Collaborative effort heightens understanding of overdose response 

Allegheny County’s Health Department and Palmer Pharmacy have offered free Narcan instruction to local residents.

Facilitators of the training clinic taught attendees how to identify signs of overdose and how they can administer the medicine in accordance with Good Samaritan laws.

In 2021 alone, there were 719 overdose deaths in Allegheny County, and it is the main cause of the nation’s mortality cases for those under age 50. 

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Multiple municipalities join battle against blight     

Seven Westmoreland County municipalities will receive $10.4 million in federal funding over a five-year period, with the goal of eliminating blight.

Hundreds of properties may be affected.

Demolition will make way for opportunities such as community gardens, new housing, and business development. 

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Seniors will receive more affordable housing options in Scranton  

FNCB Bank has invested more than $11 million in the Scranton Square project, which will consist of 36 affordable apartments for seniors.

The project is part of the bank’s Community Caring initiative and it will be completed in partnership with Quandel Enterprises.

It will also be supported through low-income housing tax credits via the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

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Virginia makes way for family leave benefits through private insurance   

Many states have adopted paid family leave programs through the use of public funds, though Virginia has pioneered the use of private insurance companies for these benefits.

This strategy allows employers to offer packages that allow for time away for issues such as health challenges, childbirth or adoption, and active military duty.

More than half the respondents in one poll reported that paid family leave would improve their financial security and help them continue to work.

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State-funded program benefits children and farmers 

The state-funded 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids & Farms program incentivizes farming while donating $.10 per meal to schools and early childhood education agencies in order for them to purchase and serve Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables to students.

Education systems have reported cost-savings resulting from the program, and the Michigan Farm Bureau has reported economic benefits as well.

The state’s legislature has since doubled funding for the program. 

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Agencies improve infrastructure through public-private partnerships   

New York City and Washington D.C. have entered public-private partnerships to enhance transportation services while conserving costs and mitigating risk.

They are using finding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure law to improve subway accessibility (in NYC) and convert street and alley lights to energy-efficient LEDs (Washington D.C.).

In both cases, private partners execute the primary projects and manage their maintenance.

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