Category: Federal Government Actions

USDE Announces Nearly $100 Million in Continued Support for Mental Health and Student Wellness Through Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (May 17, 2023)

On May 15, 2023, the US Department of Education (USDE) announced more than $95 million in awards across 35 states to increase access to school-based mental health services and strengthen the pipeline of mental health professionals in high-needs school districts. The awards were funded by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which President Biden signed into law on June 25, 2022, and they help advance the Administration’s efforts to tackle the mental health crisis in our schools as part of his National Mental Health Strategy.

The USDE has awarded $286 million across 264 grantees in 48 states and territories to boost the training, hiring, and diversification of mental health professionals through two grants – the School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) grant program and Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) grant program – in President Biden’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Grantees estimate that these funds collectively will prepare more than 14,000 new mental health professionals for America’s schools. A state-by-state breakdown of these projections is included below.

The most recent announcement of 93 additional MHSP awards, following the awarding of $46 million to 67 grantees in December 2022, means that the USDE will fund a total of 160 MHSP grantees across the country who will train and place thousands of diverse and certified mental health providers in schools with the most need. Nearly half (45 percent) of MHSP grantees proposed a partnership with a Minority Serving Institution, Historically Black College or University or Tribal College or University. In February 2023, the USDE also announced $141 million in SBMH grants, which supports school districts in hiring mental health professionals.

The USDE is also announcing up to $2.6 million in funding for a new Mental Health Personnel Technical Assistance Center to support MHSP and SBMH grantees in meeting the goals of their grant. This Center will help identify and develop resources both for SBMH and MHSP grantees to support grantees in addressing the social, emotional, and mental health needs of PK-12 students and staff. The Center will also provide support to the field more broadly – to grantees and beyond – by disseminating best practices in recruiting, training, placing, and retaining school-based mental health services providers.

These historic investments are made possible because of funds provided under BSCA. Over the next five years, the USDE will invest the remainder of the $1 billion provided by BSCA in mental health professionals for schools through the MHSP and SBMH programs, helping advance the President’s goal, as part of his Mental Health Strategy, to double the number of school counselors, social workers, and other school-based mental health professionals.

Last fall, the USDE announced the Stronger Connections Grant program, which provided awards totaling nearly $1 billion to 56 states and territories through BSCA to help schools in high-need districts provide students with safe and supportive learning opportunities and environments that are critical for their success.

At the beginning of the school year, the USDE sent a letter with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to governors across the country to highlight federal resources available to states and schools to invest in mental health services for students. The USDE also awarded $122 billion in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds to help schools reopen and recover, and experts indicate more than $2 billion has been directed to hire more school psychologists, counselors, and other mental health professionals in K-12 schools. With the help of these funds, as of July, compared with the pre-pandemic period, the number of school social workers is up 48 percent, the number of school counselors is up 10 percent, the number of school nurses is up 42 percent, and the number of school psychologists is up 10 percent.

Three Pennsylvania Students Named 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars (May 12, 2023)

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) applauds three Pennsylvania students for recently being named 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The three Pennsylvania students were among 161 high school seniors from across the nation to receive recognition for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.

Pennsylvania’s awardees are William L. Pan, Downingtown High School (East Campus); Vibha Janakiraman, PA Leadership Charter School; and Hannah Gao, Harriton High School.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects students annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 6,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations, and the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ program.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,000 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the arts and 20 Scholars in career and technical education.  

A complete list of all 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

CDC Releases Survey on Substance Use Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among High School Students (April 30, 2023)

In 2021, substance use was common among U.S. high school students and varied by substance. Approximately one third of students (30%) reported current use (i.e., defined as use in the past 30 days) of alcohol or marijuana or prescription opioid misuse. Among current use measures, alcohol (22.7%) and marijuana (15.8%) were the most commonly reported substances used by U.S. high school students (Table 1). Current binge drinking was reported by 10.5% and current prescription opioid misuse by 6.0%. Among lifetime use measures, 47.4% of U.S. high school students reported alcohol use, 27.8% marijuana use, 12.2% prescription opioid misuse, 8.1% inhalant use, and 6.5% synthetic marijuana use. Among lifetime use measures, ecstasy (2.9%), cocaine (2.5%), methamphetamine (1.8%), injection drug use (1.4%), and heroin (1.3%) were less commonly reported.

Trend data were available for all substance use measures except current prescription opioid misuse. All substance use measures with available trend data decreased linearly over the period assessed (2009–2021 for most substances, 2015–2021 for lifetime synthetic marijuana use, and 2017–2021 for current binge drinking and lifetime prescription opioid misuse). From 2019 to 2021, prevalence of current substance use decreased for alcohol (from 29.2% to 22.7%), marijuana (from 21.7% to 15.8%), and binge drinking (from 13.7% to 10.5%). No change was observed in prevalence of current prescription opioid misuse. Lifetime alcohol use, marijuana use, cocaine use, and prescription opioid misuse also decreased from 2019 to 2021; lifetime inhalant use increased from 6.4% to 8.1%.

