Human Services block grants for McKean, Potter / By Martha Knight

HARRISBIRG—McKean County and Potter County will receive their state funding for human services in one block grant, beginning next year, according to an announcement from Governor Tom Corbett.

Both counties had applied last year, the first year the Department of Public Welfare used that funding approach, using it only with regard to 20 counties. This year 15 counties applied again, and 10 of them were chosen, including McKean and Potter.

“The 20 counties already participating have demonstrated innovative ways to manage the block grant money, a success that we’re looking forward to replicating in the 10 new counties in order to better meet the needs of our local citizens,”  Corbett said.

This year, the Department of Public Welfare received legislative approval to extend the program to 30 counties. Fifteen additional counties applied and 10 counties were chosen based on several factors set forth in legislation, including whether or not a county participated or applied to participate last year, county geography, population and administrative structure. 

“We are thrilled that Governor Corbett and the legislature have given more counties the opportunity to provide services by shifting dollars from underused areas and making funding decisions based on the needs of the families and individuals who come to the county seeking help,” said Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, president of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. “These 10 new counties in the program will now be able to better serve the health and human services needs of their residents.”

McKean County Commissioner Chairman Joe DeMott said he and fellow commissioners were pleased to get the news, because it allows desirable flexibility in using the funds, and lets them be applied where they are most needed.

“The idea is that we have the ability to assess the needs, close to home,” DeMott said.

This is the period in counties’ fiscal year when they are f=developing the budget for the coming year, which will begin January 1. The state’s fiscal year rolls over on July 1. 

The Human Services Block Grant consists of seven funding streams that will allow counties the flexibility to decide where the money is needed most. Those funding streams are: 

-Mental Health Community Programs, based on local priorities around unified intake: community consultation, and education, support for families caring for members with mental disorders and community residential programs;

-Intellectual Disabilities Community Base: services to individuals of all ages with an intellectual disability diagnosis not eligible for other specific waiver programs;

-County Child Welfare Special Grants: services for dependent and delinquent children and their families; 

-Homeless Assistance Program:  services that help those who are homeless with shelter, housing, rental assistance, and general case management (operated by the YWCA in McKean County);

-Act 152: non-hospital residential detoxification and rehabilitation services for persons eligible for Medical Assistance;

-Behavioral Health Services Initiative: for treatment for individuals with serious mental health and substance abuse disorders who are not eligible for Medical Assistance; and

-Human Services Development Fund: assistance for a number of welfare issues, combating isolation, poverty and dependence.

The other new counties joining the block grant this year include: Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, Washington and Westmoreland. 

The original 20 counties in the program, continuing to participate, are Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Centre, Chester, Crawford, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Tioga, Venango and Wayne.

The block grant counties will be receiving a notifications with follow up instructions and a timeline on the next steps in initiating the block grant in their counties. It will entail submitting their budgets and block grant plans.

Carey Miller, Director of Communications at DPW, said Friday that no other neighboring counties had applied this year as McKean and Potter did.

Selection criteria included the county’s governmental structure. Each county’s administrative profile is unique, however.  

Carey added that Governor Corbett will continue to work with the General Assembly to expand the Block Grant to all 67 Pennsylvania counties.