Today the JSGC podcast team interviews Glenn Pasewicz, Susan Elder, and Allison Kobzowicz to discuss truancy in Pennsylvania schools. Among the topics discussed include important definitions, the penalties truant students face, and the changes brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.  Recommendations for reducing truancy in schools are also discussed. The content of this episode is based on the report "The Truancy Process: The Challenge of Improving Attendance in Pennsylvania Schools,"  released in April of 2024.  This report was created due to a requirement in Act 138 of 2016.  M ..read more

In todays episode, the JSGC policy podcast team interviews Yvonne Hursh on the subject of Fatherhood. The contents of this episode are based on the report “Greater Father Involvement: Fostering Engagement of Fathers in Improving the Well-being of their Children"” released in January of 2024.  The episode discusses the creation of a Fatherhood Involvement Institute, a permanent government body that would promote fatherhood and coordinate state approaches. The episode also covers potential barriers preventing fathers from being more involved, the role courts can play, and existing programs ..read more

In this episode, we return to our biannual topic of diabetes by interviewing Helen Khanzhina about advances in treatment and advocacy of the disease since 2021. The JSGC Policy Podcast previously covered diabetes in our 11th episode. In this episode, our conversation covers updated statistics, how state departments and advocacy groups work toward prevention and awareness of the disease, and recommendations on how Pennsylvania could improve Diabetes care. For more information see the full report, "Diabetes in Pennsylvania: Prevention and Maintenance Programs - Sixth Biennial Report," available ..read more

In this episode, the JSGC Podcast team convenes to discuss election reform, one of the Commission’s ongoing projects. Guest Yvonne Hursh returns to update listeners on new developments for the Election Law Advisory Board (ELAB) over the last year and proposals for training election directors within Pennsylvania. The content of this episode is based on “Election Law in Pennsylvania: Third Annual Report of the Election Law Advisory Board” published in August of 2023. Both the full report and a summary are available on our website. More information on ELAB can be found by listening to the two-par ..read more

In this episode the JSGC Podcast Team discusses recycling in Pennsylvania with project manager Grant Rosul. Among the topics discussed are challenges faced by communities that recycle, new ways of using recycled material, and recommendations for how to improve recycling throughout the Commonwealth. The content of this episode is based on the report “Recycling Strategies in Pennsylvania,” which was released in June of 2023. Both the full report and a summary are available on our website. Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us ..read more

This episode concerns training mandates for public school employees. The JSGC podcast crew interviews Helen Khanzhina on whether training mandates are as burdensome and redundant to the teachers of Pennsylvania as their reputation suggests. The content of this episode is based on "Training Mandates on Pennsylvania Public School Entities," released in June of 2023.  The episode also includes information about report's advisory committee,  the effectiveness of public school mandates, and how training mandates differ from continuing education requirements. The full report and summa ..read more

In this episode Glenn and Susan interview Bryan DeWalt and Lydia Hack about staffing issues facing Long-term Care Facilities.  Topics covered include the importance in investing in Skilled Nursing Facilities, the workplace environment at these institutions, and the impact contracted workers have had on the industry.  A report on this topic, Use of Contracted Workers at Medicaid Funded Long-term Care Facilities in the Commonwealth, was released in May of 2023. The report was commissioned by Senate Resolution 288 of 2022. A special thank you to Pennsylvania Health Care Association for ..read more

In this episode, the Joint State podcast team interviews David Greene, executive director of the Local Government Commission. Topics covered include the nature of their collaborative efforts with local governments across the Commonwealth,  the duties they undertake on behalf of the General Assembly and recent initiatives such as their academic symposium.  More about the Local Government Commission can be found at http://www.lgc.state.pa.us/index.cfm  Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us ..read more

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is one of our sister agencies that conducts performance audits and evaluations on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Legislature.  In this episode, the JSGC podcast team interview Patricia Berger, former executive director of the LBFC who retired shortly after the time of this recording. Among the topics covered include how the LBFC's role has evolved over the years, the lifecycle of their projects, and the methodology and approach employed by LBFC staff. The agency's mission and recent projects are also discussed. For more information ab ..read more

In this episode, the JSGC Podcast Team interview project manager Glenn Pasewicz  along with policy analyst Allison Kobzowicz about the affects of substance use on children and infants. The discussion draws from the recently released "Report of the Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force" which was authorized by Act 2 of 2022. Topics discussed include: neonatal withdrawal syndrome, plans of safe care for infants, department of health initiatives, and the creation of a Work Group to continue the process started by the Task Force. Find out more at: Philly Families CAN PA Perinatal Quality Coll ..read more