Legislation I’m Working On
Senate Bill 1207 − Medical Emergency Response in Schools
In addition to preparing students for post-secondary career and life success, public schools also play a role in preparing students for adversity through fire, natural disaster, and security drills. While such drills better equip our children to respond to some emergencies, they do not prepare them for medical emergencies in which an adult is unresponsive or not present.
When a teacher has a medical emergency in the classroom and is unresponsive, or when the same happens to a student in the absence of an adult, school children currently do not have a protocol to ensure that these teachers or students get the help they need. In a medical emergency, when seconds count, having a plan in place to alert responsible individuals can mean the difference between life and death.
Recently, a student in my district brought this problem to my attention, prompted by her own experience. Working with her and other key stakeholders, I will be introducing legislation that would require schools to conduct annual medical emergency response drills to help our children gain developmentally-appropriate tools and practice in protocols, such as finding a classroom phone, contacting the school nurse, or otherwise alerting an adult that medical attention is needed.
Internship Stipends for School Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, and Nurses
This legislation would reduce the costs associated with become a certified school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or nurse in Pennsylvania schools.
At my recent Senate Democratic Policy Hearing on school staffing shortages, I heard testimony that school staff regularly juggle multiple jobs to pay down their debt – or too often, end up leaving the profession. I also heard about the desperate need for more school-based mental health professionals – something students regularly share with me as a top priority for them as well.
Unfortunately, for aspiring professional in these fields, it often costs more to work in schools than it does in other settings. For example, school psychologists must intern 1200 hours in schools while earning their degree. Other school-based mental health professionals have similar internship requirements. This on-the-ground training is vital preparation for working in schools but typically is unpaid and comes on top of other higher education expenses. We should be incentivizing these professionals to work in schools, not deterring them.
Based off a successful program in Ohio, my bill would enable districts to pay prospective school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses a stipend during their internships. This will lower the barrier to becoming a school-based mental health professional and increase the number of caring adults in schools to support students now.
Student Loan Forgiveness for School-Based Mental Health Professionals
This bill would create a Student Loan Forgiveness Program that incentives individuals to pursue careers as certified school nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists in the Commonwealth.
At my recent Senate Democratic Policy Hearing on school staffing shortages, I heard testimony that school staff regularly juggle multiple jobs to pay down their debt – or too often, end up leaving the profession. I also heard about the desperate need for more school-based mental health professionals – something students regularly share with me as a top priority for them as well.
Student loans play a significant role in the financial lives of many educators. According to a 2020 National Education Association survey, nearly half of educators have taken out a student loan to fund their own education, with the average total amount standing at $55,800. Given the impact of institutional racism in financial institutions, housing, and employment, Black educators are even more likely to borrow and carry higher student debt.
Modeled after an existing program within the Department of Health, this bill will strengthen the pipeline of school-based mental health professionals by providing incentives for individuals to pursue higher education and careers as certified school nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists in the Commonwealth.
Given both the current crisis and longstanding challenges Pennsylvania faces in attracting and retaining school staff, it is my hope that by establishing this student loan forgiveness program, we can invest in the next generation of school-based mental health professionals that Pennsylvania desperately needs.
Últimas noticias
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Applauds Court Ruling Public Education Funding Unconstitutional
(Harrisburg, PA) Febrero 7, 2023 — The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus applauds the Commonwealth Court’s historic ruling in William Penn School District, et al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education, et al., that Pennsylvania’s system of funding public...
La senadora Lindsey M. Williams, la diputada Emily Kinkead y otros defensores subrayan la importancia de la legislación sobre comidas escolares universales para todos los estudiantes
Harrisburg, Pa. - 21 de septiembre de 2022 - Hoy, la senadora Lindsey M. Williams se unió a la representante Emily Kinkead, administradores escolares, defensores y padres para discutir la importancia de garantizar que todos los estudiantes de Pensilvania tengan acceso...
La senadora Lindsey Williams aplaude el programa de desayunos gratuitos para los estudiantes de Pensilvania e insta a la Asamblea General a hacer permanentes las comidas gratuitas
Pittsburgh, Pa. - 9 de septiembre de 2022 - Tras el anuncio del gobernador Wolf de que el desayuno se proporcionará a los estudiantes de Pensilvania de forma gratuita este año escolar, el senador Williams publicó la siguiente declaración y llamado a la acción. "Estoy encantada de que los estudiantes...
