All News

MILTON — The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) announced Thursday morning that a $2.3 million federal school-based mental health grant abruptly terminated just over one week ago was restored within 24 hours, a development revealed as state lawmakers and regional education leaders gathered for the intermediate unit’s annual legislative breakfast.

State representatives and senators serving parts of Northumberland, Union, Snyder, Columbia and Montour counties participated, along with regional school district superintendents and CSIU leadership.

CSIU Executive Director Dr. John Kurelja addressed the sudden federal decision earlier in the week to terminate the Project AWARE IMPACT grant, awarded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and its equally sudden reversal. The funding supports school-based mental health services for as many as 25,000 students across Central Pennsylvania.

“I don’t know exactly what happened to turn that around, but we’re extremely grateful for any help or support that happened,” he said. “That comes from the work of our local and state advocacy, that comes from our board members, that comes from our legislators we spoke to.

He said the funding directly supports crisis response and mental health professionals who were actively assisting school communities during a recent emergency.

“Many of you have the opportunity to take advantage of those services in one way or another, and that’s a byproduct of those dollars,” he said. “And we have been working really hard to make sure that’s sustainable long into the future — That it’s not something that just goes away.”

Kurelja also emphasized CSIU’s unique operational model, noting that intermediate units do not have a tax base and must generate revenue through services.

“The only way we’re going to exist is if we build, create, make and sell things — in service to all of you,” he said, adding that convening educators and lawmakers is part of that mission.

Mifflinburg Area School District Superintendent Dr. Ken Dady used the breakfast to highlight a major expansion of agricultural education in his district, describing a multi-year effort to transform a traditional program into a full school of agriculture.

“We’re in a very rural community, and agriculture is important,” Dady said. “So, with this addition that we’re doing, it’s going to cover more areas.”

Dady detailed how precision agriculture and technology are driving curriculum changes, citing examples from industry and recent farm shows, including the use of advanced combines, soil monitoring and drone technology. He said the district is seeking to add a third agriculture teacher and is expanding instruction into agribusiness, physics and biology credits tied directly to agriculture.

He also described a potential collaboration with a local Mennonite business community, to include teaching.

“That’s the first time that the Mennonite community has actually been open to the fact of ‘We might have interest in something the public schools offer,’” Dady said.

The program also serves students beyond Mifflinburg through a partnership with the Lewisburg Area School District and includes a new greenhouse facility and a student-produced agriculture podcast titled “Roots and Routes.”

Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), chair of the Senate Education Committee, addressed attendees with an overview of major education challenges facing Pennsylvania, and emphasized the importance of direct communication between schools and lawmakers.

“It is not an easy job, especially in today’s world,” Culver said. “Education is changing so quickly with technology.”

She referenced early data she encountered upon assuming the chairmanship, including low reading proficiency rates, challenges in higher education, pension system pressures, cyber charter funding and school adequacy funding.

“We are still dealing with a cyber charter situation. We are still dealing with adequate funding,” she said, adding that progress has been made but significant work remains.

Culver stressed that education policy should remain nonpartisan.

“Education is not a party… education is about educating children,” she said. “So, when somebody comes to me with legislation, the first question I ask is, ‘How is this helping children?’”

She encouraged superintendents to maintain open lines of communication with legislators.

“Please don’t ever assume we know what’s going on,” Culver said. “Please reach out to us.”

Additionally, Berwick Superintendent Jason Bendle discussed the district’s willingness to partner with energy companies and the need to prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce.

“I think we’re very willing to partner with these groups,” he said. “I think sometimes maybe the groups don’t know how to partner with schools, so I think that’s a challenge… It’s a local decision of whether boards entertain that or not. I think there’s positives on both ways of working through deals and also just saying, ‘Well, if you’re coming anyway, we’re going to take the tax revenue from it.’”

The breakfast also included a presentation from CSIU’s Work Foundations Plus program in Sunbury. This secondary transition program supports students with special needs in developing independent living and employability skills.

