Education Program For Sick Kids Gets State Grant

A program that brings lessons to sick and otherwise homebound students in Lower Bucks County has received a boost from a state grant.

Lawmakers announced that Bucks County Intermediate Unit No. 22 has been awarded $28,197 in state funding through the state department of education's Keystone Telepresence Education Grant program.

The program helps pay for equipment and services to educate students who are at home for extended periods of time due to serious medical conditions.

Intermediate units use the grants to buy audio and video equipment. Member school districts can then borrow the equipment and put it in the homes of students who need it as they recover from accidents, medical procedures or chronic illnesses.

The equipment lets the students participate in daily activities with classmates and teachers in real time.

"Pennsylvania has an obligation to deliver the best possible education to every child," said state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, who represents much of Lower Bucks. "With this equipment, teachers at Bucks County Intermediate Unit can better connect with students eager to learn and reach their full potential."

To learn more about the Telepresence grant program, visit the PDE website.