Black Covid-19
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new survey shows that as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the country, the number of young people being held in juvenile detention dramatically decreased.
Congregate settings such as juvenile detention facilities can rapidly spread coronavirus infections to the youths, the staff and the community at large.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation survey found the juvenile detention population across 30 states declined 24% in March, as much as the seven years from 2010 to 2017.
Jalen Starr is a fifth grade student at Swarthmore-Rutledge School who created an awesome Coronavirus video PSA.
Thanks to his teacher, Liz Corson, for sharing this with us.
Jalen is the son of Ron and Tyra Starr.
(My little recommendation is to add text or captions in future videos for the many people who watch these videos on mute or in high noise locations)
“At this time, we do not know when the school will open, but the learning must continue. We are doing everything in our power to continue the instructional program and ensure that students will be prepared for graduation, promotion and overall academic achievement. The entire CCSA community has come together to ensure that teaching and learning can continue remotely with minimal disruption.
Several days before the closure announcement, our teachers were working to prepare lessons for home instruction in case the unthinkable occurred. As a result, students left school on the day of closure prepared to continue studies at home equipped with binders, workbooks and necessary materials. Presently, students are working online, if possible with teacher support, or with comparable printed assignments. At least two times per week, teachers speak with each individual student to monitor accomplishments and provide instructional help. Additionally, The Andrew L. Hicks Foundation is partnering with CCSA to provide free 30 minute 1-on-1 telephonic or online tutoring sessions.
We are conducting a technology access survey to determine what additional supports our families may need. We will use this information to strategize about ways we can ensure equitable access. It is worth noting that Comcast has made internet access free for the next two months for low-income families who qualify. We shared the information with our families and helped some to apply.
For the duration of the school closure, CCSA will continue to provide free breakfasts and lunches for students, which can be picked up at our building.
As we anticipated, our teachers have shown great initiative and creativity in this challenging time. Some examples:
We will face many challenges in this pandemic, but CCSA will not lose momentum. The work we do and the students we serve are too important to delay. I assure you that we will continue to act vigorously to care for our CCSA scholars, our faculty and our staff.
I pray that you are healthy and doing everything you can to stay that way. Thank you for your encouragement and good wishes. I will continue to let you know how we are helping our students to meet their academic goals through this trying time.”
Akosua Watts
HARRISBURG, Pa. — An independent policy research project has released a brief outlining steps to guard against the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic falling disproportionately on the poor.
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center says the Keystone State should embrace the moral equivalent of wartime equality in its response to the pandemic.
State spending on public health is at the top of the list.
According to Marc Stier, director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, at about $13 per person, Pennsylvania ranks 45th in the nation in spending on public health.
“State spending on public health has remained unchanged since 2008,” he points out. “I want to make sure the state has enough money to do the testing and the reporting that we need.”
The brief also calls for safeguarding against economic impacts by strengthening the state’s unemployment system and securing access to public benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Stier points out that helping low-income people secure and retain cash benefits during the pandemic not only helps those who have the least, it also helps sustain the state’s economy.
“The economy is declining in the state as everywhere else in the country and the world, and we need people to have money to keep buying things as they can to keep the economy going,” he states.
Stier adds that an economic recession will increase the demand for state spending such as unemployment insurance and Medicaid while simultaneously reducing revenues.
But Stier cautions against balancing the state budget by repeating the massive cuts to education, Medicaid and other programs that were cut 10 years ago.
“The state has to think about raising taxes on the wealthiest Pennsylvanians who are not being hurt by this crisis in the same way that everyone else is, and who pay far less than middle class people and working people now in taxes to the state as a share of their income,” Stier states.
He says a rapid federal response to the economic impact of the pandemic will be critical to ensuring that the burden is shared equally.
Andrea Sears
SEVEN GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS WHO ARE DIVORCED/SEPARATED AND SHARING CUSTODY OF CHILDREN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIc
Comply with all CDC and local and state guidelines and model good behavior for your children with intensive hand washing, wiping down surfaces and other objects that are frequently touched, and maintaining social distancing. This also means BE INFORMED. Stay in touch with the most reliable media sources and avoid the rumor mill on social media.
Be honest about the seriousness of the pandemic but maintain a calm attitude and convey to your children your belief that everything will return to normal in time. Avoid making careless comments in front of the children and exposing them to endless media coverage intended for adults. Don’t leave the news on 24/7, for instance. But, at the same time, encourage your children to ask questions and express their concerns and answer them truthfully at a level that is age-appropriate.
As much as possible, try to avoid reinventing the wheel despite the unusual circumstances. The custody agreement or court order exists to prevent endless haggling over the details of timesharing. In some jurisdictions, there are even standing orders mandating that, if schools are closed, custody agreements should remain in force as though school were still in session.
