Corridors October 2022

Taking Advantage of your Chamber Membership

There are many benefits to being a member of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber. To make sure that you are taking advantage of the excellent opportunities that are available to you to get the most out of your membership, this is the second of the two part series. In the first part, we covered “Sharing information to attract new customers”

Part 2 Taking advantage of other chamber member benefits

The number one reason that businesses join a chamber is to promote their business and its products or services. There are other gains that you can realize from your membership.

Free benefits with your membership

• Ribbon cuttings to get your business off on the right foot

• Membership benefits for every employee

• Online business directory on chamber website

• Business listing in annual community resource guide

• Build your network at a connections meeting

• Post upcoming events in Member News and on our Mobile App

• Promote your business in Member Deals

• Small Business membership in The PA Chamber

• New member business listing in E newsletter

• Use of bulk mail permits

• Expand your reach by being a part of a committee

• Lunchbox sessions and educational programming

• Validation of Certificate of Origins Education

Jim Boltz President

Member Benefits Orientation (free) Bimonthly program that allows members get acquainted with all the benefits and services of membership in the PNRC.

Lunchbox Sessions (free) Once a month, we bring in experts to talk about topics that are the most frequently requested by our members.

Women’s Leadership Roundtable (free) Once a month, interactive educational presentation regarding topics that challenge your success.

HYPE educational series (free) Educational offerings targeted at the young professionals.

The Social Media Conference An opportunity to hear from industry experts in a workshop format with unique programming and a keynote speaker.

Connections Meetings (free) Quick fifteen minute presentations from fellow chamber experts.

Member to member specials

All employees of a member company are eligible for discounts and special offerings. Affinity programs Chamber partnerships that offer special services and pricing to chamber members. Our current partners are Chamber Choice health insurance network, Kinect Energy, Penn National Insurance, North Pittsburgh Greeting Company, Direct Payment Systems, Legal Shield, Joyce, Inc., The Alternative Board and Treesdale Golf & Country Club.

Member deals Advertised specials from member companies.

Unadvertised specials Offerings from members to other chamber companies and their employees. Association memberships Opportunities that are offered to special groups.

Your chamber membership is one of the best values for your business. If you would like more information about these or any other topics, just contact us at the Chamber office to discuss

Sincerely,

President,

Boltz

Amy Knight

Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio

“

In just a few short months as a member, Amy has made a big impact on the chamber. From the get go, she was a contributing member of our young professionals committee, HYPE. In addition, she hosted, sponsored, and ran our very first Iron Chef cooking event at her business, Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio. Her contributions have pushed our

Jim Boltz, President PNRC

back, engage in team building,

efforts.

Department of Transportation

s

Regional

North Chapel Road up 910 to Pearce

Friday, October 7th

an individual

of Caring by October 4,

Employee wellness 101: Ace it with tips, ideas, and best practices

Authored by: Erin Eatough, PhD, Sr. Insights Manager | BetterUp

Employee wellness used to mean offering comprehensive healthcare benefits. But now, healthcare is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to supporting employee well being.

Many employee wellness programs now encompass a more nuanced understanding of well being. Instead of only focusing on physical health, programs now offer support for mental, emotional, and financial health, too. Wellness programs are becoming increasingly common in companies of all sizes. But what do they do, and how do they work?

Let's take a look at what employee well being is, its importance in the workplace, and how to create a wellness program your employees will love.

How do you define employee wellness?

Employee and workplace burnout is much more than a buzzword. The stressors of a modern work environment can start to wear on employees. This stress has a direct impact on their physical and mental well being. Employee wellness includes activities and programs that aim to improve employee health and well being. Prioritizing employee well being is the main way an employer can help employees manage stress, build relationships, improve productivity, and reduce burnout.

As we begin to better understand the impacts stress and exhaustion can have on the body, it’s becoming more obvious that we need to address mental health at work.

After all, when employees feel supported, they’re more likely to do exceptional work. Wellness programs can play a key role in improving employee engagement and reducing turnover.

Even though 80% of employers claim to support their teams’ physical and emotional health, only 46% of employees feel supported. Effective employee wellness programs involve understanding what benefits best serve your employees’ needs.

Examples of employee wellness programs

There are plenty of easy, employee friendly well being options to expand your workplace wellness. Here are a few ideas for each area of employee health to get you started.

Physical health

Design fun fitness challenges to foster healthy competition in the office. These challenges keep employees engaged. This can lead to higher turnout for less popular initiatives like wellness screenings.

