News Center

Kim, Parker to lead Monday’s Policy Committee hearing on crushing COVID-19

(Apr 09, 2021) Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, April 9 – The committee will hear from the biotech industry and COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers at a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Patty Kim and Darisha Parker. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, Vice Chair Mary Isaacson and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee will join Kim and Parker to discuss how supply is catching up with demand and how vaccine distribution is meeting the needs of Pennsylvanians seeking vaccination. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here or visiting www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

County Recycling Coordinator and Host Municipality Inspector grant programs now open for applications

(Apr 05, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: County Recycling Coordinator Grant Program (Section 903) ( Funding Source: Recycling Fund) Who Can Apply : Counties are the only eligible applicants. Use : To reimburse the cost of employing a county recycling coordinator in calendar year 2020. Funds : Reimbursement grant for up to 50% of approved costs. Application Deadline : May 31 More Information : Click on https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Waste/Recycling/Municipal-Resources/FinancialAssistance/Pages/default.aspx and view “Section 903.” Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: 2020 Host Municipality Inspector Program (Funding Source: Recycling Fund and Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund) Who Can Apply : Cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships and home rule municipalities that have a municipal waste landfill, resource recovery facility or commercial hazardous waste storage, treatment and disposal facility located within its geographic borders. Use : For salary and expenses of up to two certified Host Municipality Inspectors. Funds : Reimbursement grant for up to 50% of approved costs. Application Deadline : June 3 0 More Information : Click on https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Waste/SolidWaste/MunicipalWaste/Host-Municipality-Programs/Pages/default.aspx Read more

 

Parker introduces bill to combat human trafficking

(Apr 05, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

HARRISBURG, April 5 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., has introduced legislation to combat human trafficking through internet interventions like filters, especially in the case where children have access to adult content online. “To curb this growing threat, my legislation will require the installation of filters on internet-capable devices to automatically block known prostitution hubs and obscene adult content,” Parker said. “If an adult consumer wishes to have access to legal adult content, they can by providing proof of ID to the retailer, making a request to have the filter removed, and paying a small fee.” Parker said the legislation also creates an admission fee for all live adult-entertainment establishments. These fees would go directly to grant funding for organizations that fight human trafficking and child exploitation. In 2019, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received over 270 reports of human trafficking in Pennsylvania, with 85% of these cases involving sex trafficking. “With the growth of technology and social media, the buying and selling of human beings has become as easy as a simple click on a keyboard,” she said. “By making it more difficult to access websites that promote sex trafficking or obscene adult content on Internet-enabled devices, we can simultaneously fight against this growing menace while also removing the current double standard allowing minors to access obscene Read more

 

Parker on CBS21 Face the State

(Mar 30, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

Parker talks gun reform on Face the State. The discussion centered on her legislation outlining sensible gun reforms. Read more

 

Neighborhood Assistance Program and Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program now open for applications

(Mar 29, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) (Funding Source: General Fund ) Eligibility : 501c3 nonprofits Use : Tax credit program to encourage businesses to invest in projects by eligible nonprofits to serve low-income individuals and improve distressed areas. Projects can include affordable housing, community economic development, community services, education, neighborhood conservation, crime prevention, job training, or charitable food assistance. A special-priority category this year is COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Justice Issues, which can include a variety of COVID related services as well as projects that strive to increase awareness of or improve social justice issues within marginalized communities in Pennsylvania. See guidelines for more information. Funds : State tax credits up to 80%, depending upon the program category, for businesses that donate to the nonprofit. Application Deadline : May 28. Applicants submitting a solicitation plan in lieu of firm commitments must have their contributors confirmed by August 31, 2021. More Information : Click on https://dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap/ . Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects prior to application with their Regional DCED Office: https://dced.pa.gov/dced-regional-offices/ . Read more

 

Now open for applications: Dislocated worker, intermediate punishment, and wildfire assistance grant programs

(Mar 22, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development: State Facility Closure Transition Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who Can Apply : Counties are the applicant. Eligible counties include: Butler, Carbon, Clarion, Columbia, Crawford, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Luzerne, Mercer, Monroe, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Venango. Use : To aid communities impacted by the closure of SCI Retreat, the White Haven Center, and Polk State Center. Funds : Funding amounts are defined in the guidelines. Application Deadline : March 31 More Information : Click on https://dced.pa.gov/programs/state-facility-closure-transition-program-sfctp/ . Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry: Dislocated Worker Near Completer Demonstration Project (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who Can Apply : Pennsylvania Local Workforce Development Boards. Must have a formal engagement with one or more eligible institutions of higher learning. Use : To support job seekers who have been displaced from employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who were within one semester (16-weeks) or less of completing training. Funds : Three 24-month pilot programs will be awarded, consisting of one urban, one suburban, and one rural coverage area. Application Deadline : April 19 More Information : Click on Read more

 

Keystone Communities, Fish & Boat Education, and School-to-Work grant programs now open for applications

