Bernstine Announces Grant for Midwestern Intermediate Unit 4

December 12, 2019

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced that Midwestern Intermediate Unit (IU) 4 was one of 14 intermediate units to receive a Keystone Telepresence Education Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). They were awarded $18,396.

IUs use the grants to purchase audio and video equipment. An IU’s member school districts can then borrow the equipment and place it within the homes of students who are recovering from an accident or medical procedure or are experiencing a serious or chronic illness. The equipment enables students to participate in daily educational activities with classmates and teachers in real-time.

“This kind of resource is invaluable in helping these students retain some sense of connection to the outside world and avoid falling behind in their studies,” said Bernstine. “Pennsylvania has an obligation to deliver the best possible education to every child. With this equipment, teachers can better connect with students ready to learn.”

IUs may also use the funds to train personnel on how to use the equipment.

Funding for the grant program comes from PDE’s Special Education state appropriation. The 2019-20 budget includes $1.19 billion for special education – a $50 million increase over the previous year.

Representative Aaron Bernstine
10th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437 (office), 717.497.8478 (cell)
Rleiner@pahousegop.com
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