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In this Update:
Free Career Kick-Start Event for Women
I am partnering with Pennsylvania Women Work to host Career Kick-Start on Friday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Frank Sarris Public Library, 35 N. Jefferson Ave., Canonsburg. Participants will learn how to identify professional skills and strengths and communicate them on a resume and in interviews, as well as how to find and apply for job openings. They will be able to learn about employment opportunities, take a free professional headshot and meet individually with a career coach to refine their resume. Tina Kreuzer, a 2024 Career Kick-Start participant, said, “After attending the program, I saw a two-fold increase in responses to my resume, leading to more interviews and ultimately multiple job offers. The result – I transitioned to a new career in an incredibly competitive job market. I wholeheartedly endorse this program because it is comprehensive, practical and incredibly encouraging.” Space is limited. Women who are interested are asked to register online at www.pawomenwork.org/event/career-kick-start-3. Please call 412-742-4362 with any questions. Focus on the 46th
State Rep. Tim O’Neal and I recently toured Presbyterian SeniorCare Network’s Southmont third floor rehab neighborhood at their skilled nursing community in Washington. I was truly impressed. What stood out most was their commitment to continuous improvement through a model called LeanForward. This approach aims to remove waste, solve problems at the source, and keep working toward better care. At Southmont, this happens every day at their “Huddle Board,” where the care team meets at the start of each shift to focus on resident safety and outcomes. Michelle, who is referred to as a “Lean Extraordinaire”, explained how these daily huddles help the team dig deeper. They don’t just ask what happened when something goes wrong – they ask why. Rather than blaming anyone, they look at systems, processes, and equipment to prevent problems from recurring. Their goal is simple but powerful: zero resident falls. One of the most meaningful examples was a “note to self” card. Residents are encouraged to write down their own promise to stay safe, such as using the call button before getting up. One resident said that writing it himself made it more meaningful than just being told. This small, personal step has already led to real results. It’s a strong reminder that dignity and independence matter at every stage of life. At the same time, it’s clear that organizations like Presbyterian SeniorCare face serious challenges. Unpredictable Medicaid reimbursements and workforce mandates that don’t always align with patient needs are major concerns. These issues affect not only providers but also seniors’ access to care in our communities. That’s why I’ve signed on to Senate Bill 692 to bring much-needed predictability and stability to Medicaid funding, so providers can focus on delivering quality care instead of navigating uncertainty.
AP (Advanced Placement) allows students the chance to tackle college-level work while they’re still in high school and earn college credit and placement. I had a wonderful opportunity to visit a group of motivated AP students at Canon-McMillan High School as they continue to prepare for their upcoming AP exams in May. I spoke about my role as a state senator and fielded a ton of great questions from the students! Thank you, Colleen Sciorilli, for letting me visit your classroom and learn about the students’ experiences with AP!
Congratulations to North Strabane Township on the opening of your beautiful new municipal building. This building is more than just administration offices; it’s a community and recreation center. This space will serve families for generations and help create lasting memories. I am proud to have played a small part in helping secure funding for such an important investment in our future.
I am so proud and excited to celebrate some outstanding students from Greene and Washington Counties who earned Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Litter Hawk Youth Awards. These young girls are making a real difference by using their creativity to show why it’s important to keep our communities clean and beautiful. My office presented Senate Citations in Harrisburg to our Sixth Grade First Place winners (pictured on the left): Beckett, Emalee, and Teegan from West Greene School District for creating a video public service announcement, and I encourage everyone to watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=HYxZNHoatWE Rylissa couldn’t make the trip, but we are just as proud of her contributions to this achievement! We also welcomed Amelia (pictured on the right), an adorable and creative second-grader from Washington County, who earned Second Place in her category for her “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful” poster. This is an amazing accomplishment at such a young age. With over 500 entries, this program shows the passion and creativity of students from kindergarten through 6th grade across Pennsylvania. Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, it reminds us that even our youngest citizens are helping to protect and care for our environment.
