The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDH) is alerting Pennsylvanians that an individual from another state tested positive for measles while visiting Lancaster County between April 3rd and 11th after a trip to Texas, creating a potential for exposure to others. People may have been exposed to measles if they were in the following location at the date and time indicated: 

            WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital Emergency Department
            169 Martin Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522
            Tuesday, April 8, 2025, between 9:30 PM and 11:30 PM

WellSpan Health is contacting known individuals who visited this site during this time period. The risk to the general public is low due to high vaccination rates across Pennsylvania. People who are fully immunized are at very low risk of contracting the measles. People unsure of their vaccination status should contact their health care provider.

The individual is an unvaccinated resident of another state visiting in Lancaster County, who became infected after traveling to Texas.

“The best protection against measles is vaccination,” said PA Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “With two MMR vaccines, residents are at low risk of getting and spreading the measles. Knowing the signs of sickness and places people may have been exposed will help protect individuals and communities from this disease.”

Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area.

Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis, followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads downward. 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 Pennsylvania Department of Health toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH. All residents are encouraged to monitor for symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) people most at-risk are:
-Infants less than one year old who are too young to have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine;
-Individuals who are unvaccinated; and
-Individuals from parts of the world where there is low vaccination coverage or where there is circulating measles.

More information on measles is available in DOH’s measles fact sheet. The DOH recently issued a Health Alert Network advisory for health care providers to be alert for measles symptoms.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the latest issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, which aims to provide the most recent research for people with mental and behavioral health challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to help them live an everyday life. This edition provides resources on how to best support the physical and mental health needs of individuals with disabilities.

“The Shapiro Administration believes that every Pennsylvanian with an intellectual disability autism deserves to receive the supports they need to achieve an everyday life with dignity and opportunity to pursue their goals and live, work, and recreate among their families and peers,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “It is our hope that the research in this edition of the Positive Approaches Journal can help Pennsylvanians find the resources they need to improve their everyday lives.”

In the 2024-25 budget, Governor Shapiro secured $354.8 million in federal and state funding to ensure more than 40,000 Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities or autism have access to the services they need. In less than one year, this investment reduced the adult emergency waiting list for services by nearly 20 percent and decreased the direct support professional (DSP) vacancy rate to 14 percent, the lowest it has been since 2015. The Governor’s proposed25-26 Budget builds on this momentum with additional investments in care worker wages, allowing even more Pennsylvanians to access the supports they deserve.

This edition of the Positive Approaches Journal features research and articles on the following:

• Data Discoveries details health care shortages in physical and mental health professions, and details where these shortages are creating the most need.
• Applying Public Health Principles to Health Psychology explores how systemic factors influence mental health, and discusses public health policy solutions aimed at addressing systemic trauma and promoting overall wellness.
• Cooking with Confidence for Autistic Individuals highlights positive outcomes and lessons learned from the community-based educational program that allows individuals with autism to practice independent living skills, and participate in social and community engagement, through hands-on cooking classes.
• The Fatal Five and the Importance of Monitoring outlines the five primary conditions that significantly elevate the risk of mortality in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and details ways to prevent these risks.  
• Voices of Suicide discusses the negative impacts of stigma around behavioral health, and details organizations that are attempting to fight this stigma.  

The journal is a collaboration of DHS’ Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It collects resources, observations, and advancements in mental and behavioral health in order to better serve people in their communities.

Read this edition of the Positive Approaches Journal.

For more information visit www.dhs.pa.gov. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is inviting Pennsylvania schools to join the second round of a pilot program designed to teach K-12 students about the political, economic, and social contributions of individuals with disabilities. The Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program influences the overall culture and environment of schools by reducing stigma and including disability as a part of a school-wide strategic plan.

Schools can apply for up to $30,000 in grant funding to implement the curriculum over three years.

For the program’s launch in 2023-24, PDE) selected 10 schools from across the Commonwealth to implement the program over three years. In the second round, PDE will select 20 schools to join the pilot program starting this year and running through 2028.

PDE developed a toolkit to assist schools with implementation of the pilot. The toolkit resources are inclusive of all age/grade levels and include sample lesson plans, professional development offerings/opportunities, ideas for implementing a disability inclusive curriculum, disability-led organizational contacts, and other resources.

Established under state law in 2022, the program is open to all school districts, charter schools, regional charter schools, cyber charter schools, intermediate units, area career and technical schools and nonpublic schools. Any interested entity must complete an intent to apply at PA Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program, Cohort 2 Grant Application Request. Once the intent to apply is completed, the entity will receive access to the application in the eGrants system within 48 hours.

Applications will be opened March 31, 2025, and must be submitted in eGrants by 3:00 PM on Monday, May 12, 2025. Schools can implement the new curriculum beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

Questions should be directed to Tim Krushinski at [email protected] or Nichole Kopco at [email protected].

The Shapiro Administration is launching a free water sampling program for eligible schools and childcare facilities across Pennsylvania to test for lead in drinking water. This initiative through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is funded by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act’s Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program and is part of the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to protect children from lead exposure.

Partnering with Terraphase Engineering, the program offers no-cost water testing and, for those with elevated lead levels, grant funding to support lead reduction activities such as installing hydration stations. Eligible applicants could receive up to $3,000 per hydration station installed. It’s an easy, no-cost way to protect children’s health and make sure they’re drinking safe water.

Schools and childcare centers that meet the criteria are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth’s Electronic Application: Grant Details | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Enrollment is currently open and will remain so until funds are exhausted.

For more information, visit DEP’s webpage Lead Information for Schools and Child Care Facilities.