Category: State Government Actions

DHS Highlights Emerging Treatments, Supports for Individuals with Behavioral Health Challenges and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (September 9, 2022)

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the latest issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, which aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life. This edition focuses on lived experiences and emerging treatments and supports for people with mental health challenges, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“DHS is committed to making a future that truly includes individuals with mental health challenges, intellectual & developmental disabilities, and those with dual diagnoses as fully integrated members of our communities, “said Acting DHS Secretary Meg Snead. “The Wolf Administration remains committed to ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have what they need so they can live their everyday lives, and I hope that the research and articles in this edition of the Positive Approaches Journal will help those working to achieve that goal.” 

This edition features research and articles on the following:

  • Data Discoveries: This article outlines results from the 2018 Pennsylvania Autism Needs Assessment, detailing the co-occurring diagnoses that were identified among the population of Pennsylvanians with autism.
  • The Intersection of Mental Health First Aid and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: This article details the training process and outcomes of Mental Health First Aid, an evidence-based course that provides basic first aid knowledge needed to recognize when someone is in a mental health crisis.
  • Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and Allegheny Department of Human Services START Pilot Partnership: Since spring 2021, Pennsylvania DHS and Allegheny County DHS have been working together on a three-year pilot program to better address the complex needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and/or acute behavioral health needs.
  • A Conversation about Mental Health and Autism: This article is an interview with a person with lived experience discussing the gaps, challenges, and opportunities of supporting someone with an autism spectrum diagnosis and co-occurring mental health diagnoses.
  • The Importance of Measuring Changes among Individuals Leaving Institution-Based Care: An Example from the Field:  This article details the transition process from an institutionalized setting to a community setting and the outcomes for individuals with autism.
  • Exploring Misconceptions about Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions in Autistic People: An article by a board-certified autism specialist that draws on research and lived experience to conclude that mental health conditions in autistic people are a result of the society in which they live with autism, not autism itself.

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

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

LEAs Notified of 2023 Governor’s STEM Competition (September 7, 2022)

On September 7, 2022, all LEAs received a PennLink titled 2023 Governor’s STEM Competition. The PennLink states that all commonwealth public and non-public high schools, Career and Technical Centers, Charter Schools, and home-schooled students are invited to participate in the virtual 2023 Governor’s STEM Competition. 

The Governor’s STEM Competition requires student teams to research, design, and present a device or project that can make the quality of life better for Pennsylvanian’s. Teams must collaborate with a local member of their community or a business and industry partner to help identify a challenge faced by Pennsylvanian’s along with designing a solution to that challenge. The Governor’s STEM Competition will provide teams with:

  • an authentic experience that applies skills learned in and outside the classroom,
  • opportunities to learn new skills or refine existing skills desired for careers in STEM
  • an opportunity to explore career pathways.

 Registration for the virtual competition is currently open for teams of five students in grades 9 – 12, the link can be found here. A team advisor must complete the registration form for all students participating in the competition by November 6, 2022. For the 2022-2023 school year, all registered teams will advance to the virtual state competition. 

All important dates and competition information may be found on the Governor’s STEM Competition website. If you have additional questions, contact your local intermediate unit or email [email protected].

Gov. Wolf Announces New Funding Awarded to Train Masonry Trades Apprentices in 29 PA Counties for In-Demand Jobs (September 6, 2022)

On September 6, 2022, Governor Tom Wolf today announced $297,000 in new funding through Pennsylvania’s Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program to help the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 continue its Western Pennsylvania Bricklayers Masonry Training Program in 29 counties and prepare apprentices for good-paying jobs. 

This funding will allow the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 to continue its apprenticeship program in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cameron, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, McKean, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Through the training courses, apprentices are taught bricklaying, tile setting, terrazzo work and stone masonry, while receiving on-the-job training under the supervision of Journeymen. The curriculum for the training program is a four-year commitment. At the end of the four years, a Journeyman will have completed 6,000 hours of on-the-job training as well as 576 hours of classroom and lab training.

Under Governor Wolf, 84 pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs have been supported and more than $13 million has been invested through Pennsylvania’s Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Program.

The program works to increase apprenticeship availability to Pennsylvania employers to assist them with their talent recruitment and development. Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Program funding is provided to eligible applicants for the purpose of reaching the goal of increasing apprenticeship accessibility across the state. Eligible uses of funds include expenses related to instruction that complements on-the-job learning. For more information about the Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program and other economic development programs, visit the DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of the agency’s news on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

PA Department of Human Services Releases 2021 Child Protective Services Report, Encourages All Pennsylvanians to Report Child Abuse (September, 6, 2022)

On September 6, 2022, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the release of the 2021 Annual Child Protective Services Report, which includes statewide and county-level data relevant to the child welfare system. DHS also urges all Pennsylvanians to report potential child abuse or neglect to ChildLine, which is a 24/7 hotline available to anyone concerned for the safety or well-being of a child, by calling 1-800-932-0313. 