Mental health

Yoga and meditation are popular choices for decreasing stress and improving mental health. Counseling resources and support hotlines offer ongoing support when employees need more help.

Emotional health

Coaching is a great way to help employees expand their capabilities, cater to their emotional health, and connect to their purpose. BetterUp offers personalized coaching that will help your employees grow not just as part of your team but also as individuals. Volunteer days are another way to help employees tap into their personal meaning. While social challenges encourage employees to step outside their comfort zone.

Financial health

Personal finance lunch and learn events are a great way to support employees who need help with money management. Sponsoring portfolio reviews can help your team learn to invest wisely and prepare for the future.

Why employee wellness is a priority in the workplace

Happy and healthy employees aren’t just more enjoyable to be around. They can also make your business more profitable and desirable to new talent. Wellness programs are becoming table stakes for companies looking to attract top talent. As of 2019, 58% of companies offer wellness benefits to support their employees and reduce workplace stress. Well being benefits were important in 2020 for obvious reasons. During the pandemic, 30% of Americans showed symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both. Mental health plays a critical role in an employee’s success at work. There’s no doubt that work demands can be a frequent source of stress for employees.

Companies like Chevron are going all in to support employees and foster mental health. Their program is a great example of wellness benefits done right. Mental health screenings and onsite child care empower employees to do their best work, even when times are tough. While campaigns to raise awareness also reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

What the research says about employee wellness

Holistic wellness programs are becoming even more important to employees after COVID 19. Many employers already had access to employee assistance programs. But only 20% of employees felt that their needs were met in the first few months of the pandemic. According to research from Kronos, the companies that prioritized wellness in 2020 saw a 33% increase in employee trust. Some studies show that employee wellness programs fall short of their anticipated benefits. With that said, there’s a chance that many employees may not know what well being benefits are available to them. According to a study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, many companies with wellness programs say that less than 10% of employees use their benefits. Employees hesitate to use wellness programs when business leaders don’t support the initiatives. It’s important to promote benefits and encourage employees to use them. Offering a wide array of benefit types can also help engage employees looking for support beyond physical wellness. Mental health services and financial well being services are more widespread since COVID 19. And since more employees report that their financial wellness is declining, these types of benefits can have a huge impact on any team.

Companies like Noodles & Co. are leading the way in financial wellness benefits. The company has lower turnover and higher financial wellness ratings. They did this by offering early pay access and financial management services to employees.

To read the full article, click HERE

COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!

Ace Handyman Services Pittsburgh North

Advantage Energy Partners, LLC

Ameriglide

Another Level Ministries

Armstrong Comfort Solutions

Arvos Schmidtsche Schack, LLC

Axis Business Consultants

Banc Card of America

Bosland Electric, LLC

Butler County Symphony

Butler Eagle

CCK Consulting | tHRive People Practices

CHROME Federal Credit Union

Clearview Federal Credit Union

CTR Payroll Services

Charles P. Leach Agency, Inc.

Charter Homes & Neighborhoods

Choice Restorative Medicine

Colbert Law

Coldwell Banker Jan Stevens

Cole Management, Inc.

Common Sense Cleaning, LLC Commonwealth Charter Academy Community Bank

Compass Self Storage Gibsonia

Cranberry Highlands Golf Course

Cranberry Supply Co.

Cranberry Township

Cranberry Village Estates

Crea Excavating, Inc.

Creative Real Estate Development Co.

Creese, Smith, Hune & Co. LLC

Curio412, LLC

C.W. Howard Insurance Agency, Inc.

Daniel Novakovich Insurance Agency

Dented Keg Brewing Company

Direct Payment Consultants

Dollar Bank

Dukovich & Associates

Ed Cline Appraisals

Edward Jones Investments Andrew Dobies

Express Employment Professionals

Fairfield by Marriott Pittsburgh North / McCandless Crossing

Federated Mortgage Corp.

Find Your Destination, Travel Agency

First City Company McIntyre Square

Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant

Fun Fore All Family Fun Park

Goddard School Hampton

Goldfish Swim School Wexford Guardian Storage Cranberry Guardian Storage Hampton Guardian Storage Ross Guardian Storage Seven Fields

H2R CPA

Handel's of McCandless

HEARTH

Highlander Waterproofing & Foundation Repair Hill, Barth & King LLC Holsinger

Home Depot Cranberry House of 1000 Beers

I Clean, Inc.

IMA | ESS

InVision Human Services

Innovate E Commerce, Inc.

