LOCK HAVEN -- The Clinton County Commissioners have adopted a resolution that encourages and supports an increase in mental health base funding in the fiscal year 2024-25.
Commissioner Jeff Snyder read the resolution, "(Clinton County) strongly urges the county mental health based funding increase to ensure that residents are able to access the care that they need. Counties provide community-based mental health services such as community residential programs, family-based support, outpatient care and crisis intervention which are critical to the wellbeing of our constituents and our communities."
According to Snyder, Pennsylvania has not invested adequately in community resources like these.
"Since 2008, these funds have been eroded by state budget cuts and the elimination of cost of living adjustments," said Snyder, "… Community based programs no longer have the resources to be innovative and keep up with the demand for needed services, and (this has) contributed to the closure of many community based services."
The proclamation notes that the county has invested in community-based mental health services that coordinate and invest in programs and services that meet the needs and challenges of local communities.
This includes taking steps to provide education surrounding various aspects of mental health and what programs are available through a Health Initiative through Rural PA through the PA Office of Rural Health, and offering a virtual Mental Health Speaker Series.
"The state-county partnership across all areas of service delivery must again be prioritized, including a commitment to additional and sustainable funding for community-based mental health services," said Snyder.
With this resolution, the county calls on Gov. Josh Shapiro and General Assembly to make significant state investment in rebuilding Pennsylvania's mental health system by increasing the county mental health base by $250 million in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, and community to a long-term plan of further increases over the next five to ten years to pull the state's mental health system from the point of collapse to a system that fully meets the needs of its constituents.
A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Clinton County legislative delegation, to Shapiro and to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
The commissioners also proclaimed June 3-7, 2024 as Clinton County Child Welfare Professionals Appreciation Week.
Commissioner Angela Harding read out the proclamation, "Everyday in Clinton County children are at risk of abuse and neglect or have been removed from their homes due to such abuse and neglect... Child welfare professionals selflessly undertake the endeavor to protect Clinton County's children, often with low pay, long hours, tremendous demands, little appreciation, great criticism and with dramatic impacts to their personal life."
Several individuals representing Clinton County Children and Youth were in attendance to receive this proclamation.
CYS Assistant Director Tristan Rock spoke briefly, thanking the commissioners, the administrative staff, fiscal staff and the children and youth staff -- caseworkers, direct service workers, special services staff.
"Everybody shares this important job and does their part to help children and families in Clinton County. They certainly deserve to be appreciated and recognized," said Rock.
In other business:
-- The commissioners accepted the resignation of Ilyssa McLaughlin, Agricultural Resource Conservationist for the Conservation District, effective May 24, 2024.
-- The commissioners accepted the hiring of Kelly Strange as Part-time Deputy Sheriff effective June 10, 2024, at the hourly rate of $16.75, not to exceed 1,000 hours annually.
-- Considered approval of a $150,505 loan from the Clinton County revolving loan fund to Suzanne E. Edwards DMD, PC, as recommended by the Clinton County Loan Administration Board.
-- Considered the transfer of IV-D Funds from the IV-D checking account to the General Fund in the amount of $93,187 for reimbursement of January and February expenses.