December 13, 2022
West Chester, Pa (December 13, 2022) – This month marks 30 years of the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Pennsylvania, a landmark program that has helped generations of children obtain free or reduced-cost health insurance.
Signed into law in December 1992, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides insurance coverage to children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medical Assistance but cannot afford to purchase private insurance.
“Every child deserves access to quality health care so they can have the strong, healthy start they need to learn, grow, and reach their full potential,” said state Senator Carolyn Comitta, who serves on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Three decades ago, Pennsylvania launched a ground-breaking program to cover all kids. Today, CHIP remains instrumental in keeping our young people healthy while giving parents and families the peace of mind that their children can see a doctor.”
Currently, the CHIP program covers nearly 132,000 Pennsylvania children, including about 4,900 in Chester County, for routine doctor’s visits, emergency care, prescriptions, dental services, eye care, and other vital health services.
To be eligible children must be under 19, be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or qualified alien, a resident of Pennsylvania, and be uninsured and not eligible for Medical Assistance.
While most families receive CHIP coverage for free, households with incomes above a certain limit receive coverage at a reduced cost.
Pennsylvania’s CHIP program became the model standard for the federal CHIP program which was signed into law in August 1997.
To learn more about the CHIP program and to apply for coverage, visit chipcoverspakids.com or call 1-800-986-KIDS (5437).
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December 12, 2022
West Chester, Pa (December 12, 2022) – Five Chester County historic organizations have been awarded more than $45,000 in total state funding through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The grants, which come through the PHMC’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program, assist the general operations of eligible museums and official county historical societies. They are as follows:
- $16,956 for the Chester County Historical Society.
- $10,454 for Historic Yellow Springs.
- $7,789 for the Wharton Esherick Museum.
- $6,231 for the Graystone Society Inc.
- $4,000 for Historic Sugartown Inc.
“As one of Pennsylvania’s three original counties, Chester County has a long and rich history that’s being preserved thanks to the work of local historical groups and volunteers,” Comitta said. “These investments will continue to support that work so that important records are maintained, stories are shared, and future generations can learn about the history of our communities.”
Under the program, eligible museums must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person (or approved equivalent). Award amounts are determined using an equation based on a percentage of the eligible museum’s previous year’s operating budget. The maximum any museum can receive is $40,000. All official county historical societies receive a $4,000 minimum grant.
The grant funding comes as part of almost $2 million in total Cultural and Historical Support Grants awarded to 161 eligible museums and official county historical societies from 56 counties across the Commonwealth.
In addition, two other Chester County organizations – the Chester County Archives & Records Services and the Pennhurst Memorial & Preservation Alliance – will receive Historical and Archival Records Care (HARC) Grants to improve the preservation and accessibility of historically significant records maintained by local governments, historical societies, and academic institutions.
The Chester County Archives & Records Services was awarded $5,000 to digitally convert 1,351 sheets of microfilmed criminal indictment papers from the Chester County Clerk of Courts to PDF/A format for long-term preservation and accessibility. The papers range from 1907 through 1928. The criminal papers from 1681-1880 have been digitized and converted to PDF/A files.
The Pennhurst Memorial & Preservation Alliance was awarded $4,640 to create an archive at the Pennhurst Museum and to provide digital access to the information. The grant will pay for a comprehensive needs assessment that will support the work of interns and volunteers as they begin to preserve, organize, and create physical/digital access to the photographs and documents rescued from the deteriorating Pennhurst site.
That funding comes as part of $200,000 in total Historical and Archival Records Care (HARC) Grants to 37 organizations in 20 Pennsylvania counties.
HARC grants are administered by the Pennsylvania State Archives, a bureau within PHMC. Funding for the awards spans two years. The maximum award one institution can receive is $5,000. Collaborative grants were eligible for $5,000 per institution for a maximum of $15,000.
The grant awards were based on a competitive review of the applications by a subcommittee of the Pennsylvania State Historical Records Advisory Board. The board operates under federal regulations governing the National Historical Publications & Records Commission and serves as the central advisory body for historical records planning in the state.
December 7, 2022
Wilmington, Del. (December 7, 2022) –The ChristianaCare West Grove campus has received a $2.5 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for facility renovation and the development of outpatient services. The grant consists of $1.5 million from the American Rescue Fund Plan Act (ARPA) and $1 million from the Commonwealth.
ChristianaCare finalized the purchase of its West Grove campus (formerly Jennersville Hospital) from Tower Health in June 2022. The hospital has been closed since Dec. 31, 2021.
“We are deeply grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for these generous grants,” said Bettina Tweardy Riveros, J.D., chief health equity officer and senior vice president of Government Affairs and Community Engagement at ChristianaCare. “These funds will help ensure that the West Grove facility can deliver affordable, effective and equitable systems of care to our neighbors in southern Chester County for many years to come.”
The funding was secured through the collaborative efforts of Chester County’s bipartisan state legislative delegation.
“Securing this funding was a team effort and it represents another important step forward in returning vital emergency, preventive and wellness services to Southern Chester County,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta. “By bringing in a trusted partner like ChristianaCare and investing in the future of the West Grove campus, we’re working to expand better health outcomes for all, as well as the potential for economic opportunity, increased employment and community investment that come with it.”
