June 2, 2025
West Chester, Pa (June 2, 2025) – Two Chester County-based programs that teach children and students about the importance of protecting our clean streams and waterways were recently awarded state funding, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The funding, made available through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Environmental Education Grants program, is as follows:
- $23,187 for the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art to support the Waterside Tales program. The program aims to empower local communities and raise awareness of water quality impacts by engaging people in activities such as storybook walks and discussions about land use impacts and solutions to help protect water quality.
- $30,000 for the Stroud Water Research Center for the development and use of outdoor learning spaces at six school sites in Chester, Lancaster and Lebanon counties. The grant funding will also be used to implement a water-based curriculum in collaboration with local school districts and provide training and other support for teachers who will design the learning space lessons.
“The Pennsylvania Constitution affirms our right to clean air and pure water, so the sooner we begin teaching our young people about the importance of protecting our streams, creeks, rivers, and waterways from pollution, the better,” said Comitta, a former public-school teacher who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said. “As we to face the growing challenges of climate change, these investments will help prepare the next generation to continue our work and lead us into a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future.”
The Chester County-based projects come as part of 68 programs statewide that were awarded funding to promote environmental stewardship.
According to DEP, the Environmental Education Grants program prioritizes proposals that will deliver meaningful environmental education programs to people who live, work, or attend school in areas of the Commonwealth most threatened by climate change, and air and water pollution. This year 87 percent of the awarded projects will support projects that engage youth and/or adults within such areas.
“These projects help connect people to the ways we can protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, and many of them encourage learning at any age whether you’re a kid or an adult,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Every grant we are awarding supports educational opportunities and will further improve people’s connections to their environment.”
The 2025 projects aim to deliver a wide range of environmental education programs that include providing youth with unique immersive field experiences, engaging community residents in practical climate resiliency projects, supporting school districts’ efforts to develop new Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) standards-based curriculum, and many more.
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May 22, 2025
Harrisburg, Pa (May 21, 2025) –Music therapists in Pennsylvania could be professionally licensed by the Commonwealth, bringing significant economic and therapeutic benefits to families and communities under new legislation introduced by state Senators Elder Vogel and Carolyn Comitta.
The bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 579, would establish a board certification exam, continuing education requirements, and a code of ethics for trained music therapists to receive professional licensure under the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors.
“For years, I have been pushing for Pennsylvania to establish state licensure for music therapists to provide another avenue for those in need of therapy services,” said Vogel. “Due to not having state licensure, most patients are denied insurance coverage for this therapy and music therapists then are limited in job opportunities here in the Commonwealth and seek employment elsewhere. Patients are losing out on a beneficial health care option and Pennsylvania is losing out on family-sustaining jobs and generating economic revenue. I am happy to introduce this legislation again and continue to fight for this important treatment option for those who can truly benefit from it.”
“Music therapy can be a powerful tool to promote healing, well-being, and recovery. And licensing our highly trained music therapists will not only reduce public health costs and improve access to care, but it will also boost our economy, increase tax revenue, and help create jobs,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Vogel on this legislation. I also want to recognize state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, who championed this issue in the House. I appreciate their efforts and the work of all our music therapists and advocates in communities across the Commonwealth.”
Music Therapy is an evidence-based healthcare profession that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease pain, and improve communication and social skills.
Pennsylvania is home to the largest number of higher education programs in the country for music therapy, yet professional licensure for music therapists is not currently offered in the Commonwealth.
As a result, many highly trained music therapists end up in neighboring states, like New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, where they can be licensed. In fact, as many as 80 percent of Maryland LPMTs (Licensed Professional Music Therapists) were trained at Pennsylvania institutions.
By establishing a license for music therapy, Pennsylvania could regain approximately $7 million by retaining graduates and $135.4 million by enabling music therapists to bill appropriately, according to the Pennsylvania Music Therapy Task Force.
In addition, most insurance companies and Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations (BH-MCOs) deny coverage to music therapists because they lack state licensure, even when they are nationally board-certified. Of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, at least 60 are blocked from reimbursed music therapy services with BH-MCOs. As a result, employers lose approximately $128,752 per music therapist, adding up to more than $93 million in lost revenue annually for Pennsylvania businesses, healthcare facilities, and therapy practices, according to the task force.
Senate Bill 579 represents a significant opportunity to retain professional talent, expand health care access, and capture substantial economic value currently forfeited to neighboring states with more developed regulatory frameworks.
Pennsylvania is currently home to more than 600 music therapists serving 49,000 residents each year. They assist clients with a variety of clinical needs, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorders, cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), dementia, depression, developmental and intellectual differences, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorders, terminal illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairments, and more.
Senate Bill 579 is before the Senate Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure Committee. It is co-sponsored by 14 senators from both sides of the aisle.
There is companion legislation in the House, House Bill 563, sponsored by Pashinski.
May 21, 2025
West Chester, Pa (May 21, 2025) – Schools in the West Chester Area, Octorara Area, and Unionville-Chadds Ford School Districts will soon be powered by solar energy thanks to state funding approved this week, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The funding, approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, comes through Pennsylvania’s new Solar for Schools grant program.
