News Center

COVID-19 HELPFUL RESOURCES

(Mar 20, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

My staff and I have been working diligently to ensure we are sharing the most important information. While there is a lot of information being shared, I want to make sure you know where to go for the most up-to-date and reliable information. Read more

 

Services still available by phone and email

(Mar 16, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

My office will be closed to walk-in service until further notice. Please note, my staff will be able to answer your questions by email and phone. Read more

 

Otten announces event cancelations and district office updates in response to COVID-19

(Mar 13, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

Exton, March 13 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, has canceled all remaining events for the month of March in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Otten’s district office will remain fully staffed and will continue to provide constituent services by email and phone. “My office is taking every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of our community,” Otten said. “We are following recommendations from the PA Department of Health and the Chester County Health Department to practice social distancing and limit person-to-person contact in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve .” Canceled events include Otten’s Census Recruitment Event previously scheduled for March 13, a SEPTA Key Senior ID Card Event previously scheduled for March 16 and a Real ID Information Session previously scheduled for March 30. The office is working to reschedule these events for a later date. Constituents in need of assistance with state-related services are encouraged to email repotten@pahouse.net or call 484-200-8259. Read more

 

3/12/20 – State of the Care Workforce in PA – Exton

(Mar 12, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten. Read more

 

Otten to hold Census Recruitment Event in Exton March 13

(Mar 06, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

EXTON, March 6 – The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting workers in Chester County for full and part-time positions in advance of the 2020 Census, and state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten will host a recruitment event at her office on March 13. The U.S. Constitution mandates that a population count happens every 10 years. The census count is used to determine how much federal funding goes to communities and states and determines how many representatives each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Participation in the census is of the utmost importance. Census data will determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds will be distributed to the states each year of the following decade,” said Otten, D-Chester. “Not only will governments use the census data to ensure proper representation, but our communities rely on federal funds for public school improvements, small business loans, road and bridge repairs, and senior services. It is imperative that we respond to the census to ensure Chester County is heard.” Recruiters from the Census Bureau will be at Otten’s district office for an information session on various job opportunities for the 2020 Census, how to apply, and what the census is all about. Census jobs in Chester County are starting at $27.50/hour and applicants can apply for a range of positions, including recruiting assistants, office operations supervisors, clerks, census field supervisors, and census takers. Read more

 

Focusing on mental health, disabilities, and care workers

(Mar 06, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

It’s been a busy week here in the district and across the state. This morning I attended a Legislative Meet and Greet with the Chester County Department of Aging Services Advisory Council to learn more about the issues impacting our seniors. Read more

 

Otten to hold policy hearing in Exton on the state of the care workforce

(Mar 05, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

EXTON, March 5 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, will hold a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the state of the care workforce in Pennsylvania. The hearing will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Abraham Fetters-White School, 134 Sharp Lane. The media and public are invited to attend. Otten requested the hearing to discuss the rising need for and shortage of care workers for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities; the need to raise wages and reimbursements for home health care workers and direct support professionals; and the need to ensure safe work conditions for all care workers, whether in the home or in a facility setting. Otten will be joined by legislators from across the state, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Panelists will include: Kevin Hancock, deputy secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Matt Yarnell, president, SEIU Healthcare PA. Lolita Owens, homecare worker, Liberty Resources. Tynia Stevens, nurse aide, Bryn Mawr Extended Care Center. Lauren House, intellectual disability deputy administrator, Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Jeanne Meikrantz, executive director, The Arc of Chester County. Pennsylvania Homecare Association. Deborah Rowe, vice president, nursing workforce development, PA Health Care Association. Read more

 

School safety grants, coronavirus update and upcoming events

(Feb 28, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

Read my latest e-newsletter to learn about school safety grants, coronavirus, upcoming events and more! Read more

 

Budget, pipeline and community updates

(Feb 21, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

This week, the House Appropriations Committee has officially begun to hold hearings for the 2020-2021 state budget. Read more

 

Pipeline Update and other news from the 155

(Feb 14, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

Pipeline Update: Icedale-Twin Oaks Line: Over the past few months, we've heard from constituents concerned about activity along the Icedale-Twin Oaks pipeline in Uwchlan Township. Read more

 

2020 Winter Newsletter

(Feb 14, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten's 2020 winter newsletter Read more

 

Fighting for public health and more updates from Harrisburg

(Feb 07, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

News and events from Harrisburg and the 155th District Read more

 

Otten statement on Governor Wolf's budget address

(Feb 04, 2020) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

EXTON, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, released the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address on Tuesday. “The priorities outlined in Governor Wolf’s budget address reflect a commitment to our children, schools, and working families, and a promising start to new conversations about pipeline safety,” Otten said. “I am excited about the governor’s support for public education at all levels, including Pre-K, full-day kindergarten, basic education and special education funding, and our state colleges and universities. The first time I ever sat down with an elected official to advocate for something I cared about, it was with my then-school board director and school board president to advocate for full-day kindergarten in the Downingtown Area School District, so this investment in early education is especially meaningful to me.” Otten also expressed appreciation for the governor’s inclusion of pipeline safety in his address. “I am extremely grateful to Governor Wolf for acknowledging pipeline safety as a priority for our commonwealth. As someone who has felt the impact of pipelines in my own neighborhood and closely followed this issue through the courts, I am eager for and excited by the opportunity to get this right. We need strong legislation that creates a requirement to assess the risks associated with both new pipelines and the repurposing of old Read more

 

COVID-19 HELPFUL RESOURCES
Mar 20, 2020

Services still available by phone and email
Mar 16, 2020

Otten announces event cancelations and district office updates in response to COVID-19
Mar 13, 2020

3/12/20 – State of the Care Workforce in PA – Exton
Mar 12, 2020

Otten to hold Census Recruitment Event in Exton March 13
Mar 06, 2020

Focusing on mental health, disabilities, and care workers
Mar 06, 2020

Otten to hold policy hearing in Exton on the state of the care workforce
Mar 05, 2020

School safety grants, coronavirus update and upcoming events
Feb 28, 2020

Budget, pipeline and community updates
Feb 21, 2020

Pipeline Update and other news from the 155
Feb 14, 2020

2020 Winter Newsletter
Feb 14, 2020

Fighting for public health and more updates from Harrisburg
Feb 07, 2020

Otten statement on Governor Wolf's budget address
Feb 04, 2020