“When ChristianaCare announced this summer that it would purchase Jennersville Hospital, we knew that Chester County and its surrounding neighborhoods would instantly benefit from them stepping up and filling the void of patient care in our area,” said state Sen. John Kane. “Given ChristianaCare’s trusted reputation of quality care and reputable values, supporting them with this funding alongside Senator Comitta and my colleagues in the state House and state Senate was a decision that made too much sense not to go all in on. With this funding ChristianaCare can continue to take the steps to open the West Grove campus and further stabilize the public health situation for the folks in Chester County.”
“The closure of Jennersville Hospital has been a serious blow to southern Chester County, so I am extremely pleased to obtain funding, in addition to funding secured by both Sen. Comitta and Rep. Lawrence, to put toward the renovations needed to open this facility,” said state Rep. Christina Sappey. “We have been aligned throughout this crisis and determined to find a solution. I am truly grateful for the partnership of my colleagues in the legislature and ChristianaCare.”
“These funds are a real win for our community and represent the next level of support for ChristianaCare’s efforts to reopen the old Jennersville Hospital,” said state Rep. John Lawrence. “The ChristianaCare West Grove campus will lead the way in meeting the health care needs of southern Chester County for years to come.”
“It’s hard to believe Jennersville Hospital closed its doors one year ago this month. Since then, vital services have been lacking across the board in our community, impacting everyone from seniors to college students at Lincoln University and all ages in between. So much work has been done since then to restore health care services to southern Chester County, but there’s still more to do,” said U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan. “ChristianaCare is working tirelessly to begin to serve patients at the West Grove campus, and these additional federal and state funds will expedite those efforts. Our collaboration with local officials, state officials and health care partners made this possible, and our entire community should find comfort knowing we are all working together to ensure their health and well-being needs are met.”
ChristianaCare is reimagining health care at the West Grove campus and is taking a phased approach to the opening of services. The first phase will be to reestablish emergency services. Planning for the new campus is ongoing, and ChristianaCare hopes to announce final plans within the next few months. ChristianaCare leaders have been actively meeting with community leaders and groups in the southern Chester County community.
“We’ve been meeting with small groups and with community leaders throughout the fall, and we’ve been gathering feedback that’s proving invaluable in our planning process,” said Douglas Azar, MHA, ChristianaCare senior vice president, Strategic Clinical Integration. “We’re making great progress in our planning, and we’re looking forward to being able to share plans with the community as soon as they’re ready.”
ChristianaCare’s assessment and inventory of the facility indicates that the site requires considerable renovation in key areas, such as information technology and laboratory space. Due to these needs, ChristianaCare currently anticipates that it will take a year or more to build out and open the facility.
ChristianaCare’s West Grove campus also received a $2.5 million ARPA grant from the Chester County Government in October 2022.
The West Grove campus represents a significant expansion of ChristianaCare’s commitment to provide health services to communities in southern Chester County. Since 2020, ChristianaCare has added three primary care practices located in Jennersville, West Grove and Kennett Square. Combined, these three practices are now the “medical home” for 22,000 residents in these communities.
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December 5, 2022
West Chester, Pa (December 5, 2022) – New technology upgrades are coming to the Crime Victims Center of Chester County (CVC) to better serve victims and their families thanks to State Senator Carolyn Comitta.
Comitta secured $50,000 in state funding for the organization to acquire a new server, new Wi-Fi switches, improvements to the security cameras at their office, updated laptops for staff, and continued access to their virtual counseling platform.
“The Crime Victims Center is a trusted advocate and vital community resource for victims of crime and their loved ones,” Comitta said. “By upgrading their technology, the organization can continue to provide compassionate support to victims, educate young people on healthy relationships and safe boundaries, and expand their services to meet the needs of a growing population.”
“We are so grateful to Senator Comitta for this much-needed funding and her ongoing support for our work. One of the measurable impacts of COVID at CVC has been a significant increase in our technology costs for both tech support and hardware for our 40 team members. This grant ensures that we have the funds we need to make critical upgrades to existing technology, maintain access to our virtual counseling platform and replace damaged hardware when needed,” said Christine Zaccarelli, CVC Chief Executive Officer.
Founded in 1973, CVC is a private, community-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) comprehensive victim services agency that has helped thousands of people over the years. It is the designated provider of services to sexual violence victims for Chester County, but also serves victims of all types of crime including domestic violence.
CVC provides free, immediate, and confidential crisis response and confidential support to children and adults impacted by sexual violence and other forms of crime. The Center provides assistance through counseling, advocacy, resources, and education and fosters community awareness and understanding through its comprehensive outreach and prevention programs.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime and would like to speak with an advocate for support, please call the Crime Victims Center’s 24-hour hotlines. For sexual violence cases dial (610) 692-7273. For all other crimes dial (610) 692-7420.
For more information about the Crime Victims Center of Chester County and how you can help support victims of crime, visit www.cvcofcc.org.
December 1, 2022
West Chester, Pa (December 1, 2022) – Junior firefighters will now have an earlier opportunity to access the training they need to become full firefighters, said state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
Act 155 of 2022 allows junior firefighters, aged 17, to train on live-burn, interior firefighter modules. Currently, only those 18 and older are allowed to enroll in this training program.
Comitta, who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said the measure helps ensure that junior firefighters are immediately able to serve as full-fledged firefighters once they turn 18.
“I hope this law helps bolster the ranks of our volunteer firefighters by harnessing the interest and energy young people have for the fire service and empowering them to hit the ground running once they turn 18,” she said. “Our fire companies continue to face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers. Allowing young people to access this training earlier is one way we can help ensure they continue serving our communities.”
