Category: News

DHS Celebrates Historic Budget Investments that Increase Access to Intellectual Disability and Autism Services, Support the ID/A Workforce (September 10, 2024)

On September4, 2024, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh joined leadership, staff, and clients from The Arc of Washington County to highlight the life-changing investments in PA’s bipartisan 2024-25 budget for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disability and autism (ID/A). This year’s budget secured historic increases in funding for home- and community-based services for Pennsylvanians with ID/A as well as increases in rates for the providers responsible for essential care and support of these individuals every day.

This year’s budget invests in Pennsylvanians with ID/A and the direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for them by securing $354.8 million in federal and state funding to provide more resources for home and community-based service providers. The funding includes $280 million to help raise wages for DSPs and $74.8 million to begin the process of clearing the emergency waiting list. This investment in provider rates will support recruitment, retention, and wages for DSPs who make inclusive, enriching lives possible for people with intellectual disabilities and autism.

This investment sets a transformative course to eliminate the emergency waiting list for services for adults and reduce barriers to care for thousands of Pennsylvanians over the next several years. This system change will also make Pennsylvania one of a handful of states to end its emergency waiting list and help ID/A community members access vital services to live independently, pursue education and job opportunities, and participate in the Everyday Lives they deserve. 

Through a diverse range of programs and services, The Arc strives to foster inclusion, empowerment, and support for individuals with IDD, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives. Services include: offering guidance to families involved in Pennsylvania’s early intervention services, with an emphasis on enhancing their child’s strengths and growth; and equipping adults and their families with the necessary resources, services and support, to help them live fulfilling lives.

Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents (September 8, 2024)

On August 21, 2024, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory warning that America’s mental health crisis is weighing heavily on parents who are struggling with economic and societal concerns as they try to raise children. Barriers parents are facing include stressors like gun violence, loneliness, a lack of support from extended family or in-person community, and having to face more job-related pressure as well as other newer stresses that prior generations didn’t have to contend with in the same way.

The advisory, titled Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents, calls for expanded parental, medical, and sick leave, as well as incorporating mental well-being checks into primary care. The advisory also suggests that anyone who is a parent or filling that role prioritize stress-relievers like exercise and enough sleep, along with recreational activities.

Parents are also advised to nurture relationships with other parents, caregivers, or supportive friends, obtain insurance coverage for themselves and their families, and seek mental health care when needed.

Last year, Murthy issued a public health advisory about the harms social media poses to young people, and in June called for Congress to issue a warning label for kids on social media.

To access Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents, click here.

Source: Axios

https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/parents/index.html

School Shootings Continue to Increase at Record Pace (September 7, 2024)

According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, school shootings have reached record highs over the past three consecutive years, with 349 school shootings recorded by the K-12 School Shooting Database in 2023. This year, including the recent Apalachee, GA shooting, there have already been 219 shootings recorded by the database, which tracks any time a gun is fired or brandished with intent, or when a bullet hits school property, regardless of the number of victims, time, day or reason behind the incident.

To access the K-12 School Shooting Database, click here.

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.