PA Mental Health Education Learning Program in Schools (PA HELPS) FAQ

General Information

WHO CAN SERVE AS A SITE SUPERVISOR?

The site supervisor for the intern must hold a certification in the same field that the intern is pursuing. The only exception to this requirement is for school social workers.

Prior to August 1, 2026, an individual working as a school social worker in a Local Education Agency (LEA) may also hold one of the following:

  • A PA Home and School Visitor certificate
  • A current license as a licensed social worker (LSW)
  • A current license as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) issued by the PA Department of State

That means an eligible site supervisor for a school social worker intern may hold a valid school social worker certificate, PA Home and School Visitor certificate, or be licensed as a LSW or LCSW.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF AN INTERNSHIP FOR THE PURPOSES OF PA HELPS?

PA HELPS legislation defines an internship as:

  • Part of a program for the preparation of school-based mental health professionals in which an individual is enrolled in an Educational Specialist Preparation Program
  • Supervised by the faculty of an Educational Specialist Preparation Program in coordination with a school-based mental health professional employed by the LEA
  • Building on classroom learning experiences using best practices
  • Established through an agreement between the LEA and the Educational Specialist Preparation Program

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Funding & Payments

HOW CAN LEAS USE PA HELPS FUNDS?

The LEA must use 100% of the disbursed funds to compensate the interns and pay for any legally required payroll deductions. The LEA is not allowed to use the funds for any other purpose. If an intern does not complete their internship, the LEA must return the funds to PHEAA and cannot use the funds for any other purpose.

DOES PHEAA HAVE A REQUIREMENT ABOUT HOW LEAS MUST PAY AN INTERN?

No. The LEA must determine the method that works best to pay the interns hired.

ARE THERE TAX IMPLICATIONS BASED ON THE METHOD THE LEA USES TO PAY INTERNS?

We cannot advise interns or LEAs on potential income tax liability. Interns are responsible for seeking their own tax advisors and not relying on any statements or representations from PHEAA or any of our representatives.

WHEN WILL AN LEA RECEIVE A DISBURSEMENT?

There may be a fall or spring disbursement depending on the length of the disbursement.

  • If the internship only covers the fall term, the award will be disbursed in one disbursement in the fall.
  • If the internship only covers the spring term, the award will be disbursed in one disbursement in the spring.
  • If the internship spans both the fall and spring terms, the award will be split evenly between a fall and spring disbursement.
IF AN INTERN ALREADY AGREED TO A STIPEND AMOUNT WITH THE LEA BEFORE BEING APPROVED, MUST THE LEA ADD THE PA HELPS AWARD TO THE ALREADY-AGREED-UPON STIPEND AMOUNT?

No. LEAs can use the PA HELPS award to cover the stipend amount previously agreed upon. Any compensation above the PA HELPS award during the internship must be resolved between the LEA and the intern.

IF THE LEA ALREADY PAID THE INTERN PRIOR TO THE PA HELPS FUNDS BEING DISBURSED, CAN THE LEA USE THE FUNDS TO COVER THE PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED COMPENSATION?

Yes. An LEA is permitted to use PA HELPS funds to cover compensation the LEA provided to the intern prior to receiving the PA HELPS disbursement.

Student Support

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN INTERN LEAVES AN LEA DURING THE INTERNSHIP AND MOVES TO ANOTHER LEA TO COMPLETE THEIR INTERNSHIP?

The LEA that the intern is leaving must notify us immediately by emailing paHelps@pheaa.org and providing:

  • The intern's information
  • The percentage of the internship that the intern has completed

The eligibility of the subsequent internship depends on whether the LEA and intern application were submitted by the deadline for the award year and whether all other eligibility requirements are met. If the application was submitted after the deadline, the LEA will need to submit an appeal because of the missed deadline. We review appeals on a case-by-case basis.

CAN AN INTERN APPLY ON THEIR OWN?

No. LEAs must be engaged in the application process and be willing participants in the program. As such, the LEA must initiate the application process each year to confirm their participation in the program. If we do not approve the LEA, the internship will not be eligible for a PA HELPS award.