The bill, sponsored by Senator Pat Stefano, unanimously passed the legislature and was recently signed into law by the governor.
To participate in live burns, junior firefighters would need their parent or guardian’s permission and the local fire chief’s permission. The training would be completed under the instruction of a credentialed Pennsylvania State Fire Academy instructor.
November 21, 2022
West Chester, Pa (November 21, 2022) – A new office and retail building that will bring investment and jobs to the City of Coatesville will receive $1 million in state funding, state Rep. Dan Williams and state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced today.
The funds, awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, will support the construction of a four-story, 3,200-square-foot office building featuring first-floor retail space at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Lincoln Highway in the city’s downtown.
“This location represents a prime opportunity for revitalization,” said Comitta. “With the new train station under construction and this and several other major investments in the city’s downtown, Coatesville’s future as a destination for employers, businesses, visitors, and families is growing brighter and brighter. I want to thank Rep. Williams and all the partners working to make this happen, including the Chester County Industrial Development Authority, the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority, and Coatesville City Council.”
“Proudfoot has already proven themselves as a strong partner in Coatesville’s revitalization with the building at 190 West Lincoln Highway,” Williams said. “I’m excited about this project at 3rd and Lincoln Highway – centrally located and only a couple blocks away from our soon-to-be new train station. I’m proud to help bring state funding in for efforts like this and will continue to work with Senator Comitta to promote further revitalization of Coatesville.”
Proudfoot Investments has a successful track record in Coatesville, having developed a 30,000-square-foot innovation center and office space for early-stage companies at 190 W. Lincoln Highway. That project, formerly the site of a Lukens Steel Building, was developed as Chester County’s first Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) and represented the first major commercial construction in the city in decades. The building is already 90 percent leased to several tech and early-stage companies.
The building planned for 300 East Lincoln Highway is located just a few blocks from the site of the new train station. It has an 8,000-square-foot footprint and plans also call for at least 65 parking spaces on site.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. To receive funding, projects must have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
November 16, 2022
West Chester, Pa (November 16, 2022) – Residents, businesses, and families that want to support Toys for Tots this holiday season can make donations at a drop box located at the district office of state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
Now through December 7, new and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the atrium of 17 East Gay Street in downtown West Chester. The office is open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also stop by one of Senator Comitta’s mobile/senior outreach offices to drop off their donations.
The donations go to Toys for Tots of Chester and Southern Montgomery Counties, which last year collected and distributed more than 32,500 toys to nearly 15,500 children in our area.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy and magic of the holiday season,” state Senator Carolyn Comitta said. “For 75 years, Toys for Tots, along with its volunteers and donors, have been working to make that happen. This year, I am again thrilled to support their efforts. The season of gift-giving is here, and I thank everyone who helps spread the cheer to families in need.”
In addition, donations are accepted and encouraged at any number of Toys for Tots collection sites throughout the area. To locate a collection site or find other ways to support the effort, visit https://chester-county-pa.toysfortots.org/
Donations may include new and unwrapped toys such as:
- Dolls/Barbies
- Stuffed animals
- Art, Jewelry, Nail and Craft Kits
- Board games/Puzzles
- Action figures
- Radio control cars/trucks
- Hand-held electronics
- Sporting goods
- Books
- STEM Science kits
- Legos
Since 1947, Toys for Tots has distributed toys to children from homes that cannot afford to buy gifts for the holidays. In that time 627 million toys have been collected and distributed to more than 281 million children.
Last year alone, 832 Toys for Tots coordinators delivered over 22.4 million toys, books, and games to nearly 8.8 million children in more than 800 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
The program, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve Foundation, is primarily staffed by volunteers, with only a handful of employees at the Toys for Tots Foundation. According to its website, it remains a top-rated charity, with more than 97 percent of donations going directly to its mission of providing toys, books, and other gifts to children in need. The 3 percent spent on support principally covers fundraising expenses
For more information on Toys for Tots of Chester and Southern Montgomery Counties, visit https://chester-county-pa.toysfortots.org/
November 16, 2022
West Chester, Pa (November 16, 2022) – A new law decriminalizing fentanyl test strips will help prevent overdose deaths by making available an important tool to identify and avoid the potent and deadly drug, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
Earlier this month, the governor signed into law House Bill 1393 as Act 111 of 2022, which amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act of 1972 to no longer define fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia.
Comitta, who serves on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, was joined by her fellow state lawmakers in unanimously approving the legislation. She was also a co-sponsor of a Senate version of the bill, introduced by state Senator Tim Kearney.
“This small change in our laws can have a great impact to help save lives in our community,” Comitta, who serves on the Health and Human Services Committee said. “By allowing individuals to have greater information about the potential presence of fentanyl, we have one more resource to help combat overdoses.”
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, nearly 100 times more potent than morphine. In the medical setting, fentanyl can be used to treat patients with chronic pain, such as pain associated with advanced cancer or severe pain following surgery. Illicit fentanyl, on the other hand, is primarily manufactured outside of the United States, illegally brought into the U.S. and distributed and sold on the illegal drug market. It is sold as powders, nasal sprays, and pills that are made to look like prescription opioids. Fentanyl is being mixed with other illicit drugs, primarily heroin, to increase its potency. Mixing fentanyl with other drugs increases the likelihood of its use leading to a fatal overdose.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 78 percent of the 5,343 overdose deaths statewide in 2021 involved fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is undetectable through sight, taste, and smell. Unless a drug is tested with a fentanyl test strip, it is nearly impossible for an individual to know if it has been laced with fentanyl,” Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith. “We continue to encourage all Pennsylvanians to equip themselves with the life-saving drug naloxone, and now with the legalization of fentanyl test strips, individuals have an additional tool to fight the overdose crisis. This legalization is a big win in the harm reduction space, allowing individuals to be more informed given the large amount of fentanyl in our drug supply — this small strip of paper could save their life.”
