Category: Government Actions

CDC Releases New COVID-19 Guidance for Schools; The Vaccinated Don’t Need Masks (July 12, 2021)

On July 9,2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), citing a return to in-person learning as a priority,  updated its COVID-19 guidelines, which state that vaccinated teachers and students do not need to wear masks inside school buildings.

However, the CDC continues to recommend that persons two years-old and up who aren’t vaccinated continue to wear masks indoors and to keep a social distance of three feet. With regard to schools, this would include students and staff.

At the present time, children as young as 12 years old are eligible to be vaccinated and vaccines have been shown to be effective against the disease and its variants.

To access the CDC guidance, click here.

DHS to Re-open County Assistance Offices to the Public, Encourages Continued Use of Online Services (July 10, 2021)

On July 8, 2021, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that all County Assistance Offices (CAO) will resume in-person operations for clients on July 12, 2021. On-site CAO services will provide clients with access to DHS’ caseworkers and services if they cannot access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling the Customer Service Center. 

“No one should be forgoing services that help them live well and meet essential needs, so whether you visit a CAO in-person or access services via our website and mobile app, DHS is here to help you. I want to thank everyone for their patience while our CAOs were closed to in-person services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting DHS Secretary Meg Snead. “Because our clients were able to access services online, we had the opportunity to keep the public and our staff safe from COVID-19 while still providing access to health care, food, and other essential needs to those who needed them. However, our CAOs are still a vital local resource for Pennsylvanians who need assistance, so we are pleased to be able to resume in-person services on July 12.”

The CAOs will be following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDH) to ensure the health and safety of clients and staff. While CAOs will not require masks to be worn inside at all times, visitors who are not vaccinated or who prefer to wear masks are encouraged to do so.

DHS’ online applications and resources will remain accessible at www.compass.pa.state.us and the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, and clients are still encouraged to use online and mobile services whenever possible. Clients can apply for benefits, make updates to their case, and submit paperwork virtually. The following key services can be accessed online without going into a CAO:

  • Apply for Medical Assistance, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, cash assistance, Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
  • Find out how to apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) benefits;
  • Submit benefit renewal information;
  • Review benefits and case record information;
  • Report a change in case information; and,
  • Upload verification documents.

The best way for residents to learn more information about ERAP and to apply for the program is through www.compass.pa.state.us. Two-thirds of Pennsylvania counties have partnered with DHS to make their ERAP applications available to their residents online. If a person tries to apply through the COMPASS website but indicates that they reside in one of the 22 counties with its own application, they will be provided with information about how to apply, including a link to the county application if available. ERAP applications are not accepted or processed in-person at CAOs, so Pennsylvanians should continue to use COMPASS to apply for rental and utility assistance through ERAP.

Assistance can also be reached over the phone by contacting the Customer Service Centers where caseworkers are available to speak directly with callers to answer questions. Clients in Philadelphia with questions, information to report about their case, or who need a paper application mailed to them should call the Philadelphia Customer Service Center at 215-560-7226. Clients in all other counties can call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930.

For more information about assistance programs administered through DHS, visit www.dhs.pa.gov

PDE Announces SpEd Performance Grant – Competitive Integrated Employment Grant 2021-22 (July 9, 2021)

On July 9, 2021, PDE BSE Director Carole L. Clancy disseminated a PennLink communiqué titled Special Education Performance Grant – Competitive Integrated Employment Grant 2021-2022. The memo states that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education is requesting applications from Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including school districts and charter schools, intermediate units, approved private schools and chartered schools for the deaf and the blind, interested in establishing or expanding effective, competitive integrated employment programming for youth with disabilities. This initiative is intended to provide youth with disabilities with paid, community-based work experiences during the 2021-2022 school year.

The purpose of the Competitive Integrated Employment Grant is to:
-Improve competitive integrated employment outcomes for youth with disabilities;
-Provide virtual and/or in-person work experiences, including but not limited to job shadowing, internship/practicum (paid/unpaid), cooperative education programs, apprenticeships, community-based work programs, and service learning (unpaid), with job coaching as appropriate, for youth with disabilities with preference for students at-risk of dropping out and/or youth who have difficulty obtaining employment independently;
-Establish sites that can serve as models for competitive integrated employment for youth with disabilities;
-Actively involve the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), County/Community-Based Behavioral Health, the Office of Intellectual Disabilities, Centers for Independent Living, and other disability-specific support organizations during the development and implementation of the grant-related activities; and
-Provide Job Coach training to LEA staff on the responsibilities and competencies needed to support transition-aged students build work-related skills in community-based settings.

 Grant monies will be awarded to applicants that:
-Have the ability to partner with local business(es);
-Collaborate with one or more of the following: OVR, County/Community-Based Behavioral Health, Office of Intellectual Disabilities Centers for Independent Living, and other disability-specific support organizations; and
-Are establishing or have an established school-based career readiness programs.  