Compared with males, females had a higher prevalence of current substance use in 2021 for alcohol (26.8% versus 18.8%), marijuana (17.8% versus 13.6%), binge drinking (12.2% versus 9.0%), and prescription opioid misuse (8.0% versus 4.0%) (Table 2). Females also had a higher prevalence of lifetime alcohol use (53.2% versus 42.0%), lifetime marijuana use (30.9% versus 24.8%), lifetime prescription opioid misuse (14.8% versus 9.5%), and lifetime inhalant use (9.4% versus 6.8%) compared with males. However, males had a higher prevalence of lifetime heroin use (1.6% versus 0.8%) and injection drug use (1.7% versus 0.9%).

Changes in substance use from 2019 to 2021 varied by sex (Table 2). Current alcohol use decreased for both females and males. Males also had a 3.7% absolute decrease and a 30% relative decrease in binge drinking and a 2.1% absolute decrease and a 30% relative decrease in current prescription opioid misuse. Among lifetime use measures, alcohol and marijuana use decreased among both females and males. Decreases also were observed in ecstasy use, cocaine use, and prescription opioid misuse for males. However, for females, a 2.5% absolute increase and a 40% relative increase occurred in inhalant use from 2019 to 2021.

To view the study, click here.

Shapiro Administration Committed To Helping Pennsylvanians Amid Major Federal Changes To Medicaid Renewals, SNAP (April 22, 2023)

​As a result of federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP which return to pre-pandemic renewal requirements, everyone who receives their health coverage through the state will need to complete a renewal sometime in the next year. Thus, Pennsylvanians who receive health coverage through the state must be aware of changes to Medicaid and CHIP programs and take action so they can protect themselves and stay covered. Importantly, they must keep their contact information up to date with the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) to stay covered.

The federal public health emergency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for individuals to remain enrolled in Medicaid even if they became ineligible based on regular eligibility criteria, except in certain circumstances. This was also known as the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement. However, a federal law ended the continuous coverage requirement on March 31, 2023. Thus, all Pennsylvanians receiving Medicaid or CHIP must complete their annual renewal when it is due to maintain their Medicaid or CHIP coverage. No one will lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage without first having an opportunity to renew their coverage.

Pennsylvanians can update their contact information, report changes in their personal circumstances, and check their renewal date:

● Online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS

● Via the free myCOMPASS PA Mobile App

● By calling 1-877-395-8930 (215-560-7226 if they live in Philadelphia)

● By calling 1-800-986-KIDS (5437) if they are currently enrolled in CHIP

Renewals will be completed over 12 months at a person’s usual time of renewal, and renewals due in April 2023 will be the first to be affected by the end of continuous coverage. If a person is found ineligible for coverage or does not complete their renewal on time, their Medicaid coverage will end. Pennsylvanians who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will be referred to other sources of affordable medical coverage, like CHIP and Pennie®, so they have no lapse in quality, affordable health care.

Pennie is specifically tailored for Pennsylvanians by providing access to a wide variety of affordable, quality plan options, particularly for those found ineligible for Medicaid or CHIP. If cost is a barrier to coverage, many customers can find plans for under $10 per month.

Pennie® is Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace and the only place to get financial assistance to help lower the cost of high-quality coverage and care. Those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage can apply for coverage at pennie.com, and some individuals will have their information securely transferred from Medicaid or CHIP for an easier enrollment process. Customers can simply call Pennie Customer Service at 1-844-844-8040 or find Pennie-certified pros at pennie.com/connect.

In addition to changes to Medicaid renewals, those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits saw a decrease in payments in March due to the end of federal pandemic-era policy. Since early 2020, SNAP recipients have been receiving an extra Emergency Allotment (EA) payment every month, but SNAP recipients will now receive just one SNAP payment moving forward. All SNAP households will lose a minimum of $95 a month in SNAP benefits with a statewide average loss of $181 per household. Additionally, a recent change to Social Security Income following the 2023 cost of living adjustment will cause some seniors and people with disabilities to experience, on average, a further $40 decrease in monthly benefits due to the end of SNAP EAs.

Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal to increase the minimum SNAP benefit for household with seniors and individuals with disabilities by 50% and provide universal free breakfast to all children in public school is designed to help combat the effects of the benefit decrease on the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians.

To learn more about the end of SNAP extra payments and resources in your community, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/SNAPCares.

To learn more about Medicaid and CHIP renewals and access educational resources, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/phe.

For more information on health insurance options available to Pennsylvanians, visit www.pa.gov/healthcare.

USDA Extends School Meal Public Comment Period Thru May 10th (April 8, 2023)

On February 3, 2023, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a proposal to make gradual yet significant changes to school nutrition requirements on whole grains, sugar, and sodium. At that time, the USDA also announced that a public comment period would be available through April 10, 2023. However, on April 7, 2023 that period was extended through May 10, 2023.

To date, the USDA has received nearly 66,000 comments from the public.

In essence, the USDA’s proposed changes to school nutrition requirements would compel schools to offer mostly whole grain products beginning in the fall of 2024, as well as gradual sugar and sodium content reductions happening through 2029.