Job Posting - Youth System Program Representative

For the Position of:

Youth System Program Representative

Position Specifics

Position:  Youth System Program Representative             Salary Range: $43,000-47,000

                                                                                              

Business Unit:  Operations                                                          Department: Workforce Strategies- Youth System

Reports To:  Manager                                                                   Posted:  August 31, 2016 – September 14, 2016

Role Summary

This position is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the practices of the competitively procured YouthWorks Administrator and related youth workforce development programs to ensure compliance with contractual requirements. This position is also responsible for providing technical assistance to contracted providers to promote performance and quality services consistent with contract requirements and State program guidelines. This position is responsible for analyzing performance management reports, Philadelphia Works data systems and Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) to identify and articulate performance trends and make appropriate suggestions for program improvement. This position will assist in developing trainings as identified by leadership that will enhance programmatic operations and performance outcomes.

This position will be responsible for the following duties:

• Conduct site visits to contractor and subcontractors to ensure quality service is being rendered as outlined in the scopes of work.
• Use Program Monitoring tools to analyze program operations and monitor program compliance.
• Provide technical assistance to contractor and subcontractors to ensure program performance and compliance with contract requirements and program guidelines. Furthermore, conduct observational follow-up to ensure that the recommendations have been implemented; update and /or make changes if necessary.
• Ensure all programmatic data requirements are met. This includes data elements to be captured and reporting data to meet program, provider and data analysis needs.
• Compile and track the monitoring results of all provider reviews, create statistical reports in Excel and submit written summary reports and improvement recommendations on a monthly basis.
• Analyze all relevant data reports (i.e. CWDS) and compare to PWI and State performance management results to identify performance trends.  Compare findings of current report to previous report findings to track changes as they apply to improvement recommendations and action plan.
• Work with management to prepare for State audits, and analyze and compare State audit results to performance review results to develop more efficient corrective action plans.
• Assist in identifying best practices for enhancing processes and procedures for better performance, service delivery, and efficiency services throughout the workforce system.
• As needed, assist in drafting Operations Memoranda and/or policies to increase efficiencies
• Participate in youth system interdepartmental team meetings and maintain all agendas and meeting minutes.
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as necessary.
• Maintain records for all performance management results. 
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Education/Professional Experience

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services, Youth Development, Business Management or related field with 2-3 years monitoring or quality assurance experience.

Or, any combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

·         Strong project management skills

·         Ability to interpret contract scope of service

·         Strong analytical and problem solving skills

·         Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills

·         Proficient in Word and Excel and working knowledge of Access and Power Point

·         Ability to interact effectively with various levels of staff, management, government officials, and the public

·         Ability to travel to various locations throughout the city

Contact Information

Interested applicants should apply online at

www.philaworks.org  and click on

 “About Us” and then “Careers at Philadelphia Works”

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Alternate Formats, Auxiliary Aides and Services are available upon request

2-Ingredient Hack To Clean And Deodorize Your Cutting Board

Last year, I really got into woodworking, which is something I’ve been exposed to my whole life. My dad is a master craftsman and is able to build anything under the sun — it’s really quite impressive. With his help, I began to make functional projects for my house, including a few cutting boards.
 

 Wooden, rustic cutting boards are all the hype, however, the concept is far from new. I have heard of cutting boards being passed down from generation to generation, based on the quality of the wood and the overall maintenance of the board itself. If you properly clean and treat a solid piece of hardwood, it will last several lifetimes.

Say no to soapy board baths
What you may or may not know is that, in many cases, too much soap and water will damage wood. Over time, soapy water will weaken wood fibers, significantly reducing the cutting board’s lifespan. With that being said, you need to clean it after it’s been exposed to food, helping you avoid harmful bacteria.