At the same time, it would be foolish to expect that nothing will change when people are being advised not to fly and vacation attractions such as amusement parks, museums, and entertainment venues are closing all over the US and the world. In addition, some parents will have to work extra hours to help deal with the crisis and other parents may be out of work or working reduced hours for a time. Plans will inevitably have to change. Encourage closeness with the parent who is not going to see the child through shared books, movies, games and FaceTime or Skype.
Provide honest information to your co-parent about any suspected or confirmed exposure to the virus, and try to agree on what steps each of you will take to protect the child from exposure. Certainly, both parents should be informed at once if the child is exhibiting any possible symptoms of the virus.
Try to provide makeup time to the parent who missed out, if at all possible. Family law judges expect reasonable accommodations when they can be made and will take seriously concerns raised in later filings about parents who are inflexible in highly unusual circumstances.
There is no doubt that the pandemic will pose an economic hardship and lead to lost earnings for many, many parents, both those who are paying child support and those who are receiving child support. The parent who is paying should try to provide something, even if it can’t be the full amount. The parent who is receiving payments should try to be accommodating under these challenging and temporary circumstances.
Adversity can become an opportunity for parents to come together and focus on what is best for the child. For many children, the strange days of the pandemic will leave vivid memories. It’s important for every child to know and remember that both parents did everything they could to explain what was happening and to keep their child safe.
From the leaders of groups that deal with families in crisis:
Susan Myres, President of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Dr. Matt Sullivan, President of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Annette Burns, AAML and Former President of AFCC
Yasmine Mehmet, AAML
Kim Bonuomo, AAML
Nancy Kellman, AAML
Dr. Leslie Drozd, AFCC
Dr. Robin Deutsch, AFCC
Jill Peña, Executive Director of AAML
Peter Salem, Executive Director of AFCC
Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP | obermayer.com
WYOMISSING, PA (March 18, 2020) Customers Bank continues to closely monitor developments related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). During this time, the bank is taking action to prioritize the health and well-being of our clients and Team Members. The bank has also taken measures to ensure customers continue to receive a high-level of customer service and uninterrupted access to its financial services.
As such, Customers Bank is limiting access to drive-thru and appointment-only service at the following branches: Berkshire Mall West (Berks County), Muhlenberg (Berks County), Exeter (Berks County), Langhorne (Bucks County) and Kimberton (Chester County). All other branches will remain open and available for business as usual.
This move is being undertaken with the approval and authorization of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking & Securities, explained Timothy D. Romig, executive vice president, managing director & market president – Pennsylvania and New Jersey. “This change is being made after careful consideration of the best methods to protect our clients and Team Members,” said Romig. “We are doing everything possible to continue to provide full access to all banking services and products.”
Clients who need access to a safety deposit box, or other services that cannot be delivered via the drive-thru such as an account opening, or loan application may schedule an appointment with the branch manager to visit the bank and meet directly with a Team Member, reported Romig.
Romig reminded customers, “ATMs and online banking are a safe, secure and convenient alternative to access banking services.” If you want to review daily cash withdrawal and point-of-sale purchase limits, please click here.
Many Customers Bank products and services, including check deposits and bill pay, can be accessed via online banking and consumer and business banking apps. Consumers with a personal banking account who wish to begin online banking can sign-up by using this link. Business banking clients who are not enrolled in online banking should call their Relationship Manager.
The impacted branch locations and contact information for each branch manager follows:
Customers Bank
1101 Woodland Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Phone: 610-743-8010
Lucia DeAngelo, VP & Branch Manager, 484-682-8563
Customers Bank
1 Hearthstone Court
Reading, PA 19606
Phone: 610-406-9944
Lucia DeAngelo, VP & Branch Manager, 484-682-8563
Customers Bank
350 E. Bellevue Avenue
Reading, PA 19605
Phone: 610-743-8000
Lucia DeAngelo, VP & Branch Manager, 484-682-8563
Customers Bank
2A Summit Square Center
Langhorne, PA 19047
Phone: (267) 352-3012
Dom Paciolla, VP & Branch Manager, 484-868-6683
Customers Bank
513 Kimberton Road
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Phone: 610-415-9090
Keith Munley, VP & Branch Manager, 484-985-5349
For more information, see the bank’s website at www.customersbank.com.
At Crozer-Keystone Health System, the safety of our patients, visitors, workforce and physicians is our highest priority. We are working diligently to comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH)and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to respond to any potential coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in our community, to prepare for potential patient surges in our facilities, and to do our part to prevent the spread of the virus. Our hospitals, physician offices and outpatient centers are following the latest CDC and public agency guidelines and are prepared to identify, isolate and treat patients who seek care at our facilities.
MEDIA, PA (March 17, 2020) — The Foundation for Delaware County today announced a $100,000 contribution to the new Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund. Established by the foundation on Friday, the fund is a partnership with area business, government and community partners.
According to the foundation’s president Frances Sheehan,
100% of donations will go directly to vulnerable communities in Delaware County by supporting the non-profit agencies that are already struggling to manage increased need for services at a time when they simply cannot operate with the usual resources and methods.
Black Covid-19