News You Can Use

May 18, 2007

Children’s Health Insurance Program Expanded

If you think your income is too high to qualify for PA's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you should know income limits have been expanded to cover all uninsured kids and teens up to age 19 who are ineligible for Medical Assistance. According to the PA Department of Insurance, the program currently covers nearly 159,000 children and teens.

The approximate, average monthly cost for parents is based on a sliding scale:

$0 a month per child for a family earning less then 200 percent of Federal Poverty Limits (FPL) (gross income under $41,000 a year for a family of four)
$38 a month per child for a family earning 200 percent - 250 percent of FPL ($41,000 - $51,000 a year for a family of four)
$53 a month per child for a family earning 250 percent - 275 percent of FPL ($51,000- $56,000 a year for a family of four)
$60 a month per child for a family earning 275 percent - 300 percent of FPL ($56,000-$62,000 a year for a family of four)
$150 a month per child for a family earning above 300 percent of FPL (over $62,000 a year for a family of four)

Choose CHIP and your children will be covered by real insurance from established companies. CHIP offers guaranteed comprehensive insurance coverage including:

Immunizations
Routine check-ups
Prescription drugs
Dental care
Maternity care
Mental health benefits
Up to 90 days of hospitalization per year
Durable medical equipment
Substance abuse treatment
Partial hospitalization for mental health services
Rehabilitation therapies
Home health care

Apply by phone at 1-800-986-KIDS, by paper application, or online.

Inspect Your Dog Kennel's Inspection

Open the phone book and find a reliable dog kennel to take care of Rover during your next vacation. When selecting a service, do you choose by the size of the advertisement or the name of the kennel or perhaps a promise of premier care for your canine?

A new online database containing timely, complete inspection records for Pennsylvania's 2,600 licensed dog kennels is now available through the PA Department of Agriculture to help you narrow your search. The site allows you to sort by county, kennel class, business name, address, or zip code.

Twenty-six points of inspection are recorded as satisfactory, unsatisfactory or not applicable. The bottom of the inspection form contains remarks indicating details of problems, required corrections, and follow-ups for previous inspection deficiencies. You can access the records for the state's licensed dog kennels at this website.

Help Cut Utility Costs with Keystone HELP

Are you eager to save money on your family's monthly utility bills? The Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) supports consumer's efforts to upgrade their home's energy efficiency with affordable, fixed-rate, unsecured financing for ENERGYSTAR and other qualifying heating and cooling systems, windows, doors, insulation, and geothermal and solar systems.

Whether you want to convert an attic into an energy-efficient living space, modernize a kitchen or remodel to create a home office, Keystone HELP can assist you in achieving your reduced energy consumption goals. Replacing the furnace with a high efficiency unit found one family consuming 47% less heating oil than during the previous season. They reduced their oil consumption from 1,043 gallons to 556 gallons saving them more than $1,500 over the previous year, according to the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

Last year, the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program lent nearly $7.5 million to help more than 1,200 Pennsylvania families reduce their energy costs. The program is made possible by the PA Treasury Department, AFC First Financial and PA's sustainable energy funds. Get the details and apply online or call 888-AFC-FIRST (232-3477).

You make energy consumption decisions day in and day out. Deciding to opt for an ENERGYSTAR qualified light bulb is 75% more efficient than using incandescent bulbs. Replacing central air conditioning older than 7 years with an ENERGYSTAR system will use 20% less energy. See Keystone Help's energy efficiency quick tips.

DMAP Applications Being Accepted

Landowners interested in managing deer on their properties can enroll in PA's Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) until July 1, 2007. Qualified landowners will receive a limited number of coupons that they can make available to hunters.

Hunters receiving a coupon redeem it for a DMAP antlerless deer permit to hunt on the property for which it was issued. Each permit is good for taking one antlerless deer on the designated property. No more than 2 permits can be issued to one hunter who in turn must submit a report card, regardless of his or her success in harvesting a deer. Fines and future program ineligibility will result from failing to comply with the reporting requirement.

Acreage is the key for determining the number of coupons to be issued. The PA Game Commission managed program helps landowners achieve deer densities consistent with their land use goals. Qualified landowners and hunters interested in participating in DMAP can access general information and applications. Applications also can be obtained from any Game Commission Region Office or through their Bureau of Wildlife Management at the Harrisburg headquarters by calling 717-787-5529. You can also locate regional contacts.

All-Terrain Vehicles Get More Territory

Pennsylvania's 236,275 registered ATV owners and 43,497 snowmobile owners will be delighted with the opening of a 6,000 acre, multi-use, motorized recreation site. Located in Cambria and Clearfield Counties, the Rock Run Recreation Area is situated on land formerly owned by a coal company.

Once an environmental cleanup site, Rock Run offers more than 50 miles of trails and terrain suited to match all skill levels. In addition to ATVs and snowmobiles, the site welcomes off-highway motorcycles, equestrians, hikers and mountain bikers.

Support for the project included the state Departments of Environmental Protection for acquisition and the treatment systems, and Community and Economic Development for community planning in the surrounding area. Get the details on Rock Run Recreation Area and locate food, lodging and entertainment for your trip.

Explore the guide to ATV and snowmobile ownership and use in PA.

Grants to Enhance Security for Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations deemed at high risk for a potential international terrorist attack, and located in the City of Philadelphia, City of Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Delaware, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Montgomery, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland, are eligible to apply for security grants.

The PA Office of Homeland Security and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency are accepting grant applications for awards of up to $100,000 through June 11 for the 2007 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The $24 million in grant funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and made available nationwide for nonprofits meeting the following criteria:

Identification and substantiation (e.g., police reports or insurance claims) of prior threats or attacks against the nonprofit organization or directly related organizations (within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell;
Symbolic value of the site(s) as a highly recognized national or historical institution that renders the site a possible target of terrorism;
Role of the applicant nonprofit organization in responding to or recovering from terrorist attacks; or
Findings from previously conducted risk assessments including threat, vulnerability or consequence.

Link to critical information and instructions.