La senadora Lindsey M. Williams hace pública una declaración sobre la situación fiscal de la condonación federal de préstamos estudiantiles
Pittsburgh, PA - 24 de agosto de 2022 - La senadora Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), presidenta de la minoría del Comité de Educación del Senado, ha hecho pública hoy la siguiente declaración, tras el anuncio del presidente Joe Biden de que el Gobierno Federal condonará hasta 20.000 dólares...
La senadora Lindsey M. Williams, los demócratas del Senado y SNAPA piden al gobernador Wolf que tome medidas sobre las comidas escolares gratuitas
Pittsburgh, Pa. - 4 de agosto de 2022 - La senadora Lindsey M. Williams, presidenta de la minoría del Comité de Educación del Senado, envió una carta al gobernador Tom Wolf y al secretario interino de Educación Eric Hagarty instando a la Administración a tomar todas las medidas posibles para...
Education Committee Junio 21, 2022
El senador Williams se pronuncia en contra del proyecto de ley de prohibición de libros (Comité SB1277)
Observaciones de la Senadora Williams sobre el proyecto de ley relativo al plan de estudios de educación financiera (Comité SB1243)
La senadora Lindsey M. Williams anuncia tres proyectos de ley sobre educación destinados a mejorar la salud mental de los estudiantes
Pittsburgh, Pa. - 15 de junio de 2022 - La senadora Lindsey Williams anunció hoy que es la principal copatrocinadora de tres proyectos de ley destinados a mejorar la salud mental de los estudiantes. Estos proyectos de ley buscan poner más programas de atención de salud mental en las escuelas y profesionales...
Senator Williams speaks in support of Charter Reform Regulations
Sen. Williams Speaks Out for Inclusion of Transgender Youth in Sports
Las autoridades de Pensilvania recuerdan a los estudiantes que deben presentar su solicitud gratuita de ayuda federal para estudiantes
Harrisburg, PA - 28 de abril de 2022 - El Secretario de Educación Dr. Noe Ortega se unió a la Agencia de Asistencia de Educación Superior de Pensilvania (PHEAA), el senador Wayne Fontana, y el senador Lindsey Williams en el Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) para recordar a los residentes de Pensilvania a presentar su Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA®) antes del 1 de mayo de 2022, para calificar para una Beca del Estado de Pensilvania.
Funcionarios de Pensilvania celebran que los estudiantes de Pensilvania Occidental destaquen en analfabetismo y compromiso cívico
Pittsburgh, PA - 19 de abril de 2022 - El Secretario de Educación Dr. Noe Ortega y la senadora estatal Lindsey Williams se unieron a los educadores y estudiantes de Shaler Area High School en el condado de Allegheny para honrar a los estudiantes que ayudaron a lanzar el Sello de...
Sen. Williams remarks from Toddlers to Tassels: A Rally to Fully & Fairly Fund Education
Sen Williams Remarks at the Higher Education Funding Rally
La senadora Lindsey M. Williams anima a realizar inversiones audaces en educación antes del discurso sobre el presupuesto del gobernador Wolf
Harrisburg, Pa.- 7 de febrero de 2022 - Hoy, la senadora Lindsey M. Williams envió una carta al gobernador Tom Wolf antes de su discurso sobre el presupuesto ante la Asamblea General para pedirle que haga inversiones críticas en el gasto en educación en el presupuesto del año fiscal 2022-23. Reconociendo...
Senator Williams Speaks on Chronic Underfunding of Community Colleges
Sen. Williams Remarks Against SB 1 and Education Committee Hearing
Hearing on COVID Impact on Local Districts, Parents, Students, and Educators
Senate Education Chairs Send Letter to President Biden’s Administration on Standardized Testing
Harrisburg, Pa. − Febrero 24, 2021 −Today Majority and Minority Education Chairs Senators Martin and Williams sent a letter encouraging President Biden's administration to waive the standardized testing requirement for the '20-'21 school year. Please find the letter...