The USC Rowing team traveled to Cleveland this weekend to compete in the Head Of The Cuyahoga Regatta. This year's team has a record number of novice rowers, and this particular course is incredibly challenging with many twists and turns. Every boat successfully navigated the waters, and the team took this opportunity to come together while learning what it takes to complete in this type of event. And they brought home some medals!

Junior (Team Co-Captain) Lan de Jong and Sophomore Jake Kilzer earned a bronze in the Men's Junior Double, and Freshman Jamie Barrett and Marley Super, Sophomores Reese Copenhaver and Olivia Gray, with coxswain Senior (Co-Captain) Jules Gray won bronze in the Women's Junior Novice Four. The team's next race is the Head Of The Ohio (HOTO) Regata right here in Pittsburgh on Sunday Oct. 3rd.

Low-income families still have time to sign up for advance child tax credit payments

It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance child tax credit payments.

The IRS urges anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. The Eligibility Assistant can help determine eligibility for the advance child tax credit. The Non-filer Sign-up tool can help people file a simplified tax return to sign up for these payments. Some non-filers may also be eligible for the $1,400 per person Economic Impact Payments and the recovery rebate credit. People can get these benefits, even if they don't work, have no income or don’t have a permanent address.

For these families, each advance CTC payment is up to $300 per month for each qualifying child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17.

Payments are generally issued on the 15th of each month through December 2021.

Here are more details and information about how to get the payments:

• The IRS sends advance child tax credit payments to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income tax return. This includes people who successfully use the Non-filer Sign-up tool for advance CTC, available only on IRS.gov. People can access the Non-filer Sign-up tool or the step-by-step guide for using it on IRS.gov.

• Aside from filing a simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up tool, families don't have to do anything else if they are eligible to receive monthly payments.

• The Non-filer Sign-up tool is available until October 15, 2021. Using the tool by 11:59 p.m. ET on any month’s deadline will apply to the next month’s payment.
 
• Families who receive their first monthly payment in any month after July will still receive their total advance payment for the year. This means that the total payment will be spread over fewer months, rather than six months, making each monthly payment larger.
 
• The IRS encourages people to request payments by direct deposit, which is faster and more secure than other payment methods. People who don't have a bank account should visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation website for details on opening an account online. They can also use the FDIC's BankFind tool to locate an FDIC-insured bank.

• Finally, BankOn, American Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America and National Credit Union Administration have lists of banks and credit unions that can open an account online. Veterans can see the Veterans Benefits Banking Program for financial services at participating banks.

Registration for USC Odyssey of the Mind is open!

It's time to get creative! Registration for Odyssey of the Mind is now available online! We are now forming in person teams for the 2021-2022 season. To register, visit www.uscootm.com and click on the red button registration link on the home page. Registration will remain open until September 21. For more information about this fun STEAM program, please visit www.uscootm.com or plan to attend one of two "What is OM?" informational sessions on Monday, September 13. The 9:00 am will be in person at the Community Rec Center. The 7:00 pm session will be virtual. Contact uscootm@gmail.com for a link to join the call. 

CHIP is short for the Children's Health Insurance Program - Pennsylvania's program to provide health insurance to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. Nine out of 10 CHIP parents report satisfaction with their child’s health plan, and 96% received an appointment for check-ups and vaccinations as soon as they wanted.

There are a lot of reasons kids might not have health insurance - maybe their parents lost a job, don't have health insurance at work or maybe it just costs too much. Whatever the reason, CHIP may be able to help. All families need to do is apply today.

All Pennsylvania residents who are 12 and older are currently eligible for vaccination. The Allegheny County Health Department is currently offering the Janssen/J&J (ages 18 and older), Moderna (ages 18 and older), and Pfizer (ages 12 and older) vaccine at locations throughout the county. Learn more about the vaccine with facts sheets from the US Food and Drug Administration for recipients and caregivers:

• Janssen/J&J EUA
• Moderna EUA
• Pfizer-BioNTech EUA

Allegheny County Vaccine Registration Site

Visitors to the site can schedule first or second doses and reschedule or cancel their appointment. 

Individuals may also call PA 2-1-1 Southwest, powered by United Way, from 9 AM to 7 PM daily for assistance in making first and second dose appointments.

Vaccine Provider Map 

Allegheny County has created a public map of active COVID-19 vaccination locations. This map contains information about pharmacies and ongoing vaccination sites, as well as temporary vaccination events for the public. Each location includes information about the type of vaccine available and how to register. More locations will be added as they are developed. 

COVID Vaccine Provider (arcgis.com)

Testing is critical to slowing the spread of the virus. Testing leads to identification of cases, treatment for those testing positive, and immediate isolation to prevent spread. It also provides a bigger picture on how mitigation efforts are working and help investigators monitor the prevalence, spread and contagiousness of the disease. The Health Department provides testing at no cost through community partners and Curative, Inc., a California company that the county has worked with since May 2020. Insurance is not required; however, if you have insurance that will cover the cost of the test, your insurance will be billed.  

Through collaborative efforts, residents have access to a variety of options for testing including community-based testing, walk-up van testing, testing at the Federally Qualified Health Centers, and a McKeesport Drive-Thru test site. You can find a place to get tested using the Testing Site Locator Map.

For more information, visit the Allegheny County Health Department's website.

Internet Essentials from Comcast offers low-cost Internet service, discounted computer equipment and free digital literacy training to families with at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program. 

Internet Essentials Includes:

* 10 Mbps Internet service for just $9.95 a month + tax
* No activation fees and no equipment rental fees
* Option to purchase a computer for just $149.99 + tax
* Access to free Internet training online, in print and in person
* A wireless gateway, delivering in-home WiFi at no additional cost

For additional information about Internet Essentials, including program eligibility criteria, please visit www.internetessentials.com.