The Housing Alliance is looking for workshop and presenter proposals for their 20th annual Homes Within Reach Conference, December 4 – 6, 2024, at the Hershey Lodge. Please review RFP questions here. Submit Your Workshop Ideas Here. The deadline to submit workshop proposals is April 26, 2024.
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As climate change continues to impact disaster frequency and intensity, the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) explored disaster resilience bills enacted by state legislatures in 2023. This report analyzes over 600 bills enacted across all 50 states. Inspired by FEMA’s Community Lifelines, the bill categories included Funding, Energy, Communications, Transportation, Safety & Security, Health & Medical, Food & Water, Housing, Hazardous Materials, Land Use, Governance, and Equity. Funding, Governance, and Safety & Security emerged as the most common legislative issues, relating to 55, 37, and 27 percent of disaster bills, respectively. California and Texas led the nation with 61 and 39 bills, respectively. Colorado, Oregon, and Florida were nearly as active, with 32, 29, and 29 bills. Learn more.
Planning to power Up your Important life-enabling devices.
Do you use battery-operated communication devices, hearing aids, or mobility equipment? Do you have respiratory devices like a suction or CPAP machine? Does your medication or nutritional formula require refrigeration? Start thinking about all the ways you rely on access to electricity. Click here for important information on Addressing Power Needs in Your Emergency Plan.
Disability Rights PA “Rights of People with Disabilities in an Emergency” fact sheets
- Evacuation Plan Inclusion and Accessibility; 2) Effective Notification and Communication for People with Disabilities; 3) Access to Shelter and Temporary Housing; and 4) Access to Healthcare, Social Services, and Recovery Services
Click here for the DHS webpage.
The PA Department of Human Services has a new website for Mass Care. You can read about the Task Forces and other resources available to support mass care needs in the Commonwealth at www.dhs.pa.gov/MassCare.
INSURANCE RESOURCES
United Policy Holders has these resources:
- Hurricane Ian Insurance and Recovery Help Library
- Avoiding Frauds and Scams After a Disaster
- NFIP flood policyholders can request a $20,000 advance
- Help from the FL. Division of Consumer Services
- Licensed professional claim help
- Tips to keep your Insurance Policies Up-to-Date
Do you need up-to-date travel information?
Do you know that you can get information on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting 511PA. 511PA is free and available 24 hours a day; it provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The PA Department of Human Services encourages all Pennsylvanians with low incomes to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program that helps people pay for broadband service and internet-connected devices necessary to maintain reliable internet access in their homes. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to apply or print out and mail in a completed application.
Implicit Bias
The Office of Health Equity in the PA Department of Health has developed an Implicit Bias Toolkit. This is toolkit, which is intended for those working in healthcare settings, can provide a lot of great resources and information surrounding the reduction of implicit and explicit bias in our work as well. You can find the toolkit at Implicit Bias Toolkit. Other useful resources can be found online to help you consider the manifestation and impact of biases in our daily lives. One example is Harvard University’s Project Implicit.
AARP PREPAREDNESS RESOURCE CENTER
To help people and communities prepare for potential weather disasters, AARP has launched a PREPAREDNESS Resource Center at aarp.org/disasterprep, where you can find information on
- Emergency repose information tailored to older adults;
- A list of everything that should be packed in a emergency escape kit;
- Apps and gadgets that can help keep you safe in a disaster;
- Details on staying in communication with state and local authorities;
- How to keep you pets safe in a disaster.
SENIOR FOOD BOX PROGRAM
The Senior Food Box Program supplements low-income seniors’ diets with nutritious food, including non-fat dry and shelf-stable fluid milk, juice, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, dry beans, peanut butter, canned meat, poultry, fish and canned fruits and vegetables. To participate, individuals must be at least 60 years old and meet income eligibility guidelines. A single senior’s annual income may not exceed $18,954, and the income for a couple is capped at $25,636. Seniors who would like to participate should call ☎️800-468-2433 to be directed to the regional food bank distributing the Senior Food Box in their county of residence. Learn more here.