Grant Memo: June 4 Read more
LANCASTER, June 2 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, will hold a public safety fair from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Manheim Township Fire Rescue – 1399 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster. “I wanted to offer residents of all ages resources on all aspects of public safety, from traffic to fires to bicycles to mental health and more,” Rivera said. “I am grateful that wonderful community partners like Manheim Township Fire Rescue, Penn Medicine LGH and others are going to be there to answer questions and offer resources to help people stay safe, including tips on safe driving, fire prevention and practices that support good mental health.” Safety information related to traffic, fires, bikes, mental health, fall preventions and emergency preparedness will be available along with FREE safety items while supplies last. Participating groups include Manheim Township Fire Rescue, Penn Medicine LGH, PA Fish & Boat Commission (with animal demonstrations), Mental Health America and others. Residents interested in attending are encouraged to register for this event via RepRivera@pahouse.net (include name and home address) or call 717-295-3157. Read more
LANCASTER, June 2 - State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter to host The Lancaster Hispanic Summit on Alzheimer’s & Dementia from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10 at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Multipurpose Activity Center, 750 E. King St., Lancaster. “I wanted to co-host this important event to provide critical information about Alzheimer’s prevention as approximately 13% of Hispanics who are 65 or older have Alzheimer’s or another dementia,” Rivera said. “This summit will be an opportunity for attendees to learn about preventative care as well as be a place where they can share their difficulties trying to get health care, from facing outright discrimination to failing to find health care practitioners who understand their racial or ethnic background and experiences. “As Alzheimer’s disease rates are projected to triple by 2060 with Hispanics predicted to have the largest increase, we need to make sure that people have critical knowledge how they can prevent developing Alzheimer’s as well as being able to recognize the signs of the onset of the disease.” Rivera said the summit will be an opportunity for attendees to learn about preventative care and learn about how the disease impacts the Hispanic community while sharing their own difficulties trying to get health care and finding health care Read more
Dear Neighbor, We’re Hiring! Our Lancaster office is hiring for a full-time Constituent Services Advisor. You can apply here: Constituent Services Advisor | Job Details tab | Career Pages . Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training) Grant Who May Apply: All residential facilities, community-based, and/or juvenile probation office providers that are not currently PACTT Affiliates and serve primarily adjudicated delinquent youth. Use: Applicants must ensure that the proposed program and associated expenses directly align with the PACTT affiliation areas (Academics, Job Skills Training, or Work-Related Services) the agency intends to pursue Funds: A total of $160,000 in state JRI funds is being announced to support this initiative among residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments. PCCD expects to fund eight grants with budgets not to exceed $20,000 over a 12-month project period. Application Deadline: July 7, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others Use: Create or obtain business plans, management strategies, transition plans, ownership plans, or plans to maintain the long-term economic viability of a farm. Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in grant funding. Individual grants shall not exceed $15,000. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted. More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more
Rivera Spring 2025 NL Read more
May 13 Read more
May 7 Grant Memo Read more
HARRISBURG, May 6 -- State Rep. Nikki Rivera’s bill that would update Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Program statutory language with recovery-oriented terminology passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 201-2. “Words matter. Too many people suffering from substance use disorders don’t seek the help they need due to stigmatizing language surrounding the condition,” Rivera said. “Though positive, recovery-oriented programs in treatment and prevention are the standard, DDAP’s archaic and negative statutory language is perpetuating negative stereotypes about substance abuse. The department should be leading the way in discussing substance abuse in today’s evidence-based and recovery-focused terms. Substance use is a treatable disease and should be discussed as such to promote treatment. “As DDAP plays a central role in the commonwealth’s response to the substance use crisis, I’ve worked with the agency to introduce this legislation that updates the language defining the department’s duties with recovery-oriented language that promotes dignity, respect, and greater access to care and substance abuse disorders as chronic but treatable conditions. “The commonwealth needs to model the supportive approach to treating substance abuse disorders so that families and communities can provide the necessary support to those struggling with substance abuse,” Rivera said. Read more
Dear Neighbor, May is Teacher Appreciation Month Our office has received several nominations for Teacher Appreciation Month. This week we will highlight the first nominations. Our first nomination shared the following message regarding their nominations: Selecting a single teacher for this year's award has proven challenging. My family and I have been fortunate to receive love and support from many exceptional teachers in Manheim Township, and we believe their dedication deserves recognition. Kamsi Odume, a third-grader at Bucher Elementary School, nominates the following teachers for Teachers Appreciation Day: Nancy Copper (Gifted Program), Mrs. Rychener (3rd Grade), Miss Wolfe (Substitute), Mr. Bransby (PE), and Mrs. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Watershed Planning and Restoration Grant Who May Apply: Incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities. Use: Examples of eligible projects include existing WIP revision or updates and design and construction of BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, streambank fencing, agricultural erosion and sediment control and nutrient and manure management practices; animal waste storage systems, animal concentration area/animal heavy use area protection and barnyard runoff controls; design and construction of stormwater control measures; AMD treatment systems and other projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired. Funds: Funds are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and authorized through Section 319(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Application Deadline: June 20, 2025 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Grant Who May Apply: Counties Use: To update a county’s Act 167 plan. Funds: Funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 state budget and grants will range from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the county’s Read more
