New Law Allows for Faster Receipt of Childcare Background Clearances
Does your organization work with children? There's good news! Pennsylvanians applying for childcare clearances can now receive most results electronically, instead of through the U.S. mail, thanks to a new law passed earlier this session.
Act 12 of 2022 allows certain employers to conditionally hire an individual for up to 45 days before all required childcare clearances are obtained. The goal is to address the delay that employees who required childcare clearances were experiencing in receiving their paperwork via the U.S. mail. Because this process often took weeks, this prevented the timely hiring of employees and caused businesses and nonprofits to limit work and programs due to the inability to staff them.
However, in addition to this legislation, businesses also asked for help in obtaining FBI clearances electronically to reduce another logjam in the hiring process.
Legislators from both sides of the aisle worked for 18 months with state agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police to work this option out with the FBI.
As a result, FBI background checks can now be applied for online and an electronic result received in as quickly as one day. Prior to this fix, it could take anywhere from 3-13 weeks for an applicant to receive FBI results. The shortened time to receive results will further safeguard children, aid applicants in obtaining positions of employment, and will aid employers in filling vacancies of positions that serve children. In addition to any email notification, all applicants will still receive results transmitted by U.S. mail.
Here’s an overview of how to obtain childcare clearances online:
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification – apply online at Pennsylvania Child Welfare Information Solution.
Criminal background check performed by the Pennsylvania State Police – apply online at the ePATCH website.
FBI fingerprint background check – register online for fingerprint submission at identogo.com.
At this time, the National Sex Offender background check is not available to complete online.
Member News – December 14, 2022
Bloomsburg Children's Museum Awarded $27,500 PPL Foundation Grant
Congratulations to the Bloomsburg Children's Museum, who announced that these funds will support fostering a generation of female mentors in STEM. The title of the program is, "Student to volunteer to employee to leader to advocate: Fostering a generation of female mentors in STEM". The program aims to develop emergent female voices in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) with the goal of producing young women who will act as STEM ambassadors at the many events and programs the museum produces.
Guest Blog Post: How to Safely Heat Your Home
Check out this post from Zimmer Insurance!
Guest Blog Post: Three Lessons Manufacturers Learn from Nascar
Check out this guest post from IMC - Innovative Manufacturer's Center.
Guest Blog Post: Follow Safe Energy Practices for the Holidays
Check out this guest post from UGI Utilities!
McKonly & Asbury To Host Webinar ON Ethical Skills for Organizational Leaders
This free webinar on December 15th will discuss the unexpected benefits of an ethical work environment. Presenters will focus on ethical behaviors that set the “Tone at the Top” as well as employee’s personal benefits of peace of mind, trust, and good reputation. The webinar will also address the numerous employer benefits including improved employee morale, enhanced employee retention, increased employee productivity, and a greater focus on transparency throughout the organization. Click here to register.
CareerLink to Host "Zoom Your Way to Stress Management" - December 22, 2022
Benton Area, Columbia County - Floodplain Survey Due December 30, 2022
In October 2022, Columbia County released a two-page hard copy floodplain survey to the Benton Area titled, “Moving Towards Resiliency and Mitigation.” The mailing also included a Survey Monkey link to complete online. All hardcopy and online survey submissions are due to be submitted by December 30, 2022. Additional information will be provided, when available, at SEDA-COG and Columbia County Resiliency websites - https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/columbia-county-flood-mitigation-studies/ and http://columbiapa.org/resiliency/index.php.
Congratulations to Frank, at Camp Victory!
After 16 years of service, well-known maintenance man Frank will be retiring from his work at Camp Victory. Congratulations on your retirement, Frank!
Bloomsburg Featured in List of Top 5 Places to Visit
Recently, The Keystone featured Bloomsburg as a Top 5 Place to Visit in PA, and showcased the gallery and work of The Art Exchange's own Oren Helbok. Check it out!
IMC To Host January Webinars
IMC has announced two (free) upcoming webinars, called "Training Within Industry - Foundations of Job Instruction" (January 10) and "Building an Innovative Enterprise - An Introduction to Design Thinking" (January 17)
Bloomsburg Area YMCA To Offer Adaptive Recreation
SEDA-Council of Government Board Officers Elected
Board officers for SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) were elected at the Dec. 7 public meeting.
The 2023 SEDA-COG Board of Directors’ officers will be Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, President; Lycoming County Commissioner Scott Metzger, First Vice President; Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz, Second Vice President; Larry Reisinger of Perry County, Secretary; and Dennis Van Benthuysen of Snyder County, Treasurer.
The 2022 officers were Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish, President; Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, First Vice President; Montour County Commissioner Ken Holdren, Second Vice President; Larry Reisinger of Perry County, Secretary; and Dennis Van Benthuysen of Snyder County, Treasurer.
