Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (WHTM) – Pennsylvania’s education system has improved significantly.

The Department of Education recently released $1 billion to schools nationwide. Pennsylvania received a package worth nearly $49 million.

A bipartisan bill known as the Safer Communities Act, signed into law by President Biden in June, aims to increase the number of mental health professionals available to students. Nineteen children and two of his teachers were killed in a shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said, “As a country, we recognize that there should be no more talk behind the scenes. “Mental health support and access should be something we should be talking about regularly.”

According to Gov. Tom Wolfe, most of the money distributed to the Commonwealth will go to Student Assistance and Academic Enhancement Block grants that provide safe and healthy school programs.

“Our children have the right to be safe in school, our families have the right to be safe at home. Our communities deserve safe grocery stores, cinemas, malls and places of worship.” said Governor Wolfe. “President Biden knows that if we work together, we can solve this problem. .”

Schools across the country can also use the funds to hire more resource officers, improve active shooting drills, and update school security systems.