Which leads me to tip number one — whenever you’re finished with your cutting board, give it a quick rinse with hot water. I generally use hot water and the smallest dab of my homemade organic soap to ensure that the surface is clean.
Tip number two — never submerge your cutting board in water, which will reduce its lifespan and increase the risk of warping and splitting. Secondly, when you place a dirty cutting board in water, wood has a porous surface, and will easily absorb pathogens if submerged. To combat bacteria and stinky (but delicious) ingredients, such as onions and garlic, this hack will always have your back.
Simple and effective, this solution combats the above issues, all while reducing your reliance on chemicals and harsh soaps. Utilizing lemon and salt, this hack will help you naturally clean and deodorize your cutting boards with ease. I use my favorite cutting board every day, so I generally give it a deep clean once a week.
Tip number three — after you clean the board, “condition” all solid wood, such as oak and walnut. This will create a protective layer that helps maintain the look and feel of the board itself. I personally use a vegan, coconut-based oil made with essential oils and a wax made from rice — but there are a number of options available.
Time to scrub up

Besides the two key ingredients mentioned, all you’ll need is a little water, a cloth and some good ol’ fashion elbow grease.
Ingredients

• 1 lemon — which does not need to be fresh. If you often cook with lemons or make vinaigrettes, save the squeezed peels in the fridge to use the following day. This is an excellent way to reuse ingredients, maximizing their potential use.

• Coarse sea salt — I often combine same more finely ground sea salt with some larger, more coarse pieces as well.

• Warm water

• Clean cloth or sponge

• Oil and wax to condition (optional, but highly recommended)

Instructions
1. Wipe your cutting board, before sprinkling a generous amount of salt over the board itself.
2. With your lemon halves, give the board a good scrub, working the abrasive salt around the entire surface.
3. Using a cloth, wipe away the salt to expose a clean, fresh smelling surface.
Note: Once a month, I will also use a touch of hydrogen peroxide. Pour a small amount on the board, allowing it to fizz for a few minutes before wiping clean. Then simply apply the 2-ingredient hack above to further remove stains and deodorize.  
— Krista Hillis

Back to School Picnic - Bookbag Giveaway!!! - Register Today!

Community picnic and back-to-school celebration book bag giveaway Residents of all ages from across the 164th Legislative District are invited to my Sixth Annual Community Picnic and Back-to-school Giveaway, which will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Second Ward Playground, 747 Crosley Avenue, Upper Darby, across the street from the Fernwood Cemetery on Church Lane. We'll have free barbecue and drinks, family games, entertainment, state resources and information for students and families. We provide this service every year so that families can have a successful 2016-17 school year. The event will also include a book bag and school supplies giveaway for students, but pre-registration is mandatory to receive a free book bag and is first-come, first-served, while supplies last. You must pre-register by Sept. 2 to receive the book bag and school supplies. To pre-register, call 610-259-7016, email arice@pahouse.net or stop by my office in the Barclay Square Shopping Center, 1500 Garrett Road, Upper Darby.

Rep. Margo Davidson D-164th District Delaware County website

PA House of Representatives Democratic Caucus PO Box 202250 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2250

Top 3 Reasons To Use More Cloves

Like many natural products, cloves are more versatile and useful than they seem at first blush. Here are three reasons to keep them handy year-round.
 

1. Cloves are rich with nutrients

For such a small spice, cloves pack quite a health punch. They are rich in vitamins, iron and calcium. They are also bursting with manganese, which is important in building healthy bones and skin. It also helps to control blood sugar levels. As if that weren’t reason enough to use cloves whenever possible, its oxygen radical absorption rating is startlingly high. Researchers at Miguel Hernandez University ranked cloves as the best natural antioxidant among five healthy herbs tested. This is due to its high concentration of polyphenols, which prevent free radicals from wreaking havoc on tissue and DNA. Polyphenols have also been tentatively linked to lower levels of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
2. Cloves have medicinal qualities

The nutrients and polyphenols are great for maintaining health, but what if you’re already sick? Depending on the illness, cloves might be able to aid in your recovery. People turn to cloves as a remedy for many ailments:

• As a quick fix for not-so-great breath, chew on clove buds. You’ll also be fighting the bacteria that often causes bad breath in the first place. It’s a win-win.
• For a cold, try a tea that includes a healthy dose of cloves. Cardamom tea is a good choice.
• For relief from a sore throat, try chewing on a clove bud. It’s antiseptic properties should have you feeling better quickly.
• There are many different varieties of clove-based headache pastes to be used as a muscle rub around the temples. Give one a try!

