| Veterans food distribution scheduled In partnership with the Veterans Leadership Program, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is hosting a food distribution next week for veterans and military families. The distribution will take place on Tuesday, June 9th at NOON. All veterans and military families are welcome to come and receive fresh produce and shelf-stable goods. All information is below; for more information, please contact (412) 481-8200. Routine dentistry to resume The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released an update to the dental health care guidance as part of the commonwealth’s phased COVID-19 reopening plan. This guidance allows dental health care providers the ability to safely provide oral healthcare, including routine cleanings. Dental providers should follow the protocols outlined by the CDC for all procedures. Providers should ensure they have the appropriate amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to support their patient volume. Patients should wash or sanitize their hands frequently and wear a mask when not undergoing treatment. All patients should be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at the practice and social distancing should be maintained while in the practice. PennDOT: Driver skill testing to resume PennDOT has announced that beginning Tuesday, the driver’s skills test, including the motorcycle skills test, has resumed at reopened Driver License Centers. Customers whose driver’s skills tests were canceled due to the COVID-19 emergency will be given priority in rescheduling skills tests by contacting the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Call Center at 717-412-5300. All other customers will be able to schedule skills tests in the appointment system beginning June 20, 2020. Customers who have skills tests scheduled after June 2 will be able to obtain a driver’s skills test at all open Driver License Centers that perform skills testing. The skills test has been modified to mitigate potential exposure of PennDOT staff and customers while maintaining the integrity of the testing process. Turnpike goes cashless permanently Also this week, the Pennsylvania Turnpike announced that the cashless, All-Electronic Tolling (AET), system instituted in March to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus will become permanent. There will be no return to cash collections on the PA Turnpike system. Customers will move through the lanes at posted speeds without stopping. Their tools will be assessed via E-ZPass, or a PA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATE invoice will be sent in the mail. Customers with questions are encouraged to visit the No Cash Zone web page for information on cashless tolling. Cash will not be accepted anywhere on the PA Turnpike’s ticket system. All tolls will be assessed electronically via E-ZPass or the PA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATE program as vehicles travel at posted speed limits through tolling points. Information for families returning to work with kids The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a Frequently Asked Questions guide for families in need of child care and parents with children that will be returning to a child care facility in counties moving to the yellow or green phase of reopening. Workers who need child care in yellow and green-phase areas can find child care options here: www.findchildcare.pa.gov. Child care facilities in this phase are able to, at their discretion, open without a waiver. Families who need assistance paying for child care can apply for Child Care Works, Pennsylvania’s subsidized child care program at www.compass.state.pa.us or by contacting the Early Learning Resource Centers that serve their community at www.raiseyourstar.org. Beware of scams! The Pennsylvania Department of Health is warning WIC participants of potential scams and cautioned them not to disclose their personal information without verifying the identity of the caller. Although WIC clinics do perform eligibility determinations, they will never call participants to request their bank account information to deposit funds directly into their accounts. Pennsylvanians should report scams to their local law enforcement or file a consumer complaint to the Office of the Attorney General through an online form, by calling 800-441-2555, or by email at scams@attorneygeneral.gov. State works to send grants to fire/EMS companies The Office of State Fire Commissioner will be working to enact recent legislation to provide $50 million in direct financial relief to fire and emergency medical service (EMS) companies negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Of the $50 million in funding set aside for this new program, $44 million will be made available to fire and rescue companies and the remaining $6 million will go to EMS companies. Though the legislation took immediate effect, the Office of State Fire Commissioner must now establish the protocols for application, review, and disbursement of grant funds. In the coming weeks, detailed information about the program and instructions on how to apply will be available online at the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s website. Companies are advised to check back regularly for updated information. |
