Advocating for all people in our Commonwealth whose circumstances have made them vulnerable. We reserve the right to modify this policy at any time.
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Operating as usual
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A helpful reminder for those doing the important work of child welfare and human services from National Child Welfare Workforce Institute: Ask yourself, "What about this situation can I control? What about this situation is out of my control and therefore, must let go?" http://ow.ly/zCmA50M3NZ1
HEAL PA is a direct result of Governor Tom Wolf's Executive Order of 2019 creating our office and, subsequently, the formation of this volunteer coalition. It marks the first time that Pennsylvania has embarked on a goal to become and across all state systems, grassroots professionals, & community partners. The efforts come at a critical time when the annual toll of trauma in the United States has topped $4.2 trillion.
The conference, which was three years in the making, consisted of over 100 trauma experts aiming to assist the Pennsylvania healthcare crisis.
Did you miss last week's virtual conversation with HEAL PA and Dr. Gabor Mate?
Listen to this Lunch Hour here & stay tuned for details of our January session!
https://www.resilientpa.org/the-lunch-hour/ https://www.collectivelyrooted.com/ In collaboration with Collectively Rooted, HEAL PA is delighted to host a yearlong…
Part 1 of a program with Sylvia Maus, Voce Together, & our Executive Director/Child Advocate airs this coming Sunday, December 4th with Part 2 airing next Sunday, December 12th.
We hope you'll listen to hear this conversation on the impact of childhood trauma & discussion on how to create positive, lasting changes in people's lives.
HEAL PA / iHeartRadio
We know that bias-based violence can be triggering for many in our community, and our LGBTQ+ community may need additional support in response to recent nationwide events.
Here is a helpful list provided by the Center of Excellence LGBTQ+ Behavioral Healthy Equity::
The November 20th episode of PA NEWS makers featured Maryann McEvoy talking about our work on behalf of vulnerable Pennsylvanians, as well as the HEAL PA coalition!
Watch the episode online now::
Maryann McEvoy shared these words at the Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey "Say NO to Human Trafficking" Rally::
"I’m honored to be here as Pennsylvania’s child advocate, and I hope that as we move into our next administration, that all of us here on these steps will be able to continue advocating to protect our children from abuse and exploitation. I thank many of the people around me for supporting legislation to confirm an Office of the Child Advocate in statute, so that we can have a direct line our office for our most vulnerable children. Their voices have to be at the center of this work, and I’m honored to be here serving them."
The Pennsylvania Youth Mental Health Summit is a one-day summit gathering school-based and community mental health professionals, youth, policy makers, and other vested partners to dialogue, shared, and lead in addressing Pennsylvania's growing mental health crisis and barrier to student access to care.
Register here:: https://www.paschoolcounselor.org/67th-annual-conference
Human trafficking is happening right here in Pennsylvania & 30% of all trafficking victims are children. It is an issue that impacts all of us. So, how are we protecting Pennsylvania’s children?
Maryann McEvoy, our Child Advocate, will be at Tuesday's event! Join her - and many others - in the state Capitol Rotunda to SAY NO to human trafficking!
Next Tuesday, November 15th, join members of the Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey at 11:00 am in the State Capitol Rotunda for the "Zonta says NO to Human Trafficking" Rally in our continuing campaign to End Violence against Women and Children. There will be five speakers who will share information about Human Trafficking and ways to combat it. Please join us at this rally and support this important cause.
Read more on the "New" New Kensington here ::
https://postindustrial.com/stories/a-new-new-kensington/
Venus Ricks, HEAL PA member & Commonwealth DEI Director will be joining the Westmoreland CAP in New Kensington tomorrow for a community conversation on poverty. All are welcome to attend!
How can you move from awareness of cultural humility to demonstrating it, as well as inclusiveness? Great session upcoming from GRANDFamily Connections of Chester County, Pa.!
Are you a service provider in Chester County? Part of the educational system, faith based community, or other organization that works with GRANDFamilies and Kinship families? Then please consider joining us at our GRANDFamily Connections Provider Network meeting on Nov 9th from 10-11.
Open Enrollment is here! Pennie is here to help you find high-quality health and dental coverage that meets your needs and budget! Visit pennie.com to learn more!