Fentanyl test strips are a low-cost method to help prevent drug overdoses and reduce harm. These small strips of paper can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs and drug forms providing people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply.
“The legalization of fentanyl test strips will undoubtedly help save the lives of Pennsylvanians by reducing drug overdoses,” said Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson. “Many people take the deadly drug without knowing it. Now, they can use test strips to identify the presence of fentanyl, so they are not accidentally exposed to the drug.”
In Pennsylvania, the number of overdose deaths increased by 3.3 percent from 2020 to 2021. On average, nearly 14 Pennsylvanians died from a drug overdose every day in 2020 and that number increased last year.
Earlier this year, Comitta joined with local officials and business leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industry to offer a free training on identifying the signs of overdose and safely administering naloxone, a medication approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
“Every life has value and every person deserves a chance at recovery. Too many families in our communities have lost loved ones to drug overdose,” she said. “ For people struggling with a substance use disorder, this is another opportunity to help them stay alive and another chance for them to pursue a life of recovery.”
Individuals seeking treatment or substance use support for themselves or a loved one can call the toll-free PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The free, confidential hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and staffed by trained professionals.
Local support is available through the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Service at 1-866-286-3767. All calls are confidential, and support is available for those without insurance.
November 15, 2022
West Chester, Pa (November 15, 2022) – The Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance was awarded $80,000 in state funding to support Coatesville’s ongoing community revitalization, state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Rep. Dan Williams said.
The funding comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), which promotes community participation and collaboration among nonprofit, business, and residential projects in distressed areas or low-income neighborhoods.
“Successful revitalization calls for cooperation and collaboration among community members, businesses, and organizations. As work on the new Coatesville train station continues and more projects are on the horizon, investments like this help support and strengthen the city’s downtown business district,” Comitta said. “I want to thank the 2nd Century Alliance for its ongoing work in the team effort that is driving Coatesville to success and growth.”
“This funding will help continue the hard work we and members of the community are doing to revitalize Coatesville. By improving opportunity and quality-of-life, we can go a long way to building Coatesville back better than before,” Williams said.
NAP projects are designed to improve access to job and economic opportunities, quality education, affordable housing, quality-of-life amenities, and other key factors in building healthy communities.
The program has five main components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), Special Program Priorities (SPP), the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP), Charitable Food Program (CFP), and the Enterprise Zone Program (EZP). The funding for Coatesville comes through the Neighborhood Partnership Program.
“The NPP tax credit program is a critical source of funding for our downtown initiatives. We are grateful to Senator Comitta and our private sector donors, Knox Equipment Rental and Bob and Jennifer McNeil, our partners in this program who recognize the vital importance of a sustained, strategic approach to revitalizing Coatesville’s commercial district,” said Sonia Huntzinger, Executive Director of the 2nd Century Alliance.
In Coatesville, the funds will support the fifth year of the 2nd Century Alliance’s downtown revitalization plan, focusing on the retention, celebration, and promotion of the existing business base. Specifically, the alliance plans to utilize the funds to support:
- Façade improvements to enhance the existing building stock and entice new businesses to the district.
- Downtown small businesses growth by providing financial assistance to help new businesses launch or existing businesses reach the next level.
- The “Made in Coatesville” Small Business Incubator, which provides a cost-effective, physical location where entrepreneurs can sell and market their goods and services. This initiative aims to provide businesses with the necessary tools that will give them the greatest chance for growth, success, and adding jobs to the community.
“Pennsylvania’s communities are the foundation of our economic success,” said Gov. Wolf. “The Neighborhood Assistance Program encourages businesses to make impactful investments in worthy projects across the commonwealth, helping to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians. The rewards we can provide through tax credits in this important program advance and improve communities and ensure Pennsylvania remains the best place to live, work, and play.”
The funding for the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance comes as part of $36 million in total NAP investments awarded to 220 community revitalization projects across the Commonwealth. More than one-quarter (56) of the projects that received NAP funding were in southeastern Pennsylvania.
NAP encourages private sector investment into projects that will help improve distressed communities by providing tax credits to businesses that donate capital to support projects that address neighborhood and community problems. NAP can be used for projects in categories including affordable housing, community services, crime prevention, education, job training, food access, blight, special population issues, veteran’s initiatives, and long-term community revitalization.
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November 15, 2022
West Chester Pa (November 14, 2022) – The Friends Association will receive $50,000 in state funding to support important renovations and upgrades to its emergency shelter thanks to the work of state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
“For 200 years, the Friends Association has been helping our neighbors build stability, financial independence, and resilience,” Comitta, who serves on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said. “With this investment, we continue to work to ensure that everyone – every individual, family, and child – has a safe, healthy place to call home and the opportunities that come with it.”
The funds will support critical plumbing repairs at the nonprofit organization’s Family Center, which provides emergency housing for families in six apartment units. The updates will help ensure that families have access to a trauma-informed care environment within each unit.