HARRISBURG, April 22 - State Rep. Nikki Rivera’s bill to make sure older Pennsylvanians do not lose their eligibility for the state’s prescription drug programs (H.B. 923) unanimously passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support. Co-sponsored with state Rep. Shelby Labs, R-Bucks, the legislation would extend the moratorium on Social Security cost-of-living adjustments for PACE and PACENET eligibility to Dec. 31, 2027. The current moratorium on COLA adjustments is Dec. 31 of this year. According to Rivera, the Social Security COLA for 2025 is currently 2.5%. Without extending the moratorium, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would lose their coverage. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would move to PACENET, losing their lower copayment and their PACE-paid Part D premium. “These programs—PACE and PACENET—provide lifesaving services at a greatly reduced cost to a population that lives on fixed incomes,” Rivera said. “They make it possible so that a quarter of a million seniors, many of whom require multiple medications to treat different chronic conditions, can purchase life-saving medications without having to go into medical debt, or, even worse, decide they must forgo treatment. “Unfortunately, there’s a problem maintaining eligibility when Social Security cost-of-living increases go up, with over 20,000 seniors then no longer qualifying for their prescription plans. “I was proud to Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program (ARLE Program) Who May Apply: Local governments, planning organizations, or Commonwealth agencies. Use: Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, roadway safety, mobility, and capacity upgrades, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, local technical assistance program projects, and traffic signal improvements. Funds: PennDOT anticipates $32 million available with the intent of funding worthwhile projects that can be completed at a relatively low cost. Application Deadline: A pre-application scoping form is required to be submitted by April 30, 2025. Feedback will be provided by May 31, 2025. The application period will be open from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025. More information: PennDOT Website Department of Community and Economic Development: COVID-19 ARPA Digital Connectivity Technology Program Who May Apply: Public-facing institutions, to include but not limited to, libraries, schools, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and other community anchor institutions located in areas where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use. Use: The acquisition of digital connectivity technology that facilitates broadband internet access and promotes digital literacy and skills training. These devices will be Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Funds Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to state, county, or municipal forensic crime laboratories to support activities that improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services. Use: To improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services throughout Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on combating opioids and synthetic drugs through laboratory accreditation, the certification of forensic scientists, and the purchase of laboratory equipment. Funds: A total of approximately $785,000 in federal Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvements funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund four to six grants with budgets not to exceed $185,000 over the 15-month project period. Application Deadline: April 10, 2025 More information: PCCD Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department Read more
Join us at our FREE Shredding Event at the Lancaster Airport on March 22nd Read more
LANCASTER, March 11 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, invites constituents to her free shred event from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Lancaster Airport, 500 Airport Road, Lititz, PA, 17543. This year Rivera and her office are partnering with Goodwill Keystone to include the recycling of electronics and gently used clothing items. Those interested in attending this event should register by calling Rivera’s office at 717-295-3157 or email RepRivera@pahouse.net . Read more
CHESTER, March 4 -- The state House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee today held a public hearing at Widener University on legislation ( H.B. 109 ) that would regulate the issuance of permits by the PA Department of Environmental Protection in environmental justice areas, according to committee Chairman Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, who hosted the hearing and is the prime sponsor, along with Reps. Chris Rabb and Malcolm Kenyatta, both D-Phila., of the legislation. The state Department of Environmental Protection already has the ability to set environmental justice areas in historically burdened communities across Pennsylvania; however, the issuance of permits for development in those areas has been largely unregulated. House Bill 109 would require the applicant to submit a cumulative environmental impact report, in addition to DEP holding a more robust public hearing process, before issuing a permit in an environmental justice area, and would allow DEP to impose additional conditions or deny the permit based on the cumulative impacts. Vitali said the legislation is one step that the state can take to better serve and protect environmentally vulnerable areas and populations. “All Pennsylvanians have the constitutional right to a clean environment,” he said. “Folks living in environmental justice areas have had to live with the detrimental health impacts of industry located in their community. Requiring a cumulative environmental Read more
LANCASTER, March 7 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, held a public policy hearing Thursday to explore the impact of pre-K programming in Lancaster. Education experts and stakeholders explored and discussed the impact of pre-K education on children’s K-12 educational experiences and the challenges and needs of these programs. Presenters included representatives from Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster, Manheim Township School District, Pennsylvania Child Care Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania, School District of Lancaster, YWCA of Lancaster, Lancaster Recreation Commission, Pennsylvania School Library Association, Pennsylvania School Counselors Association and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. Presenters spoke and attendees, which included state representatives, Deputy Secretary Shante Brown from the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning, and Lancaster County Commissioner Alice Yoder, were able to ask questions of each presenter. “After 30 years of teaching experience, there’s one big thing that I know is true: early investments in childhood education pay dividends for decades in a student’s life,” Rivera said. “You want a child with sharp cognitive and social skills, then you want to spend the money and the time making sure they get the holistic pre-K education they need to thrive during their formative years and beyond. Read more
LANCASTER, Feb. 24 – State funding of $150,000 for a transportation safety project is coming to the 96 th Legislative District through the disbursement of Multimodal Transportation Fund dollars by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, according to state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster. The multimodal project will use the state funding to help improve pedestrian safety along Harrisburg Avenue by installing signs to direct pedestrian traffic onto existing walkways and signalized cross walks at Race Avenue, College Avenue, or Williamson Drive. “Thanks to this competitive award of $150,000 requested by Franklin and Marshall College, it will be safer to walk in Lancaster City,” Rivera said. “This money will help enhance life here in the city by making it a safer place for students, adults, and families to walk to school, to work, and to run errands. In short, this provides a better place in which to live. By making Lancaster a safer city for pedestrians, these funds will make Lancaster a healthier place to live.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. For more information about the program, visit www.penndot.pa.gov and click on Multimodal Program under the “Projects & Programs” button. Read more
Feb. 20 Read more
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1560 Lititz PikeSuite 2Lancaster, PA 17601-6523
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