Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania departments of Health and Education announced on Thursday that schools in southwestern Pennsylvania will receive $590,844 to continue providing free period products to their students. The funding is part of the $3 million allocated in the recently signed 2026-27 budget that will be distributed to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools. Building on the historic, first-time investment of $3 million in the 2024-25 budget, the Shapiro Administration has now invested a total of $9 million over three budgets to help ensure that girls can focus on their schoolwork and remain in the classroom. The funding enables schools to provide students with access to period products at no cost, in line with the Shapiro Administration’s work to improve health equity for 650,000 girls in Pennsylvania. All qualifying school entities in the state will receive funding proportional to the total number of students enrolled at a rate of $1.81 per student. Applications and reimbursement requests will not be required. Schools may use the funding for period product purchases made between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. In our area, Washington County will receive $50,246; Greene County will utilize $8,379; and Fayette County schools will get $28,084.