Upcoming Regional Meetings for PA Pre-K Counts

Any eligible applicant applying for a PA Pre-K Counts grant is highly encouraged to participate in at least one regional meeting. Opportunities for regional networking are a means to coordinate and collaborate on required Requests for Application (RFA) items, such as community needs assessments and partnerships, which will be highly prioritized during the RFA process. Regional meetings are taking place throughout the state. Upcoming meetings include:

• TOMORROW! Jan. 31 in State College, PA at Central Intermediate Unit
• Feb. 1 in Taylor, PA at Taylor Community Center
• Feb. 2 in Doylestown, PA at Bucks County Intermediate Unit

Register for one of these meetings, or get info about other regional meetings.

Wednesday is Deadline for 2023 PA's Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards

Wednesday, Feb.1, 2023, is the deadline for child care, evidence-based home visiting, early intervention, or organization which supports Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education programs to submit for the 2023 PA's Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards. The award bring awareness to and highlight the equity work being done in Pennsylvania. Applications should be submitted electronically by the Feb. 1, 2023, deadline. Visit the Pennsylvania Key website for more information and how to apply.

Philadelphia Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List Lottery

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has announced the opening of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, (formerly known as Section 8) Waiting List Lottery, now through Feb. 5, 2023. PHA is accepting online applications for individuals and families to participate in a lottery for a position on the HCV waiting list. The HCV Program offers housing assistance to families by paying a portion of their rent to private property owners. Any income-eligible family or individual can apply and someone in the household must have legal residency, even if the legal resident is a minor child. Individuals and families can apply online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during the application period using a smartphone, computer, or other mobile device with Internet access. Paper applications will not be accepted in-person or by mail or email.

Learn more online at www.pha.phila.gov.

Important Change to SNAP Benefits

Starting in March 2023, there is an important change in the amount of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits recipients will be getting. Right now, SNAP benefits are paid in two payments during the month: regular SNAP benefit is paid in the first half of the month and an extra payment (known as an Emergency Allotment) is paid in the second half of the month. The extra payment in the second half of the month will stop after February 2023. This means that starting in March 2023, recipients will only receive one regular SNAP payment. This change is happening because of a change in federal law. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) wants to make sure families that need food assistance know when this change happens and where to go for help.

Information about SNAP Emergency Allotments is available at dhs.pa.gov/SNAPcares.