Pinwheels DTS

10/24/2025

Please share this info with families.

Due to Federal Government Shutdown, Opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season Delayed to December: https://bit.ly/474wRMV

Due to the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania must delay the opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season by one month, until December 3, 2025, because the Department of Human Services (DHS) has not yet received its federal allocation for 2025-2026 LIHEAP funds. Without action from the White House or the Republican-controlled Congress to reopen the federal government or release LIHEAP funding to states, DHS will be unable to open the LIHEAP season as previously scheduled on November 3, 2025.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS where benefits are distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider on behalf of qualified Pennsylvanians who need help paying their home heating bills during winter months. On average, Pennsylvania receives more than $215 million every year for LIHEAP – in 2023, the Commonwealth received $216 million and in 2024, $229 million. Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.

“The LIHEAP Program helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes during the colder months – and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families. Inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress now threatens access to this assistance,” said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “I urge Congress and the White House to recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania. Congress must come together for a solution that protects people most at risk.”

For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate at pa-navigate.org to help find resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting pa211.org.

10/14/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CvWPtrAQq/?mibextid=WC7FNe

10/14/2025

Today our Governor and legislature will be again be called upon to finally pass our budget - the failure to do so is causing unnecessary pain to families and service providers. Please add your voice and help us by showing your support!

10/09/2025

Please contact your PA legislator today and ask them to pass the budget proposed by the governor and passed by the state House months ago!

Not sure who your PA legislator is? Use our new feature to discover who represents you in the legislature and US Congress.

10/07/2025

Thank you Senator Carolyn Comitta.

“Voters elect public officials to work in their best interest – that means working together, not trying to actively disrespect, humiliate, and destroy each other every step of the way.

Right now, because of the lack of a state budget, schools, childcare centers, mental health providers, libraries, food banks, crime victim services, r**e crisis centers, and more are facing cuts, layoffs, and disruptions in critical services.

When one side decides that it must win at all costs on every issue, we all lose. When one side decides gridlock and shutdowns are worth it to win political points, we all pay the price.”

West Chester, Pa (October 7, 2025) — State Senator Carolyn Comitta issued the following statement on the state budget impasse and the federal government shutdown: “Like many Pennsylvanians, I am […]

10/07/2025

Early Intervention Provider's Association of PA - EIPA advocating in Harrisburg last week alongside Headstart and other nonprofits who serve children and families. The budget impasse is hurting those who serve the most vulnerable - young children. This is the fourth month of the budget impasse! Please share and contact your legislator.

08/28/2025

Laura and Megan from Pinwheels DTS were invited to yesterday's press conference in West Chester. We thank Senator Carolyn Comitta, Senator John Kane, and Senator Katie Muth for drawing out the needed attention of the impact of the PA budget impasse on our most vulnerable residents, including the infants and toddlers we serve.

“It’s simple, we need a budget that works,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta. “Without the funding we need, Chester County can’t fund vital services.

08/18/2025

Letter written by a fellow early intervention provider in PA - "The children we serve do not have the luxury of time. Developmental windows close quickly, and progress lost now may never be regained. I urge our lawmakers to put politics aside and prioritize funding for early intervention immediately."

Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget impasse threatens to disrupt critical early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

08/17/2025

Este artículo se publicó hace tres semanas, y el impacto del impago por parte de los condados debido al estancamiento presupuestario estatal se está sintiendo (o se sentirá pronto) en proveedores de intervención temprana para bebés y niños pequeños, como Pinwheels DTS. Sabemos, gracias a nuestro evento de incidencia del mes pasado, que nuestros legisladores desconocen en gran medida nuestro programa y el apoyo que brindamos a las familias de bebés y niños pequeños. Por favor, ayúdenos a alertar a nuestro personal y a nuestras familias contactando a la oficina de su legislador e informándoles del impacto que el estancamiento presupuestario y los retrasos en la financiación tienen en usted, su familia, su profesional de intervención temprana y su comunidad. Mantenemos nuestro compromiso con nuestros profesionales de intervención temprana y las familias a las que servimos.

State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments.

08/17/2025

This article was published 3 weeks ago today and the pain of nonpayment by counties due to the state budget impasse is being felt (or will soon be felt) by providers of infant toddler early intervention like Pinwheels DTS. We know from our advocacy event last month that our legislators are largely unfamiliar with our program and the support we provide to the families of infants and toddlers. Please help us sound the alarm for our workforce and our families by contacting your legislator's office and letting them know the impact of the budget impasse and funding delays on you, your family, your early interventionist, and your community. We remain committed to our early interventionists and the families we serve.

State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments.

08/06/2025

Virtual Parent Cafe Series this fall!
See flyer for details

08/05/2025

Please contact your PA senators - infant toddler early intervention is one of many starting to feel the effects of the delayed budget - https://www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/payment-delays-pennsylvania-budget-stalemate/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL_WSRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnFuaSLDW3ES2ldjH7MSI24eiV3CwRSsx0QA6T8EC3s5e_5ybXH7Uzy3chAA_aem_f6HvYx7YDDAMTreimMaJeg

State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments.