Sign up for diabetes program
People affected with type II diabetes can join a new diabetes education and management program being formed at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave.
The program is free to the public.
The program will offer access to health and wellness programs, exercise classes, access to diabetes-friendly meals and personalized care plans.
Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, resulting in high levels of sugar in the bloodstream. Diabetes is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, poor blood circulation to the legs, damage to the eyes, feet and kidneys.
For additional information and to find out if you qualify to join the group, call 215-698-7300, Ext. 195 or email igulko@kleinlife.org. ••
Holy Family has new Center for Teaching and Learning
Holy Family University has announced the appointment of Lisa A. Ratmansky to serve as executive director of the University’s new Center for Teaching and Learning.
In addition to a career spent enhancing student learning and faculty development, Ratmansky brings extensive experience in the creation and oversight of Centers like these.
The Center for Teaching and Learning will partner with faculty and staff from across the campus to enhance student support with the goal of increasing student success.
The CTL will work collaboratively with other offices to provide mission-centered student services, combining tutoring with counseling and career coaching. The Center will also augment co-mentoring opportunities for faculty to explore emerging educational technologies and modalities, further scholarly research in collaboration with peers and examine cutting-edge pedagogies.
Ratmansky joins Holy Family from Cabrini University, where she last served as director of its Center for Inquiry, Teaching & Scholarship. The recipient of multiple teaching awards, Ratmansky also served as the writing center coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania and then taught academic writing full-time in both Harvard University’s and Princeton University’s writing programs. ••
AHCU offering home-buying grants
American Heritage Credit Union is partnering with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh to offer members up to $5,000 in grants through the First Front Door program. These grants are designed to help first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs associated with the purchase and financing of a home. For every $1 contributed, qualified homebuyers could receive up to $3 in First Front Door grant assistance, up to a maximum of $5,000.
American Heritage is accepting mortgage pre-qualifications and applications for the annual First Front Door program. American Heritage also provides its members with the Home Connections program, in which eligible members can earn up to a 10% reward when they finance their new home through the Credit Union’s realtor, American Heritage Realty.
Interested first-time homebuyers can learn more about earning up to a $5,000 grant through the First Front Door program as well as the 10% reward Home Connection program by visiting www.americanheritagecu.org/FFD.
In addition to applying for a mortgage pre-qualification, members can learn more about the Home Connection program and download the Homebuyers’ Guide. Grant funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ••
House passes Murt bill that would extend special ed certification
The state House of Representatives has passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Thomas Murt (R-152nd dist.) to give students the appropriate time to complete their dual-degree program and obtain their education certifications.
“Students who began their dual-degree program in the fall of 2018 will not be able to complete the program that they already started because the special education certification will change six months before they graduate,” Murt said. “The bottom line is Act 82 did not provide a transition system or allow for certification overlap.”
House Bill 2046 would delay implementation of Act 82 special education certification by one year, starting Dec. 31, 2022, rather than Dec. 31, 2021. The extended timeframe will allow students who began a dual-degree, four-year program in the fall of 2018 to complete their elementary and special education coursework.
“This legislation will allow that transition time so that these students will be able to receive their certificates they have been working so hard to obtain, instead of having to forgo them just six months before they graduate,” Murt said.
The legislation is now being considered by the state Senate. ••
