mental-health-funding

A view of the floor of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (Photo by Amanda Mustard for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

Pa. Legislature’s unfinished budget business leaves uncertainty for schools, human services

BY: - August 4, 2023

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature on Pennsylvania’s $45.5 billion budget brought relief Thursday across the commonwealth as the new school year approaches and quarterly payments come due. But his administration’s decision to hold back hundreds of millions in funds for a handful of programs leaves uncertainty for some as school districts work to reconcile their budgets […]

Plan to spend $100M in pandemic aid for mental health expansion passes in Pa. House

BY: - June 7, 2023

Schlossberg, who has spoken openly about his own struggles with mental illness, described the money, which must be allocated by next year, and exhausted by 2026, as “drop in the bucket” compared to the needs of Pennsylvania residents.

Short on cash, but not demand, Pa. counties press for mental health funding hikes

BY: - June 5, 2023

'We're in a crisis, and it’s getting worse,' one county official told the Capital-Star.

Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Bill allocating $100M for mental health clears Pa. House panel | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 24, 2023

'Our continued work to better mental health care in Pennsylvania takes another step forward,' Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, said.

COMMENTARY
Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. bills providing $100M in aid for mental health programs are a lifeline. Here’s why | Opinion

BY: - May 18, 2023

The money will revolutionize Pa.'s mental health landscape and improve the lives of so many people.

COMMENTARY
Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Mental health needs must be addressed inside and outside the classroom | Opinion

BY: - May 12, 2023

Without a considerable increase to the base funding, we are endangering services.

COMMENTARY
Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

We have children living with intellectual disabilities. We’re at the end of our ropes | Opinion

BY: - April 30, 2023

Gov. Josh Shapiro, lawmakers need to address the crisis of direct support professionals, who are a lifeline for families.

COMMENTARY
Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa.’s intellectual disability community will not be left out of 2023’s budget debate | Opinion

BY: - March 29, 2023

These are our neighbors and our family members. This is my brother. We must act on their behalf right now.

Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa.’s Wild, Fitzpatrick press for full funding for mental health services | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - March 28, 2023

The request comes 'in recognition of the mental health and substance abuse crisis affecting our nation from coast to coast.'

Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Report: ID/A worker shortage fueled by low wages, high turnover | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - January 11, 2023

The system is 'severely strained past its breaking point,' an analyst said.

Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services CEO Mike Quinn (Herald-Standard photo).

Chestnut Ridge using new state, federal programs to expand services | Helping the Helpers

BY: - December 2, 2022

'We’ve always been the 24-hour mental health and crisis service for Fayette County,' CEO Mike Quinn said. 'That has been going on for 25 or more years.'

Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

As lawmakers break for elections, $100M for mental health care remains out of reach

BY: - October 28, 2022

'This was not made a priority when it should have been, without question,' said state Sen. Maria Collett, D-Montgomery.