Sep. 17, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington) and House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) today applauded the recent implementation of legislation Christiana authored to ensure low-income students are connected with the educational resources necessary to land family-sustaining jobs.
Unanimously approved by the House in May, Christiana’s legislation,
House Bill 934, proposed a redesign of the Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) Program, an academic support program assisting low-income individuals who are seeking additional training or certification to improve their job prospects. KEYS does not pay tuition, but provides career mentoring, tutoring and academic support to students, as well as facilitates additional supportive services. Students must enroll in a program that leads to one of the state’s High Priority Occupations (HPO), such as a dental hygienist, registered nurse, physical therapy assistant, paralegal and other family-sustaining employment opportunities.
“After speaking directly with community college leaders in my district and across Pennsylvania, it’s clear the support networks provided by KEYS are a valuable resource for students who are attempting to break out of poverty and enter into self-sustaining lifestyles,” Christiana said. “The administrative implementation of my bill will allow KEYS students to promptly receive the vital academic support necessary to earn a competitive degree in a good-paying field.”
Under current law, students can only take full advantage of the KEYS program for 12 months, which has led to a large number of dropouts in the program. The Department of Human Services recently announced it will allow KEYS students who have reached their 12 month limit to begin the fall semester with an automatic one-year extension of the program.
House Bill 934 was the first of several bills advanced in response to the Empowering Opportunities: Gateways Out of Poverty policy initiative led by Reed, who then served as House Majority Policy Committee chairman.
“One of the overriding themes we found during our discussions with stakeholders across the state was the need to connect students with employers who can offer them family-sustaining careers,” Reed said. “The KEYS Program not only provides specialized assistance for these students, but it also helps fill in-demand positions throughout the Commonwealth’s workforce. We need to do everything we can to transition people into lives of self-sustainability, and I am pleased the administration saw the value of implementing our idea.”
Christiana said he plans to continue to his push to bring these administrative changes into law and ensure KEYS students will continue to receive the extended academic support.
Representative Jim Christiana
15th Legislative District
Representative Dave Reed
62nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com