Higgins said he is looking forward to serving as board president in the new year. To learn more, visit www.seda-cog.org.
More Holiday Events...
Here's a list of upcoming events in our communities to continue celebrating the holiday season!
Berwick
- 12/30 - Blood Drive at Glen Brook Health & Rehabilitation Center
Joy Through the Grove
- 11/25 - 12/31 - (Except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Learn more.
A comprehensive list of holiday events is also available on the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau's website.
Broadband Access Listening Session Friday
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (Authority) Executive Director Brandon Carson today announced listening sessions will be held across the commonwealth beginning December 13 to give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to learn about the Authority, federal funding for broadband, and to hear about the important role they have in reviewing the new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadband access map. The map’s accuracy is crucial for the commonwealth to receive sufficient federal funding to ensure high-speed internet access for all Pennsylvanians.
“In today’s world, having access to high-speed internet is a necessity,” said Carson. “Pennsylvanians need broadband access for school, work, and to ensure public safety, and it is critical that we close the digital divide across the commonwealth. The more accurate we can make the FCC map, the more we ensure we get a fair allocation of federal funding to expand broadband.”
The FCC’s broadband access map shows all broadband serviceable locations across the United States where fixed broadband internet access service is or can be installed. The commonwealth’s allocation of funding for broadband deployment under the federal infrastructure law is dependent upon the map being accurate. Pennsylvanians should visit the map to search for their home address to determine whether the information listed by the FCC is accurate.
Listening Sessions
The Authority will host the following broadband listening session:
- Friday, December 16 at 10:00 AM – Union County
Hybrid listening session
In-person will be held at SEDA-Council of Governments, 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Click here to register and attend virtually
Process to Challenge Inaccuracies in the FCC Broadband Map
Challenges to the map can include:
- A location that meets the FCC’s definition of a broadband serviceable location is missing from the map.
- A location’s broadband serviceability is incorrectly identified.
- Information such as the address or unit count for the location is incorrect.
- The location’s placement (its geographic coordinates) is incorrect.
Pennsylvanians should challenge the map to help improve its accuracy by January 13, 2023. There are two ways to submit a challenge: by a single location, or in bulk. The location challenge can be completed by individual consumers utilizing the map itself. Bulk challengers will be required to use the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) platform to submit information to the FCC.
Additional information about the Consumer Challenge Process can be found here, and additional information on the Bulk Challenge Process can be found here. A consumer may also challenge mobile data coverage through the FCC Speed Test App – a free application that can be downloaded from an Apple or Google Play Store.
Governor Tom Wolf announced the creation of the Authority in February 2022 to manage at least $100 million in federal aid to coordinate the rollout of broadband across Pennsylvania. The Authority was charged with creating a statewide broadband plan and distributing federal and state monies for broadband expansion projects in unserved and underserved areas of the commonwealth.
For more information about the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the Authority’s website and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACT: Penny Ickes, dcedpress@pa.gov
PA Chamber: Misguided UC Report Misrepresents Key Facts
Source: PA Chamber of Business & Industry
The Keystone Research Center recently released an Unemployment Compensation report that misrepresents key facts about taxes paid by employers on employee wages, and PA Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Alex Halper issued the following comments to set the record straight:
“Unemployment compensation is a critical safety net to help individuals who were laid off through no fault of their own as they actively seek new employment. We agree with the Keystone Research Center that Pennsylvanians need a financially stable system. Unfortunately, their recently released report calls for potentially massive tax increases on employers and misrepresents key facts to reach a misguided conclusion.
“The report refers to the amount of wages on which employers pay taxes per employee, known as the ‘taxable wage base.’ In Pennsylvania, the taxable wage base is $10,000. The report repeatedly claims that this amount is too low and is “less than 33 states and far below Washington State’s $62,500.
“The Keystone Research Center leaves out the key fact that employer taxes are based on both the ‘taxable wage base’ and the rate paid on those wages. According to the most recent U.S. Department of Labor data, Pennsylvania has the number one highest rate paid on those wages in the country.
“In fact, Pennsylvania employers pay the 14th highest average UC tax rate in the country; higher than 36 other states…including Washington State.
“The fact is that Pennsylvania employers invest considerably into the UC system – far more than most states. Policymakers should reject any proposal that seeks to achieve a more financially stable system by simply raising taxes on employers.
“We look forward to engaging in constructive, honest discussions and working with the legislature, Gov.-Elect Shapiro and his administration, UC stakeholders, and advocates on policies to improve the UC system.”
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Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.
Department of Labor Receives Chamber Feedback
Last Friday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce successfully submitted the comments from almost 200 associations, chambers of commerce (including the Columbia Montour Chamber) and businesses to the U.S. Department of Labor opposing the recent proposed regulation which would redefine how to classify employees and independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The big picture: the proposed regulation is biased towards finding employee status, and therefore will upend millions of successful, legitimate independent contractor relationships.
For more information on this important issue, please visit www.SaveFlexWork.com and feel free to contact Tom Sullivan at TSullivan@uschamber.com by email with any questions.
Promote New Year Events in January ChamberPack!
December can be a sneaky month - you're excited to celebrate the holidays and wrap up 2022, and before you know it, the New Year is upon you!
We don't want you to miss the opportunity to kick off an outstanding 2023, so we're reminding all members that you can increase the awareness of your promotions, offers, or regular business services in the next ChamberPack mailing, slated for January. ChamberPack is a cost-effective way to get your information to the Chamber's 400+ members. Just provide copies, and we'll take care of compiling and sending the mailing. The next ChamberPack will be mailed just after we ring in the New Year. Remember, your fliers are due at the Chamber by January 20th!
Call the Chamber at 570-784-2522 to reserve your space or click here for more information.
2022 Holiday Open House
The Chamber’s 2022 Holiday Open House was another smashing success, thanks to the contributions of our incredible sponsors and the work of excellent volunteers. Special thanks to the Chamber’s Premier Sponsor, Montour Solar One, and Santa’s Workshop Sponsor, My Benefit Advisor and World Kinect.
As 300 guests poured into the Pine Barn Inn last Tuesday evening, some at the behest of our Angel Sponsor and shuttle service from Susquehanna Valley Limousine, they were greeted by an incredible spread of food, drink, prizes and fun.
We say prizes of course, because of the generous offerings of so many raffle prize donors, whose gifts made the 50/50 and raffle a wonderful success. Prizes this year included 10 gift certificates from Steph’s Subs, as well as gift certificates from Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Towne Camera, Quaker Steak & Lube, a one-night stay at The Elmdale Inn, a pie dish from Renco Ace Hardware, a bicycle helmet from the Dutch Wheelman, and incredible prizes from the Bloomsburg Fair Association, including two family four packs with parking passes and a grandstand prize pack. Four of our flower arrangements were also raffled off during the evening. What a spread!
The event’s food offerings were just as generous this year, and featured top-notch selections from our host, The Pine Barn Inn, as well as the samplings of the Chamber’s Angel Sponsors, who included the Columbia Montour Area Vocational & Technical School’s culinary arts program, Craft Catering, The Farmhouse at Turkey Hill and Turkey Hill Brewing, Freas Farm Winery, Steph’s Subs, Shanty Secrets and Wild for Salmon.
A photo booth, set up by new member and Angel Sponsor Something Borrowed by T + M, made the evening’s photos a festive affair, while gorgeous flower arrangements from Angel Sponsor Blossoms in Bloom by Megan, adorned our tables, serving as centerpieces.
Repeating a tradition that has brought smiles to many, the Chamber once again opened our “Holiday Cheer Bar”, sponsored by Lions Gate Apartments. Guests who came to this complimentary bar generously contributed tips which are to be donated to three area nonprofits. This year, the nonprofits selected were the Women’s Center of Columbia and Montour Counties, Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. and the Chamber’s Foundation. Special thanks to Tim Wagner, Amy Gaffney, and the ladies of the Lions Gate team, who tended bar to benefit these nonprofits.
Throughout the evening, a number of additional volunteers, namely your Chamber Ambassadors, contributed to the success of the event. Special thanks to Ambassadors Lauren Duane, Sandy Cole, Ruth Wardrop, Ray & Laura Haden, and Michelle Boone. Additional thanks to Kali Berleth, Amy Gaffney and Carly Stout, who assisted throughout the evening with photos and more. Brenda Flanagan, the Chamber's Administrative Assistant, and Foundation Director Jeff Emanuel also played a vital role in the success of the event.
Thanks for a great event, stay tuned for more opportunities to connect with members!
Welcome New Member – Wrk Inside Out, LLC
The Columbia Montour Chamber is pleased to welcome Wrk Inside Out, LLC, as its newest member. While the health and wellness industry promises quick fixes and focuses on extreme elimination, restriction, and forced ideology that makes the ultimate indicator of health a scale, Wrk Inside Out stands out from the crowd.
Owner and coach Jess Fester works to help her clients do three things: embrace food, embrace movement, and embrace life so that they can live it more abundantly. With Jess, you'll do this by improving physical, mental, emotional, environmental, existential, and relational health.
Find out what works best for you to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Life is hard enough by itself, let alone trying to force something that doesn’t consider all of who you are and what you currently do on a day to day basis. Wrk Inside Out is not designed to be a quick fix, but if you embrace the journey you will take all that you have learned and use it for the rest of your life.
Using both online and in-person coaching and training options, Jess is ready to help you meet your goals!