“We are incredibly grateful to Senator Comitta for this generous funding and her ongoing support and advocacy for Friends Association and the families we serve,” said Jennifer Lopez, CEO of the Friends Association. “This funding comes at a perfect time. For more than a decade the beloved Family center has provided more than 118,000 nights of shelter for families experiencing the trauma of homelessness. The monumental effort to restore the aging building will ensure it continues to serve families with dignity for decades to come.”
Comitta announced the funding at the dedication of a mural on the Friends Association’s building on West Chestnut Street in West Chester. The mural, painted by West Chester University sophomore Noah Burns, depicts the organization’s values and service to the community on its 200th anniversary.
In addition to providing emergency housing, the Friends Association offers a number of services to help prevent housing insecurity, assist people in recovery, address systemic racism and inequity, promote community health and wellness, and empower families and individuals with the skills they need to overcome adversity.
For more information about the Friends Association, visit www.friendsassoc.org
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November 14, 2022
As a result of the legislative redistricting process, new state
Senate and
House Districts officially take effect December 1, 2022.
For the 19th Senatorial District, the new maps mean the following municipalities will be:
Added:
- East Goshen
- Easttown
- West Goshen
- Willistown
- Newlin
Removed:
- Atglen
- Avondale
- Charlestown
- East Whiteland
- Franklin
- London Britain
- London Grove
- New Garden
- Parkesburg
- Phoenixville
- Sadsbury
- Schuylkill
- West Grove
- West Pikeland
- West Sadsbury
We look forward to again serving East and West Goshen, which Senator Comitta previously represented as state representative for the 156th District, and we’re excited to connect with communities in Easttown, Willistown, and Newlin.
To those constituents and municipalities who will have new representation under the new maps, we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you and working with you. Please also know that our office is working with fellow state lawmakers to help ensure a seamless transition of services. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that may arise.
November 10, 2022
Paoli, Pa (November 10, 2022) – Paoli Hospital, part of Main Line Health, is planning to expand its emergency department thanks, in part, to nearly $2.1 million in federal grant funding secured by state Senator Carolyn Comitta, state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, and state Rep. Kristine Howard.
Comitta and Shusterman announced the $2,087,500 in funding, which comes through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, at a press conference alongside U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who voted for the ARPA in Congress, and Jim Paradis, President of Paoli Hospital.
“We are receiving this grant at a critical time in our health system as we are facing capacity challenges, local closures of area hospitals and longer hospital stays,” said Paradis. “This important funding will support our infrastructure expansion plans, beginning in early 2023, that include the addition of eight new treatment rooms to our existing 28-room emergency department. We are fortunate that by securing this grant we will continue to make vital investments in our hospital that will lead to better health outcomes for our patients and our community.”
Paoli Hospital continues to provide vital services to residents in the region. Both the COVID-19 pandemic and an influx of patients resulting from Tower Health’s closures of Brandywine and Jennersville hospitals, in addition to other factors, have continued to drive up patient volume.
“Investments in our healthcare infrastructure benefit the entire community and add to the strong and healthy quality of life throughout the region. Our towns and neighborhoods continue to grow and these funds will help ensure Paoli Hospital continues to grow with it,” Comitta, who serves on the Senate Health and Human Resources said. “I want to thank all of our partners who have been part of this team effort.”
“Paoli Hospital has been operating at over 100 percent capacity to meet the needs of our community,” Shusterman said. “Staff members have shown tremendous ingenuity and made great sacrifices to ensure our loved ones get the care they need. This much-needed funding will help alleviate some of that strain and I am happy to have collaborated with my colleagues to ensure Paoli hospital gets the resources it needs.”
“As the region’s only trauma center, Paoli Hospital provides an incredibly important service. I am thrilled to see this additional funding,” said Howard.
The state legislators also thanked Houlahan for supporting the ARPA in Congress, which provided crucial funding that made this and many other important community investments possible.
Construction on the Paoli Hospital Emergency Department expansion project is expected to begin in the new year.
Comitta also noted that she and her legislative colleagues are working to secure funds to support the reopening of both Jennersville and Brandywine Hospitals. Jennersville was acquired by ChristianaCare earlier this year. Stakeholders and community partners continue to work to facilitate discussions in finding a new owner/operator for Brandywine Hospital.
November 9, 2022
West Chester, Pa (November 9, 2022) – Pennsylvania drivers and motorists who want to show their support for protecting pollinators can now do so – on their license plates.
Recently, the legislature unanimously approved and the governor signed into law Act 112 of 2022, creating the Pollinator Conservation Registration Plate and the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund.
Based on legislation introduced by state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Representative Kristine Howard, sales of the specialty license plates will support a new program to support the migration of pollinators by creating native grass and perennial wildflower-filled habitats along our state highways.
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“Pollinator decline and the loss of pollinator habitat is a major concern,” Comitta, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said. “This a simple way motorists can help raise awareness and support for the need to protect these tiny creatures – creatures that have a mighty impact.”
According to the Pollinator Partnership, birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small animals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. Pollinators also provide pollination services to over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1200 crops. And pollinators add $217 billion dollars to the global economy and honeybees alone are responsible for billions of dollars in agricultural productivity in the United States.
Due to a variety of factors including urbanization, pesticide use, climate change, and the spread of emergent predators, pollinator populations have been in a steady decline. Beekeepers in the United States lose about 30% of their colonies each year.
