WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) this week launched “Narcan in Courts” — a new initiative to expand access to the lifesaving overdose reversal medication naloxone by having it on hand at judicial buildings, including courthouses across the Commonwealth, in the event someone is experiencing an overdose.

Naloxone is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reverse an opioid overdose by quickly restoring breathing to an individual if their breathing has slowed or stopped.

“Overdoses can happen anytime, anywhere,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. Narcan in Courts will help to expand access to naloxone by placing it in buildings within Pennsylvania’s judicial system that are open to the public. This new partnership is a prime example of how multiple branches of government — executive and judicial — can work together to help those we all serve. Just like having AEDs for cardiac emergencies, having life-saving medication on hand for overdoses can be truly lifesaving.”

The naloxone for the initiative is funded and supplied through DDAP’s Overdose Prevention Program. DDAP is providing 600 Narcan kits, which equates to 1,200 individual doses of Narcan — the common brand of naloxone that comes as a nasal spray — to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC).

The goal of the new, voluntary initiative is to place one Narcan kit in each of the 512 Magisterial District Judge courts and all 67 county courthouses for on-site emergency use. The Narcan will be placed in locations near or similar to those that house AEDs. In addition to distributing Narcan, AOPC will provide instructions, educational materials, and information about training videos to each location.

“The courts are not immune to the tragic impact of substance use disorder on Pennsylvania families,” said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd. “Through our collaboration with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Pennsylvania courts will have increased access to Narcan, which when administered in the critical moments of a suspected overdose, could mean the difference between life and death. Our shared focus in this effort is a testament to our broader commitment to the health and safety of everyone who enters our courthouses and magisterial district judge court facilities and to working with our government partners to respond to the challenges facing our communities.”

Individuals seeking substance use treatment or recovery supports can be connected to local substance use disorder (SUD) resources by calling the toll-free PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or by using Treatment Atlas, a free online or smartphone locator tool to help Pennsylvanians confidentially find SUD treatment that meets their needs.

State puts more special education teachers in Pennsylvania classrooms

Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe this week announced nearly $1 million in grants to 11 institutions of higher education to provide an accelerated pathway to certification for Special Education teachers in training.

The announcement delivers on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s pledge to stabilize the Commonwealth’s pipeline of highly qualified teachers and ensure that all Pennsylvania students — including students with disabilities — have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

Created in 2023, the Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification expedites the certification process for prospective special educators who are currently working on emergency permits, experience-based certificates, or serving as para-educators in Pennsylvania schools.

In 2025, a second group of students began coursework through the accelerated program to become certified Special Education teachers in Pennsylvania. Enrolled at 14 colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth, those 150 students are on track to obtain their teaching certification later this year.

With the third round of funding announced this week, the Shapiro Administration is helping to train and certify an additional 175 special education teachers — bringing the total to more than 450 Special Education teachers being prepared to teach in Pennsylvania classrooms through this expedited pipeline.

Rowe said, “By partnering with institutions like East Stroudsburg University, we’re helping dedicated Pennsylvanians move into the classrooms where they’re needed most and making sure students with disabilities have access to the highly qualified teachers they deserve.”

East Stroudsburg University is a three-time recipient of the grant. The University collaborates with Northampton Community College and has partnerships with Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and local school districts to remove roadblocks that can prohibit a student from becoming a special education professional. A total of 32 students completed the Accelerated Special Educator Certification through the first two rounds of grant funding.

The latest round of grants, ranging from $35,000 to $100,000, has been awarded to the following institutions to serve about 175 aspiring educators in the third cohort:

• King’s College, DeSales University, East Stroudsburg University, Gannon University, Kutztown University, Mercyhurst University, Moravian University, Penn State University, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, and Temple University.

Rowe also announced Para-educator Advancement Grants of up to $100,000 to 12 intermediate units to help current para-educators earn bachelor’s degrees and PK-12 Special Education teacher certification at no cost while continuing to serve in Pennsylvania schools.

About 150 program participants will earn their credentials by the end of 2028.

Several intermediate units received Para-educator Advancement Grants, including Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.