Instructor Rob Welch described the building trades component of the program and introduced students who helped design and build wooden s’mores kits that were distributed to administrators and legislators.

“We teach basic introductory skills in building construction, carpentry, plumbing, painting and drywall,” Welch said. “It’s really fruitful for employment to be gainfully employed… We’re kind of like a bridge to our local career and technical schools.”

Students, including Aaron Haugher, a 2025 Mifflinburg graduate, explained their roles in measuring, cutting, sanding and finishing the boxes, which also featured laser-engraved designs created with assistance from another CSIU program.

CSIU partners with Leadership Susquehanna Valley

As seen in the Milton Standard Journal
Written by: Gawhara Abou-eid

MILTON — The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) has taken over operations of the long-standing Leadership Susquehanna Valley (LSV) program, marking a new chapter in regional leadership development efforts that stretch back more than three decades.

CSIU’s Chief Outreach Officer Bernadette Boerckel called the transition “a natural fit” due to the organization’s deep-rooted involvement in the very sectors LSV has historically touched.

"CSIU puts people through Leadership Susquehanna Valley every year," Boerckel said. "Katherine (Vastine), our new executive director for LSV, graduated in 2008. I went through the program in 2021. We currently have two employees enrolled this year. We’ve always been closely connected."

LSV, a community-based leadership initiative now entering its 33rd year, was initially created through a partnership of regional stakeholders, including the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and institutions like the Penn State Leadership Institute. The program's mission has remained consistent: Build leadership skills among community members while educating them on the region’s most pressing challenges.

“These are individuals who live here, raise their families here, work here,” said Vastine. “The goal is to help them learn what the needs are throughout the region, and how they can become part of the solution. That solution piece is about building leadership skills so they can be more effective in their lives and their work.”

According to Vastine, the program’s structure will remain immersive and hands-on. Monthly “program days” will continue to center on critical sectors such as healthcare, education, workforce development, local government, community engagement and philanthropy. These day-long sessions, she added, are designed in partnership with subject-matter experts and local institutions, offering participants direct access to the systems they’re poised to lead.

When LSV’s board began exploring the need for new organizational support, CSIU responded to a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) to assume stewardship. Their selection, according to Boerckel, was unanimous.

“CSIU operates across education, workforce development, health care and local government advocacy,” Boerckel said. “These are the same pillars that LSV is built on. Our missions align perfectly.”

Though CSIU now provides in-kind support — including facilities, technology, and professional development materials like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and DISC assessments — LSV will remain a distinct nonprofit, governed by its independent board of directors.

Vastine, while part of CSIU's team, reports directly to that board and leads all strategic and programmatic planning.

“We have a very invested and active board,” Boerckel said. “Every member has gone through the program. They're incredibly passionate about leadership and dedicated to shaping its future.”

For Vastine, who stepped into the executive director role this year, the initial focus is simple: Listen and learn.

“My first year is about continuing the great work already in place while absorbing everything I can,” she said. “We review real-time data from class members through surveys, and we’re engaging employers for feedback as well. Their insights will inform where the program should go.”

Feedback is gathered continuously — from both participants and the employers who sponsor their tuition — and reviewed at monthly board meetings. These inputs shape future session content, speaker selection and strategic priorities.

Vastine added, “We’re asking: is the program meeting employer needs? Are there gaps we should be addressing? It’s a collaborative, data-driven process.”

While the 2025-2026 class is already selected, applications for the 2026-2027 program are currently open. Interested individuals or businesses can learn more and apply at www.leadershipsv.org.

“We welcome the opportunity to visit local employers, speak about what LSV is, and explain how they can get involved,” Vastine said. “My contact information is on the website, and I’m always available for those conversations.”

Supporting Pennsylvania Schools: Shapiro Administration Invests $7.76 Million to Expand Certified Teacher Apprenticeships Across Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Continuing its commitment to workforce development and addressing Pennsylvania’s critical teacher shortage, the Shapiro Administration today announced a $7.76 million investment to allow aspiring educators, paraprofessionals, and emergency-certified teachers to earn full teacher certification while working in schools.

