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

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April 08, 2026- Philadelphia, PA

Shapiro Administration Expands 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) today joined community partners at Kintock to provide people returning to the workforce from the justice system with on-the-spot birth certificates, helping to remove a significant barrier that can stand in the way of work, training, housing, and reentry.

During the event, DOH's Division of Vital Records issued over 30 birth certificates to people living at the 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 housing and identification.

The on-the-spot initiative builds on the Shapiro Administration's work to make state services easier to access and help connect more Pennsylvanians to opportunities.

"Lack of access to essential documents should not be a barrier for someone reentering daily public life who's trying to apply for a job, sign up for training, or take the next step in rebuilding their life," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. "This is about solving a real problem in a practical way and making sure people have a fair chance to succeed."

Speaker List:
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

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