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Issue Home February 7, 2007 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Nurse-Family Partnership Visitation Program Offered
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Available
Engagement Announced Benson – Snell
Need A Passport?
Library, Historical Society Plan 100th Anniversary
Waiting For You!



Nurse-Family Partnership Visitation Program Offered

Maternal and Family Health Services is offering a new program to help first-time mothers in Susquehanna County. The Nurse-Family Partnership Program is a nurse home visitation program that guides at-risk, first-time mothers through pregnancy and offers support during the critical first two years of the child’s life.

This nationally-acclaimed, evidence based prevention program is proven to help families develop the strengths and skills that will be the foundation for a lifetime of health and economic stability.

Cindy Page, RN, IBCLC, RLC, is the NFP nurse serving the Susquehanna County area. She has extensive experience in maternal and infant care including experience with the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Nutrition Program at Barnes-Kasson. She is a board certified lactation consultant, a breastfeeding educator, and has 19 years experience as a registered nurse working in the OB/GYN field including labor, delivery, postpartum and newborn care. Ms. Page recently completed specialized training in Denver, CO, to become certified with the Nurse-Family Partnership Program.

The Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based prevention program that improves the health and well-being of low-income, first-time mothers and their children. Several independent studies have shown the program produces significant benefits for children and their parents by matching highly educated registered nurses with first-time mothers to achieve three important goals: improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in good preventative health practices, including obtaining thorough prenatal care, improving diet, reducing use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal substances; improve child health and development by helping parents provide responsible and competent care; improve the economic self-sufficiency of the family by helping parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find work.

The Nurse-Family Partnership is the most rigorously tested program of its kind. Randomized controlled trials of Nurse-Family Partnership programs proved consistent effects included: improved prenatal health, fewer childhood injuries, and fewer subsequent pregnancies, increased intervals between births, increased maternal employment, and improved school readiness.

For more information about the Nurse-Family Partnership Program, contact NFP Supervisor Robbie McHale, RN, Ph.D., at the Maternal and Family Health Services’ Circle of Care, 961-5550.

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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Available

Applications for the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for 2006 are now available, announced Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming).

These are the first applications available under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006 (Act 1), which expanded eligibility for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

The new law increases the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 for homeowners and boosts the maximum rebate from $500 to $650. Those who apply should deduct half of any Social Security – including Medicare premiums – or railroad retirement benefits from other income when determining eligibility.

The program benefits people who are 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and disabled people 18 or older. Individuals and married couples who meet the age and income requirements can apply for a rebate based on the amount of property tax or rent they paid during the previous year.

Applicants can receive a property tax or rent rebate only on a residence they occupied during the period for which a rebate is claimed. Applications must be filed by June 30.

Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately.

To receive a Property Tax/Rent Rebate application, contact Major's offices at Route 706 Lake Montrose, RR 7 Box 7186, Montrose, PA 18801 (telephone: 570-278-3374) and 130 N. Bridge Street, Tunkhannock, PA 18657 (telephone: 570-836-5888). Information is also available at her website: RepMajor.com.

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Engagement Announced Benson – Snell

John and Debra Benson, Susquehanna, are proud to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Jill Benson to Kyle Snell, son of Gary Snell and wife, Terry of Perkasie, and Donna Seth and husband, Michael, of Johnstown.

Jill and Kyle

Miss Benson is a 2000 graduate of Susquehanna Community High School and a 2003 graduate of Bloomsburg University, where she received a degree in elementary and early childhood education. She is employed as a kindergarten teacher by Baltimore County Public Schools.

Mr. Snell is a 2000 graduate of Penn Ridge High School and a 2004 graduate of Bloomsburg University, where she received a degree in medical imaging. He is employed as a nuclear medicine technologist by Mid-Atlantic Cardiovascular Associates of Pikesville, MD.

An August 4, 2007 wedding is planned.

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Need A Passport?

The Postal Service has more than 4,500 locations nationwide set up to accept passport applications. The Susquehanna Post Office is a recent addition to passport acceptance locations. Other sites can also be found by visiting www.usps.com/passport. You can pick up an application at your local Post Office, or download it from the website.

In addition to the application, you will need current proof of identity, proof of U.S. citizenship, and two, two-inch by two-inch photos, showing your current appearance. The photos may be taken by a photographer (there are specifications), or the Post Office may take it for you. You must also provide your Social Security Number.

For those 16 years of age and older, the passport will be valid for ten years from the date of issue, except when limited by the Secretary of State; cost is $97. Those age 15 and younger get a passport valid for five years, except where limited; cost is $82. Additional fees may also apply under special circumstances involving citizenship documentation. It will take about six weeks to receive your passport. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.

Do not sign the application form until the passport clerk tells you to do so, the passport clerk must witness you signing the form.

Additional information may be found at travel.state.gov.

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Library, Historical Society Plan 100th Anniversary

2007 marks the 100th anniversary of the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association's opening of the main building on Monument Square in Montrose. The highlight of the celebrations will include an anniversary dinner to be held on Friday, May 4, at the Montrose Bible Conference Lake Avenue Dining (tickets will go on sale March 26). Next day, Saturday, May 5, there will be a free Family Fun Day on the Green from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Other events are planned, including an Open House at all the county libraries, along with a re-dedication ceremony at the Main Library on Wednesday, November 7. To find out more about the Association and its many services and programs, as well as upcoming events, visit www.susqcolibrary.org or call (570) 278-1881.

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Waiting For You!

This beautiful, female, adult German Shepherd was picked up as a stray. If you love German Shepherds, you need to come and see our gorgeous girl.

She’ll be waiting for you at the Susquehanna County Humane Society Shelter in Montrose, (570) 278–1228.

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