Category: Federal Government Actions

FDA Expected to Authorize Moderna and Pfizer Vaxes for Children Under Five; White House Announces Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout (June 12, 2022)

On June 12, 2022, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staff reported that the Pfizer COVID-19 three-shot vaccine regimen is effective at preventing symptomatic disease in children 6 months through 4 years-old with no new safety concerns. This comes on the heels of a June, 10, 2022 announcement by FDA staff reviewers who provided documentation that Moderna’s Covid-19 two-shot vaccine generated a similar immune response in the children than those observed in adults in previous trials and appears safe and effective for use in children aged 6 months to 17 years old.  

This week, a committee of scientists are expected to meet to vote on whether to recommend authorization for use of the two vaccines.

Previously, on June 9th the White House announced a highly anticipated Covid-19 vaccine rollout plan for children under five years-old.
The administration “has made 10 million vaccine doses available for states, Tribes, territories, community health centers, federal pharmacy partners, and others to pre-order,” according to a White House fact sheet. It is partnering with those entities to ship and distribute vaccines across the country following full FDA authorization of vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
The first vaccinations could start “as early as the week of June 20th —with the program ramping up over time as more doses are delivered and more appointments become available,” according to the fact sheet.
CNN previously reported Covid-19 vaccination shots for the youngest Americans could begin as soon as June 21.

To view the fact sheet, click here.

For more info, click here.

Sources: NBC News, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN.

DHS: 988 Suicide Hotline Ready to Go on July 16th (June 12, 2022)

According to the PA Department of Human Services, starting July 16, 2022, people who call, text, or chat with 988 will be directly connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The existing Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will remain available. Callers can also connect with the Veterans Crisis Line or assistance in Spanish.
Who can call 988?
988 can be used by anyone, any time, at no cost. Trained crisis response professionals can support individuals considering suicide, self-harm, or any behavioral or mental health need for themselves or people looking for help for a loved one experiencing a mental health crisis. Lifeline services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no cost to the caller.
What happens when you call 988?
-Callers will be directed to a local 988 call center based on a caller’s area code where trained professionals are waiting to listen and assist. Note: Callers will also be given the option to reach the Veterans Crisis Line (Option 1) or a Spanish speaker (Option 2). 
-If a local call center does not answer the call within 60 seconds, the call will be routed to one of Pennsylvania’s three regional 988 call centers.
-If a regional call center is unavailable, the call will be routed to the national backup network able to assess the crisis and connect to local assistance.

See Graphic: What happens when someone calls/texts/chats with the Lifeline.

For more from DHS, click here.

U.S. Ed. Secretary Cardona Lays Out Vision to Support and Elevate the Teaching Profession (June 11, 2022)

On June 9th, U.S Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona laid out his vision for how the nation can support teachers across the country and elevate the teaching profession. During an address and fireside chat at the Bank Street College of New York, Secretary Cardona discussed how the federal government, states, school districts, and higher education institutions can recruit, prepare, and retain great teachers and, in turn, improve our education system across the country.

View the video by clicking here.

USDE Announces New Efforts and Resources for Supporting Mental Health and Students with Disabilities (June 10, 2022)

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is focusing on steps schools, colleges, and communities can take to support students with disabilities and students with mental health needs, especially the essential partnership between schools and families to ensure effective implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Thus , the USDE has released new resources for schools, colleges, and communities to promote mental health and the social and emotional well-being of children and students.

According to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The Department stands ready to help educators, school and program staff, and families thoughtfully design learning experiences—and to ensure students with disabilities continue to have equal access to in-person instruction.”

Resources on Website Accessibility

A new series of “how-to” videos on website accessibility covers topics including how people with disabilities use technology, applicable federal laws, and how to identify and remediate technological barriers that can interfere with the ability of parents and students with disabilities to participate in modern American education. OCR’s National Digital Accessibility Team has resolved over 1,000 digital accessibility cases since its formation just under three years ago, making educational institutions’ online programs, services, and activities more accessible to people with disabilities. The 20-part video series draws from that experience and was released in partnership with the ADA National Network.

Digital Accessibility Compliance Reviews

OCR will soon launch 100 new compliance reviews examining digital accessibility in elementary and secondary schools and districts, postsecondary institutions, state departments of education, libraries, and vocational rehabilitation services. Reviews will cover online learning, public-facing websites, and parent-resource and communications platforms to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Other Actions

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included $3 billion to help states support infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Another $40 billion was provided to colleges through Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds to provide emergency aid to students and meet urgent public health needs related to the pandemic, including providing evidence-based mental health supports.

In addition, the USDE has taken a series of steps to uphold the rights of students with disabilities and support schools and institutions with providing mental health resources to students. These include:

  • Strengthening and protecting the rights for students with disabilities by beginning the process to amend regulations implementing Section 504.
  • Releasing new guidance to assist colleges in providing mental health supports for students, faculty, and staff.
  • Publishing, Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health, a resource for schools, colleges and communities to promote mental health and the social and emotional well-being of children and students.
  • Awarding $198 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support students’ basic needs and provided guidance on how colleges could use federal funds to bolster mental health counseling programs.
  • Helping teachers, staff, and families thoughtfully design safe, in-person learning experiences for all students – including students with disabilities.

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on National Center for Education Statistics “Condition of Education” Report (June 9, 2022)

On May 31, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona released a statement on the National Center for Education Statistics’ “Condition of Education” 2022 report. The report summarizes the latest data on education and includes changes in enrollment from fall of 2019 through fall of 2020, the first year of schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
“When I took office, only 46 percent of schools were open for in-person learning. Now, more than 99 percent of schools and colleges are open, and our institutions are beginning to heal. We know COVID-19 disrupted our schools and colleges, and this report serves as an important reminder of the work left to be done on the road to recovery. The Department’s urgency has shifted from getting institutions open to, now, keeping them open; providing the necessary academic, financial and mental health supports for students and families; and strengthening our K-12 and post-secondary education systems. Together—with educators, parents, and staff—we can help schools and colleges recover and thrive.

“Considering last week’s tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, this data also shines a light on a dark truth—the growing prevalence of gun violence in our schools. As I recently said to members of Congress, I am ashamed that we as a country are becoming desensitized to these horrific tragedies. As parents, leaders, and educators, protecting our children is more important than anything else. The time for thoughts and prayers alone is over. We need legislative action. We can do better, and we must do better.”

The Condition of Education report contains key indicators on all levels of education, labor force outcomes, and international comparisons. The indicators summarize important developments and trends using the latest statistics, which are updated throughout the year as new data become available. Spotlight indicators provide more in-depth analyses on selected topics. In addition, the more succinct Report on the Condition of Education, which highlights and synthesizes key findings from the Condition of Education, is also available in PDF format.

Click here to view the report.