“On behalf of the Wolf Administration, I want to thank all of the child welfare workers and mandated and permissive reporters throughout Pennsylvania who work every day to ensure the safety of the commonwealth’s children,” said Acting DHS Secretary Meg Snead. “Throughout the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ChildLine continued taking calls and county and DHS caseworkers continued investigating reports. Caseworkers ensured families continued receiving the services they needed. The work these child welfare workers do every day ensures that Pennsylvania children can grow up safely and cared for. The value of their work is immeasurable.” 

The child welfare system in Pennsylvania is state-supervised and county-administered with both having vital roles in the protection of children. DHS provides funding, oversight, and technical assistance to each county agency. DHS is also responsible for the licensure of public and private child welfare agencies and the investigation of complaints received regarding these agencies. 

DHS is committed to addressing and understanding the impact of racial disparities in the child welfare system, and for the first time included statewide race and ethnicity data for substantiated victims and perpetrators in the annual report. Addressing racial disparities requires recognition of the points at which bias can enter the system and how inequities at each point can impact the trajectory of children and families as they move through the system. This information will continue to be collected and refined for future reports for DHS to make decisions in the best of interest of children and families in Pennsylvania. 

DHS is also responsible for oversight and enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies that guide the provision of child welfare services at the county level by each of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. This includes the Child Protective Services Law, which defines child abuse and incidents in which Child Protective Services (CPS) reports are necessary.  

The CPS reports DHS received rose by about 15 percent between 2020 and 2021. This increase was anticipated, largely due to the decline of reports observed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduced contact between children and mandated reporters during that time.  

Reports of suspected child abuse made by mandated reporters saw increases in 2021, again due to the decrease during 2020, but these reports are not fully back to pre-pandemic levels. The most significant change was observed for school employees. In 2020, 5,780 school employees made CPS reports, as opposed to 12,990 in 2019. In 2021, this number rose, with 8,313 total CPS reports being made by school employees.   

Pennsylvania saw a decrease in child fatalities substantiated as the result of child abuse between 2020 and 2021 but saw an increase in child near fatalities substantiated as the result of child abuse. In 2020, 73 children died, and 115 children nearly died as a result of child abuse. In 2021, 57 children died, and 136 children nearly died as a result of child abuse. 

“It is all of our responsibility to stop child abuse and neglect, and taking proactive, deliberate action now can prevent tragedies in the future,” said Acting Secretary Snead. “One child’s death is too many. I urge anyone who has concerns for the safety of the children in their life to contact ChildLine immediately.” 

Anyone can make a report to ChildLine. Anyone who is not a mandated reporter can make a report to ChildLine anonymously. DHS encourages all Pennsylvanians to learn more about the signs of potential abuse or neglect and make a report to ChildLine if they begin to suspect abuse or neglect. Signs of potential abuse or neglect can include: 

  • Numerous and/or unexplained injuries or bruises;
  •  Chronic, pronounced anxiety and expressed feelings of inadequacy; 
  • Flinching or an avoidance to being touched; 
  • Poor impulse control;
  •  Demonstrating abusive behavior or talk; 
  • Cruelty to animals or others; and,
  •  Fear of parent or caregiver, among others. 

Pennsylvanians can learn more about the signs of potential abuse at www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov. To report suspected child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.   

To view the press release, click here.

PDE: School Bus Drivers Play Critical Role for PA Students (September 6, 2022)

As schools open for the 2022-23 school year, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Acting Secretary Eric Hagarty and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association (PSBA) are highlighting the critical role that school bus drivers play across the commonwealth.

“As we work to ensure that students in all areas—rural, urban, and suburban alike—have access to a high-quality education, we must also provide access to safe, reliable transportation to and from school,” said Acting Secretary Hagarty. “School bus drivers are critical in that mission, and PDE is committed to supporting this industry as it works to recruit individuals to the workforce.”

Currently, there is a need for between 2,000 and 3,000 drivers in Pennsylvania and  PSBA has been working to address the driver shortage by launching a multi-faceted recruitment campaign. PSBA developed YouBehindTheWheel.com, a microsite designed to educate people about the school bus industry and get them interested in becoming a driver, and SchoolBusHero.com, a free job portal that PSBA members can use to advertise open positions in their company. The organization also created a digital ad campaign, a Facebook ad campaign, and a YouTube ad campaign, which have been viewed collectively millions of times across the commonwealth.

Individuals interested in becoming bus drivers can fill out the PA School Bus Driver Interest Form online.

The Pennsylvania School Bus Association consists of over 300 school transportation contractors and industry partners who have come together to be a strong voice for school transportation safety and the school transportation contracting industry. Its mission is to provide programs, education, and services to promote and foster the highest degree of safety in the transportation of school children and strengthen the quality of student transportation through professional management.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs, please visit the PDE website.

To view the press release, click here.