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Community Corner

Headline Harrisburg

Working to Prevent Teen Suicide 

In an effort to help educators recognize the signs of students who may be at risk, the House has passed legislation to create a suicide prevention and awareness training program. House Bill 1559 would require the Department of Education to develop a policy, curriculum and professional development materials related to the issue. The bill now heads back to the Senate for consideration. 
   
Improving Special Education Funding

Last week, the House Education Committee, of which I am a member, overwhelmingly passed House Bill 2138, which would more accurately distribute special education funding. The legislation would create a new formula to recognize the actual number of students with physical and intellectual disabilities in a school and the various levels of their need for services. Nearly 270,000 children – or one out of every 6.5 students – receive special education services in Pennsylvania public schools. State funding for special education is slightly less than $1 billion a year. The measure will next be considered by the full House. 
   
Arthritis Seminar Scheduled for Thursday

If you, or someone you know, suffer from arthritis, you may want to attend the seminar I am hosting next week to learn more about the debilitating disease. This free event will take place on Thursday, April 24, at Coopersburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3405, 211 E. Fairmount St., starting at 6 p.m. 
   
Getting Rid of Unwanted Prescriptions 

Law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania will accept unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. No personal information is required to participate. To find a drop-off location near you, please click here
  
Help Us Celebrate “Pretzel Day in PA”

An effort is underway in the House to celebrate the pretzel by declaring April 26 as “Pretzel Day” in Pennsylvania. To join in the celebration, we will be giving out free pretzels on Friday, April 25, at my district office. I invite you to stop by between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and enjoy a few of the salty snacks, which are big business in our Commonwealth. The office is located at 21 N. Main Street, Unit 9, in Coopersburg.

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