Category: State Government Actions

PDH Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 460 in 31 Counties (August 29, 2026)

On August 28, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDH) announced that 460 measles cases have been confirmed across 31 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026, as PDH continues its response to the ongoing measles outbreak and provides Pennsylvanians with updated information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. 

PDH is providing statewide data to help Pennsylvanians and health care providers understand measles activity and community transmission across the Commonwealth. 

While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform the PDH’s ongoing response.

Key updates include:
-New Positive Cases (since August 26, 2026): 36
-Total Counties: 31
-Total Cumulative Cases: 460
-Total Hospitalizations: 83
-Total Cumulative Measles-Associated Deaths: 2

Pennsylvanians can stay up to date on confirmed measles cases, hospitalizations, deaths, community transmission, and vaccination efforts on DOH’s dashboard: pa.gov/measles.

Getting Vaccinated

The best protection against measles is getting fully vaccinated. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given in a two-dose series and provides 97 percent protection against measles after two doses.

MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

Measles Symptoms and Transmission

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.

Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.

Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure.

People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call the PDH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

PA Leads the Nation with the Most Teacher Prep Programs Accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (August 29, 2026)

On August 28, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that nine teacher preparation programs in the Commonwealth received accreditation by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), the highest number of any state in the country. This means that future educators in Pennsylvania have a plethora of high-quality programs to choose from that will enable them to help young learners grasp the fundamentals of reading.

IDA accreditation is a rigorous process, requiring programs to go through an extensive, multi-year review of coursework, clinical practice, and alignment to the IDA’s structured literacy standards. In total, there are only 37 programs nationally with this IDA accreditation.

Pennsylvania’s nine IDA-accredited teacher preparation programs include:
-Arcadia University, Montgomery County
-Carlow University, Allegheny County
-Drexel University, Philadelphia County
-Duquesne University, Allegheny County
-Eastern University, Delaware County
-Millersville University, Lancaster County
-Penn West University, Clarion County
-Robert Morris University, Allegheny County
-Saint Joseph’s University, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties

PDE has made it a top priority to help kids learn how to read through structured literacy – a systematic approach to reading instruction that provides a strong core of foundational skills that set students up for success. In January, PDE hosted four webinars for school leaders focused on structured literacy resources and guidance. More than 1,000 participants attended these sessions, demonstrating the field’s deep commitment to structured literacy. PDE’s Structured Literacy landing page has also become a central hub for the field.

Additionally, PDE worked with the Reading Leadership Council to create a list of resources designed to help educators translate research into effective classroom practice – no matter where they are in their literacy journey. Educators can find a wealth of structured literacy resources on the PDE Standards Aligned System (SAS) website, including free and on-demand professional development, and Act 48 and Act 45-approved courses, which keep Pennsylvania teacher and administrative certificates active.

PA Department of Health Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths (August 25, 2026)

On August 25, 2026. the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDH) confirmed two measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania. Both individuals were unvaccinated. These mark the first deaths related to measles within the Commonwealth in 35 years.   

PDH confirmed both individuals were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County. To protect the privacy of the individuals and their families, PDH will not release any additional details that could personally identify these individuals and their families. Protecting Pennsylvanians’ privacy is a core responsibility of DOH. PDH has confirmed 393 cases in 28 counties thus far in 2026. 

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death related to measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases. 

Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with infection leaves the area. 

Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). The measles rash follows a few days later, starting on the head and spreading downward. Because early symptoms look similar to other respiratory viral infections, it is important to contact a health care provider early if someone has these symptoms or may have been exposed to measles. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. 

People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call the PDH toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

Getting vaccinated is the best protection against measles, providing 97% lifetime protection after two doses.

PA DHS Encourages Eligible Pennsylvania Families to Apply for SUN Bucks Summer Food Program Before August 31 Deadline (August 25, 2026)

The  Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is encouraging eligible families who have not yet received their 2026 SUN Bucks benefit to apply online or by paper application by August 31. The federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, also known as SUN Bucks or Summer EBT, helps eligible families afford groceries during the summer months when their children don’t have access to free and reduced-price meals at school.

So far this summer, over $131 million in SUN Bucks benefits have been distributed to roughly one million children in Pennsylvania. Families can use the Eligibility Navigator to see if their children are automatically eligible or if they need to take action to apply by the August 31 deadline. SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment for households of $120 ($40 per summer month) per eligible child. An estimated 1.2 million children in Pennsylvania qualify for this program, which is paid for with federal funds.

Online Applications can be completed using the link on the SUN Bucks website and paper applications can be submitted to local County Assistance Offices. Applications received after August 31 will be held and considered for 2027 SUN Bucks benefits that will be issued in Summer 2027.

If families already have an EBT card, SUN Bucks benefits will be automatically added to their card, if possible. Families who do not have an EBT card will receive a Summer EBT card in the mail. Replacement cards must be requested by calling the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930 or by visiting a County Assistance Office. Families can prevent their SUN Bucks benefit from being stolen by using the lock/unlock feature available on all EBT cards. This can be done through the ConnectEBT mobile app and client portal at www.connectebt.com.

PDE Announces $8M in Funding to Increase the Number of School Psychologists in High-Need Areas (August 24, 2026)

On August 21, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that more than $8 million in funding has been dedicated to increasing the pipeline of school psychologists and delivering mental health services to students in high-need schools across the Commonwealth through the Prioritizing Attracting, Preparing, and Retaining School Psychologists: Delivering Mental Health Services to Students in High-Need LEAs initiative. 

In its first year, the program will provide funding for up to 75 school psychology graduate interns working in schools, with plans to expand the number of supported interns each year of the grant. Eligible interns completing their placements in identified high-need school districts may receive a stipend, waived Praxis exam fees, and additional training and professional development. So far, 42 interns have been placed in 22 schools across the Commonwealth. View the list of placements on this interactive map.

The grant program will strengthen Pennsylvania’s pipeline of credentialed school psychologists by reducing financial barriers to certification, improving recruitment and placement, and increasing retention in critical, underserved settings. By addressing the systemic barriers to recruitment and retention, specifically the financial burden on interns and the geographic isolation of rural districts, the program will stabilize the provider pipeline and increase student access to early intervention and intensive mental health services.

Interns are identified by their graduate training programs based on their placements in high-need school districts across Pennsylvania. The program is funded by a federal grant from the US Department of Education, which will help the Commonwealth recruit and retain individuals from both Pennsylvania and other states, increasing the overall number of school psychologists who complete  internships here and stay in PA.