Venus Ricks, DEI Director, is active across the commonwealth delivering thoughtful & inspiring information about Equity, Inclusion, & 21st Century Public Service. This week, she presented at the Board Member Training Conference for the PA Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs in the PA Department of State.
Maryann McEvoy, PA Child Advocate, will provide the closing keynote for this event. Hope you will join our office in attending!
The Forum on Pennsylvania's Children is an opportunity to experience Illuminations: a program of interactive artwork as a tool for awareness, education and training. Voce's Executive Director, Dr. Rick Azzaro, facilitates this impactful program, leading the audience in understanding victimization and practicing authentic empathy. There's still time to register for the Forum on Nov 10 in Lancaster, PA. https://bit.ly/3ylhQV4
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ATTN: There is one week left to apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program! Do not miss out on available grant money to assist with overdue water and wastewater bills.
Representative Pamela A. DeLissio is proposing legislation that will create a permanent Office of Child Advocate within the Department of Health. The legislation has been co-sponsored by 11 House Members since its introduction last week.
Thank you to Representatives Boback, Hanbidge, Madden, Hill-Evans, Guenst, T. Davis, Howard, Sanchez, Sappey, Kinsey, and Ciresi!
Is your state representative listed above? If not, please take the time to call their office to ask them to sign on!
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?Chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=37813&mobile_choice=suppress&fbclid=IwAR3sEwlUDAHJWuAs2dQmofNqQt2BWajbUbt6vwb4ILAvKe3wZeuaRpWFyIw
📢 NEW REPORT FINDINGS: Supportive resources for LGBTQ+ students have decreased. Harassment has increased. And the majority of LGBTQ+ students don’t feel safe in school.
Our latest National School Climate Study shows that now more than ever, students need us.
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we share key findings and core ways to help to make schools safe and affirming for all students.
Read the full report here ⬇️
https://glsen.us/nscs
HEAL PA Community Conversations - Resilient PA
Upcoming Conversations Session will be recorded. Recordings will be available on our Resources Page. HEAL PA Learning Session: Connected Together Lebanon County October 18th, 3:00pm-4:30pmMichael C. Ritter, MPA, CTCPhe/his/him An opportunity to learn from Michael C. Ritter of Connected Together...
If you attended the September Lunch Hour with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk & want to rewatch it, or if you missed this session and want to catch up, you can access the recording at the Lunch Hour Course on Resilient PA!
(You will need a free account, which you can create by clicking Join in the top right corner, or simply logging in!)
In collaboration with Collectively Rooted, HEAL PA is delighted to host a yearlong program with Maryann McEvoy, Executive Director of Governor Wolf’s Office of Advocacy and Reform and Child Advocate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and an ensemble of renowned...
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Join us for lunch! Sign up for a virtual conversation series on trauma-informed issues, featuring some of the top experts in the field. Free for all PA residents. Sandra Bloom will be hosting The Lunch Hour this Thursday, Oct. 13, from 12p-1p. Bring your questions!
Learn more and register for the sessions at ➡️ resilientpa.org/the-lunch-hour
Collectively Rooted PA Office of Advocacy and Reform United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Can They Really Do That? Know Your Rights About School Board Policies-and More!! - Education Voters PA
Education Voters of PA is excited to announce that we will be partnering with the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) and the Education Law Center to host four training sessions for people who are working to support welcoming and inclusive schools that have the resources to meet the needs of a...
Pleased to have Maryann McEvoy, our Executive Director and Child Advocate serving as the Closing Keynote & Honorary Chair for this event!
We couldn't have said it any better. The Forum on Pennsylvania's Children registration is open. Carve out a day to learn, be inspired and connect with others to heal trauma. Let's make change together! https://vocetogether.org/programs/fpac.html
"My objective with this film is to showcase the beauty, strength, and resilience of the Latinx immigrant community in South Philadelphia." Expanding Sanctuary Director/Producer Kristal Sotomayor, a bilingual documentary filmmaker, festival programmer, & freelance journalist based in Philadelphia.