3. Cloves can replace products traditionally made with harsh chemicals

In addition to being packed full of healthy goodness and medicinal properties, cloves have a wide variety of practical uses, too. Give these ideas a try:

• Cloves can work as an all-natural antiseptic on a cut or sore. Either dilute clove oil in distilled water or mix ground clove with honey to get an antiseptic paste.
• A simple mixture of ground cloves, honey and fresh lemon juice can leave your skin feeling clean and clear without the heavy chemicals in many over-the-counter face washes.
• Avoid the chemicals in cleaning products by using cloves to fight mold. Mix a teaspoon of clove oil into a bottle of distilled water and apply liberally. The clove’s antiseptic properties will keep your kitchen and bathroom mold-free.
• Sore gums? Cloves are an important ingredient in dental anesthetics. A few drops of diluted clove oil can do wonders. Alternatively, chew on whole roasted cloves.
• To keep the bugs at bay, fill a spray bottle with 50 percent distilled water, 50 percent witch hazel and 60 drops of clove oil. That should do the trick.

— Erin Wildermuth

Drink Hibiscus Tea For Heart Health, Lower Cholesterol And More

I first discovered the joys of hibiscus tea while traveling through Mexico and Central America late last year. After the first sip, I was instantly in love. The deep ruby hues of the drink itself, followed by the rich, natural sweetness and slightly sour aftertaste made for a wonderfully refreshing drink amidst the sweaty crowds of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico or the colonial chaos of Antigua, Guatemala.

Despite it’s seeming innocence and wondrously refreshing taste, experience has taught me to automatically distrust any food or drink I know nothing about, and this new red drink was no exception. While I could see that the bright, iridescent hummingbirds gave a big thumbs up to the hibiscus flower (their long beaks and even longer tongues giving them the advantage over other pollinating insects), the question was whether or not it was fit for human consumption.

After some preliminary research, however, I was delighted to find that hibiscus tea, in it’s purest form, has a wide range of health benefits. Some store-bought varieties of hibiscus tea (known as “jamaica” in Mexico and Central America — pronounced “ha-mye-kah”) may have added sweeteners. Instead, buy the straight powdered form of this nutritious flower, or even the whole dried flowers themselves, to work real wonders on your health. Hibiscus tea, otherwise known as “sour tea” in Iran and other areas of western Asia, can be traced back to ancient Angola. As the process of globalization took hold, it began to spread throughout the rest of the world, with Egyptians prizing it for its ability to maintain normal body temperature and encourage fluid balance. In other North African countries, the tea has been used for supporting upper respiratory health and to promote healthy skin. In Europe, hibiscus is often turned to for promoting circulation and alleviating the odd bout of constipation.
If the boiled extract from one specific plant can achieve such global appreciation, clearly it’s something worth drinking. Here are a few of the reasons why you should jump on the bandwagon.
1. Treat high blood pressure

An increasing body of scientific evidence is pointing towards hibiscus as a powerful tool for improving heart health. Studies show that daily consumption of hibiscus tea may benefit people with elevated blood pressure, with one six-week study indicating that hibiscus tea had a greater effect on lowering systolic blood pressure than the control group. Research indicates that hibiscus may be a beneficial drink for those with mildly high blood pressure, pre-hypertension or even type 2 diabetes.
2. Lower cholesterol
The high concentrations of antioxidants in hibiscus, which make it such an effective food for lowering blood pressure, also result in a surprisingly powerful tool for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Several studies have shown that regular consumption of hibiscus can help to lower levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind). It thereby improves the ratio of HDL (“healthy”) cholesterol to LDL cholesterol in the body and helps to protect against heart disease and blood vessel damage.
In 2010, researchers conducted a large study of 222 adults, around one-third of which suffered from metabolic syndrome. They were randomly assigned to three groups — healthy diet, hibiscus, and healthy diet with hibiscus. While the study designer’s concept of a “healthy diet” remains to be determined, the study found that those suffering from metabolic syndrome had significantly reduced blood glucose, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The study also determined that regular consumption of hibiscus also resulted in a measurable improvement in insulin sensitivity. The study hypothesized that the anthocyanins in hibiscus help to regulate adipocyte function, which promotes both prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome.
3. Protect the liver
Those antioxidants in hibiscus which we seem to keep going back to have done it again, this time with regards to the health of your liver. These days, chronic exposure to both environmental toxins and food-based toxins mean most people’s livers are struggling to absorb and remove the toxins flowing steadily into our bodies. A study published in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology indicated that the antioxidant anthocyanins in hibiscus had an anti-inflammatory effect on liver lesions in rats, along with reduced oxidative damage. While this effect doesn’t seem to have been modeled on humans yet, it suggests that drinking hibiscus can significantly lower your risk of liver disease, and also give it a helping hand in its fight against toxins. 
4. Relieve anxiety and depression

