PHILADELPHIA, March 31 – State Reps. Morgan Cephas and Sean Dougherty, both D-Phila., announced today that Uber has extended its Senior Ride Program for West Philadelphia in partnership with ACHIEVEability and is expanding the program to serve Northeast Philadelphia in partnership with KleinLife.Cephas initiated a pilot program with Uber for free rides during SEPTA service cuts in the summer of 2025 to ensure that area seniors who rely on public transportation would be able to reach their doctor appointments, do their grocery shopping, pick up medication, or meet other critical needs.That pilot program was highly successful, facilitating over 1,000 total rides while empowering older adults with confidence and independence by effectively utilizing smartphone technology. Read more
In a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations, Black women are two-to-three times more likely to die in childbirth than their peers. Years of repeated attention have barely moved the needle, but dozens of state Capitol advocates this week were clear-eyed about how they’d change those numbers.“This is about justice, but justice is not enough to sustain us alone. We also need joy,” said Rep. La’Tasha Mayes (D-Allegheny) on Tuesday. “Because ‘justice’ is the fight and ‘joy’ is the inspiration. Joy is what keeps us going when we’re overwhelmed by the numbers. “Joy is what reminds us to keep fighting for healthy families, thriving communities and lives that are not cut short,” she added. “Every single week, we find the joy and the justice.” Justice and joy are themes for Black Maternal Health Week events across the country, where an estimated four in five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. In Pennsylvania, 129 women died in 2021 — the most recent year available — 98% of which were preventable, according to the state’s maternal mortality review committee. Black mothers shared their stories before crowds and with each other, detailing the close calls and doctor indifference that brought them into the advocacy space. Keynote speaker Mercedes Sheri Wells made national news after an Indiana hospital discharged her ten minutes before she gave birth on the side of the road in November. Read more
HARRISBURG — Problem-solving at the laundromat. Prenatal nutrition advice at the pharmacy. Mental health screenings through an app.The Shapiro administration recently unveiled a five-year strategy to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women. Already, the group helming the effort has awarded nearly $600,000 to fund initiatives targeted at year-one goals, like supporting moms with substance use disorder.After it collects data on how effectively care and education improved, the Shapiro administration plans to create a structure for the remaining years.But while maternal health advocates broadly say the plan is packed with good initiatives, some are concerned about where the money will come from for goals that require consistent investment. Read more
HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing efforts to address maternal health disparities after testimony revealed a woman gave birth roadside following hospital discharge while in active labor. Read more
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“This is not a hearing about a single point of failure,” said state Rep. Morgan Cephas, who co-chairs the Black Maternal Health Caucus and represents portions of Philadelphia. “This hearing amplifies the layered challenges across the entire continuum of maternal care—from implicit bias in clinical settings to limited access to prenatal and postpartum services to maternity care deserts in too many communities. The challenges are systemic. No family in Pennsylvania should be forced to worry about losing their life due to pregnancy complications or living with lasting effects because of a failed system.” Read more
Community leaders, health workers and activists gathered at Temple University on Monday to launch Black Maternal Health Week, addressing persistent disparities affecting Black mothers and families.The summit featured a keynote address by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, a panel discussion and collaborative breakout sessions designed to engage attendees.Cephas said the theme of this year’s observance reflected the need to reframe the conversation.“Often when we talk about Black maternal health, we focus on the number of deaths,” she said. “But we also know that 98% of those deaths are preventable. This week is about how we prevent them — and about joy. It’s critical that we keep moving that conversation forward.” Read more
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Philadelphia, PA – March 27, 2026 – Senator Anthony Williams (SD-8) and Rep. Morgan Cephas (HD-192) recently introduced legislation that would require the City of Philadelphia to establish a pilot program to address hit-and-run accidents. The bill would provide for a registry of licensed vehicle repair shops and require notifications to be made to help more quickly identify individuals who have fled the scene of a crime. Read more
State Rep. Morgan Cephas (D., Phila.) cast doubt on the district’s current blueprint.“I’m here to express deep concern about a facilities plan that took years to create, when you’re giving families weeks to digest,” Cephas said. “Which is not equity, and not what we fight for. Read more
Pennsylvania state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-West Philadelphia, said that while the Facilities Master Plan took years to develop, the district is giving families and school staff just weeks to understand a decision that will determine their future.Cephas said the school closures will have an effect not just this year but for generations to come.“We have been blindsided by this process being rushed in a way that is a shock to our system, a shock to Philadelphia, a shock to our families,” Cephas said. Read more
Overlooking the driving range and golf course at Cobbs Creek, state Rep. Morgan Cephas recalled when the area across Lansdowne Avenue was known for illegal activity. New city investment, she said, will help restore nature to the creek bed.Mayor Cherelle Parker and other officials announced Monday that more than $9 million in city funds will be used to restore 25 acres of floodplains and wetlands along a three-mile stretch of Cobbs Creek. The project will include planting more than 49,000 trees and other native vegetation to help return the area to a more natural state.Cephas, who represents the neighborhood in the Pennsylvania House, spoke about the land’s troubled past and the long-standing lack of investment. She thanked Parker, state Sen. Vincent Hughes and Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. for their work. Efforts to revitalize the area date back to former Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration. Read more
State Rep. Morgan Cephas said investing in mass transit is essential to statewide economic success.“One of our top priorities is mass transit,” she said. “We understand early and often that when we invest, we win.” Read more
Supporters of two SEPTA programs that offer free rides rallied at Philadelphia City Hall on Friday. Their concern is that the new city budget will cut funding for the programs.SEPTA has issued 68,000 Zero Fare cards to qualifying riders, though not all of them are used, according to the agency’s Andrew Busch. More than 20,000 Philadelphians currently benefit from the program, and about 13,000 city workers enjoy free rides via the Key Advantage program. Read more
Learn more about the most recent grant programs that are open for applications. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, March 6 – This morning outside of City Hall, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., spoke at a news conference highlighting the need for city and state investments in mass transit for Philadelphians.Cephas was joined by City Councilman At-Large Nicolas O’Rourke, as well as transit supporters and advocates calling for the protection of the Zero Fare program and the municipal SEPTA Key Advantage program in the city budget. Read more
PHILADELPHIA (March 4, 2026) – Philly public school educators, city officials, and students and families on Wednesday rallied for Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed education funding package as part of a nationwide AFT Day of Action.Members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) at Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School welcomed Dr. Jermaine Dawson, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services (representing Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, Sr.); City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Education Chair Isaiah Thomas, and At-Large Member Dr. Nina Ahmad; Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas; and public education supporters to urge the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass Governor Shapiro’s education funding package – of which $2.2 billion would be invested in the District. Shapiro’s proposed FY 2027 budget also includes $1 billion for public education infrastructure, including school buildings. Read more
Winter 2026 Newsletter Read more
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NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: All-Terrain Vehicle/Snowmobile Grants Who May Apply: County and municipal governments, non-profits, for-profits Use: Planning, acquisition of land, development, rehabilitation, maintenance of ATV or snowmobile trails and facilities, purchase of equipment, and educational programs related to the use of ATVs or snowmobiles Funds: Grants will range between $25,000 and $1,000,000 Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 More information: DCNR 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 organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit Read more
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