Working Together for Our Families, Seniors and Communities

Rep. Melissa Cerrato September 11, 2026

Dear Friends,

As I may have mentioned before, I absolutely love that this job gives me the opportunity to listen to people whose experiences can and should shape the decisions we make in Harrisburg.

Sometimes that happens during a committee meeting or in the House chamber. Other times it happens around a table with local leaders, during a tour of a program serving families, or in a conversation with someone who simply wants to make their community a little better.

No matter where those conversations happen, they are a constant reminder that good government starts by listening, working together and never losing sight of the people behind the policies.

Recently, some of the most meaningful conversations I have had focused on an issue that weighs heavily on many families across Pennsylvania: what happens to young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities when they age out of the school-based services and supports they have relied upon for years.

My colleagues and I visited The Camphill School Transition Program in Phoenixville, where we heard directly from families, educators and advocates about the challenges young adults with disabilities face as they transition from school into adulthood.

For families who have spent years building a support system around their child, turning 22 should not mean suddenly losing the stability, services and community that helped their loved one thrive.

One mother shared the story of her twin sons, who had the support they needed while attending Camphill. Once they aged out, that stability disappeared. In the years that followed, they moved through five different group homes and experienced repeated ambulance rides and interactions with law enforcement.

Listening to her story was heartbreaking, but it also reinforced why conversations like this matter so much.

No family should have to watch someone they love struggle simply because they reach a certain birthday.

Programs like Camphill give us a glimpse of what is possible when people with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to learn, work, develop relationships and be part of a community that understands and supports their individual needs.

We need to take a serious look at the barriers in Pennsylvania that prevent programs like these from continuing to serve individuals into adulthood and what can be done to make successful models available in more communities.

Our responsibility to people with disabilities does not end when school does. Every person deserves choices, dignity, community and the opportunity to live the fullest life possible at every age. I will continue advocating for policies that recognize that reality and better support individuals and their families throughout every stage of life.

That commitment to dignity and independence is also at the heart of much of my work as a member of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.

Committee meetings may not always be the most visible part of what we do in Harrisburg, but they are incredibly important. This is where we dig into the details, ask questions, hear testimony and help shape legislation and policies that can have a very real impact on people's lives.

I am proud of the progress we made this year to support older Pennsylvanians and help more people age with security and independence.

Our state budget invests $155 million in PACE and PACENET, helping older Pennsylvanians continue to access affordable prescription medications. It strengthens Aging Our Way, PA and supports the important work of the Department of Aging.

We also provided additional funding for the LIFE program, which helps older adults receive coordinated care while continuing to live safely in their homes and communities whenever possible.

For so many families, being able to remain at home is about much more than convenience. It is about independence, familiarity, connection and quality of life. As our population ages, we need to continue building a system that gives seniors and their families meaningful options when it comes to care.

At the same time, we know nursing homes remain an essential part of that continuum of care. This year's budget supports nursing homes while directing more funding toward bedside care and the workers who provide it.

Those workers have enormously important jobs. They care for our parents, grandparents, neighbors and loved ones, often during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Making sure our long-term care system is strong means supporting both the people receiving care and those providing it.

There is always more work ahead, but I am grateful to have a seat at the table and a voice in the continued fight to ensure every Pennsylvanian can age with dignity, security and the support they deserve.

Of course, none of this work happens alone.

Speaker McClinton and I were discussing this recently in the House chamber, and moments like that are a reminder of just how much collaboration goes into moving Pennsylvania forward.

Whether we are working for stronger schools, safer communities, more affordable housing, better access to health care, greater support for seniors and people with disabilities, or more opportunities for working families, meaningful progress requires people who are willing to listen to one another, build coalitions and keep pushing toward shared goals.

We may not agree on every issue, and governing is rarely simple, but I believe strongly that we accomplish more when we remember that this work is bigger than any one person, office or political party.

It is about the people we serve.