— EXPANDING SANCTUARY —
Oct 20: PURPLE THURSDAY
We invite you to join us in raising awareness of domestic violence and the important work to end it. It's simple - wear purple and take a selfie. Post it on Thurs Oct 20!
This national day of action is an opportunity to celebrate unity and signal to survivors that they are not alone.
DEI Director Venus Ricks attended today’s PA State Police Multicultural Community Day. Along with enjoying the arts, food & music, she was able to speak with attendees about HEAL PA and the Trauma Aware PA Series.
Save the date to join us MONDAY at 7pm right here on Facebook Live. We have a special conversation planned with Survive & Tell and York County District Attorney's Office and Center for Victims!
No one should struggle without the help they qualify to receive.
Pennsylvania assists with food, health care, child care, health insurance and more.
Pennsylvanians making up to 200% of the federal poverty line will now be eligible to receive benefits from the program. For a family of four, that shakes out to a maximum of $4,626 a month. For a single person, it’s $2,266 or less.
The state Department of Human Services has announced that the income threshold for eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly...
Members of our team were fortunate to travel to New Hampshire & Colorado for recent conferences! Focused on ombudsmanship and resilience, we continue to be proud to serve Pennsylvanians whose circumstances have made them vulnerable.
Aurrera Health Group
During this intersection of National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month & Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to amplify the knowledge of increased su***de risk factors amongst Latinos & offer support.
Information here::
https://pttcnetwork.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/Su***dePreventionFS-ENG.pdf
National Su***de Prevention Lifeline :: 1-800-
273-TALK (8255))
Crisis Text Line (741741)
During this Hispanic Heritage Month, we are aware that individuals may be both celebrating their heritage & mourning losses associated with Hurricane Fiona.
Review these helpful resources for supporting employees after a disaster ::
https://www.agilityrecovery.com/article/supporting-employees-after-disaster
Our DEI Director, Venus Ricks, has been delivering presentations to various groups across the commonwealth this month - - speaking about Equity, Inclusion, & 21st Century Public Service while coalition building to serve the needs of intersectional diversity!
From Campus Vote Project's PA Youth Voting Summit at the Community College of Philadelphia to the Equity and Inclusion Leadership Conference held at PennWest Edinboro, as well as the board of Alder Health Services.
COVID and "The Great Resignation" have exposed the prevalence of Secondary Traumatic Stress. The Health Federation of Philadelphia is offering a free panel event on September 30th to highlight STS & paths to solutions.
Among the panelists & moderators is Leslie Lieberman MSW, Health Federation of Philadelphia, Philadelphia ACE Task Force and a HEAL PA member.
Register here ::
The "Great Resignation" & COVID exposed the prevalence of Secondary Traumatic Stress. This panel event highlights STS & paths to solutions.
During debate, Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) said certain types of so-called “alternative punishment” like solitary confinement can amplify women carry with them when entering prison.
Prison staff would have to limit how and when they use things like restraints and solitary confinement.
34 states have children’s ombudsman’s offices dedicated to receiving complaints directly from youth & reviewing/investigating, in order to resolve both individual and systemic issues. We are asking Pennsylvania legislators to confirm an Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) to support children at the state-level. Please reach out to your legislator in support of this effort!
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CYcommittee091322.pdf
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Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.
– Michelle Rosenthal
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Join Mind Over Matter moderator Tracey Matisak & a panel of regional experts as they discuss PTSD, suicide, teen depression, & behavioral health. Hear personal stories from those who are coping with mental health challenges and information on where to get help. Airing on WVIA & watch a clip with OAR Executive Director, Dr. Dan Jurman now! Sunday, January 30 - 12:30 p.m. Thursday, February 10 - 9 p.m. Friday, February 11 - 2 p.m.
A message from Governor Tom Wolf about the Day of Racial Healing on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. #HowWeHeal #racialhealingpa
PHRC Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Market Street
PA Emergency Management Agency
Elmerton Avenue
The State Museum of Pennsylvania
North Street
Dauphin County Drug & Alcohol Services
S Cameron Street
Friendship YMCA Youth and Government
N Front Street
Air Force Recruiter- Harrisburg, PA
Union Deposit Road
Pennsylvania Department of General Services
North 3rd Street