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6 Pennsylvania nonprofits receive surprise holiday donations

6 Pennsylvania nonprofits receive surprise holiday donations

Six Pennsylvania nonprofits received unexpected donations totaling $70,000 this holiday season from the FirstEnergy Foundation, the charitable arm of Ohio-based electric utility provider FirstEnergy.

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"Gifts of the Season" Totaling $70,000 Presented to Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

"Gifts of the Season" Totaling $70,000 Presented to Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The FirstEnergy Foundation has awarded surprise "Gifts of the Season" totaling $70,000 to six Pennsylvania nonprofits serving communities in FirstEnergy Pennsylvania's service area.

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Sheetz Commits to Hiring More Individuals With Disabilities

Sheetz Commits to Hiring More Individuals With Disabilities

Convenience-store retailer Sheetz Inc. is the first employer to commit to a new Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry program, Integrated Vocational Engagement and Support Team (InVEST).

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Sheetz joins program for workers with disabilities

Sheetz joins program for workers with disabilities

From the Altoona Mirror. Altoona-based Sheetz Inc. is the first employer in Pennsylvania to commit to a new program aimed to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities in transitioning from subminimum wage positions to competitive-integrated employment.

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Labor & Industry Creates InVEST Program to Help Individuals with Disabilities, Secure Good Jobs through Competitive, Integrated Employment

Labor & Industry Creates InVEST Program to Help Individuals with Disabilities, Secure Good Jobs through Competitive, Integrated Employment

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry today announced the launch of a new program through its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), leveraging a $14 million federal grant to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities earning a subminimum wage to obtain competitive, integrated employment.

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Laughter in the Limelight Benefits Arc of Erie County

Laughter in the Limelight Benefits Arc of Erie County

A local fun event brings laughter and funds for The Arc Erie County.

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"Breaking Down Barriers": A Partnership with VaultArt Studios

"Breaking Down Barriers": A Partnership with VaultArt Studios

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and VaultArt Studio have joined forces to promote the inclusion of artists with disabilities in contemporary art. Works from two VaultArt resident artists are on display in the Cultural District: Kim Bond and Charlie Wallace.

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Adults with Intellectual Disabilities May Wait Years for Services. Shapiro's Budget Would Help

Adults with Intellectual Disabilities May Wait Years for Services. Shapiro's Budget Would Help

Shapiro wants lawmakers to allocate another $483 million in state and federal money, or a 12% rate increase, to direct service providers, which they in turn can spend on pay bumps, retention bonuses, recruitment and other costs related to staffing.

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Pa. human service officials say budget proposal will eliminate wait list for disability services

Pa. human service officials say budget proposal will eliminate wait list for disability services

More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities or autism are on an "emergency" state waiting list: meaning they need services and supports now but aren't getting them.

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Allegheny County cutting education specialist positions who help students with special needs

Allegheny County cutting education specialist positions who help students with special needs

More than 100 students using Allegheny County's special education services will see changes next school year after officials announced the elimination of three education specialist positions, a decision already receiving pushback from local advocacy groups.

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Allegheny County to cut 'redundant' education staff. Advocates say it will create a strain.

Allegheny County to cut 'redundant' education staff. Advocates say it will create a strain.

Allegheny County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is planning to phase out its three education specialist positions just before the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

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Pennsylvania Recognized During National 2024 Charting The LifeCourse Showcase

Pennsylvania Recognized During National 2024 Charting The LifeCourse Showcase

During the 2024 Charting the LifeCourse Showcase held in Kansas City, Missouri, two representatives of Pennsylvania's support professional cohort were recognized for their work.

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Shapiro visits Pittsburgh, talks about enhancing resources for people with intellectual disabilities and autism

Shapiro visits Pittsburgh, talks about enhancing resources for people with intellectual disabilities and autism

PITTSBURGH — Workers who provide services to people living with intellectual disabilities and autism said there's a shortage of employees across the country. Gov. Josh Shapiro said his proposed budget will help with that problem.

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How Shapiro's plan would boost intellectual disability/autism care and worker pay in Pennsylvania

How Shapiro's plan would boost intellectual disability/autism care and worker pay in Pennsylvania

The funding will "ensure that a continuum of care and education and opportunity is available for the ID/A community across Pennsylvania," Shapiro said.

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Unheard Voices: Shedding Light on the Overlooked Dental Care Challenges of I/DD Populations

Unheard Voices: Shedding Light on the Overlooked Dental Care Challenges of I/DD Populations

In the silent corridors of healthcare access, individuals with IDD often find themselves trapped in a cycle of overlooked oral health struggles.

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Governor Shapiro's Budget is a Lifeline for Families and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

Governor Shapiro's Budget is a Lifeline for Families and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

Today, I thank Governor Josh Shapiro for listening to families and making a commitment to them by proposing a historic increase in funding that will provide urgently needed services for more than half of the people on Pennsylvania's emergency waiting list.

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911th CS gives its appreciation to custodial staff

911th CS gives its appreciation to custodial staff

November, designated as National Month of Gratitude, provided an opportune moment for the 911th Communications Squadron to reflect on the contributions of Achieva's custodial team.

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Pittsburgh nonprofits hope Giving Tuesday will inspire generosity for essential programs

Pittsburgh nonprofits hope Giving Tuesday will inspire generosity for essential programs

After shoppers spent a record $9.8 billion in online sales for Black Friday, the annual "Giving Tuesday" fundraising event is here to inspire a spirit of generosity as the holiday season kicks off.

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Governor Shapiro's Bold commitment to the ID/A community: A beacon of hope

Governor Shapiro's Bold commitment to the ID/A community: A beacon of hope

Some battles stretch on for decades in the realm of public advocacy. For people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and for their families, this has been a harsh reality as they struggle navigating bureaucracy and underfunding.

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Two Rivers, 30 Minutes

Two Rivers, 30 Minutes

July is Disability Pride Month. How does Achieva help people with disabilities? Who does it serve? What kinds of resources are available for disabled people in Western Pennsylvania?

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Editorial: It's past time to fully fund state disability services

Editorial: It's past time to fully fund state disability services

The Arc of Pennsylvania executive director Sherri Landis and The Arc of Pittsburgh president Nancy Murray have been tireless advocates for state funding that acknowledges the dignity of people with ID/A, and the work of those who care for them.

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A mom of children with intellectual disabilities asks: When will it be our turn? | Opinion

A mom of children with intellectual disabilities asks: When will it be our turn? | Opinion

Families have become the safety net for the very system that was created to support them. The crisis in the ID/A community is getting worse every day, and we desperately need all of our legislators to make this a funding priority.

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College Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Grow With Little Oversight

College Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Grow With Little Oversight

It was never a question of whether Kellyn Donahoe would go to college like her four older siblings. However, when her mother started to look for viable options for her daughter with Down syndrome near their home in northeast Ohio, she was surprised and disappointed...

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Brothers lost in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting remembered for their kindness, love for others

Brothers lost in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting remembered for their kindness, love for others

The Rosenthal Family is sharing cherished pictures and memories of the four siblings: Cecil is the oldest, then Diane, then David, and Michele is the youngest. The sisters are also sharing what they say is their brothers' legacy of genuine kindness and true love for people.

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Pennsylvania launches program to teach students disability inclusion

Pennsylvania launches program to teach students disability inclusion

School districts across the state, including those in Western Pennsylvania, could soon implement new curriculum focusing on political and historical contributions made by people with disabilities.

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