ADVISORY - Shapiro Administration to Expand On-the-Spot Birth Certificate Initiative to Support Reentrants, Remove Barriers to Employment

April 08, 2026- Philadelphia, PA

ADVISORY - Shapiro Administration to Expand On-the-Spot Birth Certificate Initiative to Support Reentrants, Remove Barriers to Employment

The Pennsylvania Departments of Labor & Industry (L&I), Health (DOH), and Corrections (DOC) will highlight how the Shapiro Administration is working to support Pennsylvanians returning to the workforce from the justice system. The Administration is set to issue more than 30 birth certificates to people living at Kintock's Community Corrections Center, giving participants access to an essential document many need before they can apply for jobs, sign up for workforce programs, or secure identification.

Governor Shapiro is committed to investing in Pennsylvania's workforce and this initiative, which launched last year, reinforces how the Administration is eliminating barriers to employment, such as a lack of a state-issued birth certificate. In his 2026-27 budget plan, the Governor looks to build on the Administration's work to support Pennsylvanians re-entering the workforce is by establishing the Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) Program, which pairs inmates with private industry to provide real-world work experience, develop marketable skills, and increase employability upon release.

WHO:
L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker
DOC Secretary Dr. Laurel R. Harry
DOH State Registrar Lisa Moore, Director of the Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 2:00 PM

WHERE:
Kintock, 301 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134

RSVP: Media interested in attending must RSVP to [email protected] with the names and phone numbers for each member of their team.

• Full Advisory