Jason's Deli Cranberry Twp

Jewelry by Alicia and Scott

Jireh Mobile

Joe Palmieri Construction, Inc.

Junior Achievement of Western PA

Just In Thyme Catering and Events, Inc. Kress Restoration

Landmark Properties Group

Laurel Business Institute

Laurelwood/West Realty Land & Development Co.

Leathem Creation Co.

Legal Shield & Identity Theft Protection

COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!

Liberty Insurance Agency

Link to Visibility, LLC

Masonic Village at Sewickley

MEDIA The Creative Agency

MHY Family Services

Mainstream Boutique

Maria Valdez In Memory of Bruce Conley

Mars Bank

Mascari Auto Body, Inc.

Masonic Fund Society

McCall Scanlon & Tice, LLC CPA

McGuire Memorial Foundation

Morella & Associates

Muhlenkamp & Company, Inc.

Mullin Landscape & Winter Management Myers, Patsy, & Associates, LLC

Newt & Ruby Interiors

NexTier Bank

Nick Scotti Concrete Contractor Inc.

Nicole Zirnsak State Farm Insurance

North Hills Family Dental

North Pittsburgh Greeting Company

North Star Buick GMC

Northland Public Library

Olive Garden/Cranberry

Oliver Outdoor

OMEGA Federal Credit Union McKnight

OMEGA Federal Credit Union Wexford

Once Upon A Hero Organic Remedies, Inc.

Owl Cleaners, Inc.

Pawlowicz Dentistry

Phelps Nursery PGH, North Inc.

Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty

Pittsburgh Skin

R.M. Stoof & Associates Inc.

Realty ONE Group Gold Standard Restart, Inc.

Right Electric, Inc.

RiteRug Flooring

Riverview Carpet & Flooring, Inc.

Rj Community Management

SERVPRO of Southern Butler County

SPARK SIGNS & GRAPHICS

Scolieri Law Group P. C.

Sechler Law Firm, LLC

Sheeley Agency Allstate Insurance

Special T Electronics

Specialized Staffing and Industry Recruiters, Inc.

Staples Cranberry Twp.

Terry’s Plumbing, Inc.

The Arc of Butler County

The Block Northway

The Chadwick

The Exercise Coach Cranberry Twp.

The Joint...the Chiropractic Place

The Lynch Law Group

The Pavilion at Star Lake Live Nation

The Payroll Shop, LLC

The Wilson Group, LLC

Thought Process Enterprises

Three Rivers Paintball, Inc.

Tierra Realty Management

TownePlace Suites

Township of Hampton

Treesdale Golf & Country Club

Treesdale Life BeLocal Cranberry

Trib Total Media

Ultimate Granite Surfaces, Inc.

Vincentian

Vitalant (Central Blood Bank)

Wain Landscaping, LLC

Weber Insurance Agency

WesBanco Bank

White Deer Run Treatment Network

Win Son Inc.

Wine Concrete Products Inc.

Young Adult Survivors United

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Board of Directors is happy to announce the 2023 Board Nominees!

Candidates for Re-Election:

Lisa Hunt, USX Federal Credit Union

Lorry Perkins, Travel Blogger

New Candidates for Election:

Steve Diffenderfer, Dollar Bank

Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher, United Way

Ryan Kociela, BCCC

Jon O’Data, Cremation Society of PA

Chuck Reese, Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids

Robert Sherwin, Bethany Christian Services

Felipe Valdez, Nothing Bundt Cakes

Bradley Wilkins, Key Bank

These candidates will be present at Business After Hours: Cocktails with Candidates on Thursday, October 13th from 5:00pm 7:00pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the various Board Nominees. See page 13 for more information regarding this event.

What is Workplace Wellness? A Complete Guide

Authored by: Staff | Penn Foundation

The concept of workplace wellness is something that many companies still struggle to understand. Some employers equate wellness with physical health and thus believe that this is an area employees don’t need assistance with.

Fortunately, most organizations recognize that workplace wellness is indeed a crucial area in which to invest.

In the coming sections, we explore the many facets of workplace wellness and how supporting employee health can have a significant and positive impact on a business.

What Is Workplace Wellness?

Workplace wellness refers to health promotion activities or policies that support positive employee health and behavior. From medical screenings and health education fairs to fitness programs and healthcare memberships, there are plenty of ways that companies can foster a culture of good health.

Companies that invest in human capital are clear about the benefits associated with workplace wellness. One will find that happy employees tend to perform better, actively take up work initiatives, improve productivity, and manage time efficiently.

Why Is Workplace Wellness Important?

