Jimmy Helferty

Journal article

With the collaboration of state legislators and state Departments of Education, financial literacy has the ability to mitigate the economic struggles many young adults with neurodivergent disabilities face in our country. This research analyzes recent legislative efforts in Pennsylvania with the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 647, requiring financial literacy for all high school students, as well as aiming to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the bill about special education. The bill’s communication with the Pennsylvania Department of Education will also be addressed, assessing the steps to implement a tailored curriculum for special education, accommodations for individual education programs (IEP), and training for special education teachers. The analysis conducts a policy review and the assessment of the Pennsylvania Department of Education resources in preparation for the requirement to come into place in Fall 2025, with similar legislative action continuing across the country. This research provides insight into how other states can effectively consider and implement financial literacy for special education. There is additionally a broader exigent timeline of multi-state legislation requiring the essential content of financial literacy to be mandated for all high school students. With the current state of curriculum for special education, states should properly and fully address the diverse needs of special education and the additional resources that will come to provide inclusivity and equity to financial literacy for all students, regardless of their learning capabilities.

Capstone Project

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are the middlemen in the pharmaceutical supply chain, managing pricing negotiations between insurers, drug manufacturers, and pharmacies.