GREENSBURG, PA – On Thursday, April 17, 2003, U.S. Senator Rick Santorum will visit Seton Hill University to make a significant funding announcement to Seton Hill concerning the recent federal omnibus funding package. Senator Santorum will meet with press and representatives from Seton Hill on the 2nd Floor of Seton Hill’s Administration Building at 12:30 on Thursday. Senator Santorum will entertain questions from the media following the announcement.

"Senator Santorum has been a visionary ally in Seton Hill University’s quest to contribute outstanding social and educational services to the residents of this region and throughout Pennsylvania," said University President JoAnne Boyle. "We are confident that the work we do here with his assistance will become a model for improving the communities of our nation."

Two programs at Seton Hill will benefit from the federal appropriations: Seton Hill’s Integrated Certification Program in Elementary/Special Education, and the creation of a Family Therapy Clinic at Seton Hill.

Seton Hill University’s Integrated Certification Program in Elementary/Special Education is designed to enhance the ability of current and future teachers to make a difference in the lives of all their students. This unique program allows teachers to become certified in both elementary and special education through a single program of study. Seton Hill’s certification program in Elementary/Special Education is based on an institutional commitment to enhance teacher performance in today’s inclusive classrooms. Seton Hill defines "Special Education" as education designed and delivered to be "special" for all children, with effective teachers who are skilled to adapt instruction to each learner. The receipt of the federal appropriation will allow Seton Hill to team University faculty with K-12 teachers of excellence to provide student teachers with appropriate training in special education strategies and educational methods. Seton Hill University’s program will demonstrate best practice for inclusionary instruction, and effectively change the K-12 environment.

The Seton Hill University Family Therapy Clinic is a demonstration project, which will promote the use of family therapy as a primary treatment approach for troubled teens. The Clinic will be used as a training clinic, providing high-quality training for graduate students and offering continuing education opportunities for current clinical practitioners throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. Seton Hill’s clinic will target troubled children and adolescents, at risk-youth and their families, filling a gap that now exists with regard to the availability of family therapy. Research conducted through the clinic will make an important contribution to understanding best practices in the prevention and treatment of troubled behaviors among children and adolescents. The clinic will be accessible to families of diverse economic resources, and length of care will be clinically based, not financially based.

For more information on the press conference with Senator Santorum, please contact Becca Baker, Staff Writer, at 724-830-1069; bbaker@setonhill.edu . For more information on Seton Hill, please visit www.setonhill.edu.