Companies must be willing to commit to uncovering disparities and other concerns at the office and invest the time, resources, and policies to support meaningful employee health endeavors. Workplace wellness is even more important today, given the social, economic, and political climate of the world in which we live.

Here’s why companies must invest in their employees’ health:

Healthy employees tend to absorb less exorbitant healthcare costs.

Well-cared-for employees meet with fewer road accidents as they don’t suffer from being stressed, sleepdeprived, or burnt out.

When employees are healthier, they are less likely to take sick leaves.

Talent acquisition and retention remain strong when employees are happy to work at a company.

How To Achieve Workplace Wellness

To achieve workplace wellness, companies must be willing to explore the different avenues of healthcare that can benefit employees. According to this study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 56% of workers are covered by company provided healthcare plans as of 2021. This could be because of certain factors such as employee ineligibility under certain health benefits or small companies’ inability to shoulder healthcare costs.

The good news is that many companies accept why workplace wellness is a paramount subject to address. Here’s how companies can achieve this.

Promote Health and Wellness Programs

Identifying unhealthy behaviors and potential health risks is a great starting point for companies to foster a healthy workforce. Wellness programs that highlight the ill effects of smoking, weight management, depression, stress, and emotional distress caused by work related factors can target pressing paint points of employees. To successfully incorporate these programs, companies must:

Invest in the right healthcare policies that encompass wider aspects of physical and mental health.

Get professionals on board to oversee and create nuanced wellness programs that require one on one sessions with employees.

Highlight the importance of regular biometric screenings or assessments that give employees a chance to address underlying concerns or risks related to physical and mental health.

Explore Telemedicine

In the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic, policymakers have identified the importance of telemedicine for remote workers. Having access to healthcare services through a telecommunications platform is a major gamechanger to support workplace wellness.

Through telemedicine, employees have access to valuable resources and assistance to cope with physical, emotional, and mental challenges. Through the support of a company, the right help can be provided in a discreet, safe environment.

Furthermore, virtual healthcare programs are growing in popularity as organizations around the world recognize the need for easily accessible resources and help.

Wellness Tips For Employees

There’s nothing like feeling good, energetic, and at the top of your game in and out of the office. While not every day will be as perfect, you can strive to create a healthy lifestyle that benefits your body and your work and personal life.

Check out the following tips that can help you accomplish small yet significant wellness goals: Declutter your desk by placing things back where they belong and rearranging office essentials in storage trays, holders, or bins.

Set an alarm on your watch or phone to go off every 60 minutes. When it does, get up and stretch, walk around, and drink water.

Indulge in meditation by signing up on apps such as Calm or Elevate to create a routine that works for you. You can set a time to do this at the office with a few coworkers by booking a conference room when it’s convenient for everyone.

Invite co workers for a group fitness program as a fun way to blow off steam after working hours.

Prepare nutritious home cooked meals in advance for the week instead of relying on canteen food and takeout. Sit on a yoga ball while working instead of a chair to improve your posture, stability, and core strength. Get plants for your cubicle to create a space of zen and comfort while you work.

Take a power nap in the second half of the day, preferably a little after lunch when energy levels tend to dip.

Technology Advances Help Employees To Get More Value From Benefits

Since the widespread shift toward remote and hybrid work began a little over two years ago, a rapidly increasing number of employers have implemented and expanded their use of benefit administration technology. And as the technologies involved have continued to advance, employees have enjoyed greater access to their employee benefit program information and administrative functionalities.

For many individuals working from home, there is less opportunity to learn about employee benefit details through in person meetings, bulletin board postings and other more traditional means. The benefit administration platforms remedy this by improving access to data, including detailed benefit descriptions, plan comparisons, cost illustrations, provider network information and prescription drug details and other decision-support tools, allowing workers to make more informed choices regarding benefit selections and changes. The employer benefits as well since these same technology enhancements will allow human resource staff the ability to better perform their responsibilities from remote work locations and with less opportunity for human error.

Although these platforms have already been in use for some time by larger companies, the technology has now made its way down to small groups as well, eliminating obstacles for just about any company to employ digital benefit administration capabilities for the benefit of their employees.

The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at pnrc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377 3539.

Your Chamber membership is a valuable business tool that is complemented by our Affinity Program partners who allow you to save time and money. Save on everything from payroll to energy and you do not even have to waste time researching your Chamber has done it all for you.

NONPROFIT

Mission: Unite blood and biologics donors, talent, and innovation to save and improve lives.

