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Cephas sworn-in for fifth term in PA House

Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

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Cephas announces committee assignments for 2025-26

(15 hours ago) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, announced that she has been assigned by leadership to serve on five standing House committees for the 2025-26 legislative session. Cephas will serve on the Commerce; Consumer Protection; Technology & Utilities; Housing & Community Development; and Insurance committees for the state House of Representatives. Cephas was also selected to continue as the chairwoman of the House Government Oversight Committee. Cephas is also a co-chairwoman and co-founder of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus and is expected to be re-elected as the chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation later in January. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(20 hours ago) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program Who May Apply: Public institutions of higher education. Use: Funding may be used to offer college coursework to high school students enrolled in eligible school entities. Funds: $14 million in state funding was allocated through the 2024 School Code. Application Deadline: February 10, 2025 More information: PDE Website Department of Environmental Protection: Abandoned Mine Land and Abandoned Mine Draining Grant Program Who May Apply: An authority, incorporated nonprofit, political subdivision, or conservation district. Use: Funds may be used for abandoned mine land reclamation and abandoned mine drainage treatment or abatement. Funds: $75 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 25, 2025. Applicants must contact DEP ( ra-epamgrantprogram@pa.gov ) prior to applying for an initial project consultation. More information: DEP Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Integrated Health Solutions Who May Apply: Physical health care providers, hospitals, rural health centers, or federally qualified health clinics. Use: To promote full integration and collaboration in clinical practice between behavioral health care and primary physical health care. Funds: $3 million in funding is available from the Publicis Health Opioid Settlement. Application Deadline: January 24, 2025 More information: DDAP Website Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jan 08, 2025) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Parent Pathways Grant Who May Apply: Postsecondary institutions that award an associate degree or higher and private licensed schools. Use: To provide funding to institutions to directly support parenting students through tuition assistance, emergency funding, and wrap-around services. Funds: $1.6 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: February 3, 2025 More information: PDE Website Historical & Museum Commission: Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program Who May Apply: Certified local governments, colleges and universities, conservancies, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, local governments, museums, religious institutions, and other historical organizations. Use: Applications may apply for one construction-related or planning-related grant (not both) for sites that are listed in or eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Construction related grants are available for rehabilitation, preservation, and restoration activities for historic resources that are publicly accessible and under nonprofit or local government ownership. Planning related grants are available for planning and development initiatives that enhance historic preservation in communities. Please note, special consideration will be given to projects that promote the United States Semiquincentennial celebration in 2026 . Funds: Construction grants are available Read more

 

Cephas sworn-in for fifth term in PA House

(Jan 07, 2025) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., took her oath of office today in a ceremony at the state Capitol in Harrisburg to begin her fifth term serving the 192nd Legislative District in the state House of Representatives. The oath was administered by Pa. Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd. Following her swearing-in, Cephas nominated state Rep. Joanna McClinton for speaker of the House who was then re-elected to continue serving as the first woman speaker in the history of the House. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 30, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Housing for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Other Drugs Who May Apply: Community-based organizations, community action agencies, or public health programs that focus on assisting individuals in accessing recovery housing. Use: Personnel services, consulting services, subcontract services, patient services, equipment, supplies, travel, and other costs associated with assisting individuals access recovery housing. Funds: DDAP expects to award five grants totaling $500,000 each. Application Deadline: January 10, 2025 More information: DDAP Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Integrated Health Solutions Who May Apply: Community-based organizations, community action agencies, or public health programs that focus on assisting individuals in accessing recovery housing. Use: Personnel services, consulting services, subcontract services, patient services, equipment, supplies, travel, and other costs associated with assisting individuals access recovery housing. Funds: DDAP expects to award five grants totaling $500,000 each. Application Deadline: January 10, 2025 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit Read more

 

Shusterman to introduce bill to crack down on 3D printed guns

(Dec 18, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

“Staying a step ahead of technology is always a challenge, but we are losing that battle every day that we don’t have regulations on the 3D printing of firearms,” Cephas said. “Not only are they dangerous because they are untraceable “ghost guns,” which the House voted to outlaw last year, but they are also undetectable by standard security measures. Law enforcement officials need these tools to be able to protect our communities across the state from deadly firearms ending up in the wrong hands. I support Rep. Shusterman’s legislation to treat 3D-printed guns as any other firearm under our current laws and renew support for my correlated legislation that would make these guns illegal to create, sell and possess.” Read more

 