“These investments will help schools in Chester County and across the Commonwealth transition to cleaner, more cost-effective solar energy,” Comitta said. “Our public schools, and educational institutions are powering the future of Pennsylvania. It just makes sense that they are powered in a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically smart way.”
The program, passed last year by the legislature, helps fund solar projects at public schools, community colleges, and career and technical schools that reduce carbon emissions, save taxpayer dollars, and educate our students about the importance of renewable sources of energy.
The West Chester Area School District was awarded $167,000 to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at East Bradford Elementary School. The solar installation will help reduce the district’s carbon footprint and foster opportunities to educate students about renewable energy. The project also calls for installing real-time solar PV displays in the school lobby allowing students to observe, track, and appreciate solar energy production.
The Octorara Area School District was awarded $300,000 for a ten-acre solar array and the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District was awarded $299,000 for a rooftop solar array on Unionville High School.
The funding for schools in Chester County comes as part of $22.5 million in total state funding awarded to 73 schools across the Commonwealth.
Passed as Act 69 of 2024, the Solar for Schools grant program helps schools cover the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of solar equipment, permit fees, energy storage, utility interconnection, and other costs.
Comitta, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, voted for the bipartisan legislation and helped champion its passage in the Senate.
May 21, 2025
Coatesville, Pa (May 21, 2025) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta was recently joined by Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen and the Maternal and Child Health Consortium (MCHC) of Chester County to highlight state and local efforts to support the health of new moms and babies.
“Parenthood can be challenging. Babies don’t come with an instruction manual, but that is where our community comes in,” Comitta told a crowd of dozens of new moms, expectant moms, parents, children, and families at the Second Annual Community Baby Shower. “Chester County is home to a strong network of community partners and nonprofit organizations that work together to support new families, moms, children, and parents.”
The event, held at the Gordon Early Learning Center, offered an opportunity to connect with and learn about the many resources and services available to Chester County families. More than 200 people and 30 vendors participated, enjoying free activities for children and raffle prizes, as well as the distribution of free diapers and other baby supplies collected by MCHC.
This year’s Community Baby Shower event coincided with Black Maternal Health Week, an opportunity to bring awareness to maternal health inequities and to empower Black mothers, families, and communities of color.
“We know that taking a public health approach to healthier mothers, infants, and families involves addressing numerous health issues,” said Secretary Bogen. “We are celebrating the good work happening here, but we also have to understand why this work is so vital. We must not forget that we currently have an unacceptable and horrifying health disparity for black women and babies, which we have to eliminate.”
In Pennsylvania, Black women experience significantly higher maternal mortality rates compared to White women, with Black women being twice as likely to die during pregnancy, labor, or postpartum. In addition, Black women in Pennsylvania are 2.5 times more likely to experience infant death than women of other races.
Comitta, a member of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus, continues to work with her colleagues in the state legislature and communities across Chester County to reverse that trend.
She has worked to expand Medicare coverage for mothers for up to one year postpartum, helped pass legislation to extend coverage to doula services, voted for a new law to help moms with postpartum depression, and secured state funding for MCHC’s doula program. She also continues to support efforts to modernize regulations governing midwives and remains dedicated to ending racial disparities in maternal healthcare.
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May 16, 2025
West Chester, Pa (May 16, 2025) – Volunteers at Alert Fire Company No. 1 in Downingtown are getting new portable radios thanks to state grant funding secured by state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
The funding, which comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will support the purchase of 16 Kenwood portable radios. The investment means that Alert will now have enough radios to provide one per firefighter when responding to emergencies.
“These radios are used on every call—whether responding to fires, accidents, medical emergencies, or other critical incidents. They are more than just a convenience; they are a lifeline for our firefighters in the field,” said Lt. Tyler Smith of Alert Fire Company. “Without radios, we face an increased risk of miscommunication, delayed response times, and, ultimately, a threat to the safety of both our firefighters and the public.”
“In an emergency, timely communication is crucial, especially for our first responders,” Comitta said. “I was proud to help secure this investment so that every firefighter at Alert has the tools and technology they need to do their jobs safely, efficiently, and effectively. And I want to thank all the volunteer firefighters serving our communities in the Downingtown Fire Department, and throughout Chester County.”
Comitta also thanks state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten for her support of and advocacy in securing the new equipment.
Dating back to 1887, Alert Fire Company is a non-profit, 100 percent volunteer, full-service fire and heavy rescue organization, providing care to the residents of Downingtown Borough, East Caln Township, and the surrounding areas.
It, along with Minquas Fire Co. No. 2, is one of two fire companies that make-up the Downingtown Fire Department.
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May 15, 2025
Wayne, Pa (May 15, 2025) – Senior citizens are invited to join state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Senator Amanda Cappelletti for a fun afternoon of dancing, music, and community bonding at their 3rd Annual Senior Prom.