• Vitalant is a non profit blood services organization, formerly known as Central Blood Bank. Vitalant is the exclusive blood provider to AHN and UPMC hospitals, as well as nearly every independent hospital in the greater Pittsburgh area.

• That means when you donate blood though through Vitalant, your blood most likely helps a hospital patient right here in our community.

• These hospitals require about 600 blood donations every day to provide care to their patients. But our community is donating only about a third of the blood needed. As such, Vitalant needs to import blood from outside our area.

• To compound this, the number of people donating blood in southwestern Pennsylvania has shrunk by 60% in the past 14 years.

• Every whole blood donation can help as many as three patients. That is because we separate the whole blood into three components platelets, plasma and red cells with each component potentially helping a separate patient.

• Many people think of donating blood only when there is major disaster, like a mass shooting. While it is a fact that blood is needed in emergencies, thousands of people experience personal emergencies every day that require blood transfusions. That’s why it’s critical that our community has a constant and ready blood supply.

• It is the blood that is already at the hospital that saves lives. That’s because it takes about 48 hours after the blood is donated to process, test, and ship to the hospital.

• You may be wondering if you can donate blood. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. If you're in good health and meet the following general criteria, then you are likely able to give blood.

 Must be at least 16 years old

Weigh at least 110 pounds.

 Be in good general health.

• If you are healthy and eligible, please consider giving blood through Vitalant in the days and weeks ahead.

• If you’re not eligible to donate, there are other ways to help. You can host a blood drive or share the need for blood donors with your friends and family.

• There’s a serious blood shortage right now in southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as across the country. This is a critical issue because many hospital patients require blood transfusions to survive, and the only source for blood is volunteer blood donors.

• These patients might include someone in your family, a neighbor or coworker; anyone undergoing surgery, suffering trauma or vehicle accidents, premature babies, and those fighting cancer just some examples of people who may require blood transfusions. By giving blood, you can play a direct role in saving their lives.

• As our community cautiously emerges from the pandemic, we’re returning to activities that were on hold. Hospital patients are counting on you to make blood donation one of those activities.

• If you have never given blood, please consider becoming a first time blood donor. If it’s been a while, please come back

This election guide was provided courtesy of:

State Transportation Update

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) is very interested in transportation because it impacts the workforce. Anecdotally many potential workers are on the sidelines because they do not have transportation to and from work. The statistic is unknown because we don’t count it.

MBA attended the PA Senate Transportation Committee Hearing, Chair Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Pittsburgh, August 24. The topic was Act 84 and improving Pennsylvania’s major bridges. Senate Bill 382, supported by MBA and signed by Gov Wolf, is now Act 84. Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that the PennDOT has no authority to implement its plan to toll nine bridges across the Commonwealth. Now that option for tolling nine bridges is gone, a new way must be found to fund bridge repairs and maintenance.

New PennDOT “Second Chance” Initiative

“

Recently, PennDOT announced an initiative to offer drivers facing potential suspension a second chance to keep their license. Specifically, PennDOT is targeting individuals who have accumulated points on their driving record or have multiple speeding offenses for its newly formed Driver Improvement School. In a press release, PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian stated, ‘For many, losing the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle means not just a loss of mobility, but a loss of income and independence as well.’ " …Greenlee Partners, 8/18/2022

Auditor general notes that Turnpike is straddled with more debt than the rest of state government

The burden is driving toll increases… Auditor General Tim DeFoor warned that the crushing debt burdening the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is fueling toll increases that threaten to make driving on the turnpike so expensive that people will refuse to use it. The commission's debt is higher than the combined state government debt of $11.7 billion. The audit released by DeFoor includes three findings and 23 recommendations, but DeFoor said that no single solution will pull the Turnpike out of the red He urged lawmakers to pass new laws to either eliminate or reduce the annual payment the turnpike commission makes to PennDOT. He identified that as a main catalyst for the commission's debt problems

…Capitolwire, 9/8/2022

“…Since 2007, the turnpike commission has provided PennDOT with funding assistance for mass transit systems, bridges and highways across the state to the tune of $15.9 billion.

