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Frequent staff turnover has resulted in delays for families to start or even end child welfare-related services because of delays in response time, from either the lead caseworker or supervisors. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

STEM model may offer hope for PA child welfare workforce crisis

The child welfare system in Pennsylvania faces a staffing crisis affecting children and families throughout the system. The Child Welfare Resource …

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is seeking $112 million in new funding to produce more graduates in six high-growth jobs, including social services. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

'Empowering Social Workers,' in March and beyond

Social workers are in the spotlight in March for National Professional Social Work Month. They play a crucial role in addressing society's most …

Chesapeake Bay Foundation educators, with students on a field trip, explore the Susquehanna River at City Island. The Capitol building is in the background. (Chesapeake Bay Foundation)

PA students gain hands-on experience in watershed conservation

It is almost time for some Pennsylvania students to get out of the classroom and into a canoe. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Pennsylvania Rivers …

Hispanic adults are the fastest-growing group in Pennsylvania, and in 2022 had a college-degree attainment rate of 29.7%. (Brastock Images/Adobe Stock)

PA nears 60% college degree attainment goal, but work remains

Pennsylvania lags only slightly behind national figures for the number of working-age adults who have earned college degrees or other professional cer…

A 2024-2025 budget proposal from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro includes $100 million in mental health funding for K-12 schools, building upon one-time federal funds, to ensure schools have the resources to provide mental health services to students and staff. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

PSEA applauds Gov. Shapiro's record budget proposal for public schools

Looking to tackle inequitable education funding across the state, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has unveiled a new budget plan, including a major …

About 77% of Pennsylvania students who experienced homelessness lived in doubled-up situations, 11% lived in shelters or transitional housing, 8% stayed in hotels and 4% lived in unsheltered locations, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. (Homeless Children Education Fund)

Mobile classroom 'Winnie’s Wagon' helping unhoused students

In Pennsylvania, a unique mobile classroom brings education and support directly to unhoused youths. More than 3,100 school-aged children in …

Students in the Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science and Aviation Program learn job-ready skills, from aircraft maintenance to piloting commercial airliners. (Pennsylvania State Education Association)

PA high school aviation program setting students up for highflying careers

A Pennsylvania high school is setting students up for highflying careers. The Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science and Aviation Program provides …

Journalism student Zoe Baker Herron, a freshman at Manheim Township High School, says students want to listen to the podcast to hear their peers talk about things that they're passionate about.<br />(Manheim Township High School)

Beyond bookshelves, PA high school library rocks with student podcasts

A Pennsylvania high school has created a space in its library that's fostering learning and creativity that benefit students and educators. Manheim …

By August 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is expected to establish a streamlined pathway to certification for educators who earned their certification outside Pennsylvania. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

A call for 'bold action' to address PA school funding disparities

During a public hearing on improving school funding, the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission heard from people who stressed the need to …

The new survey revealed 15% of the state's congregate-care providers have programming and policies in place to serve transitioning, non-binary and/or transgender youth. (Daniel/Adobe Stock)

Report examines strengths, challenges of PA congregate-care settings for teens

For young people with serious behavioral health challenges, a new report showed Pennsylvania's congregate-care settings may be the best option…

Some 23% of children served in Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs in Pennsylvania are non-Hispanic Black, compared to 41% of children identifying as non-Hispanic White.<br />(Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Charting a Path to Equitable Access for PA Early Learning System

The Keystone State has some work to do to provide more access to quality pre-Kindergarten programs for the youngest Pennsylvanians. Only 43% of …

The Southern Poverty Law Center report finds that school safety is a major concern for youths, and that worry about school shootings is associated with a host of negative mental-health outcomes. (Jacob Lund/AdobeStock)

Survey: Young Pennsylvanians Want Stricter Gun Laws

In Pennsylvania and across the country, some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws…

Pennsylvania's 500 school districts range in size from approximately 200 students to more than 140,000 students. (WavebreakmediaMicro/AdobeStock)

PA State Budget in Limbo Over Private School Voucher Plan

Pennsylvania is still operating without a budget as the new school year approaches. House Bill 611 is now in the state Senate. It would provide more …

The SAVE plan for undergraduate loans would cut in half the amount that borrowers have to pay each month from 10% to 5% of their discretionary income. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvanians Look to SAVE Plan to Help with Student Loan Debt

The new student loan forgiveness plan known as "SAVE" could lower monthly bills and reduce the amount some borrowers have to pay back over the lifetim…

Pennsylvania has nearly 300 colleges, universities and technical schools for prospective students of all career interests, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.(NolaV/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

Education Advocates: Affirmative Action Ruling a Step Back for Racial Equality

In Pennsylvania, education advocates contended affirmative action has been a critical tool in promoting equity and addressing historical …

In 2017-2018, boys of nearly all races were disproportionately disciplined, but Black boys in pre-K through 12th grade were suspended and expelled at proportions three times their enrollment, according to the U.S. Department of Education. (Seventyfour/AdobeStock)