Arts, Historic Preservation, Business Development and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 18, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Here are the latest grant opportunities that are open for applications. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 17, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Community and Economic Development: Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program Who May Apply: Community-based non-profit organizations with a history of at least 3 years operating experience, educational institutions, and non-profit economic development organizations with a history of at least 3 years operating experience. Use: Creation or support of a Business Assistance Service Center for the purpose of serving small, historically disadvantaged businesses. Funds: $20 million in funding was appropriated in the 2024/25 state budget. Application Deadline: January 22, 2025 More information: DCED Website Council on the Arts: Entry to Arts Organizations and Arts Programs (EAOAP) Who May Apply: Non-profit agencies with a history of at least two years of consistent arts programming in Pennsylvania and an annual average arts revenue over $200,000. Use: Entry track is the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ (PCA) point of entry for organizations or programs to the AOAP. Applicants must apply in Entry track until recommended for AOAP, which is based on panel review and assessment totals Funds: Grants totaling $5,000 will be awarded. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 More information: Arts Website Council on the Arts: Arts Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 12, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Here are the latest grant opportunities that are open for applications. Read more

 

Cephas applauds withdrawal of liquor license expansion application at local establishment

(Dec 05, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

“I’ve been fighting to end nuisance Stop and Gos in West Philadelphia for years, so I’m pleased to see that ongoing advocacy from neighbors in the area resulted in their desired outcome due to concerns about potential impacts of a license expansion. This grassroots-level work by our community goes hand-in-hand with the recent recommendations of the Legislative Stop and Go Task Force, which I fully support and look forward to implementing in the upcoming legislative session. “The applicant has submitted a new application to transfer the liquor license to a different location in another area of the city. I remain hopeful that this transfer will place the license in a part of the city where it better aligns with the desires of the local community.” Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 04, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Broadband Development Authority: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Who May Apply: Cooperative organizations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utility companies, public utility districts, municipalities or units of local government, internet service providers registered through the FCC Use: Deploying and/or upgrading broadband network facilities, data collection, broadband mapping and broadband planning Funds: $1,161,778,242 in federal funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 is available. Application Deadline: January 21, 2025 More information: PBDA Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Philadelphia Who May Apply: Community Development Corporations, economic development organizations and redevelopment authorities, business improvement districts/neighborhood improvement districts, non-profit organizations with a 501(c) designation, the City of Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia. Any eligible organization must be located in Philadelphia. Use: Economic development projects, neighborhood revitalization projects, community improvement projects, projects in the public interest. Any eligible project must be located in Philadelphia. Funds: Grant amounts will vary based on the specific project requirements but are limited to a minimum request/award of $10,000 and a maximum Read more

 

OBGYNs, maternal health experts, moms celebrate Fiedler’s postpartum depression legislation at Pennsylvania Hospital

(Nov 20, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20 -- A coalition of doctors, care providers and moms gathered at Pennsylvania Hospital today to celebrate the passage of the Postpartum Depression Education Act and to urge continued progress on maternal health legislation. They were joined by bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., Gina Curry, D-Delaware, and Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware. The Postpartum Depression Education Act (Act 102 of 2024) directs the PA Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign around perinatal and postpartum depression. The department is tasked with developing a fact sheet on PPD symptoms and maintaining a list of counselors to be made available in doctors’ offices. “Since working on the issue of postpartum depression, I’ve heard so many moms say they struggled to put a name on their feelings, leaving them isolated during hard times. This law is designed to permeate the culture of silence around maternal mental health conditions, reduce stigma, and help support mothers,” Fiedler said. “This law is a major step toward charting a new path for moms and babies in Pennsylvania.” "Postpartum depression is a serious and often overlooked disorder, especially when undiagnosed," said Curry, co-chair of the House Black Maternal Health Caucus. "This law is a vital step in supporting families by addressing perinatal mental health challenges and ensuring that mothers, Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Nov 20, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency: Non-profit Security Grant Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations Use: Target hardening and physical security enhancements for sites that may be a target for a terrorist or extremist attack. Funds: $210 million in FEMA dollars has been made available nationally. PEMA will serve as the grantee and subgrant funds to recipients in Pennsylvania. Application Deadline: December 16, 2024 More information: PA Grants website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Developing Satellite Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) Who May Apply: A NCA accredited CAC who, in conjunction and partnership with another county MDIT, seeks to develop a satellite CAC location within that county. Use: Supporting the development of satellite location(s) in counties in the Commonwealth that may not have enough child abuse cases to sustain an independent CAC Funds: A total of approximately $1,200,000 in state Endowment Act funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 4 grants. Maximum awards of $300,000 are available for the three-year project period. Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion matching Grant Program Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations that Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Nov 15, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Learn more about the multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation releases statement on SEPTA proposals

