News Release

Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity detailed the progress of the WIC-Keystone Scholars Milestone Program (Milestone Program) in partnership with Adagio Health (Adagio). Program participants have now received their year-three education deposit into their Keystone Scholars accounts.

In partnership with Adagio, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department implemented the program in 2021 to increase awareness and expand the reach of Keystone Scholars. This program connects with families enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in the Adagio Health service area (Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana and Lawrence counties). Children eligible for WIC benefits between January 2021 and June 2021 were eligible to take part in the Milestone Program.

Children enrolled in the Milestone Program are eligible for additional Keystone Scholars deposits, beyond the initial $100, as they remain enrolled in WIC benefits. Of the 494 children initially enrolled in the Milestone Program, 178 remain enrolled in WIC and eligible for additional Keystone Scholars deposits this year. These children have each received deposits totaling $325 ($100 Keystone Scholars, $225 Milestone deposits) for future education.

“Treasury’s Keystone Scholars is a catalyst to help families build assets, and Adagio’s partnership and the support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation is amplifying the impact of the program by increasing savings for families that need it the most.”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

“Adagio Health is proud to partner with the Pennsylvania Treasury through the Keystone Scholars Milestone Program. As a leading provider of family support services across 23 counties in Western Pennsylvania, including WIC services in five counties, we see firsthand how valuable these financial resources are for families as they plan for the future and prepare for long-term well-being. This collaboration allows our WIC staff to expand awareness of Keystone Scholars benefits and connect families to the additional financial supports available through the Milestone Program. Providing families with meaningful, evidence-based referrals is central to Adagio Health’s mission, and we are pleased to offer the Milestone Program as a trusted resource that strengthens the financial future of the communities we serve.”

Jane Neferis, RD, LDN, CLC, WIC Operations Manager, Adagio Health

Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship to every child born in Pennsylvania in 2019 and after. The Milestone Program, which is only available in the Adagio service area, builds on this by providing additional deposits for babies born in 2021 whose mothers were enrolled in WIC. Additional annual deposits into Keystone Scholars accounts are made for qualifying children who remain enrolled in WIC.

Milestone deposits, in addition to the $100 initial Keystone Scholars deposit, for eligible children are as follows:

• Birth - $50
• 1 Year - $50
• 2 Years - $50
• 3 Years - $75
• 4 Years - $100
• 5 Years - $100

Keystone Scholars is funded with no taxpayer dollars, and all Milestone Program deposits are funded by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.

In addition to the initial $100 scholarship provided by Treasury, Keystone Scholars accounts are designated to accept funds from community organizations, employers and other groups as demonstrated by the generosity of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation in partnership with Adagio Health.

Keystone Scholars builds on research that shows that even with a modest amount of savings, children are three times more likely to enroll in post-high school education, and four times more likely to graduate.

“Pennsylvania’s future is bright, and Keystone Scholars shows families that we believe in their child’s future.”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

WIC is a federally funded program for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five.

To learn more about Keystone Scholars, visit pa529.com/keystone.