|
|||
|
For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Autism mini-grant program available Mini-grants of up to $500 are being made available through the Bureau of Autism Services of the state Department of Public Welfare to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. This project is designed to reach out to those individuals and families who cannot access existing support for various reasons, such as eligibility criteria, age, or placement on a waiting list; however, families receiving BHRS/Wraparound or Early Intervention Services may apply. Grants may be used for respite/child care, summer camp, recreational or community programs, conferences and workshops, and safety modifications to the home or community, and the activity or support being funded must occur between March 1 and August 31, 2008. Priority will be given to those who did not receive this grant in 2007, and the grants will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because total funding is limited, not everyone who applies will be funded, although the Bureau estimates that approximately 1,000 families will be awarded grants. All applications must be submitted by mail and postmarked by April 18 to be considered. More information and applications are available on the Department's web site at www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicePrograms/Autism. Anyone who does not have access to a printer can call 1-866-497-6898 or email c-jsands@state.pa.us to request an application by mail. I understand that individuals with autism need the support of their families and communities to meet their unique needs on a daily basis, and I hope that local families will be able to take advantage of these additional resources. LGH helps community make informed decisions Lancaster General Hospital is taking steps to ensure that patients and families are able to make informed decisions about their healthcare. On March 3, the Hospital began publishing detailed clinical outcomes data on its web site at www.LancasterGeneral.org. This information will help the public see how the Hospital compares nationally and in Pennsylvania for common medical treatments and procedures, such as heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. The new data joins existing pricing information on the site under the "Quality and Pricing Guide" heading, and links to the state Department of Health, Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council and federal Department of Health and Human Services are also available. Outcomes for all Pennsylvania hospitals, as recently reported by the Pennsylvania Health Care Quality Alliance, are also online at www.phcqa.org, along with explanatory information on the potential use of the data. Our Commonwealth has taken many positive steps to help citizens take an active role in their own healthcare, and we continue to look for ways to address rising costs so that healthcare can truly become accessible and affordable to all. Nominations for AARP Community Service award The Pennsylvania AARP office is now accepting nominations for the 2008 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, the organization's most prestigious volunteer award for such service. There are many seniors across the country who are making a positive impact on their communities, and this award provides an opportunity to recognize that impact and to let these volunteers know that their service is recognized and valued. Nomination materials, including eligibility requirements and selection criteria, can be obtained at www.aarp.org/volunteer or by calling 1-866-389-5654. Nominations must be received in the AARP Pennsylvania office no later than June 2, 2008.
| ||
|
Privacy Policy
|
|||