(Nov 12, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

The Philadelphia House Delegation today released the following statement in reaction to this morning’s announcement from SEPTA regarding major fare increases and service cuts proposed to begin on Jan. 1. The following statement can be attributed to Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila.“This morning's announcement from SEPTA is not a surprise and lays squarely at the feet of Senate Republicans,” Cephas said. “The House approved funding for mass transit three times over the last session, with no real action and vague concepts of ideas from the Senate in return. Our delegation is hopeful that 2025 will bring a more productive collaboration on a responsible solution that will serve the daily needs of nearly one million daily SEPTA riders and the increased tourism expected for our region in 2026. In the short term, Philadelphians who are already struggling through difficult finances will brace for another impact to their wallets and time.”The current legislative term ends on Nov. 30, after which any legislation not signed into law will need to be reintroduced and restart the legislative process in the new term, which begins on Jan. 7. Read more

 

Cephas announces redevelopment grant awarded

(Nov 01, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Pa. state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today announced a $750,000 grant was awarded by Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to the Cobbs Creek Foundation to help with its Cobbs Creek stream restoration project. Read more

 

Cephas, Dream.org applaud new law to better protect incarcerated pregnant juveniles

(Oct 30, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

“No one should be deprived of compassionate care or respect or be forced to risk the health of their child, even when they are a child themselves under the law. Prenatal, pregnancy and post-natal protections and support for incarcerated people in Pennsylvania is a matter of compassion and common decency," Cephas said. Read more

 

Shapiro signs Cephas bill to strengthen doula services in Pa.

(Oct 30, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

“Research has shown that doula support leads to improved birth outcomes, including reduced rates of cesarean sections, shorter labor durations and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. By providing continuous support throughout pregnancy and the important first year following birth, doulas contribute to safer and more positive experiences for families," Cephas said. "Lack of coverage for doula services in Medicaid leads to a vast disparity in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black birthing people at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This new law will give these parents a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey. " Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Oct 29, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Mixed-Use Housing Development Pilot Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, Economic Development Organizations, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities, For-Profit organizations. Use: Mixed-use site development, conversion projects, rehabilitation projects, a combination of the three afore-mentioned projects. Funds: $10 million in PA Sites funding has been allocated for this program. There is no limit on the amount of grant funding that may be awarded to an applicant. Application Deadline: December 6, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Support Services (RSS) Who May Apply: Applicant must have at least two years of experience as of July 1, 2024, providing RSS and demonstrate the capacity to provide RSS to individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorder (SUD). Use: Expand or enhance RSS to individuals in recover from OUD and other concurrent SUD. Funds: Approximately six grants totaling $1,500,000 each will be awarded. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic Read more

 

These 7 Philly schools just got millions in state money for these projects

(Oct 23, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Seven Philadelphia schools are getting building upgrades thanks to a $175 million state program that helps districts across Pennsylvania fix up facilities.The money will replace windows and doors, remove asbestos and lead paint, put on new roofs, renovate bathrooms, and more; it will be matched by district funds. Read more

 

Cephas announces committee assignments for 2025-26
15 hours ago

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
20 hours ago

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jan 08, 2025

Cephas sworn-in for fifth term in PA House
Jan 07, 2025

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 30, 2024

Shusterman to introduce bill to crack down on 3D printed guns
Dec 18, 2024

Arts, Historic Preservation, Business Development and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 18, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 17, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 12, 2024

Cephas applauds withdrawal of liquor license expansion application at local establishment
Dec 05, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 04, 2024

OBGYNs, maternal health experts, moms celebrate Fiedler’s postpartum depression legislation at Pennsylvania Hospital
Nov 20, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Nov 20, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Nov 15, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation releases statement on SEPTA proposals
Nov 12, 2024

Cephas announces redevelopment grant awarded
Nov 01, 2024

Cephas, Dream.org applaud new law to better protect incarcerated pregnant juveniles
Oct 30, 2024

Shapiro signs Cephas bill to strengthen doula services in Pa.
Oct 30, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Oct 29, 2024

These 7 Philly schools just got millions in state money for these projects
Oct 23, 2024