The free, tropical-themed event is set for Thursday, May 22, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Wayne Senior Center. It will feature legislative resources, state services, and program information available to seniors in Chester and Delaware counties.
“One of my goals is to connect our residents to the various resources, and programs available to them and there is no better event to do this than our Senior Prom,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Aging and Youth Committee. “Senator Cappelletti and I are happy to invite you to ‘make a splash’ with our constituent services teams. Join us for an afternoon of fun and bring any questions you may have about state programs and available resources.”
“I am excited to join Senator Comitta in hosting our third annual Senior Prom with the Wayne Senior Center,” said Senator Cappelletti. “This beloved event brings joy, connection, and celebration to the seniors who mean so much to our community. More than just a dance, it’s a chance to honor their spirit, friendship, and contributions. We’re proud to continue this tradition and would love for you to be part of it. Join us in making this year’s prom a night to remember!”
Dressing in tropical, island, or boat-themed attire is encouraged.
The Wayne Senior Center is located at 108 Station Road.
Individuals interested in attending should contact the Wayne Senior Center at 610-688-6246 or email info@wayneseniorcenter.org to RSVP.
For additional questions, please contact Senator Comitta’s office at 610-692-2112 or Senator Cappelletti’s office at 610-768-4200.
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May 13, 2025
Harrisburg, Pa (May 13, 2025) – Arts educators and students from across Pennsylvania recently converged on the steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg to highlight the value of arts education programs and call for continued investments in this year’s state budget.
“Music, theatre, dance, and arts education programs are essential. We know because study after study confirms that arts education programs significantly benefit student growth and development. And we know because we can see firsthand. We can see it in their progress and in the eyes of the students joining us today,” said Comitta, a former public-school teacher who serves on the Senate Education Committee.
In celebrating Arts Advocacy Day in the Commonwealth, Comitta was joined by state Representative R. Lee James, state Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, and members of the Pennsylvania Arts Education Leadership Coalition.
With threats and cuts to funding at the federal level, they emphasized the importance of fully funding arts education programs in this year’s state budget.
Pashinski, who taught music and directed choir for nearly four decades, spoke of the need to prioritize arts education funding for all schools, warning: “When we do not have enough money in our school budget, what is the first thing they cut? The arts. And the arts are important, and that is why we are here today.”
Kiara Braswell, a former University of the Arts student and current student at Drexel University studying dance, shared her experience as an arts student after the University of the Arts closed last year.
“I know what it feels like when the beauty of the arts community is stripped away because of a lack of support and care,” she said. “Every child in Pennsylvania deserves the hope that the arts can bring to their future, so please take action and give us the resources we need.”
Studies show that arts education programs benefit students by boosting academic achievement, reducing stress, improving behavior, and enhancing concentration, self-confidence, and critical-thinking skills.
Brett Keith, President of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, stressed the economic contributions of arts and cultural programs.
“The impact of the arts does not stop at the classroom door…In Pennsylvania, the arts and culture sectors are a major economic engine. In the Greater Philadelphia region, nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $1.9 billion in economic activity annually,” he said.
James echoed the economic importance of the arts and culture sector in the Commonwealth, adding that “the sector is responsible for employing 176,000 people.”
Comitta noted that Pennsylvania is in the process of updating its Arts and Humanities Educational Standards for the first time since 2002. This spring, the State Board of Education approved the nominees to serve on the academic standards review committee.
In addition, the group expressed their support for expanding student teacher stipends, increasing investments in basic education funding, and restoring at least one full-time fine arts and humanities advisor at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The press conference also featured performances from the Exeter Township Senior High School Marching Band and dance students from the Capital Area School for the Arts.
The Pennsylvania Arts Education Leadership Coalition is composed of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, the Pennsylvania Art Education Association, the Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization, the Educational Theatre Association of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Association for Media Arts Education.
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May 13, 2025
West Chester, Pa (May 12, 2025) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta is reminding eligible Chester County seniors that they can now apply to receive coupons for free locally grown fruits and vegetables through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
“As the weather warms up and fresh, locally grown produce becomes more readily available, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is here to help area seniors access nutritious food options,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Aging and Youth Committee. “I encourage all eligible residents to apply to this program, support our local farmers, and take advantage of the fresh Pennsylvania produce available at farmers’ markets in Chester County.
Each eligible senior may receive five $5 checks that can be used to purchase fresh Pennsylvania-grown fruits and vegetables at approved farmer’s markets. Checks may be redeemed between June 1 and November 30, 2025.
To qualify you must be aged 60 years or older (or turn 60 by 12/31/2025) and meet household income eligibility guidelines. For a one-person household, total income cannot exceed $28,953. For a two-person household, total income cannot exceed $39,128.
Applications can be found on the Chester County Department of Aging Services website at chesco.org/5537/Farmers-Market-Program or by calling Senator Comitta’s district office at 610-692-2112.
Completed applications can be emailed to mwebb@chesco.org or mailed to Chester County Department of Aging Services 601 Westtown Road, Suite 320, West Chester, PA 19380.
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May 12, 2025
May 7, 2025
