Harrisburg, PA — Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has invested in programs that promote healthy, accessible, and safe learning environments for Pennsylvania learners. In 2024, the Shapiro Administration made history by distributing $3 million in grants to all school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools to provide free period products to students.
“With easy access to free menstrual products in school, students don’t need to miss out on educational opportunities just because they got their period. Thanks to Governor and First Lady Shapiro’s advocacy on this issue, schools across Pennsylvania are using these dollars to remove a barrier to education that so many students have had to face alone in the past. This first-time investment will make a real difference in the lives of Pennsylvania students, and I look forward to working with the General Assembly to maintain this program,” said Interim Acting Secretary of Education Angela Fitterer.
The funding enables schools to provide access to period products at no cost to students and complements the efforts undertaken by the Shapiro Administration to improve health equity. Funding allocations for the 2024-25 Feminine Hygiene Product Grant Program’s non-competitive, non-solicitation grants can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website.
“Pennsylvania’s students should be free to focus on learning and not be worried about having menstrual hygiene products when they have their period. Ensuring free access to these products in schools is a wise investment in our children and teens,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “This public health initiative gets people talking openly about menstrual hygiene which goes a long way to reducing the stigma historically associated with periods and period products.”
Here’s how the $3 million in grant funding for free period products has helped Pennsylvania schools and students:
Carmela Shiptoski, Certified School Nurse for the Northwest Area School District in Luzerne County
“Northwest Area School District was thrilled to receive the allocations from the Menstrual Hygiene Product Grant Funding. After collaborating with guidance staff, administrative assistants, our athletic trainer, as well as other key staff members, we identified location areas throughout our Middle/High School building where menstrual hygiene products could be placed for easy accessibility to all students while maintaining privacy. These areas will be clearly identified with colorful posters and/or flyers. So far, the district has purchased menstrual and feminine hygiene products for our 6th grade Family Living classes. Additional purchasing of deodorants, hand sanitizers, a variety of panty liners, pads, and tampons, feminine wipes, and body wash, is in the works for Middle/High School students. Northwest is extremely appreciative of Governor Shapiro's Administration's support with this endeavor to help promote the health and wellbeing of our Northwest students.”
Bridgett Bilenski, Certified School Nurse for the North Allegheny School District in Allegheny County
“The North Allegheny School District has been very appreciative of the menstrual product funding provided by Governor Shapiro. This funding has allowed us to enhance the ease of products that we offer to the students through the installation of several updated and free product dispensers throughout the high schools of the district, along with enhancing access to these products for our students in the middle schools. Access to menstrual products that are free and easy to access for our students helps to eliminate embarrassment, build confidence, and help to promote school attendance.”
Daniel Linski, Coordinator of Environmental & Custodial Operations for the North Penn School District in Montgomery County
“Our community is undertaking a significant renovation of our high school, which may be the largest school construction project in the state. This grant from the Shapiro Administration will enable us to purchase disposal receptacles and dispensers, freeing up resources to invest in other areas of the building. This is just one example of how districts are using this grant money. We are deeply appreciative that schools now have funding to ensure K-12 students throughout the state have free access to various period products."
Mary Ann Chindemi, Certified School Nurse for the Valley View School District in Lackawanna County
“Governor Shapiro and his administration's thoughtful decision to allocate funding aimed at providing free menstrual products for school districts across Pennsylvania is a significant step toward addressing the health and well-being of students and should be recognized for the forward-thinking approach. Our decisions to utilize these funds were guided by two core principles: equity and accessibility. To serve the diverse needs of our students, we are installing no-touch, no-charge feminine care vending machines in bathrooms throughout the Valley View Middle and High Schools and School Nurse’s Office, ensuring that all students have easy and confidential access to the products they need, regardless of their background or circumstances. This initiative is an important part of our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive, respectful and inclusive environment for all students. I am confident that it will contribute to the academic success and help to maintain personal dignity of our students. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have across our schools and hopefully this funding can be secured for future years.”
Holly Verderame, Head Nurse at Avon Grove Charter School in Chester County and President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners
“Governor Shapiro’s investment in menstrual hygiene products has had a transformative impact on Avon Grove Charter School’s school community. By providing our students with access to essential hygiene products, we've not only supported their health and well-being but also ensured that no one misses out on their education due to lack of resources. In addition to providing products to our students school wide through this funding, we are able to directly support our high school Student Council, who previously raised funds to supply high school bathrooms with menstrual products. This initiative has fostered an environment of inclusivity and empowerment, allowing all students to focus on their studies without unnecessary barriers.”
Recent coverage of the $3 million investment in menstrual products in schools:
The Center Square: First Lady Shapiro celebrates strides against 'period poverty' in schools
LNP: Lancaster County schools to expand menstrual product access with new state funding
WITF: Pennsylvania to distribute $3M to help schools provide free menstrual products
Berks Community Television: Shapiro Administration Delivers Funding for Free Period Products to All Pennsylvania School Districts
Times Leader: State delivers funding for free period products to all Pa. school districts
Spotlight PA: Free period products coming to some Pa. schools thanks to $3M budget commitment
For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs, please visit the Department of Education’s website or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
# # #