(Mar 15, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development: Keystone Communities (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, housing authorities, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts. Use : A variety of community and economic development uses to revitalize/stabilize/grow neighborhoods and communities and encourage social and economic diversity, including planning activities, façade grant programs, accessible housing programs, and development grants. Funds : Planning grants up to $25,000, KC implementation and façade up to $50,000, development and public improvement up to $500,000, accessible housing up to $300,000. Most grants have a $1-for-$1 match requirement. Application Deadline : April 2 More Information : Click on https://dced.pa.gov/programs/keystone-communities-program-kcp/ . Discussion with DCED Regional Office highly encouraged prior to applying: https://dced.pa.gov/dced-regional-offices/ . Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission: R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation) Education Grant Program (Funding Source: PA Fish & Boat Commission) Who May Apply : School districts, Read more

 

Arts funding and PEMA Nonprofit Security grant programs now open for applications

(Mar 08, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts: Creative Communities (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Lead applicant must be a unit of government, nonprofit 501(c)3 or 501(c)6) organization. Required partnership of at least two organizations, one of which will serve as the lead applicant. Please note: Creative Communities projects are currently underway in the following counties: Crawford, Indiana, Lancaster, Lehigh, Mercer, and Philadelphia. Counties without existing projects will receive priority. Use : To provide multi-year funding to community-driven, arts-based projects that serve as catalysts for livability, economic development, and community connectedness. Funds : Up to $25,000 per year for up to four years. Application Deadline : March 19 More Information : Click on 2021_PCA_Creative_Communities_Letter_of_Interest.pdf (pa.gov) . Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency: Nonprofit Security Grant Program (Funding Source: F ederal Funding ) Who May Apply : 501(c)3 nonprofits, including religious institutions. Must be at a high risk of a terrorist attack based on the following: (1) Substantiation of prior threats or attacks (from within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell against the applicant based on their ideology, beliefs, or mission; (2) Symbolic value of the site(s) as a highly recognized Read more

 

Are you 1 in 10 Pennsylvania residents with unclaimed property waiting for them?

(Mar 01, 2021) PA Treasury

Check to see if you have unclaimed property Read more

 

Get health insurance coverage through PA's low cost health plan, Pennie

(Mar 01, 2021) Commonwealth of PA

Learn more about healthcare coverage options at Pennie.com Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update

(Mar 01, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Professional Development Training Grant (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : State aided public libraries and academic libraries. If the library is not fiscally independent, the application must come from the library’s parent entity. Use : Grants to bring virtual training to your organization or for individual library workers to attend virtual professional development training in principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in practices and work functions performed by library staff and experienced by library customers. Funds : Up to $6,000 per organization to bring virtual training to your organization and up to $1,000 for individuals to attend virtual professional development. Application Deadline : Applications accepted until funds are depleted. First weekly award announcement is March 15. More Information : Contact Stacey Mulligan, smulligan@pa.gov or 717-783-5744, Library Development Advisor in the Bureau of Library Development. Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency/Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs: 2021 SBIRT Projects in Postsecondary Institutions (Funding Source: F ederal Funding ) Who May Apply : Public or nonprofit postsecondary institutions, including two and four-year colleges and universities, that also Read more

 

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus responds to DHS equity report

(Feb 16, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus recently commended the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on its first Equity Report, according to PLBC chairwoman, State Rep. Donna Bullock (D-195th Dist.). Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 16 Update

(Feb 16, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Hemp Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit agricultural product promotion and marketing organizations. Use : Projects aimed at increasing sales, export or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania hemp products. Eligible projects may include regional or national promotion. Funds : Reimbursement grants up to 50% of project costs. The minimum matching grant is $1,000. A total of $253,000 will be available statewide. Application Deadline : March 5 More Information : See the February 13, 2021, PA Bulletin at Pennsylvania Bulletin (pacodeandbulletin.gov) . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Fund ing ) Who May Apply : State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders. Use : Projects that will increase visibility and competitiveness of the state’s horticultural specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants and nursery crops. Funds : Requests may be made for a minimum of $20,000, provided the amount reasonably represents the cost of the Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 31 Update

(Feb 02, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) (Funding Source: General Fund) Eligibility : 501c3 nonprofits Use : Tax credit program to encourage businesses to invest in projects by eligible nonprofits to serve low-income individuals and improve distressed areas. Projects can include affordable housing, community economic development, community services, education, neighborhood conservation, crime prevention, job training, or charitable food assistance. A special-priority category this year is COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Justice Issues, which can include a variety of COVID related services as well as projects that strive to increase awareness of or improve social justice issues within marginalized communities in Pennsylvania. See guidelines for more information. Funds : State tax credits up to 80%, depending upon the program category, for businesses that donate to the nonprofit. Application Deadline : May 28. Applicants submitting a solicitation plan in lieu of firm commitments must have their contributors confirmed by August 31, 2021. More Information : Click on https://dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap/ . Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects prior to application with their Regional DCED Office: https://dced.pa.gov/dced-regional-offices/ . Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Read more

 

