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February 2023 E-Newsletter News You Can Use
February News
We appreciate the Pee Dee Mental Health Center for bringing the Highway to Hope (H2H) Mobile Response Clinic to our office for staff to tour! This outreach program on wheels offers integrated mental health and primary health care to adults and children ages 3 and older.The clinic provides basic acute and primary care and mental health services, including patient education, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.Learn more about this program by visiting their website at https://www.peedeementalhealth.org/highway-to-hope/.Every now and then, heading out of the office for an off-site event and incorporating some team building into the process can be a great way to keep employees engaged and connected.Our team hit the lanes recently for some bowling fun! Food, strikes, gutter balls, and fellowship make us an even stronger family!See the full album on our website photo gallery.
Jobs in the Area
- The State of South Carolina offers a range of unique career opportunities. To learn more about these and other positions with the State of SC Government, visit their career website at https://careers.sc.gov/.
- Join us at the City-Wide Hiring Event on February 2nd, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pearl Moore Basketball Center - 500 Barnes Street, Florence, SC. The City of Florence will be conducting on-site interviews and hiring for Utilities, Public Works, Recreation, Athletics, Administration, Fire, Police, and more! Job benefits include State Health, Retirement, Wellness Clinic with Nurse Practitioner, paid holidays, uniforms, equipment, and more!
- Waste Management is hosting a hiring event on February 10th. You must apply online to reserve your interview time. Register for the event here: www.wm.com/careers
Find additional job listings by visiting the SC Job Works website.
SNAP Program EndingThe South Carolina Department of Social Services will end the federally-approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments to all South Carolina households beginning January 31, 2023.
Starting February 1, 2023, all SNAP households will go back to receiving their regular monthly benefit amount.
"Healthy Bucks" Program
The "Healthy Bucks" program allows SNAP recipients to obtain additional fresh fruits and vegetables when they use their SNAP benefits to purchase fresh produce at participating farmer's markets. SNAP recipients who purchase at least $5 with their SNAP EBT card at participating locations receive $15 in Healthy Bucks tokens to purchase additional fresh fruits and vegetables. Find out more at: https://dss.sc.gov/.../food-and-nutrition.../healthy-bucks/.
Food Pantries in Every CountyThis holiday season, we are aware that food insecurity is a real issue for many families in our state. We've teamed with Clemson University to create a statewide map showing food pantries in every county.View the map at https://bit.ly/3giH4xl.This information was made available by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (SC DHEC).Have you heard of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more.The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.Learn more by visiting the Affordable Connectivity Program website at affordableconnectivity.gov.Free Covid At-Home TestsThe White House has restarted its partnership with the U.S. Postal Service to provide home tests for every household in the nation. Those interested can visit covid.gov/tests and order four free at-home tests that will be mailed to their home.In addition to the national effort, South Carolinians can visit their local public health department and pick up free COVID-19 tests. These locations have plenty of home tests that are easy to pick up.SERGEANT TERRENCE CARRAWAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
(Funded by the Florence Police Fund & Terrence F. Carraway Foundation)Award: $1,000
The Sergeant Terrence Carraway Memorial Scholarship was established in January 2019 to honor the life of Sergeant Terrence Carraway (E.O.W. 10/03/2018) and to continue his passion for the advancement of youth in the Florence and Darlington communities. This scholarship is a need-based fund, awarded annually to two recipients from Florence County School District High Schools and two recipients from Darlington County School District High Schools. Scholarship awards are made payable to the recipient's educational institution.
The City of Florence Website to Apply
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR SCHOLARSHIP
The South Carolina State Fair annually awards 50 scholarships to South Carolina high school students planning to pursue their studies at any public or private college, university, or technical college in the state. The $6,000 scholarships are awarded at an annual rate of $1,500 and are based on academic and extracurricular achievement, communication skills, need, and completeness of the application.The deadline to apply is March 15.Pee Dee Medical Professionals Association, Inc. 2023 Scholarships
- Health Scholar Awards for High School Juniors & Seniors
- Eligible African American students with an interest in healthcare and attending school in the Pee Dee region. Merit based awards with special consideration for students demonstrating financial need. $250 (Juniors) | $500 (Seniors)
- The Charlotte L. Francis, MD Legacy Scholar for College Juniors & Seniors
- Eligible African American students pursuing a career in medicine with a connection to the Pee Dee region. $1000
For an application visit www.pdmpa.org or email us at pdmpascholarship@gmail.com. The application deadline is March 20, 2023.Landlords Needed in the Florence & Surrounding Areas!
We are looking for vacant properties to provide rental opportunities to individuals and families participating in our Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.Participating Landlords receive Guaranteed Rent.To learn more or express interest, please get in touch with Sheena Falletti at 843.669.4163.2023 NEW APPLICATION DATES!!
