Category: News

USDA Data: More Children Experiencing Food Insecurity (September 7, 2024)

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data released on September 4, 2024, 17.9% of households with children faced food insecurity in 2023. Thus, the data shows an increase from the previous year data, which was  17.3 %.  The data also saw the proportion of children who were food insecure slightly increase from 8.8% to 8.9% between 2022 and 2023. In 2021, food insecurity among children was 6.2%.

Many see the sharp increase in child food insecurity during 2022 as being a result of federal pandemic-era measures like the child tax credit and universal school meals coming to an end.

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.

PCCD School Safety Grant Program Deadline is Sept 26th (September 4, 2024)

Pennsylvania schools and other eligible entities are still able to apply for grant funding for physical security upgrades and to strengthen behavioral health supports through two new school safety grant solicitations from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee. ​The School Safety and Security Committee approved a funding framework to utilize nearly $120 million in state school safety funding in the 2024-25 budget. Public schools are required to use grant funding to address ‘Level 1’ Behavioral Health Baseline Criteria gaps, and priority consideration will be given to applicants who request funding to address Physical Security and Behavioral Health Baseline needs in competitive applications. 

Eligible applicants can find information about each of these solicitations, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage. The application period for the competitive FY 24-25 Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools solicitation will close on Thursday, September 26, 2024. 

To view grant guidelines, click here.

Reporting of Expenditures Relating to Exceptional Students (September 4, 2024)

Act 16 of 2000 (24 PS §13-1372(8)) requires the Reporting of Expenditures Relating to Exceptional Students. School districts and charter schools must report the number of students with disabilities for which expenditures fall in one of five categories. The categories will be 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, and 3B for the 2023-2024 school year. The dollar amounts for these categories will be posted on PDE’s website at Act 16 – Reporting of Expenditures Relating to Exceptional Students. The 2024-25 PIMS Manual will also be updated to reflect the dollar amounts to be reported.

This report will now be collected at the student level through PIMS using the Student Fact Template for Special Education Act 16 Funds. The template will be collected during Collection #1 (opening October 1 and closing with a deadline of October 11, 2024). Data is to be based on expenditures incurred during the entire 2023-2024 school year.

Guidelines regarding the Act 16 reporting can be found at the Act 16 Information webpage.

The Student Fact Template for Special Education Act 16 Funds can be found in the 2023-2024 PIMS Manual.

Please note that failure to complete the Student Fact Template for Special Education Act 16 Funds report may have an adverse effect on your local education agency’s special education funding.

Questions regarding this reporting requirement may be emailed to [email protected]. A copy of this information is being provided to each intermediate unit so they may assist school districts and charter schools with report preparation, as needed.

Virtual Mandated Reporter Trainings Now Available (September 1, 2024)

The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) is continuing to offer virtual Mandated Reporter Training at no cost to mandated reporters in Pennsylvania and has announced a virtual session that will have both American Sign Language (ASL) and Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI) available.

This three-hour virtual training is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (to include Act 126 for school employees). It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).

Interested persons can register for your preferred training date and time by using this session link:
Mandated Reporter Training – Sept. 24th 9am-12pm

Each person must log in through separate devices, using the unique access link emailed to them after registration to receive credit.

For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA at [email protected].

DHS Announces Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Year 2 (September 1, 2024)

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced the Second Annual Pediatric Capacity Building Institute (PCBI).  PCBI is a unique, interactive, educational experience which will occur over a nine-month period (March 2025 – November 2025).  DHS strives to bring exceptional speakers who engage participants in a wide range of topics designed to better support children and families with complex needs across the Commonwealth.  Some of the topics include infant mental health, leading through change, multisystemic planning, impact of trauma on children and families, vicarious trauma among professionals, expressive therapies and much more.  PCBI also strives to incorporate the voices and experience of the children and families using these supports and services at every juncture.  PCBI is open to professionals across systems with an interest in learning more about supporting children with complex needs and system change. 

A formal invitation with additional details and an interest survey will be distributed on 9/11/2024.  Additionally, an informational webinar will be held on 9/12/2024. Each person must complete the PCBI Year 2 Interest Survey by 10/9/2024 to express interest and confirm their ability to attend all sessions.  There are a limited number of spaces available for participants.  Persons submitting an interest survey will be notified through email by November 1, 2024, as to their admission status. 

Interested parties can register for the Pediatric Capacity Building Institute Informational Webinar on September 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM EDT at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8184293308064621407.