Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition

12/02/2025

Check out this webinar hosted by Health Resources in Action! Indoor air quality is important when it comes to creating healthier living environments for our community. Tune in this Friday at 10am via Zoom!

Register here: forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=XYo59SynZUS3PDFf-WwzEsXGKLWs4vVLlwmtYn2hMGVURVY3RVJENUpZR1NMMkFKUUJOWlk0QklMNi4u&route=shorturl

11/12/2025

Get the latest info on SNAP and fuel assistance here: 413cares.org/the-latest-on-snap-and-fuel-assistance

Even though the federal government may reopen soon, the ongoing shutdown is still impacting SNAP (food benefits) and fuel assistance.

👉 Get the latest info here: 413cares.org/the-latest-on-snap-and-fuel-assistance

Quick Summary:
🍎 SNAP recipients should have received their full benefits last week or will this week.
🚫 DTA has paused sending SNAP to newly approved applicants due to federal delays.
📞 New eligibility rules are in effect - contact the Food Bank’s SNAP Outreach Team with questions: 413-992-6204.
🔥 Fuel assistance funding hasn’t been approved yet — programs can currently only help with heat emergencies.

Stay informed and share this with anyone who might be affected! Visit 413Cares.org to search for food and other resources near you.

11/07/2025

Check out this fact sheet to learn about the current status of fuel assistance.

Like SNAP, fuel assistance programs are also being impacted by the federal government shutdown. They are funded by a federal program called HEAP - Heating and Energy Assistance Program (formerly LIHEAP). No federal funding has been authorized for these programs starting November 1st, so HEAP programs will only have limited funds for heat emergencies only until additional federal funding is available.

Check out this Fact Sheet created by Community Action that speaks to the current status of fuel assistance, what is considered a heat emergency, and what you can do. Please note, this is as of 11/7/2025.

Find your local HEAP program and other utility support programs on 413Cares.org Contact your local HEAP program for more information.

10/31/2025

06/25/2025

A few hours left to register for today's webinar about the proposed biomass plant in Springfield: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dspgqgb/lp/f16a671a-2485-48c9-a6b1-1a54f3a873e5

06/18/2025

Hot, humid weather can make asthma symptoms worse and even trigger attacks. With Massachusetts under a heat advisory, it’s important to take extra precautions if you or someone you know has asthma.

06/10/2025

Check out https://healthyairnetwork.org/ to find out the air quality near you.

The smoke from Canadian wildfires is still impacting us today and is expected to improve. For people with asthma, lung or heart disease, take precautions - wear a mask, avoid time outdoors and use an air cleaner if you can.

04/22/2025

Happy Earth Day!

🌍 Happy Earth Day! 🌿
Clean air is essential for a healthy planet and healthy communities. That’s why the Healthy Air Network is working to monitor and improve air quality in Massachusetts.

Check out how our communities are coming together to monitor air quality and push for change: healthyairnetwork.org

04/18/2025

Healthy Air Network is hosting a webinar on April 30th! Register here: https://bit.ly/42gfLYU

🌿 Breathe in. Tune in. Take action. 🌿
We are teaming up with the Public Health Institute of Western MA for a webinar: '
Know Your Air: Updates from the Healthy Air Network
📅 Wednesday, April 30 | 🕑 1 PM
🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/42gfLYU

What’s in store:
🌬️ A fresh look at the Healthy Air Network's new website
📍 Their exciting expansion into Franklin County, North Quabbin & Eastern MA
🚗 How transportation shapes the air we breathe

12/17/2024

Lead poisoning happens when lead is swallowed or inhaled. Young children absorb lead more easily, and the damage it causes doesn’t go away.

Lead can:

⚠️Harm the brain and nervous system
⚠️Slow growth and learning
⚠️Cause behavior and attention problems

Most kids with lead poisoning don’t look or act sick. A lead test is the only way to know.

👉 To learn more information and ways on how you can keep your child safe visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-childhood-lead-poisoning

11/20/2024