Community & Government Announcements

Pennsylvania’s Governor has announced the availability of the COVID Alert PA app that can notify users if they may have been exposed to COVID-19 without revealing their identity or location.

COVID Alert PA is a free, voluntary mobile app developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in partnership with NearForm, UPenn, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory using the Apple and Google Exposure Notification System. The app’s features include an interactive COVID-19 symptom checker, opt-in for alerts for potential exposures to the virus, updates on the latest public health data about COVID-19 in PA, and advice for what to do if you have a potential exposure to COVID-19.

All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to download the app on a personal mobile device to help in the fight against COVID-19. The app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa.”

The app is designed with privacy at the forefront. The app does not use GPS, location services, or any movement or geographical information. It will never collect, transmit, or store personal information. In other words, it is completely anonymous.

Here’s how it works:

*   The app uses anonymous Bluetooth low energy proximity technology to know when your phone is within 6 feet of another phone with the app for 15 minutes or more.

*   When an app user confirms a positive COVID-19 test result in the app, it will check to see if it matches any of the anonymous Bluetooth close contact interactions your phone has had over the last 14 days.

*   If there is a match, COVID Alert PA may send an alert after taking into account the date, duration of exposure, and the Bluetooth signal strength (which is used to estimate how close your phone was to the phone of the person having a positive test result).

Our success in overcoming the virus depends on all of us and our collective behaviors, including wearing a mask, social distancing, proper hygiene, and staying home if you feel sick. The COVID Alert PA app is an additional powerful tool that can be used on a voluntary basis to help keep yourself and those you care about safe.

For more information on the COVID Alert Pennsylvania app: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/COVID-Alert-FAQs.aspx

The Chester County Health Department is offering a series of flu vaccine clinics at multiple locations around the county.  See the following for more information and to register:

Vaccination Clinics Schedule 9 11 20 v3

ESP 2020 Master Clinic Schedule Spanish

Check out the PA CareerLink and United Way Financial Stability Center’s September virtual workshop calendar:

September 2020 Virtual Workshop Calendar

Feel free to reach out to Darshana Shyamsunder at dshyamsunder@uwchestercounty.org if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Darshana

Darshana Shyamsunder

Director, Community Impact Initiatives

United Way of Chester County

610-429-9400, ext. 4112

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the issuance of an Order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act to temporarily halt residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

This is an initial summary of what the moratorium contains:

• It is in effect as of September 4th and lasts through December 31st;
• It applies to all tenants who present a signed declaration to their landlords;
• The declaration requires the tenant to state that:
• (i) their income is less than $99,000, they did not have to pay income tax in 2019, or they received a stimulus check;
• (ii) they are unable to pay rent due to income loss or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses;
• (iii) they would become homeless or need to double-up if evicted;
• (iv) they will still make partial payments (“using best efforts to make timely partial payments that are as close to the full payment as the individual’s circumstances may permit, taking into account other non-discretionary expenses”);
• It applies wherever there is not a more protective state moratorium in effect, i.e. it acts as a floor;
• It applies to evictions for nonpayment of rent;
• There are criminal penalties for violations.

• It will not include hotel, motel, guest house rented to a temporary guest.
• To be a covered person- the tenant must sign a declaration form and provide a copy to the landlord
• The declaration must be sworn to under penalty of perjury.
• Requirements:
  • Used best efforts to obtain all government assistance for rent and
  • Either expects to earn no more than 99,000 for calendar year 2020 , or 198,000 if filing a joint tax return , or not required to file taxes in 2019 , or got the stimulus check.
  • Unable to pay full rent  due to loss of income
  • Using best efforts to make timely partial payments
  • If evicted I would likely become homeless, need to move to a shelter, or move into shared housing in close quarters

Attached is the form that must be delivered to landlords to gain protection. There is also a 1 page form that can be used instead. Make sure you clients keep a copy of the notice and have some sort of proof of delivery. Sorry it is upside down- new machine!

eviction moratorium declaration forms

Questions? dsteeves@lasp.org

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declaration.html

Deborah Steeves, Esquire

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA

222 N. Walnut Street, Second Floor

West Chester, PA 19380

(610)436-4510

fax (610)436-5186

The Phoenixville Food Insecurity Team has released the schedule of food pantry and meal locations in Phoenixville for the month of September:

September PFIT

September PFIT Spanish

Please note, PACS is adding back Saturday hours starting on 9/12 from 9-11am.  Individuals and families can come for free bin items (fresh produce and canned items), emergency food and appointments.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns—I can be reached at melissa.threadgill@pacsphx.org.

Be Well,

Melissa Threadgill

Program and Community Relations Coordinator

Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS)
257 Church Street
Phoenixville, PA  19460
610-933-1105, ext. 202
Visit our website – www.pacsphx.org
Like PACS on Facebook

Phoenixville’s Steel Town Village is launching a Fall Community Garden on Saturday, September 19.  Details in flyer linked below:

Phx Gardening flyer

Phoenixville CTC is sponsoring a Virtual Parents Café, a place to hold conversations to keep your family strong.  More info, including registration info, in flyer below:

The IRS has extended its deadline to September 30, 2020, for people to provide information to the IRS using its Non-Filer Tool at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here in order to receive an Economic Impact Payment.

People should do this if they:

• receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments;
• did not file a 2019 or 2018 tax return;
• have a qualifying child under age 17; and
• did not already enter information in the IRS’ Non-Filer Tool for themselves and at least one child.

Remember- it is the adult getting the SSI or SSD- not the child

Questions? dsteeves@lasp.org

Deborah Steeves, Esquire

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA

222 N. Walnut Street, Second Floor

West Chester, PA 19380

(610)436-4510       fax (610)436-5186

Open Hearth kicks off its fall schedule of free weekly personal financial workshops on the evening of Wednesday, September 2 , via Zoom. Please see the schedule and description of workshops offered through the end of October, below.

Fall 2020 Zoom Workshop Flyer

Together We Can Raise the Village wants to thank Phoenixville area senior citizens who have volunteered their time to help give back during the past months.  They are requesting nominations of special senior citizens through an essay contest with the deadline of noon on August 26th.  Details in flyer below: