1. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. UWP 2017-18 Public Priorities Overview
January 2, 2019

2. . Election Results Overview of state election results
PA House and Senate balance of power
Review of House and Senate leadership
What does it mean for UWP priorities?
Overview of federal election results
Congressional balance of power and leadership
Donald Trump’s campaign promises that intersect with health, income and education and the charitable sector
Health care, tax reform, charitable giving incentives, block grants
January 2, 2019

3. PA 2-1-1 Northwest will have a soft launch and full launch in 2017
Early January for soft launch
Venango, Warren, and Erie counties
Mid-May for full launch
Crawford, Jefferson, Potter, and possibly McKean
UWP is asking for $1.5 million in state funding to support PA’s development
Looking for a 3-year commitment, with the potential to partner with the state to run certain projects/1-800 lines
Funding legislation sponsors
House: Rep. Stephen Bloom and Rep. Gene DiGirolamo
Senate: Sen. Patrick Browne
January 2, 2019

4. PA 2-1-1 Advocacy focus areas for 2-1-1: County contracts with 2-1-1
Veterans- Mission United
Opiate addiction services
Keeping people safe in their homes
PA Day Press Event
Thursday, February 9th at 10 a.m.
Press release available for members
Messaging for event to come
January 2, 2019

5. Early Childhood Education and Out-of-School Time
Continuing our call for state to increase investments in high quality early childhood education – partnering with Pre-K for PA campaign
At-risk children in our communities still don’t have access
Want to engage more United Way volunteer leaders in this effort
See talking points on research to support effectiveness of ECE
Branching out into out of school time activities, including summer learning, as another effective way to address the achievement gap
Statewide coordination among community partners and government agencies – study issues including quality and funding
Insert OST into ESSA planning discussions
Educate policymakers about the benefits of OST
January 2, 2019

6. Financial Stability
Support maintaining PA’s anti-predatory lending laws
Sen. Yudichak legislation update
State Earned Income Tax Credit
Support advocacy work around implementation of a state EITC, when timing is beneficial to this work
Background on state EITC
Federal Earned Income Tax Credit
Support expanding the EITC for workers raising children who are not at home, childless workers, and young people age 21-24
IRS updates on delayed processing
January 13- EITC Awareness Day
ACA repeal monitoring
UWW cohort on the issues
January 2, 2019

7. State Budgeting
Preview of factors which will affect the timeliness of the budget
Impasse prevention: allow funds to flow for essential services
Responsible budgeting: support funding for UWP priorities, advocate against cuts for human services
Impasse education: partner with other funders and service providers to develop a response in the event of an impasse
January 2, 2019

8. Updated UWP Public Policy Agenda
Discrimination in the workplace
UWP Supports: Inclusive employment policies, laws and regulations which prevent discrimination in the workplace based on race and ethnicity, actual or perceived race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, age and life experience, nationality and language, ancestry, veteran status, actual or perceived disability, mental or physical disability, genetic information, familial status, marital status or the reasonable use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids.
Criminal history made available to potential employers
UWP Supports: Laws which allow people previously convicted of misdemeanor offenses not related to violence towards other people and/or animals, sexual offenses, or weapons, to apply for employment without the criminal record being accessible by potential employers when the accused have served their sentence and remained crime free long enough to demonstrate their rehabilitation.
January 2, 2019

9. Advocacy Events UWP Hill Day Tuesday, March 21
Reception for Legislators-Evening of March 21st
Briefing webinar on Hill Day issues
Registration through UWP website-Upcoming
UWW Advocacy Forum and Hill Day
Tuesday, June 13th – Thursday, June 15th
January 2, 2019