“Protecting our pollinators is imperative,” Howard said. “By creating roadside native grass and perennial wildflower-filled habitats along our state highways, we will not only reduce maintenance costs, but beautify our state and protect our crops.”
The Pennsylvania Pollinator Conservation License Plates are $38 in addition to the regular registration fee. $25 of the fee is dedicated to the habitat program fund.
“Pollinators are vital to environmental health, public health, and our very way of life,” Comitta said. “By cultivating new pollinator habitats, we are not only supporting these animals, but our food supply, our agriculture industry, and our economy as a whole.”
November 4, 2022
West Chester, Pa (November 3, 2022) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta was joined by state and local officials this week to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Hankin Group’s new Phoenixville Senior Housing project.
The Exton developer’s Phoenixville Senior Housing project will repurpose the former Borough maintenance property into a state-of-the-art 50-unit affordable senior housing community with a focus on healthy lifestyles. In support of the project, the Borough of Phoenixville has donated the property located at the intersection of Buchanan and Morgan Streets.
“Phoenixville Senior Housing began with a vision from the Borough to find the best way to meet the housing needs of their community,” said Bob Hankin, CEO of Hankin Group, “The architecture of the building has been designed to knit into the fabric of historic Phoenixville and energize the surrounding neighborhoods by incorporating pedestrian-friendly environments and beautiful streetscapes. The inside is designed to Enterprise Green Communities standards. This will ensure high-efficiency systems and low utility expenses.”
The project was made possible, in part, by nearly $1.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits reserved through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).
“Our senior citizens helped build the towns and boroughs that we call home today. So, it’s only right they have a place of their own in the heart of Phoenixville and get to share in its success as a thriving destination and a safe, healthy, walkable community,” said state Senator Carolyn Comitta. “This project has been a long time coming, but teamwork and persistence paid off. I want to thank all our partners who worked together to get us to this point, and I look forward to the building’s opening.”
Phoenixville, a historic river town with a long-time resident base, has experienced an urban rebound like few other towns in the Philadelphia area. The Borough’s success has produced unintended consequences of growth. The housing demand in Phoenixville is high and affordable housing options are dwindling. In 2017, the Borough created an Affordable Housing Task Force to address limited affordable housing options in the Phoenixville area.
“The Phoenixville Borough is so grateful to our extraordinary partners for helping to bring this vision of affordable senior housing into reality,” said Peter Urscheler, Mayor of Phoenixville, “This project is more than a building, it’s a reflection of our very best selves; a community diverse in people and in types of housing units, a place that reflects Phoenixville’s innermost desire to be inclusive and supportive of all our residents, especially our seniors.”
“With rising housing prices, and continued pressure of redevelopment, Phoenixville Borough Council sought to find solutions that would allow our seniors to affordably stay in the borough, within their community, amongst their family and neighbors, in vibrant walkable downtown, said Jonathan Ewald, Borough Council President, “Partnering with the Hankin Group and with the support from Chester County and PHFA, this project represents the best long-term use, an overall community benefit, and a true public, private partnership.”
To tackle the growing issue of housing costs outpacing income, the Phoenixville Senior Housing project was created with full support and effort made by multiple organizations. Phoenixville Senior Housing is provided in a joint venture by Hankin Group, PA Housing Finance Agency, Borough of Phoenixville, Chester County Department of Community Development, Key Bank and Phoenixville Federal Bank. KeyBank’s Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) group helped finance the construction of the Phoenixville Senior Housing with a Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investment (LIHTC).
“A range of housing options available across all incomes is a cornerstone for a healthy community, and developments like Phoenixville Senior Housing are crucial,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Marian Moskowitz.
Phoenixville Senior Housing is designed to encourage interaction between residents and the wider community through its physical design and community partnerships. The development will include accessible units and access to group activity, community, and fitness rooms. A supportive services office will monitor and counsel the tenants on a variety of healthy lifestyle topics. Hankin Group has entered MOUs with Health Care Access, the Clinic and Phoenixville Hospital to administer healthcare-related services to increase the knowledge, self-care, and awareness of the mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of health in the residents through healthy eating, exercise, disease management, referrals to specialized health resources, and defined healthcare services plans.
November 3, 2022
West Chester, Pa (November 3, 2022) – Twelve organizations throughout Chester County will receive $16.75 million in total state funding for investments in community development, economic growth, education, public health and safety, behavioral health, transportation, recreation and tourism, historic preservation, and public works.
“These investments offer more opportunities for residents and families throughout Chester County – opportunities for education in the trades, for young people with disabilities, and for students at one our nation’s oldest historically black universities, opportunities for healthcare for children and people with behavioral health challenges, opportunities for new jobs and careers, and opportunities to enhance the emergency response services we all rely on to stay safe,” Comitta said. “These investments touch nearly every corner of my district, and I hope they will add to the strong quality of life that continues to define our region.”
The grant funds, awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, are as follows:
- $1.25 million for the Chester County Intermediate Unit to support renovations to its Learning Center vocational shops, including Automobile Services, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Horticulture, HVAC, and other trades. The project would allow the CCIU to expand the programs to offer adult education and training programs to the surrounding Coatesville community that has a significant need for job creation, employee training, and employment retention. Renovations include replacing windows, improving doors and security and upgrading lighting and HVAC systems.
- $2 million for traffic improvements and site work at the Shoppes at Sadsbury. The project calls for the construction of a 5-lane connector road linking Route 30 with Route 10 to relieve traffic at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 10.