Restorative Practices Strengthening Relationships with PA Students, Communities

Restorative practices have gained a foothold in Pennsylvania schools as districts look for ways to reduce suspensions and improve their school climate…

Jermaine Bailey and daughter ShaWanna sign their letters of job offers with the city of York's school district. Both are certified teachers and will start in the Fall. (Courtesy Jermaine Bailey)

'Grow Your Own' Program May Solve Teacher Shortage

A shortage of teachers has reached a crisis level in some of the 500 school districts serving more than 1.7 million K-12 students in Pennsylvania…

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book noted Pennsylvania's average annual cost of center-based child care for a toddler was $11,346, or 10% of the median income for a married couple and 35% of a single mother's income in the state. (DenisProduction.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Ranks 22nd Among States in Child Well-Being

Pennsylvania ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children. It is 22nd overall in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

In Pennsylvania, one of the voting requirements is that you will need to be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal or general election. (Andrey Popov/AdobeStock)

Community College of Philadelphia Designated as Voter-Friendly Campus

As the municipal primary election fast approaches, the Community College of Philadelphia is continuing to educate students on the importance of voter …

En Pensilvania, uno de los requisitos para votar es tener al menos 18 a�os de edad antes del d�a de la pr�xima elecci�n primaria, especial, municipal o general. (Andr�i Popov/AdobeStock)

Colegio de Filadelfia Designado como Campus Amigable para Votantes

A medida que se acerca rápidamente la elección primaria municipal, el Colegio Comunitario de Philadelfia continúa educando a los …

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021 more than a third of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alberto/AdobeStock)

Report: Black Girls Speak Out About Public Schools in Pennsylvania

A new report found Black girls across the Keystone State are subjected to "daunting educational barriers" in K-12 public schools and offers recommenda…

The Commonwealth's K-12 public school system serves more than 1.7 million students. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Call to Action: PA Group Pushes for More K-12 School Funding

More school funding for basic and special education, along with more funding targeted to lower-income districts are on the wish list of a …

Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program covers dental and vision care, as well as medical care. (Halfpoint/AdobeStock)

Pennsylvania DHS Now Oversees Children's Health Insurance Program

As families enrolled in Medicaid transition to the Children's Health Insurance Program, it is important for them to know Pennsylvania has changed how …

A 2021 Pennsylvania Department of Education report found that Career and Technical Education participants (86.5%) had slightly higher odds of graduating on time from high school than non-CTE students (85%). (Adobe Stock)

Call to Action: More Funding for PA Career and Technical Education

A Pennsylvania advocacy group wants the state budget to include more funding for Career and Technical Education programs, or CTE, for high school …

The Who Mentored You? study by MENTOR reveals that youths who identify as BIPOC and those from lower income levels express significantly higher rates of unmet mentoring needs. (Daniel Ernst/AdobeStock)

More Black Mentors Urged for Pennsylvania

A new study shows despite a long-term increase in mentoring over time, there has still been recent backsliding with Generation Z, who appear to be …

According to a mental health workforce study, Pennsylvania is one of many states struggling with a shortage of mental-health practitioners, especially in rural communities. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

PA Needs More Mental, Behavioral Healthcare Workers

A Pennsylvania children's advocacy group said the state should be doing more to help end a critical staffing shortage of mental and behavioral health …

One in four girls and one in 13 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Yupachingping/Adobe Stock)

PA Senate Bill Proposes Changes to State Constitution

A bill in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would amend the state Constitution to allow more adult victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue their abus…

During the pandemic, the child poverty rate dropped to 5.2% because of the expansion of the child tax credit and other relief efforts. (Andrii/AdobeStock)

PA Group Urges Congress to Expand Child Tax Credit

A Pennsylvania policy analysis group is adding its voice to the calls for Congress to bring back the expanded child tax credit for families in place d…

Senate Bill 1277 in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would require parental notification of content and materials that expose students to sexually explicit content in schools. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Group Advocates for Inclusive Schools in Keystone State

A Pennsylvania group has responded to what it says are "discriminatory policy proposals in the state education system" by launching the "Inclusive Sch…

In Pennsylvania, a minimum requirement for individuals to become foster parents is for them to pass screenings related to child abuse and criminal history. (Africa Studio/Adobe Stock)

More Protections Coming for PA Children's Service Providers

In just two months, it should be easier for providers of children's services in Pennsylvania's child-welfare and foster-care system to get the …

According to the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, compared to their peers, teens in foster care experience worse outcomes by age 21, and only 49% have full or part-time employment. (DrobotDean/Adobe Stock)

PA Teens in Foster Care Await Outcome of 'Permanency' Bill

Backers of legislation awaiting Gov. Tom Wolf's signature said it would improve the odds of success for teens transitioning out of foster care…

Almost one in four children and youth in placement experienced a re-entry into care, according to the recent State of Child Welfare report by the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. (Africa Studio/AdobeStock)

PA Pandemic Toll on Children Shows Progress, Racial Disparity and Recommendations

