The scholarship is available to high school students who are embracing life, overcoming challenges, and committed to making a positive impact in their communities, just as Morgan did. Click here for more info

Yes! In addition to community college and four-year college enrollment, the scholarship can be used for other continuing education types, including apprenticeships, trade and technical school, arts programs, online programs, and coding bootcamps. Click here for more info

The amount of money awarded through the scholarship is $2,500 per winner. Click here for more info

At its core, the Foundation has 3 main initiatives: promoting mental health and wellness to those experiencing grief and trauma by providing financial assistance for counseling; awarding scholarship opportunities to high school students dedicated to realizing their dreams; and educating the public about the dangers of fentanyl.

Financial assistance for up to 10 sessions is available to individuals and families who are experiencing grief or trauma and cannot afford counseling.

All the counselors that EMGH networks with are licensed professionals and are bound by all the rules and regulations for counseling in Pennsylvania. The E. Morgan Heckler Foundation NEVER has or receives information about what is discussed in your counseling sessions. The only information we receive about your sessions is whether they occurred or not. We use this information to pay the counselor on your behalf. EMHF funds up to 10 sessions on our client’s behalf.

Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril, until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person's nose. Press the plunger firmly to give the dose of Narcan® Nasal Spray. Remove the Narcan® Nasal Spray from the nostril after giving the dose. Learn More

Watch ‘How to use Narcan Nasal Spray’ video from The New York Times on YouTube

Psychiatrist - is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.

Psychologists - study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.

Therapist - a person who offers any kind of therapy. Therapists are trained professionals in the field of any type of services like psychologists, social workers, counsellors, life coaches and others. They are helpful in counselling individuals for various mental and physical issues.

Counselor – work with clients experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties to help them bring about effective change and/or enhance their wellbeing. Clients could have issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, loss, and relationship difficulties that are affecting their ability to manage life.

3 types of counseling? Psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral approaches are the most common and each support different individual therapies.

Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. Administered when a patient is showing signs of opioid overdose, naloxone is a temporary treatment and its effects do not last long. Therefore, it is critical to obtain medical intervention as soon as possible after administering/receiving naloxone.

The medication can be given by intranasal spray (into the nose), intramuscular (into the muscle), subcutaneous (under the skin), or intravenous injection.

As of March 29, 2023 the FDA has approved an over the counter Naloxone nasal spray. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) ‘Many pharmacies carry naloxone. In some states, you can get naloxone from a pharmacist even if your doctor did not write you a prescription for it. It is also possible to get naloxone from community-based distribution programs, local public health groups, or local health departments, free of charge.’ 

Pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and many others offer Naloxone. 

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH)  - When naloxone was first approved to reverse opioid overdoses, its brand name was “Narcan.” There are now other formulations and brand names for naloxone, but many people continue to call all these products “Narcan.” However, the proper generic name is “naloxone.”

Degree Requirement: A candidate must hold a Master's degree or Doctoral degree in counseling or a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of professional counseling from an accredited educational institution. 

Examination: The examination required as a prerequisite to being granted a license as a professional counselor shall be one of the following: 

1. The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) given by the National Board for Certified Counselors. 
2. The Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Examination given by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. 
3. The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) Certification Examination given by ATCB. 
4. The Board Certification Examination given by Certification Board for Music Therapists. 
5. The practice examination of psychological knowledge given by the North American Association of Master's in Psychology (NAMP).  
6. The Advanced Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Counselor Examination (AAODA) given by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Inc. (IC & RC/AODA). 
7. The Examination for Master Addictions Counselors (EMAC) given by National Board for Certified Counselors. 

Experience: Experience Requirement Varies Based on Degree  

Master's Degree - 3,000 hours of Supervised Clinical Experience completed in no less than 2 years and no more than 6 years. 

Doctoral Degree – 2,400 hours of Supervised Clinical Experience, of which 1,200 hours was obtained subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree. 

Continuing Education: 

3 Hours (for initial licensure)  

Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure.  

30 Hours for Each Biennial Renewal Period (when renewing license) 

30 hours of continuing education in acceptable courses and programs offered by approved providers.  The 30 hours shall include at least 3 hours in ethics, 2 hours of the mandated Act 31 Child Abuse Reporter Training and 1 hour in suicide prevention. 

Licensure by Endorsement without Examination and Licensure by Act 41: 

Act 41 allows for portability of out-of-state professional licensees coming to work in Pennsylvania. Act 41 does this by granting all boards and commissions within the Commonwealth the authority to endorse licensees from other states, territories, or jurisdictions (with substantially equivalent licensing requirements) who are active, in good standing and without discipline against their license or criminal conviction and who have been actively engaged in the practice for 2 of the last 5 years. 

Check out the Pennsylvania Department of State website for more information.