 Funding for each successful grant applicant will be available from the date of the award through August 15, 2022.  
-First-time applicants are eligible for funding up to $30,000.
-2020-2021 Competitive Integrated Employment grantees that received funds up to $30,000 are eligible for up to $15,000 to extend current programming.
Note: 2020-2021 Competitive Integrated Employment extension grantees that received funds up to $15,000 are not eligible to apply.

 The application can be found on the Secondary Transition webpage of the PaTTAN Website: https://www.pattan.net/Graduation-Post-Secondary-Outcomes/Educational-Initiatives. Applications must be received by Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

PaTTAN will provide an informational webinar regarding the grant application process on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Individuals interested in participating in this webinar can join by accessing the following link: https://pattanpgh.zoom.us/j/93839203688. This webinar will also be recorded and posted on the PaTTAN website.

For questions concerning the 2021-2022 Competitive Integrated Employment Grant, contact: Jeffery Coover, PaTTAN Educational Consultant, at [email protected].

Department of Education Provides Information on New Law That Allows Grade Level Retainment (July 8, 2021)

Schools and school districts will accept completed forms until Thursday, July 15, 2021

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today provided information on Act 66, a new law that permits parents, guardians, and students over the age of 18 to elect to have their children or themselves repeat their grade because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 30, 2021, Governor Wolf signed Act 66 of 2021 into law. The law allows students who were enrolled during the 2020-21 school year to repeat their grade level to make up for any learning loss due to the pandemic, even if the student met requirements to be promoted to the next grade level.

Additionally, Act 66 allows students with disabilities who were enrolled during the 2020-21 school year to attend a school during the 2021-22 school year and receive services detailed on their most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) with full protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These students are defined as those who turned 21 during the 2020-21 school year or turned 21 between the end of the 2020-21 school year and the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

As required by Act 66, PDE developed and posted on its website a standard form for parents, guardians, and students at or over the age of 18 to notify school entities of their plan to remain in the current grade level and/or school for the upcoming school year. The completed form must be signed and submitted to the student’s district and/or school by July 15, 2021.

Act 66 applies to the following school entities: school district, Intermediate Unit (IU), charter or cyber charter school, regional charter school, nonpublic school, approved private schools, career and technical education centers, and chartered schools for the deaf and blind.

There are additional resources available to mitigate learning loss due to the pandemic including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP ESSER). ARP ESSER will provide Pennsylvania with $4.9 billion in emergency funding to support the long-term work of education recovery. At least 90 percent, or $4.5 billion, of the fund will be distributed to eligible public-school districts and charter schools, with each entity receiving an amount proportional to the federal Title I-A funds received in 2020. Recognizing the differential effects of the pandemic and related challenges, PDE encourages schools to leverage ARP ESSER funding, as well as earlier rounds of federal emergency aid, to accelerate a return to in-person learning, while also planning for the long-term.

PDE offers a toolkit and a professional learning series to school leaders and educators to help address students’ learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Accelerated Learning through an Integrated System of Support” provides a voluntary process and research for school leaders to consider in preparing for the upcoming school year that addresses the academic and emotional well-being of students.

More information on Act 66 and answers to common questions can be found on PDE’s website.

More information on ARP ESSER is available on PDE’s website: education.pa.gov/ARPESSER.

More information on the Accelerated Learning toolkit and professional learning series is available on PDE’s website: education.pa.gov/AcceleratedLearning.

PDE Provides Act 66 of 2021 – Student Grade Level Retainment Guidance (July 4, 2021)

On June 30, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 66 of 2021 (Act 66) into law. Act 66 permits students that were enrolled during the 2020-21 school year to repeat their grade level in an effort to make up for any lost educational opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even if the student met the requirements to be promoted to the next grade level. Parents/guardians and students, at or over the age of 18, have until July 15, 2021, to elect to have their child or themselves repeat a grade level for the 2021-22 school year. Throughout this guidance, these students are referred to as “students repeating a grade level.”  

Additionally, Act 66 permits students with disabilities who were enrolled during the 2020-21 school year and turned age 21 during the 2020-21 school year, or between the end of the 2020-21 school year and the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, to attend a school entity during the 2021-22 school year and receive services as outlined on their most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) with all the protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Throughout this guidance, these students are referred to as “students staying an additional year.”

This guidance provides school entities with a summary of considerations regarding families’ decisions to repeat a grade level or remain an additional year for the 2021-22 school year. This guidance is not intended to provide legal advice – school entities should consult with their legal counsel.

Act 66 applies to students enrolled in any of the following school entities in Pennsylvania during the 2020-21 school year: a school district, intermediate unit, career and technical education center, charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school, nonpublic school, approved private schools, and chartered schools for the deaf and blind.

Parents/guardians interested in re-enrolling their child under the above options for the 2021-22 school year must submit the Act 66 of 2021 Student Grade Level Retainment Notification Form to the school district and/or school that the student will attend in the 2021-22 school year on or before July 15, 2021. They are not to submit the form to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The form will be made available on the PDE webpage beginning Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at: https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/SchoolReopeningGuidance/ReopeningPreKto12/Pages/Student-Grade-Level-Retainment-(Act-66).aspx.