The $450 million annual payments mandated by Act 44 of 2007 required annual toll increases that will continue through the foreseeable future, according to the commission…”

… Audit recommends lawmakers act to ease Pa. Turnpike’s financial squeeze on motorists

PA Capitol Star, Peter Hal, 9/8/2022

….September 2022 Hill Report, Eileen Anderson, Director, Government Relations, Manufacturer & Business Association

https://www.mbausa.org/about-us/staff-contacts/

Authored

Topic has changed due to Time

Sensitive Filing

A Comfort Service

ACRES/Allegh. Commercial Real Estate Aging Gracefully Alzheimer's Association of Greater PA Animal Services Wildlife Pest Control Anthology of McCandless, Senior Living Asphalt Sealing Company Of Pittsburgh BestLife Wealth Management of Raymond James

BioLife Plasma Services Bitwise Industries Blue Slate Accounting, LLC Borough of Seven Fields Bridge City Braces Capital A Wealth Management Carpenter, McCadden & Lane, LLP Coldwell Banker Brian T. Gierl Contemporary Foundations LLC Costco Wholesale Cranberry Public Library Craters & Freighters of Pittsburgh CTR Insurance and Benefits Services, LLC. Daniel Szwedko Graphics Duquesne University Small Business Enspra Antimicrobial Nano Coatings Fairground Market, Inc. Fox Pest Control

McCandless Corporate Center Minuteman Press

Cranberry

North Hills Monthly Magazine

Restore It

Three Rivers Paintball, Inc.

Tierra Realty Management

GA Investment Management

Goddard School Wexford Health & Emotional Empowerment Pamela Biasca Losada LLC

HEARTH

Horovitz, Rudoy & Roteman dba H2R CPA

IXOYE Designs

Jay Bullie State Farm Agent

Jeremy DeLuca State Farm Agency Kaclik Builders, LLC kat & willie

Keystone Clippers d/b/a Sport Clips Laurelwood/West's Realty Land and Development Co. Life Force Wellness LLC Meraki Home Concepts, LLC Midnight Blue Minuteman Press Cranberry Morgan Stanley Keith Colonna, Financial Advisor

New York Life Scott Hacker Oasis Senior Advisors

Off The Hook Organic Remedies, Inc. Peak Performance Management PeopleOne Health

Perform Physio, LLC

Pittsburgh Magazine

Proviva

Rachel Carson's Trail Conservancy

Revive Upper Cervical Chiropractic Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA

S.R. Snodgrass, P.C.

Schneider's One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Signature Settlements Services Agency

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Social Revolution

Speckled Hen Chocolate Company

SSB

Steel City Structural Engineering

Strutz International

The Exquisite Fit, LLC

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School

The Waters of Wexford Treasure House Fashions

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Butler County

Valpak of Western Pennsylvania

Vrabel Plumbing Company, LLC Warren C. Sauers, Co. Inc.

Wiest Asphalt Products & Paving Inc. Your CBD Store Gibsonia

Shines Designs,

Mark Prentice

Carrie Nolan Robson

Jim Boltz

Gregg Hill

Kelvin Mack

College Bound Considerations

By: Jessika Coltz, Director of College and Career Readiness, North Catholic High School

If you have a college bound `12th grader, you have a lot to consider this time of year! High school has been a long journey for the class of 2023, but as it wraps up and you and your student are making decisions about what’s next, here are the top ten things you can be thinking about:

10. Most folks apply to about 6 schools, every single one of which is a good match. You may have heard about “reach” schools or “safety schools” but a student shouldn’t apply to any school they couldn’t happily attend.

9. Talk about resources up front. Utilize each school’s Net Price Calculator to find out what your family might be expected to pay.

8. Fill out the FAFSA on or after October 1st, and find out if any school you’re applying to requires the CSS Profile. This is a best practice even if you think you won’t qualify for federal or state aid.

7. Talk about credit and spending money and how your student will pay for incidentals.

6. Know what your 529 funds will cover it includes things like textbooks and living expenses for college students enrolled at least half time. You can also still open a 529 to use money to pay for educational expenses, tax free!

5. Think about community college BC3 and CCAC have great opportunities. If you’re planning on transferring credits eventually, work closely with transfer admissions at the school you’d like to transfer to make sure you know what credits will follow you.

4. Has your student completed some or all of K 12 with an IEP or 504? It’s time to talk with the academic support folks in your building about a transition plan. If your student is college bound, be sure to seek out information about access and support services at schools you’re considering.

3. School isn’t just about academics it's about fun! Students involved in extracurricular activities tend to persist to graduation at higher rates than those who aren’t as involved in campus life.

2. Think about career paths rather than majors. You can be very successful in business without a business degree or be a fabulous lawyer with a chemical engineering background.

1. The most important thing you take to college is yourself know who you are and what you believe in and stick with it.

Tom

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark

Rakesh

Tracy

Calvin

Board of Directors

Andrew

Lorry

Perry

Craig

CARRIE