I understand that stay-at-home orders and the anxiety associated with overcoming a global pandemic can be extremely stressful for many people. Please remember that it’s ok to ask for help. Our community has many resources available to help you work through any feelings of isolation, depression anxiety or any difficult experience or emotions you’re struggling to process. Please see the resources listed below for more information and contact my office if you have any questions at RepShusterman@pahouse.net or (484) 200-8260. Mental Health Services: Council for Relationships https://councilforrelationships.org/home/about-us/ Council for Relationships is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help individuals strengthen their most important relationships. Minding Your Mind Foundation https://mindingyourmind.org/virtual-resources/ The Minding your Mind Foundation provides mental health education to adolescents, teens and young adults, parents, teachers and school administrators. The link above contains a list of virtual resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Main Line https://namimainlinepa.org/ NAMI provides free services to individuals in need of mental health services as well as their families and friends. Chimes https://chimes.org/services/behavioral-health/ Chimes is a not-for-profit entity providing Read more
During this difficult time, I understand that many Pennsylvanians worry about feeding themselves or their family. Thankfully, our community has several resources to help. No one should ever go hungry, so please contact my office if you need further information at RepShusterman@pahouse.net or 484-200-8260 Chester County: Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) https://www.pacsphx.org/our-message-about-covid19 T&E Care https://www.tecare.org/ Chester County Food Bank https://chestercountyfoodbank.org/community-partners/member-agencies/ Meals on Wheels of Chester County https://mowcc.org/ Montgomery County: MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN) https://www.montcoantihunger.org/mahn-member-food-pantries.html MontCo Hunger Solutions Emergency Food Map https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=40.18809327328347%2C-75.31793603559663&z=9&mid=15AUNRCRvScSiwZ5ydnMITwUbFO4 Map of Montgomery County Schools Providing Meals to Students and Food Banks: https://data-montcopa.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/covid-19-food Meals on Wheels of Montgomery County https://www.mowmc.org/ Read more
PAOLI, May 1 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, said today that lawn and garden centers are one step closer to opening thanks to the passage of House Bill 2429. This legislation included an amendment supported by Shusterman and fellow Democrats that would provide critical health and public safety requirements for employees and customers. The bill must be passed in the Senate before going to Gov. Tom Wolf. Shusterman said that the requirements to protect workers are in line with Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine’s direction to keep people safe and calm while reopening the economy. “I voted in favor of HB2429 when it was brought up for a vote on Thursday in order to help our garden centers reopen. Professionals in this community wait all year to harvest their work, denying them their prime season would be devastating,” Shusterman said. “I support these incremental steps to reopening our economy, and garden centers are just the beginning. Additionally, this bill would ensure that workers have clean working conditions, hazard pay, PPE and paid sick leave. I hope that this measure, which was supported across the aisle, will serve as an example moving forward.” All garden centers that receive a waiver and operate as a result of the legislation would be required to provide, at minimum, the following protections for an essential employee: Additional hazard Read more
HARRISBURG, April 22 — State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, and Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, are introducing legislation that would restore the state’s COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) loan program and provide no-interest loans to Pennsylvania’s smallest businesses and life science organizations. The lawmakers drafted the bills due to the rapid exhaustion of Pennsylvania’s CWCA loan program. Both bills propose replenishing the program by transferring $100 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. A total of $61 million was originally available when the program launched in late March, but applications quickly outpaced the funds available and the program was closed in less than a week. Briggs also noted that many life science businesses were ineligible for CWCA loans due to the way life science entities are structured. In addition to reopening the program, Shusterman’s legislation contains measures that would create two new programs specifically for businesses with five employees or less. Shusterman said that microloans of up to $15,000 at a 0% interest would be available to mom and pop shops with no payments required for the first year. Additionally, a grant program to provide these small businesses with grants of up to $15,000 to cover working capital expenses would be created. “I’ve heard from countless small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 health Read more
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting Pennsylvania, my staff and I wanted to provide you with the following resources and information to help you and your family in the days ahead. State Services and Resources The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has created a COVID-19 guide to assist everyone. It includes information on social distancing, mental health resources, unemployment, food assistance, changes from PennDOT and resources for small business: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/ For individuals: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForIndividuals For families: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForFamilies For businesses: https://dced.pa.gov/resources/ The following provides information and links to federal, state, local and private resources. https://pahouse.com/News/?id=113388 Information from the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry on the federal CARES Act: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/CARES-Act/Pages/default.aspx The following link provides you with information on what steps Pennsylvania utilities have taken to assist customers, including a moratorium on shutoffs for all regulated utilities: https://pahouse.com/News/?id=113134 Sign Up for PA Alerts Sign up for emergency and weather alerts, health notifications, building alerts and other updates from state and federal agencies: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF5CCF5B2AB3 Chester County Resources Chester Read more