In March, I was so grateful to welcome Darrilyn McCrerey, Michael Brownlee, and Sara Cannon from The Arc of Washington PA to my district office, along with two incredible self-advocates, Steven and Rose, as we wrap up Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This Awareness Month is a time to recognize the importance of inclusion and to celebrate individuals with developmental disabilities. As we discussed in our meeting, though, this mission is bigger than just one month. We need to ensure opportunity, independence, and dignity all year long. Steven and Rose shared firsthand perspectives about their daily lives, including what’s working, what isn’t, and where we can improve. They talked about access to reliable public transportation, challenges in healthcare staffing, and the importance of safety and independence in their communities. Their voices matter, and I’m grateful they spoke so openly. We also had an important conversation about the growing role of technology. Communication tools help individuals express themselves more independently, and smart home features and educational resources are opening new doors. However, cost and accessibility are still barriers we need to address. Most importantly, this meeting reminded us that every individual’s experience is unique, and our policies should reflect that. Listening to those directly affected is essential to getting it right. Thank you again to The Arc, Steven, and Rose for an engaging and meaningful discussion. Your advocacy is making a difference, and I look forward to continuing this important work together. Reducing Aggressive Driving, Protecting Pedestrians the Focus of Senate Hearing
Law enforcement agencies, transportation officials and community advocates discussed initiatives to discourage aggressive driving and make roads safer for pedestrians, fellow motorists and cyclists at a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. The most effective and comprehensive approach to reducing aggressive driving involves a combination of engineering, education, enforcement and emergency response strategies, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The department collaborates with the Pennsylvania State Police, local governments, universities and other organizations to combat aggressive driving. You can read what other testifiers said and view the full hearing video here. Beware of Investment Scams on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp
Fraudulent investment schemes are appearing on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp featuring recognizable figures, like Cathie Wood (Ark Invest), Joe Kernen (CNBC) or Kevin O’Leary (CNBC) without their permission. In these “pump and dump” schemes, victims are lured into online groups and convinced to invest in cryptocurrencies or low-priced stocks. The scammers advertise, hype and recommend buying the stocks or cryptocurrencies, increasing their prices, and then sell when the price is high, while the victims lose their money. Attorney General Dave Sunday encourages anyone who may have been a victim of these types of scams to report it to the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov. Women Veterans Invited to Submit Their Stories of Service
Women who served in the armed forces are encouraged to register by May 8 for a state Capitol ceremony honoring their service. The 4th annual Women Veterans Day Commemoration will be held on Wednesday, June 10. Women veterans across the commonwealth are invited to submit entries for a display featuring each participant’s likeness alongside a personal reflection on “What Service Means to Me.” In advance of the in-person ceremony, a virtual display will be accessible online beginning June 8 at the website of the event’s host, SenatorPennycuick.com. To submit a biography and be featured in the display, click here. For additional information or assistance with registration, call 215-541-2388. Area Creameries Encouraged to Join the PA Ice Cream Trail
Area creameries have until this Monday, April 13, to get listed on the 2026 PA Ice Cream Trail. Last year’s promotion brought more than 12,500 visitors to creameries statewide. The PA Ice Cream Trail runs from June to September and is designed to increase consumer awareness of locally produced dairy products. The program includes a digital passport featuring creameries across the state and a prize for those who visit a certain number of creameries. Pennsylvania dairy farms that have a value-added ice cream component to their business and meet the qualifications of the PA Preferred® program are encouraged to join the trail. Find out how to participate at the Center for Dairy Excellence. Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to learn how to identify abused or neglected children. You could save a child’s innocence or even their life. Signs of child abuse include unexplained injuries or injuries inconsistent with a child’s age and developmental level. Signs of child neglect include lack of adequate medical and dental care, or a child who is often hungry or not registered in school. Find more signs of abuse and neglect here. If you suspect child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.
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