It is about showing up, listening and finding ways to turn people's concerns into action.

And that collaboration is just as important here at home as it is in Harrisburg.

I recently met with Shannon from the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority and Tanya, Chair of the Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors, to talk about local priorities and how we can continue working together on behalf of Montgomery Township residents.

Meetings like this may not make headlines, but they are an important part of representing our communities effectively.

Our municipalities are on the front lines of so many of the issues residents experience every day. Infrastructure, development, public services and community planning are deeply connected to decisions made at both the local and state levels. Keeping those lines of communication open helps ensure that when challenges arise, we can work together to find solutions.

A lot of the work we do happens in conversations just like this.

Strong communities are built through communication, collaboration and shared goals. My responsibility as your state representative is not simply to work in Harrisburg. It is to make sure the voices and priorities of our communities are part of the conversation when decisions are being made there.

That is why these meetings, tours, committee hearings and conversations matter so much to me.

Whether I am sitting with a family worried about what will happen when their child with a disability turns 22, working on policies to help an older neighbor remain safely in their home, talking with municipal leaders about the future of their community, or standing in the House chamber working with colleagues to move legislation forward, the goal is the same: to make government work better for the people we serve.

There is still plenty of work ahead, and I know there will always be new challenges to tackle. But I continue to be encouraged by the people I meet every day who care deeply about their neighbors and are willing to work together to make things better.

Thank you, as always. Please continue to reach out to my office with your questions, concerns, ideas or if there is ever anything my team and I can do to help.

Upcoming Events

Join us for our upcoming Veterans Expo!

Rep. Nancy Guenst, Rep. Brian Munroe, and I are proud to invite local veterans and their families to a Veterans Expo!

This event is a great opportunity to connect directly with VA representatives, learn more about available support and resources, and get answers to questions about benefits and services. We will also be providing a free lunch at noon.

Registration is required. Please call 215-323-6997 to register by phone.

Our veterans have given so much in service to our country, and we are honored to help connect them with the resources, information, and support they deserve. We hope you will join us and help spread the word to the veterans in your life.

Join us for College Prep Night ??

Senator Maria Collett, Rep. Nancy Guenst, and I are excited to invite students and families to an upcoming College Prep Night.

Planning for college can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure it out alone. This event will share helpful information on the PA 529 Plan, financial aid, scholarships, FAFSA applications and deadlines, and finding the right fit for you.

Whether your student is just starting to think about college or getting ready to apply, this is a great opportunity to ask questions, learn about available resources, and feel more prepared for the road ahead.

Registration is encouraged. Please call Rep. Guenst’s office at 215-259-5962 or use the QR code on the flyer to register.

We hope to see you there!

?? It's time to clear out the clutter and protect your personal information!

Join State Senator Maria Collett and me for our Community Shredding Event on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or until the trucks are full).

?? Rose Twig Park at Windlestrae

1151 Kenas Rd.

North Wales, PA

Bring your old documents for safe, secure shredding. Please limit shredding items to three paper bags or small boxes per vehicle.

?? While you're there, consider helping a neighbor by bringing a nonperishable food donation to support our local food banks.

Please note that electronics cannot be accepted at this event.

We look forward to seeing you there and helping you safely dispose of sensitive documents while giving back to our community!

?? Have old electronics collecting dust? Let’s recycle them responsibly!

I’m excited to once again host an E Waste Recycling Event for our community!

This is a great opportunity to safely get rid of old computers, laptops, printers, small appliances, DVD players, VCRs, miscellaneous wire, metal items, and just about anything with a plug.

A few important reminders: monitors, TVs, and items containing freon or other hazardous materials cannot be accepted. For everyone’s safety, please remain in your vehicle when you arrive and follow the directions of our volunteers.

Thank you to The Junkluggers for partnering with us to help keep electronic waste out of landfills and make responsible recycling a little easier for our neighbors.

Start gathering those old electronics now, and I hope to see you there! ????