The healing abilities of hibiscus also appear to extend to the central nervous system. A 2012 study found that the flavonoids and antioxidants in hibiscus have a strong antidepressant effect on the brain and that it has therapeutic potential in the treatment of central nervous system disorders due to its dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic mechanisms. Fancy words, but the message is clear — drinking hibiscus has a positive effect on your brain and mood.
— Liivi Hess

6 Things Your Earwax Says About Your Health

By Markham Heid August 4, 2016

It's kind of gross. But you can learn a lot about what's going on inside your body by paying attention to the stuff it produces.
The color and consistency of your pee, poop, saliva, and mucus can signal potential health issues—or reassure you that all's well. The same is true of the stuff that oozes out of your ears, though experts say your earwax isn't as informative as a lot of people assume.

"To be honest, earwax doesn't warrant a lot of attention in our practice," says Brett Comer, MD, an assistant professor and otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doc) at the University of Kentucky.
Earwax—or "cerumen," to use what Comer calls its "50-cent term"—helps keep dirt and bacteria from getting too far inside your ear canal. "People seem to worry about it a lot, and they ask if they're making too much or too little, or about the color," he says. "But it's not like snot where those little things can tell us a lot."
While earwax may not excite your doctor the way boogers do, there are still some things your ear goop can tell you about your health. Here are 6 of them.
MORE: The Absolute Worst Way To Clean Your Ears
It's watery, and has a greenish tint.
If you've been sweating, a watery discharge from your ear is probably the result of your perspiration leaking down into your ear and mixing with the wax, Comer says. But if you haven't been sweating, and the watery wax is greenish or dark yellow, that could indicate an ear infection, he says.
It's sticky, or dry.

Photograph by kzww/shutterstock

For all of us, it's one or the other. And your type can provide clues to your genetic ancestry. Research appearing in the journal Nature Genetics finds most people of Asian decent have dry earwax, while people of African or European descent have sticky or "wet" wax. The authors of that study say this was a genetic adaptation to the climates in which our ancestors evolved.
It has a strong odor. 
You may have an infection or damage in the middle part of your ear. This can lead to a number of symptoms that, together, doctors refer to as "chronic otitis media." One of those symptoms: "You could get a foul-smelling drainage from your ear," Comer says. If your middle ear is messed up, you may also notice problems with your sense of balance, a ringing in your ears, or the sensation that your ear is full or blocked. See your doc.

You notice when it leaks out.
Infections or tears inside your eardrum can lead to the formation of an abnormal skin growth called a "cholesteatoma," Comer explains. "It's a kind of a cyst-like structure that leads to debris from the ear filling up the ear canal." Rather than the imperceptible discharge you're used to, ear gunk may come out in a noticeable trickle or clump. Pressure and pain in your ear are also symptoms of a cholesteatoma.
MORE: 4 Steps To Remove Ear Wax
You don't seem to have any.

Photograph by chajamp/shutterstock

If your earwax pulls a vanishing act—like, you don't seem to make it any more—there's a very small chance you have a rare and not-well-understood condition called "keratitis obturans," Comer says. "Instead of coming out gradually on its own, the wax builds up inside your ear until you have this very hard plug," he explains. On the off chance you have this going on in your ear, you're likely to experience other symptoms like pain or fullness, he adds.
It's flaky.
You're not sick. You're just getting older. "As people age, the wax tends to get more flaky as opposed to like peanut butter," Comer says. Don't freak out. "Glands in general tend to dry out as we get older," he explains.