PLBC responds to DHS equity report

(Jan 25, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

HARRISBURG, Jan. 25 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus this week commended the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on its first Equity Report, according to PLBC chairwoman, state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila. “The report hits many points that we on the PLBC fight for every day,” Bullock said. “As Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller pointed out, this cannot be a momentary, singular conversation because we watched George Floyd be murdered before our eyes without cause. This needs to be addressed every day, for every person of color, in both the workplace and our living communities.” “Every year I ask questions about racial equity at our appropriations hearings,” Bullock said. “I want to know, encourage and even urge our departments to provide diversity training, include employees of color in all aspects of managerial levels and decision-making, and ensure a healthy work environment for all at the highest levels of government. Our government agencies should, at the very least, ensure that they are representative of the people of our commonwealth for whom they serve.” The report provides information on efforts that DHS is undertaking on diversity, equity and inclusion so they may be a partner in correcting systemic racism within their own offices. While the report covers many areas within the department and where it will provide this training, it is a starting point for efforts moving forward. Read more

 

Parker assigned to standing House committees

(Jan 11, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

HARRISBURG, Jan. 11 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., today was officially assigned to four standing House committees, including Aging and Older Adult Services, Agriculture, Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This committee selection is for the 2021-22 session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. “With these committee assignments, I now know my exact role as a member of this chamber and what issues I will work on for the greater good of the commonwealth,” Parker said. “I look forward to lending my voice to those issues in order to help us develop legislation and devise a plan to tackle problems or inequities we see in the state. The committee process is an essential part of what we do as legislators and helps to bring us all together on the issues affecting all of our constituents from across the state.” In addition to committee assignments, Parker said her own priorities in her first term include enacting criminal justice reforms, giving a voice to seniors, preserving parks and recreation centers, and providing affordable health care to all Pennsylvanians. She is also a member of the Philadelphia Delegation and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, where she will serve as chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color this legislative session. Parker is one of 25 new members who were sworn in Jan. 5. There are 11 new Democrats and 14 new Republicans. Read more

 

Parker Sworn In to Begin 1st Term as State Representative

(Jan 05, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker has officially kicked off her first term in the Pa. House of Representatives after being sworn in as state representative of the 198th Legislative District. She explains her priorities and how she'll put her neighbors first. Read more

 

Parker takes oath of office for first term

(Jan 05, 2021) Rep. Darisha Parker

HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., today was sworn in for her first term in office, representing the 198 th Legislative District. The noon swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2021-22 session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Parker said her priorities in her first term, among others, include enacting criminal justice reforms, giving a voice to seniors, preserving parks and recreation centers and providing affordable health care to all Pennsylvanians. “I am honored and humbled to represent the people of the 198 th District,” Parker said. “I am committed to working every day to pursue legislation and other initiatives that will help the residents of my district to have an enriched and purposeful life. My office is ready to help you with all of your state government needs.” She is a member of the Philadelphia Delegation and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, where she will serve as chairwoman of the subcommittee on woman and girls of color this legislative session. S he will receive standing House committee assignments later in the month. “I am very excited to serve as subcommittee chairwoman for this very important work,” she said. “I hope to provide a voice to the issues that are of significance to all females of color.” Parker is one of 25 new members who were sworn in. There are 11 new Read more

 

Pa. Treasury could be holding your unclaimed property

(Dec 01, 2020) Rep. Darisha Parker

Each year, the Pennsylvania Treasury receives millions of dollars of unclaimed property. It is estimated that roughly one in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property. Unclaimed property may include: Closed bank accounts; Uncashed checks, including paychecks; Lost stocks and bonds; Contents of safe deposit boxes; Proceeds from the demutualization of insurance companies; Expired gift cards/gift certificates. To find out if you have unclaimed property, search your name in the Unclaimed Property database at www.patreasury.gov/Unclaimed/Search.html , call 1-800-222-2046, or contact my office . There is NO CHARGE to claim your unclaimed property. Read more

 

Kim, Parker to lead Monday’s Policy Committee hearing on crushing COVID-19
Apr 09, 2021

County Recycling Coordinator and Host Municipality Inspector grant programs now open for applications
Apr 05, 2021

Parker introduces bill to combat human trafficking
Apr 05, 2021

Parker on CBS21 Face the State
Mar 30, 2021

Neighborhood Assistance Program and Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program now open for applications
Mar 29, 2021

Now open for applications: Dislocated worker, intermediate punishment, and wildfire assistance grant programs
Mar 22, 2021

Keystone Communities, Fish & Boat Education, and School-to-Work grant programs now open for applications
Mar 15, 2021

Arts funding and PEMA Nonprofit Security grant programs now open for applications
Mar 08, 2021

Are you 1 in 10 Pennsylvania residents with unclaimed property waiting for them?
Mar 01, 2021

Get health insurance coverage through PA's low cost health plan, Pennie
Mar 01, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update
Mar 01, 2021

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus responds to DHS equity report
Feb 16, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 16 Update
Feb 16, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 31 Update
Feb 02, 2021

PLBC responds to DHS equity report
Jan 25, 2021

Parker assigned to standing House committees
Jan 11, 2021

Parker Sworn In to Begin 1st Term as State Representative
Jan 05, 2021

Parker takes oath of office for first term
Jan 05, 2021

Pa. Treasury could be holding your unclaimed property
Dec 01, 2020