physician or other specified health care professional to treat lymphedema.
The illness causes discomfort and is often seen in patients undergoing cancer treatment. It's estimated between 1.5 to 3 million current Medicare beneficiaries are affected, as well as almost 10 million people nationwide.
Medicare and many other policies do not cover this critical component of lymphedema treatment, medically necessary compression supplies prescribed by a physician. Although the legislation applies specifically to Medicare, it is expected to set precedent and open opportunities for Medicaid and private insurance to follow.
"It's imperative to help those suffering from lymphedema to stop worrying about the cost of treatment," Meuser stated. "This bipartisan legislation will help Medicare beneficiaries receive the medical supplies they need to best manage this condition."
The bill has received support from a broad coalition of patient advocacy, health provider and health industry groups, including the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, the Lymphatic Education and Research Network, 3M, the Oncology Nursing Society, the American Physical Therapy Association, and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Cartwright receives 'Friend of the Farm Bureau Award'
U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, recently received the "Friend of the Farm Bureau Award" from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) at the Martzen Family Dairy Farm in Waymart, Wayne County.
The prestigious bipartisan award is given to Members of Congress who have supported farmers, ranchers and agricultural communities in the 117th Congress.
Rep. Cartwright was nominated by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors.
"I am honored to receive the Friend of Farm Bureau award from the American Farm Bureau Federation," Cartwright said. "Pennsylvania farms and agricultural businesses play a vital role in our region's economy, history and future. I will continue supporting policies and legislation that will benefit our farmers and the millions of Americans across the country they feed."
Pa. Broadband Development Authority, Penn State Extension to expand high-speed internet
Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (Authority) Executive Director Brandon Carson this week announced that the Authority unanimously voted on Nov. 10, to contract with Penn State Extension to develop and update state broadband maps to directly enable the commonwealth to maximize its federal funding allocation for high-speed internet expansion.
"Contracting with Penn State Extension will bring the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority one step closer to meeting its mission to expand broadband services to unserved and under-served areas of the commonwealth," said Carson. "The services Penn State Extension will provide will help to close the digital divide and allow Pennsylvanians to get connected at home, work, or on the road."
Through this initiative, Penn State Extension plans to develop and update state broadband maps; evaluate the accuracy of industry-provided Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data to inform the commonwealth challenge process; provide geo-analytics, data analysis, and cost estimating for fiber to the premises to support local data-driven decisions about broadband deployment; and promote digital equity in under-served populations through strategic partnerships. The project is expected to run through June 30, 2023.
Brent Hales, Penn State Extension director and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, noted that Extension enters this initiative following its successful partnership with the state Public Utility Commission to develop the map that helped Pennsylvania receive $368 million from the FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which is expected to enable 327,000 Pennsylvanians to gain access to high-speed internet.
"Our partnership with the PUC has enabled Penn State Extension to better serve the people and the communities of the commonwealth," Hales said. "We are gratified to support future investment in Pennsylvania's broadband infrastructure and look forward to facilitating new opportunities for broadband deployment. I also want to recognize the efforts of our team and their tireless efforts and enthusiasm."
The broadband initiative will focus on providing publicly accessible and open-source data mapping and analysis tools where stakeholders can visually identify unserved broadband areas.
Additionally, the maps will make transparent current FCC broadband data, demographics, and infrastructure data to inform the challenge processes for residents of the commonwealth.
Determining the correct number of unserved and under-served households in the commonwealth will be critical to determining the state's portion of the $42.5 billion available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for broadband deployment projects through a program called Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD).
For more information about the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
