Category: Government Actions

PA HELPS Now Accepting Applications for School Mental Health Interns (April 30, 2023)

The PA Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is now accepting applications from local education agencies (LEA) interested in participating in the PA Mental Health Education Learning Program in Schools (PA HELPS), a state-funded program to support Pennsylvania students with completing internships required for certification and employment as a school nurse, school counselor, school social worker, or school psychologist.

The funds are awarded and disbursed to the LEA where the student completes their internship.

To be considered for PA HELPS an LEA must:

  • Be located in Pennsylvania;
  • Be a school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, or cyber charter school;
  • Complete and execute a PA HELPS LEA Application and Agreement;
  • Provide PHEAA with a copy of the agreement establishing the internship between the LEA and the school the intern is attending for their Educational Specialist Preparation Program;
  • Employ a site supervisor for the intern that holds a certification in the same field that the intern is pursuing; and
  • Use 100% of the awarded funds to compensate the intern for their internship.

All LEAs are encouraged to apply.

For more information about the application process and student eligibility, please visit www.pheaa.org/PAHELPS.

PA House Ed. Committee Passes Bill to Address Teacher Shortage (April 27, 2023)

On April 24, 2023, the PA House Education Committee voted to approve a bill that would help to address the teacher shortage in the Commonwealth. HB 141, known as the Time for Pennsylvania to Grow Our Own Educators Act, would amend the Public School Code to develop talent recruitment by providing for a Talent Recruitment Account, as well as establishing the Grow-Your-Own Educators Grant Program and grow-your-own educator career pathways. The 12-9 committee vote for legislation, which would encourage paraprofessionals and other school support personnel to attend postsecondary schools to obtain their teaching credentials, was along party lines with no Republicans voting for its passage. It has now been re-committed to the House Appropriations Committee.

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.

PDE Urges FAFSA Completion prior to May 1st (April 17, 2023)

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is encouraging Pennsylvanians to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) by May 1, 2023.

“Completing and submitting the FAFSA opens up a world of possibilities for many students across Pennsylvania – it’s the first step toward receiving both federal and state student aid. When the FAFSA is not filled out students are leaving money on the table that could potentially help them find their education,” said Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Acting Secretary of Education. “Filling out the FAFSA can help make college an affordable reality for many students by reducing or eliminating the need to borrow money, helping students feel more financially prepared and ready to take on their futures.” 

All first-time applicants enrolled in a community college; business, trade, or technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania open-admission institution; or nontransferable two-year program do have an extended deadline the first year they file: August 1, 2023.

Over 140 school districts across the Commonwealth have 50 percent or higher student FAFSA completion. School districts that have 70 percent or higher student FAFSA completion include:

  • Garnet Valley School District, 70%
  • Jenkintown School District, 70%
  • Lower Moreland Township School District, 70%
  • Marple Newtown School District, 70%
  • Old Forge School District, 70%
  • Pine-Richland School District, 70%
  • Riverview School District, 70%
  • Springfield School District, 70%
  • Wallingford-Swarthmore School District 75%

The FAFSA is an important tool for students seeking postsecondary education opportunities, whether they’re stepping onto campus for the first time or returning in the fall. Current and prospective undergraduate and graduate students should submit the FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal student aid.

By filling out the FAFSA, students can receive federal grants, work study, and loans for each year of postsecondary education. Many states and colleges award aid to postsecondary students based on federal aid eligibility, and states and many colleges will award their own aid based on that data

For more information, please visit the PDE website.