Public Housing ProgramThe Housing Authority of Cheraw will be accepting applications "ONCE" a month. Please note the following updates:
Location: Dizzy Gillespie Community Room
1345 Dizzy Gillespie Drive
Cheraw, South Caroling 29520Date: The following Tuesdays of Every Month
- January 10th
- February 14th
- March 14th
- April 11th
- May 9th
- June 13th
- July 11th
- August 15th
- September 12th
- October 17th
- November 14th
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Sign-in by 12:15 AM)
Applications will be processed by The Housing Authority of Florence at 2640 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501. To ensure prompt processing please go by the administrative office that is located at 1343 Dizzy Gillespie Drive, Cheraw, SC 29520 or our website at www.hafsc.org, and pick up/review an informational sheet regarding what is needed on this date
If you should have any questions, please free to contact our Applications & Admissions Department at (843) 669-4163 extension 3340 or our Clio office at (843) 586-2674 Monday - Thursday from 8:00AM - 5:00PM.
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2023 NEW APPLICATION DATES!!The Housing & Community Redevelopment Authority of Marlboro County will be accepting applications "ONCE" a month. Please note the following updates:Public Housing ProgramLocation: Clio Administrative Office100 Woods AvenueClio, South Carolina 29525Date: The following Thursdays of Every Month
- January 12th
- February 16th
- March 16th
- April 13th
- May 11th
- June 15th
- July 13th
- August 17th
- September 14th
- October 19th
- November 16th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Sign-in by 11:15 AM)Applications will be processed by The Housing Authority of Florence at 2640 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501. To ensure prompt processing, please go by the administrative office that is located at 100 Woods Avenue Clio, SC 29525, or our website at www.hafsc.org, and pick up/review an informational sheet regarding what is needed on this date.If you have any questions, please contact our Applications & Admissions Department at (843) 669-4163 extension 3340 or our Clio office at (843) 586-2674 Monday - Thursday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.----2023 NEW APPLICATION DATES!!Public Housing ProgramEastcrest Apartments (McColl) will be accepting applications "ONCE" a month. Please note the following updates:Location: McColl Administrative Office204-35 Gilchrist AvenueMcColl, South Carolina 29570Date: The following Thursdays of Every Month
- January 12th
- February 16th
- March 16th
- April 13th
- May 11th
- June 15th
- July 13th
- August 17th
- September 14th
- October 19th
- November 16th
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Sign-in by 2:15 PM)Applications will be processed by The Housing Authority of Florence at 2640 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501. To ensure prompt processing, please go by the administrative office that is located at 204-35 Gilchrist Avenue, McColl, SC 29570, or our website at www.hafsc.org, and pick up/review an informational sheet regarding what is needed on this dateIf you have any questions, please contact our Applications & Admissions Department at (843) 669-4163 extension 3340 or our office at (843) 523-5449 Monday - Thursday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.----2023 PRE-APPLICATION DATES!!
Public Housing ProgramThe Housing Authority of Florence will be accepting Pre-Applications for the Public Housing Waiting List. Please note the following dates and location:
Location: Resident Opportunity Center (ROC)
1117-B June Lane
Florence, South Carolina 29506
- Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
- Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
- Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
If you should have any questions, please free to contact our Applications & Admissions Department at (843) 669-4163 extension 3340 or our office at (843) 523-5449 Monday - Thursday from 8:00AM - 5:00PM.
"Extension of Time and Required Disclosures for Notification of Nonpayment of Rent"
Notice PIH 2021-29 Supplemental Guidance to the Interim Final Rule "Extension of Time and Required Disclosures for Notification of Nonpayment of Rent"
PHAs administering a public housing program and owners of project-based rental assistance properties must provide no less than 30 days advanced notification of lease termination due to nonpayment of rent. Further, the rule also requires that within that notification, PHAs and owners must provide information to affected tenants as necessary to support tenants in securing such available funding.
The public housing program only, the rule requires PHAs to inform all public housing tenants that the extended timeframe for notification of lease termination due to nonpayment of rent is in effect, and that families will be provided information on available funding in that 30-day notification.
Material noncompliance with the terms of the lease. An owner must provide a tenant with a notice of proposed termination that complies with timeframes set forth in state and local law. The notice must advise the tenant that the tenant has 10 days within which to discuss the proposed termination with the landlord, beginning on the earlier of the date the notice was hand-delivered to the tenant's dwelling unit or the day after the notice is mailed. If the tenant requests such a meeting, the lease specifies that the landlord agrees to discuss the proposed termination with the tenant and advise the tenant of his/her right to defend the action in court.
Community Reminders
- Rent is due on or before the 1st of every month.
- The Housing Authority is required by HUD regulations to inspect the units to ensure they are "Decent, Safe, and Sanitary." Standard procedure is: Pictures will be taken during Interior and/or Exterior inspections for documentation purposes of the resident's housekeeping.
