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Conference Agenda is Posted and Registration Opens July 1
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Why this Conference? Why Now?
Money plays a critical role in our daily lives. Unfortunately, many people have not had the opportunity to learn effective money management skills.
As we seek to help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence, we need to provide them with financial education so that they will have the tools they need to plan for their own financial futures.
Let's Come Together as a Community!
Change cannot happen in a vacuum. Change occurs only when many people across different sectors come together for a common purpose. That's why we need you to join with us!
You will learn:
- The key topic areas that are included within financial education;
- The importance of integrating financial education in our schools and community programs for better employment and independent living outcomes;
- The difference between financial education and financial planning;
- The unique challenges that individuals with disabilities face around money matters and the tools that are available to address these issues;
- The financial education resources that are available to Pennsylvanians;
- The touchpoint opportunities for delivering financial education (e.g. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Home and Community-Based Service waiver programs); and
- The ways programs like PATF's Money Club can empower people with disabilities to gain financial capability and become self-advocates.
The conference is a one-day, free, accessible event open to the public. Registration is required. A limited number of scholarships are available to people with disabilities and their families to help defray the cost of travel and lodging. Certificates of completion will be available.
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Almost $1.5M Extended in Consumer Loans to Pennsylvanians with Disabilities for Assistive Technology in 2018
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PATF Celebrates Its Successes in 2018 and Releases its 2018-2019 Annual Report that Outlines the Organization's Latest Accomplishments, Including the Publication of
Funding Your Assistive Technology: A Guide to Funding Resources in Pennsylvania.
Harrisburg (June 3, 2019)- The latest accomplishments of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) were highlighted at a press conference held today at the Capitol Rotunda at 10:30 a.m., hosted by Nancy Murray, President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh/ACHIEVA and the in-coming Board President of PATF, and Susan Tachau, Chief Executive Officer of PATF.
PATF continues to achieve outstanding results for individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians, helping them purchase the assistive technology (AT) devices and services they need. The program leverages a small amount of public funding into a large number of loans that strengthen our communities. In addition, the repayment of loans from past borrowers provides funding for future borrowers. Remarkably, even though PATF makes many non-traditional loans, its loan loss rate for the last year is only 2.1%, which is better than the industry nonperformance average.
Through loans valued at more than $36M ($1.5M in 2018) and with over 14,000 Pennsylvanians helped since its founding in 1998, PATF is the only Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in Pennsylvania that extends consumer loans to individuals with disabilities and their families.
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| PATF Receives $30,000 Grant to Help More People with Disabilities Achieve Independence |
King of Prussia, PA (June 26, 2019) -- The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) at 1004 Ninth Avenue in King of Prussia, PA has received a $30,000 grant from the Harriet W. and Benjamin O. Frick Memorial Fund, the Grace K. Snyder Fund, the Alice Shoemaker Fund, the Ruth Purinton Fund, the Parke Sherer Fund, the Robert Toland Fund, the Older Adult Fund, and the William S. Lindsey Fund of
The Philadelphia Foundation to expand its financial products into southeast Pennsylvania. Announcement of the grant was made by Pedro A. Ramos, President and CEO of the Foundation.
Susan Tachau, Chief Executive Officer of PATF, said the funds would be used to increase the number of people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians in southeast Pennsylvania who will be able to finance the assistive technology (AT) they need in order to lead more independent lives. "AT is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities," said Tachau. AT devices may include such items as:
- Adapted Vehicles;
- Computers, iPads, and tablet software and hardware;
- Smart home technology such as (but not limited to) the Amazon Echo, Google Home, Nest, Ring, etc.;
- Adapted sports equipment;
- Hearing aids and other devices for people who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing;
- Home modifications (ramps, showers, counter tops);
- Scooters and wheelchairs;
- Seat lift chairs; and
- Safety and security devices.
Through loans valued at more than $38 million and with over 14,000 Pennsylvanians helped since its founding in 1998, PATF is considered one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive Alternative Financing Programs (AFP). To learn more about PATF's loan products, financial education curriculum, and development services, please visit
www.patf.us.
About The Philadelphia Foundation
The Philadelphia Foundation has a century-long history of connecting community-minded individuals with the people and organizations that are helping to build a Greater Philadelphia Region. With deep relationships in the community and intimate knowledge of local nonprofits, the Philadelphia Foundation collaborates with individuals, families and businesses to magnify charitable and philanthropic impact. From Ben Franklin's civic gift of 1,000 pounds sterling to Gerry Lenfest's endowment for independent journalism, the Philadelphia Foundation stewards legacies that strengthen the place we call home, improving lives today and for future generations.
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Free Workshop: DIY Get Smart About Smart Homes
How can you make your home...smarter? An explosion of new IoT (Internet of Things) devices promises to make it possible for individuals with disabilities to have greater control over their lives and homes. Smart home technology can do such things as turn on/off lights and fans, identify who's at the door and allow entry, control thermostats, make phone calls and more! While some of these devices are customized, many are generic, which means that they can be purchased off-the-shelf. This often makes them more affordable and easier-to-use. This presentation will focus on defining and learning about generic smart home devices as well as exploring funding possibilities.
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Free Webinars: Learn about the PA ABLE Savings Program
A PA ABLE Savings Program account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage Eligible Individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.
To help you learn about the important features and benefits of PA ABLE, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is hosting free webinars.
Some of the topics that we will discuss include: eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.
Webinars will be held:
- Wednesday, July 10, 2019 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Wednesday, August 14, 2019 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Upcoming Events
Through the Department of Agriculture, Erie County residents 60 years of age and older may be eligible to receive vouchers totaling $20 to purchase fruits and vegetables from Farmer's Market Stands. FMNP offers four $5 vouchers to be utilized at any of the 52 local participant vendors. The program runs from June through September.
FREE admission, door prizes, health screenings, educational seminars and refreshments too! Exhibitors from government agencies and senior citizen organizations will be on hand.
Neighborhood Collaboration & Connection: Focusing on Senior Housing
Bringing area Service Coordinators, Community Managers, Senior Center Directors and Community Partners together to network, share best practices and learn to better service Older Adults in Greene, Washington & Fayette Counties. Professional Trainings with PATF and Washington Health Systems Case Management: Transitioning from Hospital to Home.
Learn more and RSVP: Jessie Moore -
jmoore@srcare.org
724.223.5685 RaeShell Pinson -
rpinson@srcare.org
724.916.0359
Penn State Ag Progress Days
Pennsylvania's largest outdoor agricultural exposition features the latest technology and research exhibits, educational programs, and guided tours.
Senator Vogel's 55+ Senior Expo
Save the date!
Vision for the Future will bring together individuals with disabilities, family members, service providers, nonprofit organizations, and policy makers to discuss, collaborate, and learn about financial education. The conference is a one-day, free, accessible event open to the public. Registration is required. A limited number of scholarships are available to people with disabilities and their families to help defray the cost of travel and lodging. Certificates of completion will be available.
AgrAbility Regional Training Workshop
Information will be added to
AgrAbilityPA website in the coming weeks.
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There are Lots of Ways to Make a Difference
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You Shop, AmazonSmile Gives
United Way
Give to the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and designate PATF by writing in donor choice #13064 in the comment section on the form.
Donate
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