SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for a $75,000 grant for the Children’s Advocacy Center.
This funding will be earmarked for the continuation of personnel and benefits over 18 months.
Following this 2-0 vote — Commissioner Al Pingie was absent — Commissioner Cliff Lane, who conducted the meeting, said, “When the CAC was established, it was funded 100 percent by the county, but that amount has dropped to the current 20 percent due to state grants. Mikele Bay, the CAC director, has done a fantastic job.”
In 2012, the CAC of McKean County was established as a government-based program, providing management, forensic interviews and family advocacy services, as well as facilitation of a multidisciplinary team process and monthly case reviews.
A second application to the PCCD that gained the OK seeks $70,360 for the McKean County Victim Witness Grant for the district attorney’s office. These funds will be used to partially compensate the salary of the county’s full-time victim/witness coordinator who works with all crime victims involved in the adult criminal justice system, ensuring they are provided services outlined in current law.
Under the terms of a third resolution, the county will enter an agreement with the Reschini Group to assist the county in completing the reporting requirements as mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
According to the ACA, employers that sponsor self-insured health plans and large employers with more than 50 full-time employees must report certain information to the Internal Revenue Service about the coverage that was offered to the employees. The Reschini Group is to offer services to the county’s clients in order to meet these requirements.
In other matters, commissioners approved two invoices: $8,759 for Liberty Township and $5,917 for Wetmore Township. Both amounts represent payments for their respective completed Liquid Fuel projects for 2018.
Additionally, two county aid applications were approved. Hamlin Township plans to use their $3,026 for the purchase and construction of a salt shed building. Keating Township plans to purchase road materials with its funding of $9,707.
Commissioners approved three service provider agreements for the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, The Guidance Center and Ramsbottom Inc.
The next commissioners meeting will be held Oct. 8, a day earlier than normal because of a conference the commissioners will attend.