- Resident agrees and acknowledges that the premises to be occupied by Resident and members of Resident's household, as well as certain outside areas, have been designated as smoke-free. Resident and members of Resident's household shall not smoke anywhere in the unit rented by Resident, in the building where the Resident's dwelling is located, in any of the common areas inside the building, or in any outside areas closer than 25 feet of the building(s) including sidewalks, entryways, porches, balconies, patios, and playgrounds. Nor shall the Resident permit any guests or visitors to do so.
- No parking on the grass or riding through the complex on the grass. A violation fee will be applied (see Management Schedule of Charges).
- The Resident shall assure that neither the Resident nor any persons other than those listed above and minor children which are born into the household during this tenancy shall reside in the dwelling unit for more than fourteen (14) days each year without obtaining the prior written approval of the Landlord. Management may place guests on no-trespass if they have concerns that the tenant may be in violation of this policy.
Coming Soon
The following items are activities and/or proposed short-term and long-term goals of the Housing Authority of Florence and Housing Authority of Cheraw to further the MTW statutory objectives during this Fiscal Year:
- Housing Authority of Cheraw Moving To Work (MTW) Supplement Narrative
- Housing Authority of Florence Moving To Work (MTW) Supplement Narrative
Tax Assistance
The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) offers free tax help for low to moderate-income ($60,000) taxpayers who cannot prepare their own tax returns. This includes both the preparation of the return plus e-filing of both the federal and state income tax returns.
Get your taxes done for FREE!MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND THURSDAY
At Church Hill ROC
10:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.SATURDAY DATES:
Saturday, March 4th, 2023
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Church Hill ROC
1117 June Lane
Florence, S.C. 29506Saturday, April 8, 2023
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Dizzy Gillespie Apartment Complex
1343 Dizzy Gillespie Drive
Cheraw, S.C. 29520FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
Hazel L.M. Mouzon at 843-669-4163 ext. 2008 or 843.229.6093
Black History Highlights
Ronald Erwin McNair was born on October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. In the summer of 1959, he refused to leave the segregated Lake City Public Library without being allowed to check out his books. After the police and his mother were called, he was allowed to borrow books from the library; the building that housed the library at the time is now named after him.McNair graduated as valedictorian of Carver High School in 1967. In 1971, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering physics, magna cum laude, from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1976, he received a Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the guidance of Michael Feld, becoming nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics. McNair received four honorary doctorates, as well as a score of fellowships and commendations. He became a staff physicist at the Hughes Research Lab in Malibu, California. McNair was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.In 1978, McNair was selected as one of thirty-five applicants from a pool of ten thousand for the NASA astronaut program. He was one of several astronauts recruited by Nichelle Nichols as part of a NASA effort to increase the number of minority and female astronauts. He flew as a mission specialist on STS-41-B aboard Challenger from February 3 to 11, 1984, becoming the second African American to fly in space. Following the STS-41-B mission, McNair was selected for STS-51-L as one of three mission specialists in a crew of seven. The mission launched on January 28, 1986. He was killed when Challenger disintegrated nine miles above the Atlantic Ocean, 73 seconds after liftoff. The disintegration also killed six other crew members. He was initially buried at Rest Lawn Memorial Park in Lake City, South Carolina. His remains were disinterred in 2004 and moved to Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park, located Downtown in Lake City, SC.Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more Black History Highlights.
Heart Health & Stroke Prevention
- Get outside and move to fight stress-even a short walk or a quick change of scenery from your desk or office can help break the tension and allow you to reset. Stress is a leading factor in the onset of strokes and heart disease.
- Obesity can raise your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and increase your risk of diabetes. Those can all increase your risk of stroke. Weigh yourself often, increase exercise and cutting back on sugary foods can help you reach or maintain a healthy body weight. Check with your doctor for available weight management tools.
- Getting enough sleep can reduce your stroke risk. If you have trouble sleeping and suspect you might have sleep apnea, get screened. Sleep apnea is linked to metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure, which are linked with stroke.
Budgeting Tips
- When considering purchasing an expensive item like a new laptop or TV, the key is planning ahead. Decide a date that you want to make the purchase, and divide the price by the amount of days you have. For example, if you want to purchase a $1,500 computer in 300 days, you just need to save $5 per day.
- A flexible budget is the key to money management. Consider re-assessing your budget monthly to get a pulse on how well you've been sticking to it. If you notice you're consistently overspending in one category and under-spending in another, adjust your budget to make it more achievable.
Upcoming Events
Have you ever wondered what goes into structuring a mortgage? Are you interested in becoming a homeowner and want more information about homeowner financing and future homeownership opportunities in the City of Florence?If you answered yes, join us at the next Credit Counseling and Homeownership Workshop!
- Topic: Understanding Your Credit Score
- Date: Tuesday, February 28th
- Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Location: City of Florence City Center (324 W. Evans St.)
- A door prize drawing is held at every class!
- Hosted by the City of Florence and First Reliance Bank
Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more resident news and community resources.