The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is accepting applications for the COVID-19 School Health and Safety Grants to address a variety of health and safety needs for the 2020-21 academic year. The deadline to submit applications is June 30, 2020. 

Eligible uses for the grants include such things as modifying existing areas to support appropriate social distancing of students and staff; providing mental health services and supports; purchasing educational technology for distance learning; and other health and safety programs, items or services necessary to address the COVID-19 disaster emergency.

Click here for more information about the grants and the application process.

Click here to see a copy of the funding announcement with each school entity’s allocation included in Appendix A.

On June 15th, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Human Services Teresa Miller announced that $260 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding would be dispersed to agencies in the commonwealth that provide care and service for those with intellectual disabilities and autism. According to Governor Wolf, “This funding will help the more than 40,000 Pennsylvanians who receive assistance through one of the Department of Human Services’ programs or facilities…It will help to improve the quality of life for these vulnerable Pennsylvanians and those who have dedicated their lives to caring for them, and it will bring relief to families and loved ones knowing we are committed to providing the highest level of care possible, even during a pandemic.”

According to the governor, $90 million will go to providers of in-home and community, supported and small group employment, companion, and transportation trip services for 120 of retainer payments covering operations from March through June; $90 million of the funding will go to providers of residential, respite and shift nursing services; and $80 million will go to providers of Community Participation Support for 120 days of retainer payments, covering operations from March through June. Payments will be made as gross adjustments, and will be available for providers by July 1, 2020.

The funding is aimed at helping to alleviate the costs of extra staffing, overtime, and personal protective equipment that was necessary to keep those providers operational during the pandemic.

For more information, click here.

PDE has updated the website information that provides guidance and answers to common questions regarding COVID-19 pandemic and K-12 public schools. Updates include Special Education Evaluations and Reevaluations, Child Accounting Reporting, Future Ready PA Index: Evidence Collection and Reporting Requirements, and School Entity Day Reporting.

To view all COVID-19 Guidance and Answers to Common Questions, please click here or go to: https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/Pages/AnswersToFAQs.aspx#childaccountingreporting

According to the Governor’s Office, since the virus that causes the Coronavirus 2019 Disease (“COVID-19”) is easily transmitted, especially in group settings, it is essential that the spread of the virus be slowed to safeguard public health and safety. Further, COVID-19 can be transmitted from infected individuals even if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are mild, such as a cough. It can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. The guidance document addresses the procedures sports organizations and teams must follow to limit the spread of COVID-19 to the extent they are permitted to conduct in-person operations.

All sports in Pennsylvania, including professional, collegiate, Pre-K to 12 school athletics, and amateur and recreational sports, are covered by this guidance, which is preliminary and will be updated as more public health data and other information is available. Sports organizations and teams may only conduct in-person operations if they are able to do so in accordance with all applicable guidance. They are not required to reopen per this guidance.

To access the guidance document, please click here.