5 Ways Pineapple Can Nourish Your Skin

I think of pineapple and my mind immediately takes me to a Caribbean island paradise, lounging on the beach in the sun and sipping on piña coladas. Or simply feeling a little exotic at my next supermarket shop and splashing out on a juicy pineapple to make a delicious fruit salad at home, once again with images of golden sands and azure waters running through my head as I chew on that yellow goodness.
However, what I didn’t think about, until very recently at least, is the considerable health benefits that a juicy pineapple can provide. This is particularly the case when it comes to skincare, where either topical application or drinking it as a delicious smoothie or fruit juice can nourish your depleted epidermis and keep you looking young.

Here’s five ways you can use pineapple to improve your skin. Keep your skin looking younger
Nobody wants old, saggy, unsightly skin, but you also don’t want to be forever applying toxic mass-produced moisturizers which expose your skin and body to nasty chemicals and synthetic compounds. Pineapple provides a convenient solution, fighting the oxidative damage of your skin from free radicals with the aid of antioxidants and alpha-hydroxy acids.
Seeing as your face is the most prominent part of your skin, and the part of your body that (normal) people typically look at first, you might want to try the following face and skin mask recipe:

Pineapple and Papaya Face and Skin Mask Recipe

Servings 1 serve

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time no cooking

Ingredients

• 1/2 pineapple
• 1/2 papaya
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• Coconut oil (or avocado oil)

Equipment

• Blender

Servings: serve

Units:

Instructions

1. Combine papaya, pineapple and raw honey in a blender until smooth.
2. Massage the mix onto your freshly rinsed face, neck or any area of your skin needing attention.
3. Get horizontal and leave the blend on for at least 15 minutes. There may be a tingling sensation from the bromelain (a unique enzyme which dissolves or “eats” a wide range of proteins, including dead skin) in the pineapple and the enzymes in the honey — that means it’s working!
4. Rinse the mixture off with warm water and apply a natural moisturizer, such as coconut or avocado oil, to the area to lock in all the goodness you’ve just soaked in.

Say goodbye to wrinkles and warts
Even worse than old-looking skin is wrinkled or warty skin. But how do you fight off something so inevitable? Well, you can start with pineapple: Applying the juice or the pulp of a fresh pineapple to your face or any area showing signs of wart infestation can utilize the healing powers of vitamin C to banish them from where they came. Meanwhile, the high concentrations of bromelain contained in pineapples can promote smoother skin and fewer wrinkles.
Help fight off acne
Acne is a serious problem for many people, particularly teenagers when hormones are running wild. Once again, the high levels of vitamin C contained in pineapple comes to the rescue, allowing the body to heal the symptoms causing your acne problem. In addition, pineapples contain plenty of anti-inflammatory compounds which help to prevent new breakouts and reduce the severity of existing ones.
Get sexy, flexy skin

Pineapple is just an all-around good guy when it comes to nourishing your skin and improving it without any adverse side effects. For starters, it helps the body to produce collagen that promotes increased skin elasticity and firmness. Secondly, its high levels of vitamin C promote repair at both the cellular and muscular levels, meaning your skin is more likely to regenerate and less likely to show signs of aging.
You can enjoy these beneficial effects on your skin in two ways: Either by drinking fresh, organic pineapple juice (without any nasty additives or added sugar — it’s sweet enough!) every day, or by rubbing the pulp directly on your face and other areas of your body. If you use the second method, just be sure to rinse it off afterward to ensure the bromelain doesn’t start eroding your skin (don’t worry too much — it would have to be on for a long time to do this).
Exfoliate your skin or scrub your feet
Pineapples make for the ideal exfoliator, on account of their high content of bromelain, which helps to remove dead skin and expose your newer, fresh-looking skin underneath. The best and simplest way to use pineapple as an exfoliator is to cut off a thick slice of pineapple and take it into the shower with you (making sure nobody’s watching — it might look a little weird). Then, rub the slice of pineapple firmly over all the areas of your skin you want treated, making sure to rinse thoroughly afterward.
The same approach can be applied to your feet, using either a slice of pineapple or a homemade foot scrub to soften skin, remove dead or excess skin, and help to remove any cracks on the soles of your feet.
So, next time you ask your bartender for a piña colada, consider requesting a chunk of straight pineapple on the side. Your skin will thank you for it.

As always, moderation is key. The ingredients in pineapple are extremely beneficial when used sparingly and infrequently, however, they can become troublesome if used in excess. Try to avoid using pineapple on your skin for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and take a break in your pineapple routine every now and then.
—Liivi Hess