The investment expands the Supporting Certified Teacher Registered Apprenticeship (CTRA) Programs in Pennsylvania grant program. The CTRA program, a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), offers an innovative, earn-as-you-learn pathway to boost the teacher workforce.

“This program is an innovative Pennsylvania solution to the teacher shortages affecting schools and students nationwide. By combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction, we’re creating pathways to family-sustaining careers while helping our schools and students thrive,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Fewer people have pursued teacher certification in Pennsylvania in recent years, and that’s created staffing challenges in schools throughout the Commonwealth. The Shapiro Administration is committed to reversing this trend through targeted investments in our workforce. This investment in Pennsylvania’s educators moves us closer to big-picture solutions while providing real career opportunities for individuals dedicated to the education of our children.”

The Shapiro Administration announced the plan for this first-of-its-kind teacher apprenticeship program partnership between L&I and PDE in April 2023. The projects awarded funding through this $7,768,768 million grant opportunity must build and register their own programs which will be customized to local needs. Each awardee provided a plan to create high-quality, sustainable teacher apprenticeship programs that reflect the unique challenges of urban, suburban, and rural areas.

“Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is working with partners across the Commonwealth to strengthen our educator workforce. From cutting certification processing times to launching innovative apprenticeship programs like CTRA, we’re creating real, accessible pathways into the teaching profession,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “These investments are about more than filling vacancies — they’re about ensuring that every learner in Pennsylvania has access to a high-quality education delivered by well-prepared, passionate educators.”

Pennsylvania’s educator workforce faces significant challenges, including a 67% decrease in certified teachers over the past decade and a reliance on emergency permits to fill critical roles. These shortages disproportionately affect schools serving high-poverty areas and students of color.

This investment is part of Governor Shapiro’s broader strategy to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce and builds on a comprehensive effort to boost the ranks of Pennsylvania teachers. Earlier this month, PDE launched the newly refreshed Teach in PA website to help individuals interested in obtaining a career in education more easily find relevant job opportunities. PDE has also reduced teacher certification processing times by more than 10 weeks, made intern certificates free to aspiring educators, and created a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in Education for high school students.

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has increased funding for CTE programs and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million — a 50 percent increase since the day he took office. Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal continues this momentum, calling for a dedicated $12.5 million Workforce and Economic Development Network appropriation, leveraging $10 million in existing funds and $2.5 million in new state funds to train additional workers.

The organizations selected to receive funding as part of this competitive grant process include:

Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 (Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties – $600,000) 
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit will establish a PK–12 special education teacher apprenticeship in partnership with BLaST Intermediate Unit (IU) 17, Central IU 10, and Schuylkill IU 29. The program will provide mentorship, on-the-job training, and certification to 18 apprentices across 13 counties.

Chester County Intermediate Unit 24 (Chester County – $600,000) 
Chester County Intermediate Unit will expand its post-baccalaureate special education apprenticeship program across high-need districts, providing accessible certification and mentorship opportunities for aspiring educators.

Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 (Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, and York counties – $600,000)
Capital Area Intermediate Unit will develop a teacher apprenticeship focused on special and elementary education, partnering with Point Park University to deliver online coursework and mentorship.

Bucks County Intermediate Unit 22 (Bucks County – $135,429)
Bucks County Intermediate Unit will train paraprofessionals for special education certification, combining online and hybrid coursework with on-the-job training.

King’s College (Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, and Wayne counties – $600,000) 
King’s College, partnering with local schools and workforce groups, will offer PK–4 or secondary certifications with additional ESL endorsement and master’s degree options.

Pennsylvania Western University (Statewide – $398,923) 
PennWest will launch a statewide Deaf Education Apprenticeship Program to address a critical shortage of qualified teachers of the deaf.

School District of Pittsburgh (Allegheny County – $362,409) 
Pittsburgh Public Schools will create a registered apprenticeship pathway for paraprofessionals seeking teacher certification, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, the Educator Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary, and three Pittsburgh-based institutions of higher education.

