The Delaware County Weekly

Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!

—— February 16, 2024 (108th edition) ——

Black History Month Book Recommendations from Delaware County Council 

Throughout February, Delaware County Council is partnering with Delaware County Libraries to share some of their favorite books featuring historical figures and events in Black History. 

Book recommendations will be shared throughout the month and on the Delaware County Libraries website. 

This week, hear Delaware County Council Member Kevin Madden's recommendation of We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson.

Illustration by Kadir Nelson, from We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Delaware County Council Member Kevin Madden's recommendation of We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson. Additional recommendations by Delaware County Council Members to follow next week!

To start Black History Month, Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor recommended Shirley Chisholm is a Verb by Veronica Chambers.

Last Week, Council Member Elaine Paul Schaefer shared her recommendation, the 2024 Coretta Scott King Book Award winner Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi.

In recognition of Black History Month, each Thursday in February, the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) is celebrating the careers and accomplishments of selected Delaware County Black community members making a difference in public health. DCHD is shining a light on public health pioneers from Delaware County who support public health by promoting healthy habits and community well-being.

This week, Rosetta Carter has been named as the Delaware County Black Public Health Pioneer. Congratulations Rosetta!

Rosetta Carter is a lifelong resident of Chester and her passion and vision for community advocacy has helped to improve the health and quality of life for those in the community in which she serves. 

Ms. Carter has achieved a wealth of accomplishments during her years of service at the local, state, and federal levels and has traveled extensively across the country advocating with prominent political leaders for change. 

She currently holds the position of Director of Community Health Education Services for the City of Chester. In this position, she has served as the Co-Chair for former President Obama’s “Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2)” initiative in the City of Chester. Under this initiative, seven cities across the country were selected to strengthen their capacity to create jobs and implement locally driven community and regional planning approaches that lead to sustained economic growth.

Ms. Carter also serves on the Chester City Health Board, where she works to improve the health, wellness, and well-being of all residents. In 2014 and 2015, Ms. Carter was invited to the White House for her role in the “Chester Let’s Move!” campaign sponsored by former First Lady Michelle Obama, a program designed to address childhood obesity. Under Ms. Carter’s leadership, the City of Chester was recognized as the #1 Award-winning “Let’s Move!” city in the country. Through this work, she was recognized for her exemplary leadership in reducing childhood obesity and was given the “Most Dedicated City Staff Member” award by the National League of Cities.

In 2018, Ms. Carter was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in the State of Pennsylvania, along with being awarded the Woman of the Year twice in one year, by the Delaware County Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women. During the pandemic, she was the community champion for facilitating COVID-19 vaccines for Chester residents. In 2022, Ms. Carter and the Chester City Health Board partnered with the Black Equity Coalition to obtain a grant providing free vaccines for Chester residents.

In 2023, Ms. Carter organized Chester’s First Women’s Health Conference at Widener University. The conference was a huge success that brought women’s health concerns to the forefront. The 2nd annual conference will be making its return on March 23, 2024!

Rosetta Carter’s passion and drive for the residents of Chester are exemplary. She continues to be a leader in targeting opportunities and bringing initiatives to address Chester’s unique health concerns. 

Congratulations Rosetta Carter on this well-deserved recognition!

To honor Black History Month and American Heart Month, the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), in collaboration with Keystone First, is offering free blood pressure screenings on February 26, 2024.

Residents of Delaware County are invited to take part in this vital health initiative at the DCHD Wellness Center in Yeadon, located at 125 Chester Avenue. The screenings will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with no need for appointments. Blood pressure screenings will be provided on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis

“What makes high blood pressure concerning is that it typically does not come with symptoms or warning signs,” said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon. “By taking advantage of this screening opportunity, medical professionals can help residents detect high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and prevent potential harmful health impacts.”

According to the CDC, high blood pressure is a condition affecting nearly half of the adult population in the U.S. and is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Notably, the prevalence of high blood pressure is highest among non-Hispanic Black adults at 54%, compared to other groups. The DCHD is seizing this month as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of heart health awareness and encourages all residents to participate in the free screening.

