Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Deputy Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Dr. Jeffrey Fuller penned an op-ed in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review outlining Governor Josh Shapiro’s bold budget proposal to support students’ mental health:
“For too long, mental health has been treated as an afterthought. Even worse, an unfortunate stigma has arisen around people asking for help. We are now left with a situation where the need for mental health care is especially acute for our children.
“The Shapiro administration is dedicated to supporting the needs of all Pennsylvanians, especially our children. The governor’s proposed budget will invest $500 million over the next five years so that schools can connect students and staff to mental health services and ensure a pipeline of trained school professionals in the future. That’s half a billion dollars — and our children deserve not a penny less.
“Pennsylvania’s children are counting on us, and we must be there for them. With Shapiro’s budget, we can make our students’ mental health a priority — so they can succeed in school and beyond.”
The full piece is available on the Tribune-Review’s website.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s inaugural budget proposal builds on his commitment to creating safe learning environments for students across the Commonwealth. The budget proposal includes $500 million over the next five years so that schools can fund mental health counselors and services, prioritizing students’ mental health in addition to their physical health.
Through the School-Based Mental Health Supports Block Grant, students and staff will be connected to mental health services and ensure a pipeline of trained school-based mental health professionals in all schools. This investment will allow more students and staff to access mental health support through trained professionals they can trust, in places that are familiar to them, and without shame or stigma.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Taj Magruder, tmagruder@pa.gov
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