- $3.5 million for the City of Coatesville to build a new firehouse and public works facility. Coatesville’s existing Public Works building is more than 70 years old and in need of extensive and expensive repairs. Also, the city needs its own designated location for a central firehouse, as it currently rents space from two locations that are shared with other users. In addition to the demolition of the existing public works building and the construction of the new facility, the funding will support street improvements along City Hall Place and Kersey Street.
“We were thrilled to receive the news about the $3.5-million-dollar RACP award that will go towards the construction of a much-needed fire station and public works facility,” said Coatesville City Manager James Logan. “For more than 10 years, the Coatesville Fire Department has leased spaced from supporting emergency organizations to house its fire apparatus and supplies. We will now have the opportunity to take care of our own and give them space for training and protecting our residents to improve our fire and health safety services throughout the community. Although this is one of many steps in building our capital stack to fund the construction project, we are confident we can identify future grant opportunities to meet our objective.”
- $1.849 million for International Paper to remediate the roof at its corrugated packaging plant in Atglen. As part of the conversion to a container plant, the company will replace and repair the existing roof. The new plant, which is expected to bring approximately 150 new jobs to the area, is slated to be operational next year.
- $750,000 for Lincoln University’s new Agricultural Research and Commerce Complex, a state-of-the-art research, testing, and food processing complex. The project calls for the development of a 10,000 to 15,000-square-foot solar-powered R&D greenhouse adjacent to Lincoln’s Ivory Nelson Science Center, a 30,000-foot “clean” food plant with a warehouse and freeze-drying facility, and a 5-acre research farm for growing and testing high value crops (ranging from greens to industrial hemp to mushrooms for manufacturing).
- $750,000 for the Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority for a Materials Recovery Facility. The facility will allow the landfill to process single-stream recycled materials on site, significantly reducing the cost of recycling and keeping the economic benefits in Pennsylvania. The MRF project is expected to create ten new full-time jobs in Chester County and become a model for other rural waste and recycling centers.
- $1.75 million for a new Behavioral Health Hospital on the Campus of Chester County Hospital. Haven Behavioral Healthcare will completely renovate an existing hospital building on Chester County Hospital’s campus to open an inpatient hospital with outpatient services. The hospital will help meet the behavioral health needs of an influx of patients resulting from the closure of Brandywine Hospital.
“Haven Behavioral Healthcare has been a pillar in the behavioral health community throughout eastern Pennsylvania for over a decade,” said CEO Kathy Gill. “We are beyond excited and grateful for the overwhelming support and opportunity to serve Chester County and the region. The RACP funds will not only provide world-class healthcare services for healing but will also bring about 100 new jobs to the community. We want to thank Senator Comitta and Representative Herrin for their support.”
- $400,000 for the Bournelyf Special Camp to construct a new, multi-purpose, ADA-accessible building. In addition, the camp will use the funds to replace the existing pool and renovate the pool house, to ensure that both are ADA-compliant and safe and accessible for campers. Located in Westtown, the Bournelyf Special Camp is a local non-profit organization committed to creating physically challenging and empowering opportunities for young people with disabilities.
Richard Curth, Executive Director of the Bournelyf Special Camp, said the organization’s executive board was delighted to receive the official notice that the camp was among those nonprofits from across the state that were approved for a grant. “A $400,000 grant for our new program facility is a game-changer. Our campers for generations to come will benefit from this funding. We are extremely grateful,” he said.
- $500,000 for Devereux Children’s Services to construct additional classroom and residential space at its therapeutic day and residential Mapleton School in Williston. The project calls for renovating a wing of its acute children’s behavioral healthcare center from semi-private to single rooms. It includes extensive renovations, such as demolition, drywall, windows, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
- $2.75 million for Nemours Children’s Health to construct a new pediatric healthcare facility in the Malvern area that will provide a comprehensive suite of health and wellness offerings. The new 43,000-square-foot, two-story building planned for the Uptown Worthington complex will expand access to 22 specialties including behavioral health for which the need is critical. The new facility will serve patients and families in southeastern Pennsylvania and spur economic development by creating construction jobs, clinical and administrative positions, and additional employment opportunities.
“Nemours Children’s Health is committed to providing Pennsylvania families with access to high-quality pediatric care,” said Mark Mumford, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley. “Thank you to Senator Carolyn T Comitta for your dedication to children’s health and for your partnership on this grant, which will allow Nemours Children’s to care for even more children.”
- $500,000 for the Friends of Valley Forge for the construction of an addition at the new Valley Forge Park Alliance Headquarters and Café located at the historic Maurice Stephens House. The project calls for design work, as well as rehabilitating an existing parking lot and installing sidewalks, electricity to the parking lot, signage and landscaping.
- $750,000 for the Timothy School to renovate and expand classroom space. The project calls for the addition of classroom and administrative office space, as well as the selective demolition and construction of the existing main education building. Located in Tredyffrin, the Timothy School is the oldest approved non-profit private school in Pennsylvania devoted exclusively to teaching students with autism.
“The Timothy School is thrilled to be named a grant recipient,” said Executive Director Sarah Greim. “The $750,000 grant award will enable us to begin moving forward with our building expansion project, which is greatly needed to provide an adequate and efficient learning space for our students with autism. We are grateful to Senator Comitta for her ongoing support of this important project and all our endeavors.”
