Pennsylvania Department of Education's Refugee Education Program

Serving Refugee Students in the Keystone State

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Refugee Education Program offers advocacy for a special population of students and parents who otherwise may not have support. A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their home country due to war, violence, persecution, or natural disaster. Refugee students often face significant challenges—language barriers, discrimination, disrupted education, and trauma from displacement—that can impact their experiences in the classroom.

Due to increases in forcibly displaced peoples globally, it is essential that educators and other refugee-serving practitioners engage in best practices in serving refugee students and families. The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and Center for Schools and Communities are working together to empower educators and organizational leaders to create belonging and promote school success and community support for refugee students and their families.

This website is supplemental to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Refugee Education Program site and created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Our page offers users additional resources, contact information for TA support related to refugee education, statewide professional development opportunities, and information for our annual Refugee Education Summit.

Our Team

Joe Eye headshot

Joseph Eye

Refugee School Impact State Coordinator

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Bureau of School Support
Division of Student Services

Matt Butensky headshot

Matthew Butensky

Youth Development Project Manager

Center for Schools and Communities

Meghan Dale headshot

Meghan Dale

Special Projects Managing Coordinator, Refugee Education Program

Center for Schools and Communities

mdale@csc.csiu.org

Ben Simmons headshot

Benjamin Simmons

Youth Development Specialist

Center for Schools and Communities