Originally published in the Daily Local

EASTTOWN — Education is key.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th of Easttown, held a town hall Tuesday on education.

The virtual forum featured special guests George Fiore, executive director of Chester County Intermediate Unit, and Jill Hackman, executive director of Berks County Intermediate Unit.

“As a former educator, I have seen firsthand how in-person learning can impact a child’s trajectory,” Houlahan said ahead of the event.

“The past two years have been incredibly disruptive for all of us, but our students and teachers have faced unique challenges while navigating remote learning,” she said. “Our education system can be a powerful guide for young people as they develop and learn, which is why we must address the issues putting it under strain.”

During the town hall, the congressional representative and panelists discussed the third round of funds from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) in Berks and Chester counties.

Since March 2020, Congress has allocated $189.5 billion for ESSER funds through three coronavirus supplemental bills including the CARES Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act under former President Donald Trump and the American Rescue Plan under President Joe Biden.

In this most recent wave of ESSER funding from the American Rescue Plan, Pennsylvania’s schools received more than $209 million.

“Through federal legislation, including the American Rescue Plan, I proudly voted to secure Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds for Pennsylvanian students and educators alike,” Houlahan said during her opening remarks on Tuesday.

“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, those funds totaled over $200 million for schools in our congressional district, which includes all of Chester County and the southern portion of Berks including the City of Reading,” she said.

The town hall was Houlahan’s 54th such event since in office.

“Each event focuses on a particular theme,” Houlahan said. “In tonight’s case, we are focused on education.”

Houlahan formerly worked as a chemistry teacher for high school students.

“I have seen firsthand how in-person learning can impact a child’s trajectory,” she said.

“The past two years have been incredibly disruptive for all of us, but our students and teachers have faced unique challenges while navigating remote learning,” Houlahan said. “A strong education system is a powerful guide for young people as they develop and learn, which is why we must address the issues putting our schools under strain, both nationally and here in our community.”

Some students have struggled during the last two years given the pressures of virtual learning, being isolated from friends during the spring of 2020, and learning to read and write with the addition of masks being added into the equation.

Depression is up among teens since the onset of the pandemic shutdown in 2020, as previously reported.

Depression is also up among young adults. According to TIME, there was a 49.6 percent increase in depression and 67.5 percent increase in generalized anxiety disorder among 19- to 22-year-olds across the U.S. in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Well-being and mental health support is one of the key areas in which intermediate units in Berks and Chester counties plan to spend federal funds for education from the American Rescue Plan. Staffing is also a key area of focus.

“Now is the time to take what we have learned over the past two years and build upon it as we continue to examine, refine, and revise our educational delivery models to reflect best practices and meet both the academic and social-emotional needs of our children,” said Jill Hackman, executive director of Berks County Intermediate Unit.

Hackman said it was a privilege to take part in Houlahan’s education town hall event on Tuesday.

“In Berks County, all conversations being held and decisions being made by administrators and educators are centered on what is best for the more than 70,000 students and 5,000 staff members across the county,” she said. “Our top priority continues to be the health and wellness of all individuals while engaging students in high-quality education.”

She said during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaboration and communication between administrators, staff, and parents was critical to ensure engaging learning experiences were provided for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12.

“As we navigate ahead, the Berks County Intermediate Unit remains committed to fulfilling our mission of service to our schools and the greater community,” Hackman noted.

“Education is evolving,” said George Fiore, executive director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit. “Chester County is home to some of the top performing schools and school districts in the nation. Innovation has been the mantra for our county and has continued through the pandemic.”

In his role as executive director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit, Fiore and his team serve many students with diverse needs.

“I have been inspired by our educators, students and families during the pandemic,” he said. “We have worked collaboratively to continue to educate students during the pandemic. Our schools in partnership with our families have been in-person for education since August 2020.”

As for how music and art could be taught more in public schools especially those within districts where there is significant levels of poverty, Fiore said: “Music and art are cornerstones of quality schools. In order to increase access to these programs, equitable funding for schools that are in high levels of poverty must be a priority. Unfortunately, there are schools in our state that do not have the necessary funds to support a comprehensive school program that all students sorely need.”