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
To receive funding, projects must have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
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October 19, 2022
West Chester, Pa (October 19, 2022) – Planning assistance is coming to Oxford Borough to build a more accessible, walkable, and bikeable community state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced today.
The borough was awarded $25,000 in funding through WalkWorks, a program managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to equip more communities with safe and accessible walkways and develop community-level transportation plans.
“As Oxford borough continues to grow as a popular destination for families and businesses, it is important that we have an inter-connected and accessible system of transportation,” Comitta said. “This assistance will go a long way to improving access to essential services, support active recreation, and enhance the health and well-being of Oxford residents.”
With this funding, Oxford Borough will develop a comprehensive Action Transportation Plan. Community leaders will work over the next year with professional transportation and community planners to collect data, assess current conditions and aspirations, and incorporate public input to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks.
“It is important to us that the municipality be responsive to concerns about pedestrian safety, and that the Borough provide infrastructure to support non-vehicular modes of transportation,” Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen said. “An Active Transportation Plan will provide the framework for how we prioritize, fund and execute projects and policies that enable and promote walkability, bikeability and ADA accessibility in Oxford.”
Oxford Borough was one of eight Pennsylvania municipalities to receive the award.
The grant recipients were selected from a competitive pool of high-quality applicants by a multidisciplinary review team that included representatives from DOH, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and their Local Technical Assistance Program, DCNR and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
“Pennsylvanians deserve safe transportation access no matter how they travel,” PennDOT Acting Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation Andy Batson said. “This initiative recognizes and invests in the unbreakable link between community connectivity and our citizens’ health and mobility.”
For more information about WalkWorks visit www.health.pa.gov
October 6, 2022
West Chester, Pa (October 6, 2022) – The Chester County History Center (CCHC) will be able to better protect its collections, archives, and historical artifacts from potential water damage thanks to the work of state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
Comitta recently secured $50,000 in state funding to replace the sump pumps located in both CCHC’s main building and its historical Horticultural Hall building. The buildings, which are both more than a century old, are situated over underground springs and face constant challenges in managing water flow.
Comitta said supporting upgrades to CCHC’s physical infrastructure benefits the entire community as the buildings themselves have historic value and serve as community assets and gathering places, in addition to housing our local and regional historic treasures.
“The Chester County History Center and Horticultural Hall are not only a hub for historical and cultural preservation in our county, but they’re also important historic landmarks in their own right. It’s important that we continue to strive to protect and preserve the buildings themselves and their contents for future generations to enjoy, learn from, and add to,” said Comitta, who also serves on the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee.
Founded by local citizens in 1893, the CCHC is currently home to extensive collections, including more than 500,000 manuscripts, 20,000 volumes, 300 years of public records, 80,000 images, and 80,000 artifacts.
CCHC comprises two historic and architecturally significant buildings – Horticultural Hall, built in 1848 and the site of the first Women’s Right to Vote conference in Pennsylvania, and the former YMCA building built in 1908.
“The work of Senator Comitta and her team have successfully preserved 300 years of our county and nation’s history. From our almost 200-year-old building to our handwritten letters by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, this grant secures our shared history. We could not be more grateful for this clear dedication to our community,” said Conor Hepp, CCHC President.
The new, fully functional sump pumps not only better protect the integrity of the buildings and CCHC’s collections they also help prevent potential museum closures and disruptions to its busy exhibit schedule and educational programs due to the threat of flooding.
October 4, 2022
West Chester, Pa (October 4, 2022) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta reminded Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations that serve those with diverse memberships can apply now for up to $150,000 in state grant funding for important safety and security upgrades.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The program, funded with a $5 million state budget appropriation, is accepting applications until Monday, October 31, 2022, at 11:45 p.m.
“Our region is home to a strong interfaith community and we value our freedom to worship peacefully, safely, and without fear of threats, intimidation, and violence,” Comitta said. “These funds can help better protect our friends and neighbors who may be targeted by bigotry and hate.”
She also noted that last year five nonprofit organizations in her Chester County district, including two mosques and two synagogues, were awarded nearly $250,000 in state funding for important safety upgrades.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations that principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistic Publication. Those hate crime incidents include race/ethnicity/ancestry; religion; sexual orientation; disability; gender; and gender identity.
Applications can be submitted online https://www.pccd.pa.gov/schoolsafety/Pages/Non-Profit-Security-Grant-Fund.aspx
Projects that are eligible for funding include:
- Planning, threat awareness, and response training.
- Equipment and technology, such as metal detectors, lighting, surveillance, communications systems, locksets, deadbolts, trauma kits, and antitheft devices.
- Specialty trained canines.
- Vulnerability and threat assessments.
- Other projects to enhance safety or security.
Grant awards range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $150,000. Non-state matching funds (fundraising dollars, federal or local government funds, etc.) are required for funding requests of over $25,000. PCCD will select awardees in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and the Pennsylvania State Police.
The program, now in its third year, was established by the legislature in Act 83 of 2019 in response to the 2018 attack on the Jewish community at the Tree of Life, New Light, and Dor Hadash congregations in Pittsburgh. Comitta, then a state representative, voted for legislation (House Bill 859) that established the program.
In addition, Comitta reminded potential applicants that organizations eligible for PCCD’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program may also be eligible to apply for security funding through the PA Department of Homeland Security/PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).
Information about their grant program can be found at https://www.pema.pa.gov/Grants/NSGP/Pages/default.aspx
