Lackawanna County Teacher Named Finalist for Worldwide Honor, $1 Million Prize

Lackawanna County teacher Marilyn Pryle has been selected as a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize.

Founded nine years ago, the Global Teacher Prize, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, awards dedicated and innovative educators with a prize of $1 million.

When asked how she would spend the prize money, Pryle, who founded the Scranton English Conversation Group in 2017, said she would strengthen resources for the local refugee community, and find a permanent location for the group. 



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How This Struggling Rural PA Hospital Avoided Closure

The Bucktail Medical Center was in danger of permanent closure in September 2023, which would have resulted in the nearest medical center being an hour’s drive away.

However, a $1 million grant from the state has allowed the center to stay open.

Spotlight PA discusses how programs for distressed hospitals can save rural medical centers, and addresses continuous gaps in rural healthcare. 

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Shapiro Administration Highlights $45 Million Investment in High-Speed Internet

The Shapiro Administration in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), visited Cambria County to highlight progress in increasing affordable high-speed internet across the state.

As part of the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program, the PBDA has approved $45 million to provide community hubs such as schools, libraries, and health centers with high-speed internet.

Accessibility to internet services is vital to developing community workforce as well as quality of life.                      

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Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model 

In January 2024, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model, which is focused on improving the quality of health outcomes and care for adults with moderate to severe mental health conditions or substance use disorders.

Both Medicare and Medicaid enrollees experience a disproportionately high rate of mental health conditions, and/or substance abuse disorders, and are at a higher likelihood to visit emergency service departments and hospitalizations.

The IBH Model addresses gaps between behavioral and physical health, as well as solutions to more effectively bridge them. 



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A New Index to Estimate Playspace Inequity

Playspaces are a crucial piece of community and childhood development, but are limited depending on physical and social conditions.

Factors such as public transportation, lack of inclusivity, public safety, and lack of public awareness effect the access that residents have to playspaces.

This report details the importance of public playspaces, as well as consequences and factors of playspace inequality. 

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How Local Governments are Building Social Housing Solutions 

Many potential home buyers and renters are struggling to find accessible and affordable housing amidst social and economic conditions.

Local governments have various ways to approach solutions for communities.

Progress and PolicyLink share a collaborative report on emerging local policies that can provide housing opportunities and solutions, as well as a history of real estate and its role in housing instability. 



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