On July 19, 2021,  Governor Tom Wolf was joined by advocates and legislative members to celebrate the $30 million increase in early childhood education funding in the state budget. This new funding will allow an additional 3,270 children to enroll in the state’s high-quality early learning programs.

Pennsylvania administers two early childhood learning programs: Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance (Head Start). Both programs ensure access to high-quality early learning programs for low-income families with children. Together with $145 million in funding increases secured over the past six years for the programs, this year’s $30 million investment will increase funding for Pre-K Counts by 149% and funding for Head Start by 77% since 2014-15.

The $30 million early childhood education increase includes:

• $25 million increase for Pre-K Counts, equating to an additional 2,800 children.
• $5 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, equating to an additional 470 children.

“A solid educational foundation during the early years of a child’s life prepares them for lifelong learning opportunities, which is why investing in high-quality early education is critical,” said Education Secretary Noe Ortega.

“This is an investment in our children and our education system, but it is also an investment in a better, more prosperous future for all Pennsylvanians,” said Gov. Wolf.

To read the press release, click here.

On July 14, 2021, Meg Snead, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), asked school officials for help in ensuring that Pennsylvania families experiencing economic hardship due to the pandemic are connected to services and supports that will allow them to meet basic needs – food, housing, healthcare.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allocated more than $800 million to Pennsylvania to establish the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which can provide direct assistance for unpaid and upcoming rent and utility bills and other costs related to housing. Applications are currently being accepted, with the end of the federal eviction moratorium approaching at the end of July. Thus, Pennsylvanians need to know that ERAP is there to help and to begin the application process ASAP to avoid additional public health and economic crises that would come with a wave of evictions.

According to Ms. Snead, DHS is continuing to promote ERAP at the state level, but the success of this program hinges on the ability to coordinate with trusted service providers at the local level who can deliver this information directly to families. As school administrators and educators, she is requesting that all consider promoting ERAP in their buildings, newsletters, and social media.

To assist with this, DHS has developed a media kit, which includes:

• Flyers
• Newsletter text
• Social media posts and graphics
• Talking points
• Sample press releases
• Sample media pitch email
• Sample op-ed

These assets are available on the DHS website. This media kit was designed to help DHS and our partners continue to promote this program. Officials are urged to use any or all of these resources to help promote ERAP to their clients, constituents, and networks. The flyers, newsletter text, and social media posts were translated and are available in seven languages. The media kit includes messaging that targets tenants AND landlords who can apply on behalf of tenants and may be able to stabilize circumstances and avoid evictions with ERAP assistance. Anyone can apply for the program, even if they have not used DHS benefits before. This program is an opportunity to stabilize difficult circumstances that many are in after more than 17 months of a pandemic and historic economic insecurity. ERAP can be that stabilizing factor.

Inquiries should be directed to the DHS Press Office at [email protected].

At the July PA State Board of Education meeting, Secretary Noe Ortega informed everyone that he spent his first day as the PA Education Secretary helping to distribute meals to children in need and expressed his gratitude to the USDA for continuing to provide meals. He also recognized that this week is National Summer Learning Week. In addition, he expressed optimism as we move into the 2021-22 school year. His optimism is based on the resiliency shown by our students, staff, and communities over the past year-and-a-half.

Sec. Ortega recognized the recently passed state budget and praised the funds set aside for the Level Up PA program, which is aimed at decreasing the learning gap. These funds are an equity supplement that will be shared among Pennsylvania’s 100 poorest school districts and are in addition to the state’s basic education subsidy for all school districts.

With regard to the ongoing pandemic, Sec. Ortega said that PDE is working with school officials as they prepare for 2021-22. He stated that much of the decision making responsibility has been placed on LEAs and that PDE will be acting as a “sense maker” as federal guidance is received.

Sec. Ortega was followed by Deputy Sec. Dr. Sherri Smith, who reported on the state’s  ARP ESSR Plan for 2021-22. All funds must be awarded by September 30, 2022 and obligated by September 30, 2024. PA’s total award is expected to be $5.001 billion. PDE’s Final ARP ESSR Plan will be submitted to the US Department of Education (USDE) on July 16, 2021. Dr. Smith also said that stakeholders involved in the process listed the top three priorities for funding as: student and teacher mental health; online connectivity; and staffing shortages.

The only action item the Board addressed was its 2022 meeting calendar. Meeting dates for 2022 were approved as follows: January 12-13; March 13-16; May 4-5; July 13-14; September 14-15; and November 9-10.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Pennsylvania K-12 schools will have the option to continue offering free nutritious school meals during the 2021-22 school year.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) released a group of waivers and eligibility guidelines allowing schools to offer the meals without determining eligibility based on the student’s household income. 

“I’m grateful to the USDA for their commitment to combating hunger throughout this pandemic,” said Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “I encourage schools to take advantage of these waivers, which help ensure learners across Pennsylvania continue to have access to free, nutritious meals.”

Participating schools will operate under the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and will receive a higher federal reimbursement rate per meal.

Schools that elect not to serve free meals through the SSO will determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) using federal income guidelines. The annually updated income eligibility guidelines for the 2021-22 school year have been released by the USDA.

The new eligibility guidelines went into effect July 1, 2021 and allows schools and other institutions and facilities to determine eligibility for the NSLP, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer. To apply, households already receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) need only include the SNAP or TANF case number on their application if not notified of their automatic eligibility by the school. Households enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals and should complete a Household Meal Benefit Application. Other households can find more information on Pennsylvania’s COMPASS website.