This is a challenging time for Pennsylvanians throughout the commonwealth, but I wanted to check in with you and ensure that you are receiving the most accurate, up-to-date information available. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 25 – As a historic $2 trillion COVID-19 financial response legislation package struck a deal in Congress early Wednesday morning, state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Melissa Shusterman today introduced a resolution urging federal lawmakers to ensure unemployment compensation for the nation’s 57 million independent contractors and “gig” economy workers (or app based independent contractors) is included in the final financial aid legislation aimed at helping workers during the coronavirus crisis. “These employees comprise over a third of the country’s working population and remain among the most critically under-protected workers, with many not qualifying for unemployment benefits. During this pandemic, they were left with the terrible ultimatum of continuing to work to make ends meet or do their part in reducing spreading the virus by staying home. Many have chosen the latter, resulting in loss of income at alarming rates and the prospect of recouping those losses is uncertain,” Kenyatta, D-Phila., said. “We’re demanding that all independent contractors are protected in any final package.” Shusterman, D-Chester, concurred with Kenyatta’s assertion saying, “It is important that we help this sector of our work population navigate this crisis with immediate relief and action.” Kenyatta said that a copy of the resolution would also be sent to President Donald Trump and Vice Read more
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PAOLI, March 12 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, announced that her office will remain closed until further notice beginning immediately. Shusterman said that the closure aligns with Gov. Wolf’s and Secretary of Health Rachel Levine’s guidance on how to slow down the spread of the virus in Montgomery County. “The health and safety of constituents is my top priority which is why I’ve chosen to close my office for the time being,” Shusterman said. “It will re-open when I receive notice from the Department of Health that it is safe to do so.” Shusterman encouraged those who need help with any state-related matters to contact her through her website: https://www.pahouse.com/Shusterman/Contact Read more
PAOLI, March 11 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, today announced that two community organizations each received grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to enhance their safety and security measures. Valley Forge Educational Services received a $150,000 grant and Khair Inc. received a $90,952 grant. Funds may be used toward safety and security planning, purchase of security-related technology such as metal detectors, surveillance equipment and theft control devices, threat awareness and response training and any other safety or security-related project. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves the opportunity to learn and worship in peace,” Shusterman said. “It is disheartening that our society needs to resort to installing metal detectors at schools or members of faith-based organizations must be escorted in by a guard, but these funds will ensure people can safely practice any religion or pursue an education across the commonwealth, including right here in our community.” The grants are provided through PCCD’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program following the passage of Act 83 of 2019 . The act directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who have been or who are likely to be targets for hate crimes, according to the FBI’s 2017 Hate Crime Statistics publication. Priority consideration for funding was given to organizations that indicated they – or their Read more
PAOLI, March 4 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, today announced that the Wharton Esherick Museum received a $4,490 cultural and historical support grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. “The Wharton Esherick Museum is a critical piece of Chester County showcasing how art and history go hand in hand and contribute to the fabric of our community,” Shusterman said. “I’m proud that I could help bring these funds home to preserve the works of Wharton Esherick, so residents can continue to find inspiration and meaning in his beautiful work.” The grants are from the PHMC’s Cultural and Historical Support grant program. The purpose of the program is to provide general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historical societies that are not directly supported by other state agency operating support programs. Anyone who needs more information can contact Shusterman’s office at 484-200-8260 or visit https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/Grants-Funding/Pages/Museum-Support.aspx . Read more
The governor’s proposed budget plan for 2020-21 contained multiple elements that would benefit the future of Pennsylvania’s children, our developing workforce, and the emerging fields and industries that I believe will significantly help move Pennsylvania forward. Affordable Education & Workforce Development I support the governor’s proposal to invest $60 million with PHEAA to increase the amount of grants for students, on one condition. Instead of students receiving their education in Pennsylvania then moving away and utilizing their new skills and talents elsewhere, grants should be awarded to those who commit to staying in Pennsylvania post-graduation. This would incentivize graduates to help move Pennsylvania forward, and see to it that the state gets a positive return on its investment. We cannot afford to keep exporting the skills of our talented Pennsylvanians to other states, but we also need to hold up our end of the bargain. A strong job market and continual workforce development are key to attracting more generations to put down roots in PA—and that doesn’t stop with college students. Building trades are back on the rise, with a 22% increase of registered apprentices since 2016. Salaries to build a family on, good benefits, and debt-free education are at the forefront of recruiting new talent to fill trades positions. We must set the standard and prove that Pennsylvania can be an Read more
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42 E. Lancaster AveUnit APaoli, PA 19301-1455
P*: (484) 200-8260
F*: (484) 200-8272
Hours of Operation - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Need to meet outside of regular hours? Call (484)200-8260.
To access parking, turn on to Darby Rd from Lancaster Ave, then make the 2nd left into the parking lot. There’s a sign with my name and state seal on the office door. Park anywhere even though the spots are numbered and signs say bank parking only.
720 First AvenueBerwyn, PA 19312-1769
Hours of Operation - Third Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
111 Valley Park RoadPhoenixville, PA 19460-5700
Hours of Operation - Fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
114 Irvis Office BuildingPO Box 202157Harrisburg, PA 17120-2157
P*: (717) 787-7524
F*: (717) 772-3074