The 13th annual Pennsylvania State of Child Welfare report is out. Children advocates said the 2021 pandemic numbers showed some progress and …

Admissions to secure juvenile detention facilities dropped 51% in Pennsylvania between 2016 and 2020, but the median length of stay has nearly doubled. (Photographee.eu/Adobe Stock)

Lack of PA Juvenile Detention Space Reaches Critical Stage

One goal of youth and family support services is to keep kids out of juvenile detention, but for those who are accused of serious crimes, …

In Pennsylvania, one out of 12 high schoolers has attempted suicide. The report suggests students of color need more support, as one in eight Black students and more than one in seven Hispanic students tried to take their own life. (MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pennsylvania Ranks 21st in Nation for Child Well-Being

Pennsylvania ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation …

Pennsylvania ranks 45th in the nation for the share of K-12 school funding provided by the state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Special Education Funding Leaves Students Behind

As the number of Pennsylvania students with disabilities rises, a new report says the share of state education funding has declined. Education …

The Pennsylvania Council for Children, Youth and Family Services says a $94.7 million one-time funding increase would break down to about $5,000 for each filled and vacant position in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Child and Family Providers Request $94M to Address Staff Shortage

Advocates for juvenile-justice and child-welfare providers in Pennsylvania want the General Assembly to approve one-time funding to boost staff recrui…

Close to half of the students who responded to <a href=

the Pennsylvania Youth Survey in 2021 said during the pandemic, they "played more online games with others" than they usually do. (Adobe Stock)">

Parents, Advocates Voice Concerns about Social-Media Impact on Youth

It's no secret that the last two years of the pandemic have taken a toll on young people's mental health. During this Mental Health Awareness Month…

The outside pool's slide and lily pad in the Township of Upper St. Clair. (Courtesy Township of Upper St. Clair)

PA Communities Gearing Up for Public Pool Season

Recreation departments across Pennsylvania are preparing to kick off their outdoor public pool seasons starting Memorial Day Weekend, marking for …

The Sentencing Project report found that, despite the number of young people arrested declining over the last 10 years, the number of referred youths who were detained increased slightly. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA's, Nation's Incarcerated Youth Undercounted

Young people in the U.S. were incarcerated in juvenile facilities 240,000 times in 2019, according to a new report, and the research contended …

PA's Historic School-Funding Lawsuit to Hear Closing Arguments

Closing arguments in Pennsylvania's landmark school-funding trial will take place on Thursday, after several months of testimony from teachers…

Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal includes a statewide minimum wage to $12 an hour on July 1, 2022, with ongoing annual increases until it reaches $15 an hour in 2027. The average wage for a social worker in Pennsylvania is $17 an hour. (Adobe Stock)

Behavioral Health Orgs: $12 Wage a Challenge without Funding Boost

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering Gov. Tom Wolf's final budget proposal, which includes raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by July…

Ni�os en Pensilvania est�n especialmente en riesgo porque programa CHIP del estado es completamente independiente de Medicaid. (Acci�n de Adobe)

Informe: Niños en riesgo de perder la cobertura de Medicaid en PA

Con el fin inminente de la emergencia de salud pública, un nuevo informe revela que millones de niños en Pensilvania y otros lugares …

The legislation allows districts to waive local requirements for graduation if the student has demonstrated competency in a specific content area. (Adobe Stock)

New Law Supports PA Students Facing Graduation Barriers

Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law on Wednesday to provide direct support to Pennsylvania youth experiencing educational instability, ensuring they …

Students in Allegheny County encountered the juvenile and criminal justice systems at higher rates than in the Commonwealth overall, according to a report from the ACLU of Pennsylvania. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Some PA Schools Underreport Student Arrest Data

Keeping track of student arrests and law enforcement referrals is a key tool for transparency and accountability within schools, but a new report …

Twenty-five percent of students said they sometimes feel

Youth Mental-Health Needs Linger in PA Provider Shortage

Pennsylvania faces a shortage of psychiatrists that children's advocates call "alarming," and they're concerned about the impact it might have on youn…

During the 2018-19 school year, an estimated 86% of students in Pennsylvania's public schools did not receive adequate funding, according to state law. (Adobe Stock)

PA's School Funding Trial Gives Snapshot of State's Underfunded Districts

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania's school funding trial is entering its fourth week today. Testimony so far has provided an inside view into the …

An estimated 181,000 children and families in Pennsylvania were served through Child Protective Services in 2020, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Child-Abuse Cases in PA Rose in 2020

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- With kids stuck at home early in the pandemic, a new report said child-abuse cases decreased in 2020, but children's advocates say …

The report suggests student loan forgiveness, for human services employees in the state who work at a<br />behavioral health provider for a minimum of two years, could help with the worker shortage. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Child Behavioral Health Providers Chronically Understaffed

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Pennsylvania's child welfare and behavioral health services are in crisis, with a worker shortage exacerbated by the pandemic…

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