DeSales University School of Education (Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton counties – $397,236) 
DeSales will pilot a hybrid apprenticeship program with Bethlehem Area School District, providing secondary education certification through coursework and in-school training.

Esperanza Academy Charter School (Philadelphia County – $400,000) 
Esperanza Academy will certify paraprofessionals as special education teachers in partnership with Eastern University, where apprentices will earn Bachelor of Science degrees in Special Education. The program will strengthen local educator talent and address the school’s growing need for certified instructors.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Butler, Mercer, and Westmoreland counties – $594,398)
Slippery Rock University will implement a post-baccalaureate apprenticeship program addressing shortages in science, math, and special education.

Keystone Community Education Council (Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties – $600,000)
Keystone Community Education Council will facilitate apprenticeship certification for 32 educators in partnership with school districts and career technical centers.

Wilson College (Adams, Franklin, and York counties – $600,000) 
Wilson College will enable paraprofessionals to earn special education degrees and certifications while maintaining employment.

Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (Allegheny, Beaver, and Westmoreland counties – $600,000)
Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 will establish a special and elementary education apprenticeship in partnership with Point Park University, delivering online coursework and mentorship.

The School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia County – $400,000) 
The School District of Philadelphia will develop a grow-your-own teacher pipeline in special education and core subjects, tapping into its existing workforce of paraprofessionals.

Keystone College (Dauphin County – $591,978) 
Keystone College, partnering with Susquehanna Township and Steelton-Highspire districts, will offer accelerated certification pathways targeted at PreK–12 special education for emergency-certified educators.

Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (Lancaster County – $288,396) 
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center will establish a CTE educator apprenticeship aligned with its induction program, partnering with Point Park University to articulate coursework toward certifications.

This initiative is 100% federally funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s (WIOA) Statewide set aside funding. 

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. 

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/newsroom/supporting-pennsylvania-schools--shapiro-administration-invests-.html

# # #

MONTANDON — More than 75 business leaders attend a five-hour Innovations Summit at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate facility, where expert speakers explained how implementing artificial intelligence can make businesses more efficient, and competitive in their markets.

The summit began by explaining what AI is and how it is being used.

An example was provided by two administrators with WellSpan Health, Kelsy Paulus, executive vice president, and Dr. Heidi Beilis, diagnostic services.

Paulus explained how their medial AI assistant, Ana, has been used to streamline and improve patient experiences.

“She is not replacing humans,” Paulus said.

Beilis showed how the AI can be used in the diagnosis of mammograms.

“MedAI can assist physicians in making quicker diagnosis, which is ultimately better for the patient. Its accuracy is incredible,” she said.

“What we’re seeing with medAI is simply amazing,” WellSpan Evangelical President Kendra Aucker said, speaking from the audience. “The A.I. programs Wellspan is rolling out and their AI assistant, Ana, is coming to Evangelical this year.”

The afternoon breakout sessions were more business-oriented.

Jennifer Rempe, a Warrior Run School District director, who works at a human services organization, said “I’m still in the formulative stage of my AI journey, so this event has been very helpful.”

Fred Reck, CEO of Immotek moderated the breakout session on cyber-security. He went over the rewards of using AI as well as the risks: deepfakes, AI hallucinations, for example.

“It’s not just technical risks, but legal, and personal,” he said.

Information technology employees or contractors monitoring network activity and looking for unusual activities can help minimize risks.

Amber Guerrero, with the Bucknell Small Business Development Center, moderated an afternoon session.

“I’m taking a deeper dive into AI,” she said. “A lot of people who are attending don’t have much experience at all. So my talk was designed for people who have already gotten through the basics and how to use it more effectively; to create better prompts, how to create style guides, how to streamline your chats so as to work in the way your prefer.”

“Technology is one of our highest priorities,” Bob Garrett, CEO of The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, said. “What we are now doing as an organization is integrating technology particularly with small businesses.”

Big companies have IT departments.

For small companies, if they resist using AI they are resisting future prosperity.”

The chamber sponsored the event.