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My $CAM JAM Is This Thursday, Oct. 9

(Oct 07, 2025)

Dear Neighbor, I hope October is off to a great start for you! I love breathing in the crisp fall air and watching the leaves change colors. As always, I want to keep you up to date on events in the district and in Harrisburg through my weekly e-newsletter: Upcoming Events: My Oct. 9 $CAM JAM, Oct. 28 Medicaid Town Hall, Nov. 6 PTRR Office Hours In the District: Lancaster, the Capital of the U.S. (for a day); Patients ‘R Us; and Teachers of Tomorrow At the Capitol: Opening Prayer and Legislative Update Beware, Seniors! Signs of Contractor Fraud State Grant Program Funding Available Registration for Toys for Tots is NOW OPEN! America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program National Civics Bee Applications Available Coats for Kids Read more

 

Senator Malone Introduces Legislation to Protect Minors from Sexually Explicit AI Deepfakes

(Oct 06, 2025)

HARRISBURG, PA – October 3, 2025 − Today, State Senator James Andrew Malone (D-36, Lancaster) that he introduced legislation to protect minors from sexually explicit AI deepfakes by requiring mandated reporters, such as school personnel, to report all incidents of minors sharing sexually explicit material of other minors. State Representative Nikki Rivera (D-96, Lancaster) has introduced companion legislation in the PA House. In 2023, 48 female students at Lancaster Country Day School and 12 other girls were victims of sexually explicit deepfake images generated by two male students using AI. School officials were made aware of the abuse but did not report it to law enforcement for several months, revealing a critical gap in Pennsylvania’s mandatory reporting laws. In response to outreach from one of the victims and her family, Senator Malone introduced legislation titled “Mandatory Means Mandatory: Closing Reporting Gaps in Title 23” ( SB 1034 ). The bill will protect children by amending the child-on-child contact section of Pennsylvania’s mandatory reporting law to include unlawful dissemination of intimate images and sexual abuse of children, such as the use of sexually explicit AI deepfakes involving minors. This will close the reporting gap and ensure that all instances of child sexual abuse imagery are recognized and reported to the appropriate authorities immediately. “With the rapid development of AI, threats to our Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 02, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program Who May Apply: A school district, school, charter school, private school or center with prekindergarten classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes or middle school classes through the eighth grade that participates in a Federal child nutrition program Use: To educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and to increase awareness of agriculture in this Commonwealth Funds: Up to $500,000 is expected to be available for the program Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 More information: PDA 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 of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school Read more

 

Rivera to hold $CAM JAM Oct. 9

(Sep 26, 2025)

LANCASTER, Sept. 26 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania, will host a $CAM JAM event from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 9 at Calvary Homes by Tandem Living, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster. “As scammers are becoming more technologically savvy, the best way for residents to protect themselves from crime and fraud is to get educated,” Rivera said. “My $CAM JAM event is a great way for area residents to learn how to spot and avoid common scams.” Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities will lead the interactive event, which will educate attendees on how to safeguard their money from financial fraud and abuse. Attendees will also play Fraud BINGO, with a chance to win prizes. Rivera said she partnered with AARP Pennsylvania because seniors are the biggest targets for scams in the state. That follows a national trend, with millions of seniors targeted each year, resulting in an estimated $3 billion in losses annually, according to the FBI . Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes and have good credit. “This fun event will especially help our senior residents learn how to spot common scams and protect their finances,” Rivera said. Light refreshments will be served. RSVPs are required, as space is limited. Residents should call Rivera’s office at 717-295-3157 or email RepRivera@pahouse.net Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 25, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) Implementation Who May Apply: Non-profit entities and institutions of higher education Use: To assess the quality of services provided to system-involved youth, support providers in creating and implementing quality improvement plans, and measure progress through follow-up evaluations. Funds: A total of $1,400,000 in state Violence and Delinquency Prevention Programs funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $1,400,000 over the 18-month project period. Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Law Enforcement and Youth R/ED Training Who May Apply: Any organization that can demonstrate the ability to provide training and technical assistance to members of law enforcement interacting with youth in their communities, including, but not limited to, police, probation, and school personnel. Use: To provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement entities across the Commonwealth to improve interactions with youth in their communities. Funds: A total of $250,000 in federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year Read more

 

Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster

(Sep 23, 2025)

LANCASTER, Sept. 23 – State Reps. Nikki Rivera and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, both D-Lancaster, and state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery, co-chair of the state Senate Health and Human Services Committee, last week came together to speak about the impact of SNAP changes and cuts in Pennsylvania. Representatives from over 20 organizations were in attendance. “SNAP has for decades enabled low-income Pennsylvanians to put food on their families’ tables,” Rivera said. “Not only will 550 residents in my district lose their SNAP benefits, leaving them not knowing where their next meal is coming from, but the federal budget will also have a devastating impact on our farms, our groceries and our food retailers.” According to Rivera, in December 2024, SNAP provided $366,850,460 in federally funded food assistance benefits that supported grocers, food retailers and farms in PA. “Now that money is gone, our grocery, food retailing and agricultural industries—and all the people they employ—are going to be scrambling to survive,” Rivera said. “The draconian federal budget is going to push our most vulnerable neighbors into desperate circumstances,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Over the next year, more than 144,000 individual Pennsylvanians will lose 100% of their SNAP benefits, with 1,080 of them living in my district. Everyone in our communities is going to be affected, from our schools caring for Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 16, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Urban Agricultural Infrastructure Grant Who May Apply: A person may apply to the Department for a grant for an eligible project in an urban municipality. Use: To improve urban agricultural infrastructure in an urban area, improve or facilitate the aggregation of agricultural products in an urban area, entail the sharing of resources among urban agricultural entities or community organizations, and/or support community development in the project area. Funds: $500,000 is expected to be available contingent on the 2025-26 budget. Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin 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 of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 11, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Facility improvements, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention Funds: Grants will be not less than $2,500 and not more than $20,000 per applicant fire company and no more than $15,000 per applicant emergency medical service. Application Deadline: October 20, 2025 More information: OSFC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Who May Apply: Counties, county jails/county work release centers, Single County Authorities, and/or County Behavioral Health Administrators. Use: To support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals in county jails and work release centers and upon release to the community. Funds: A total of $1,130,905 in federal Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds is being announced to support this initiative. RSAT funds require a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. The applicant’s source for the cash match must be state or local funds. Federal funds may not be used to meet the match requirement. PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 02, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the Budget: Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Who May Apply: Applicants must have been previously itemized in a Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Use: Applicants can use funds for the purposes prescribed in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Funds: Varied. Application Deadline: September 23, 2025 More information: OB website Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program Who May Apply: Agriculture and youth organizations, Read more