Member News – December 7, 2022
Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society Receives $650,000.00 State Grant
Congrats to the CCHGS, who with these funds will purchase the former PNC Bank building on the corner of Main and Market Streets in Bloomsburg. This is a strategic location choice for the Historical Society, being right next door to the Bloomsburg Public Library and right across from the Columbia County Courthouse. A location right across from the Courthouse allows easy access for those needing access to historic files and records kept by the Historical Society. The new location will also allow much more room to display many items currently kept in storage, as well as avail free parking to Society visitors.
Bloomsburg Children's Museum Receives $250,000.00 State Grant
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum applied for grant funding for the purpose of expanding current services and offering new programming. This popular attraction has simply outgrown its current footprint so this grant will be of significant help in helping it to expand and better serve the high number of visitors.
Guest Blog Post: State Farm Announces Reduction in Animal Collisions in 2022
Check out this post and the newest auto claims data, which shows a 5.5% reduction in collisions.
Jack Frost Nipping at Your Nose...
Here's a list of upcoming events in our communities to continue celebrating the holiday season!
Benton
- Join N4Cs for Brunch with Santa is THIS Saturday! Join from 10:00-12:00 for some fun Christmas activities, and a visit with Santa! This event is FREE and open to anyone. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the front desk 570-925-0163 or email Danielle at danielle@n4cs.org
Berwick
- 12/10 - 5:00pm - Winterfest in downtown Berwick
- 12/30 - Blood Drive at Glen Brook Health & Rehabilitation Center
Bloomsburg
- 12/7 - Holiday Open House at Brookdale Bloomsburg.
- 12/9, and 12/10 - Santa visits Renco Ace Hardware! Photos are free, but Renco is requesting consideration - that customers bring a nonperishable food item or monetary gift for AGAPE's Food Bank.
- 12/10 - Holiday Community Open House at Lions Gate.
- 12/11 - 13th Annual Community Free Christmas Dinner at the Caldwell Consistory.
Danville
- Since it rained during the Hometown Holiday Market event, Danville invites you to Late Shopper’s Night on Friday, December 9 from 6-8pm. Festivities include coffee & hot cocoa from Bason's Coffee Roasting in Canal Park or inside their store. Follow the Facebook event for more information.
Joy Through the Grove
- 11/25 - 12/31 - (Except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Learn more.
A comprehensive list of holiday events is also available on the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau's website.
Service 1st Retirement & Investment Center to Offer Free "Road to Retirement" Webinar
MCKONLY & ASBURY HOSTING WEBINAR ON ETHICAL SKILLS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS
This free webinar on December 15th will discuss the unexpected benefits of an ethical work environment. Presenters will focus on ethical behaviors that set the “Tone at the Top” as well as employee’s personal benefits of peace of mind, trust, and good reputation. The webinar will also address the numerous employer benefits including improved employee morale, enhanced employee retention, increased employee productivity, and a greater focus on transparency throughout the organization. Click here to register.
Benton Area, Columbia County - Floodplain Survey Due December 30, 2022
In October 2022, Columbia County released a two-page hard copy floodplain survey to the Benton Area titled, “Moving Towards Resiliency and Mitigation.” The mailing also included a Survey Monkey link to complete online. All hardcopy and online survey submissions are due to be submitted by December 30, 2022. Additional information will be provided, when available, at SEDA-COG and Columbia County Resiliency websites - https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/columbia-county-flood-mitigation-studies/ and http://columbiapa.org/resiliency/index.php.
IMC Announces January Webinars
IMC has announced two (free) upcoming webinars, called "Training Within Industry - Foundations of Job Instruction" (January 10) and "Building an Innovative Enterprise - An Introduction to Design Thinking" (January 17)
Bloomsburg Area YMCA To Offer Adaptive Recreation
Representative Culver Opens Danville Office
Danville – State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Snyder) invites residents of the 108th Legislative District to stop by her new Danville district office, which opened Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Montour County Administration Building, 435 E. Front St., Danville.
Effective December 1, Representative Culver represents all of Montour County due to redistricting. As part of the new 108th District, she will also serve as the voice in the state House for the City of Sunbury, as well as the following Northumberland County municipalities: the townships of Delaware, East Chillisquaque, Lewis, Point, Rockefeller, Rush, Turbot, Upper Augusta and West Chillisquaque; and the boroughs of McEwensville, Milton, Northumberland, Riverside, Snydertown, Turbotville and Watsontown.
The Danville office will be open weekdays from 1-4 p.m. Culver will also maintain her Sunbury district office at 300 Washington Ave., which is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and her Milton satellite office, which is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the borough office building at 2 Filbert St.
For more information about legislation, or any other state-related issue, contact Culver’s Sunbury district office by calling 570-286-5885, or toll-free at 1-800-924-9060. Information can also be found online at RepCulver.com or Facebook.com/RepCulver.
Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver
108th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
Slittle@pahousegop.com
LyndaCulver.com / Facebook.com/RepCulver