According to the CDC, high blood pressure affects nearly 1 in 2 adults in the United States. This condition, also known as the “silent killer,” increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure is more common in non-Hispanic Black adults (54%) than in non-Hispanic White adults (46%), non-Hispanic Asian adults (39%), or Hispanic adults (36%). The Delaware County Health Department encourages residents to take advantage of this free blood pressure screening and learn more about heart health this month. 

Hundreds of thousands of older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities are now eligible to apply for a rebate up to $1,000 (up from $650) through the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program thanks to bipartisan legislation signed into law last year by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

The expansion of the PTRR program, which provides financial relief to eligible Pennsylvanians by offering rebates on property taxes or rent paid, marks the most significant targeted tax reduction for seniors in almost two decades and extends eligibility to nearly 175,000 additional Pennsylvanians.

In addition to an increase in maximum rebate amounts, for the first time since 2006, the PTRR program’s income limit has been adjusted to $45,000 for both homeowners and renters, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants. 

The program's recent expansion became effective on January 16, 2024, when the new claim season opened. The rebate program is open to eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and individuals with disabilities age 18 and older.

To assist eligible Delaware County residents in accessing this program, the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) is collaborating with staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to offer in-person support at select COSA-sponsored Senior Centers throughout March. Six Delaware County Senior Centers will welcome PA Department of Revenue representatives to aid residents with determining their eligibility, completing applications, and filing Pennsylvania personal income tax returns (PA-40s).

“The enhancement of the PTRR program is a welcome development, offering essential relief for our elderly population, and I’m thrilled that our COSA-funded Senior Centers will help ensure that residents can take full advantage of the program,” said COSA Director Barbara Nicolardi. “This collaboration with the Department of Revenue exemplifies our collective commitment to the well-being and financial stability of Delaware County's older adults and residents with disabilities.”

The deadline to submit applications for the 2023 Property Tax/Rent Rebates is June 30, 2024.

Select COSA-Sponsored Senior Centers Providing Assistance

Residents are advised to contact their chosen location in advance to confirm availability and schedule an appointment.

What You Should Bring

Participants should bring their tax information/income statements, a photo identification card (driver's license, etc.), and Social Security cards for themselves and their dependents. 

Online Applications For PTRR

Eligible individuals can now apply for the rebate online via the State’s myPATH application, the Department of Revenue’s digital filing system. 

Open positions include recently updated pay rates!

The Delaware County-operated Fair Acres Geriatric Center, recently ranked 25th in the United States and among the top four percent of nursing homes in the United States by Newsweek magazine and the largest skilled nursing facility in Delaware County, is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, February 21, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., on their Lima campus. 

Job seekers are encouraged to come out and meet with hiring managers and recruiters to learn about the many opportunities available and are asked to bring their resume; on-the-spot interviews will be offered.

Fair Acres offers residents long term care, short term rehabilitation, respite care and hospice services on a beautiful 210-acre campus, and provides staff with competitive compensation (with recently updated pay rates), great benefits including a pension, a pleasant working environment, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others!

Positions include:

• RNs & LPNs (Full-time and per diem. New grads welcome!)
• Nursing Supervisors (Full-time and per diem, 4:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.)
• Unit Managers
• MDS Coordinator / RNAC Supervisor
• CNAs (Full-time, 3:00 p.m. – 11 p.m., and other shifts (rates starting at $21.05/hour)
• Food Service Workers (Part-time)
• Food Service Supervisor (Full-time)
• Housekeepers

Fair Acres offers:

• Competitive compensation
• Full benefits for full-time employees
• Paid vacation (2 weeks to start)
• 16 paid holidays
• Pension plans
• Tuition reimbursement

The Fair Acres Job Fair will be held at the Fair Acres Campus Building 1, 340 N. Middletown Road, in Lima, PA. Parking is free.

For more information, visit www.fairacres.org or call (610) 891-8039.

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