 

Rep. Rivera Sits Down with WLCH Radio Centro Lancaster

(Sep 02, 2025)

On Thursday, Aug. 28, Rep. Nikki Rivera sat down with Lazaro Delgado on De Mañana to discuss the ongoing budget impasse and what it means for you and your family. This interview is in Spanish. Read more

 

RSVP to My Small Business Grant Workshop, Sept. 11

(Aug 29, 2025)

RSVP to My Small Business Grant Workshop, Sept. 11 Read more

 

Grants Memo

(Aug 25, 2025)

Grant Memo Aug 22 Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Aug 18, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Program Who May Apply: Pennsylvania-based small businesses Use: Adopt processes or acquire equipment which results in energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection. Funds: Funding can range from 50% or $7,500 (whichever is less) up to 80% or $12,000 (whichever is less) and will vary depending on environmental impact and project location. A total of $1 million is available in this round of funding. Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: DEP 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 of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce Read more

 

Rivera: OVR Providing Life-Changing Impact in Manheim Township

(Aug 06, 2025)

Pa. state Rep. Nikki Rivera hosted Governor Shapiro to Overlook Park in Manheim Township to highlight the success of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation “MY Work program” which provides life-changing, impactful employment opportunities for high school students with disabilities. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Aug 05, 2025)

Learn more about grant programs that are currently open for applications. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 31, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Broadband Development Authority: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Who May Apply: Cooperative organizations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utility companies, public utility districts, municipalities or units of local government, internet service providers registered through the FCC Use: Deploying and/or upgrading broadband network facilities, data collection, broadband mapping and broadband planning Funds: Pennsylvania received $1,161,778,242 in federal funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This is the second round of BEAD funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for any project Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 More information: PBDA Website Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grants Who May Apply: Museums located in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person or an official county historical society. Use: To strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000 Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: PHMC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Sequential Intercept Model Training Initiative (SIM) Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 17, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters (MSM) Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Who May Apply: Municipalities and counties Use: Advance crisis intervention programs that target the risk factors likely to lead to gun violence and implement projects that support emerging issues and priorities adopted within its SCIP Funding Framework. Funds: A combined total of $4,071,291 in federal FY 2022-2023 and FY 2024 Byrne SCIP Local and Under $10K Share funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 20 grants with budgets not to exceed $200,000 over the Read more

 

PA Senate, Fund Our Schools!

(Jul 14, 2025)

PA Senate, Fund Our Schools Read more

 

SPEEDing Up the Construction Permit Process

(Jul 08, 2025)

Dear Neighbor, This week in Harrisburg Let’s be clear: Pennsylvania cannot fill in the gaps of federal budget cuts. Trump has imposed hardship that will move ALL OF US backward, regardless of social class. But I’m here in Harrisburg dedicated to working with my colleagues to try and save what we can for the betterment of all in the commonwealth. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 08, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Who May Apply: Local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments or nonprofits with a separate eligible applicant. Use: To construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, incorporate community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, provide environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity, create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose, and provide for vulnerable road user safety assessment program projects. Funds: $80 million in funding is available through the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Block Grant Program. Awards will be at least $50,000 and at maximum $1.5 million. This is a reimbursement program and no funds are provided upfront. Application Deadline: Webinar will be held July 9, 2025. Application period opens July 14, 2025. Draft applications due September 5, 2025. Final applications due October 31, 2025 More information: PennDOT 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 Read more

 

My $CAM JAM Is This Thursday, Oct. 9
Oct 07, 2025

Senator Malone Introduces Legislation to Protect Minors from Sexually Explicit AI Deepfakes
Oct 06, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 02, 2025

Rivera to hold $CAM JAM Oct. 9
Sep 26, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 25, 2025

Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster
Sep 23, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 16, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 11, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 02, 2025

Rep. Rivera Sits Down with WLCH Radio Centro Lancaster
Sep 02, 2025

RSVP to My Small Business Grant Workshop, Sept. 11
Aug 29, 2025

Grants Memo
Aug 25, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Aug 18, 2025

Rivera: OVR Providing Life-Changing Impact in Manheim Township
Aug 06, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 05, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 31, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 17, 2025

PA Senate, Fund Our Schools!
Jul 14, 2025

SPEEDing Up the Construction Permit Process
Jul 08, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 08, 2025