Resources

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition was founded in 1993 by Pat Halpin-Murphy, AFTPA government relations director. PABCC represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization that creates the hope of a brighter tomorrow by providing action and information to women with breast cancer today.

November 15, 2022

Dear PFT Members:

Today, the PA State House Judiciary Committee furthered their efforts to impeach the twice elected District Attorney of Philadelphia Larry Krasner, passing this wrongheaded legislation through the Judiciary Committee.

I've shared our opposition to this stunt with you a number of times, and I write today to urge you to call your State Senator and State Representative to urge them to repudiate this charade and get down to the business of governing. 

Here are two of my recent statements on this effort:

• My remarks at a September rally calling out the outrageousness

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification process is a voluntary, enriching, and rigorous professional growth experience that requires teachers to show evidence of the mastery and integration of both content and pedagogical knowledge. It is the highest certification in the education profession.  

Temple University offers a supporting program facilitating teachers with their certifying process. Please see the attached flyers to learn more about the new revised teacher-friendly process incorporating the latest research in best practices in teaching, a flexible

This week, we saw the sickening escalation of anti-trans legislation in both Texas and Alabama, as well as the horrid "Don't Say Gay" bill advancing in Florida. These laws seek to codify inhumanity into law. In Pennsylvania, when Philadelphia Representative Martina White introduced an anti-trans sports ban on our youth, we vehemently opposed the bill and will continue to do just that. We saw a similar bill pass in South Dakota just a few weeks ago, and we know that the efforts of Rep. White and her allies are part of a national pattern of hate-fueled legislation that is profoundly unjust and

Resources for Staff and Students

• NCTSN: For students impacted by this trauma, explore the resources offered by the National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network. 
• Health Advocate: We have shared with you that Health Advocate, the new, free benefit from PFTHW offers a host of services for you and your families. Those services include helping you to access mental health resources (including trauma resources). Health Advocate is here to assist. 
• AFT Trauma Counseling: This free AFT benefit can provide help and healing for our members, whenever needed, wherever a member may be.
• SDP EAP (Employee

New Resource Provides Additional Benefits for PFT Members & their Families!

To get started, you can create an account at healthadvocate.com/pfthw! [Remember to use your personal e-mail to register!]

You can also call 877.324.0255 

Or e-mail answers@healthadvocate.com

Read the full brochure right here.

Learn More and Apply by March 1!

Qualified SLRN applicants could be selected to receive student loan relief of up to $2,500 for each year of work (beginning with 2020) for no more than 3 years, with a maximum benefit of $7,500.

Your negotiating team pursued and won an increase in tuition reimbursement eligibility.

Eligible PFT members received communication directly from the District about how to apply for reimbursement for courses taken in 2021. Approved candidates will receive up to $600 reimbursement for credits taken in 2021.

Application, proof of payment, and accompanying official transcripts must be sent in by March 11, 2022.

Eligible members include the following:

• Appointed Secretaries
• School Operations Officers
• Paraprofessionals
• Non-Teaching Assistants
• Teachers who need to be re-certified (only for teachers who do