[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6554317,"mediaKeyId","5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2","parentId",5028308,"title","County announces opioid‑settlement grant awards process results and names student billboard winner for overdose prevention campaign","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4935000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2&start=4935&end=4935","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2/thumbnail_4935000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554317/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/County-announces-opioidsettlement-grant-awards-process-results-and-names-student-billboard-winner-for-overdose-prevention-campaign","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554317-206288e853a67ea1eb7aad163cb4319b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170189&Signature=UObu6fx8Bv1Lq0118Rr62VeYmibKTs7r0GIVUVvbKuPqO3QQiubnvCogpuPdRl1NHu4DjaOwRcuUWyXIJxTPgmb6SkEAMnJNwv2V5UV-PU2cQDHgXtz9BB4tP6txZ7wDF0dFnocPAaqEQIMTtgnN~yzfXj34wEEwleufBKhiMmeeYMiSG6I5oa2Q9o~-4JerSDPrfd99R8n4J6TWtrDz7j1FLApQEKI2mddnF5oF3rxLQd9obyaN9nwtYpF3UrviJeVGDcFIB5VxxzK3Fw5oSC8~c89S5ZhVkMwj-Aouq5~3vVkUpX2oFDEeULh45ZVZXXhCs5VXsGX1RvUtZjHeaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, PA","date","2025-06-19T04:25:56Z","article","County staff from the Office of Innovation Strategy and Performance and the Office of Drug and Alcohol briefed the commissioners on June 18 about Montgomery County’s opioid‑settlement competitive application process and related prevention work.

Matt Phillips (OISP) and Matt Phillips’ colleagues said the county conducted a structured competitive process tied to settlement requirements: an open application window (Nov. 1–Dec. 31), community survey input, and community reviewers who evaluated proposals using a scoring rubric. The county submitted 39 proposals to the Pennsylvania Trust; at its June 5 meeting the Trust approved 29 projects, deemed two noncompliant (county staff said they expected to address those through appeal), and left eight under consideration pending additional information. “We had 39 projects that we submitted to the trust for approval. Twenty‑nine of those received approval on that June 5 meeting,” staff reported.

The county also recognized volunteer community reviewers who scored applications and took part in debriefing sessions.

Separately, Jennifer Garrett of the Office of Drug and Alcohol announced the winner of the county’s overdose prevention billboard contest: Caitlin May, a 12th‑grade student at Goffman (artwork to be displayed at 12 locations across Montgomery County). The prevention program has sponsored the contest since 2017 and received more than 40 submissions this year.

Why it matters: The opioid‑settlement funding process will channel settlement dollars into local prevention, treatment and recovery projects selected through a county‑run competitive process. Approved projects will be implemented in coming months; items deemed noncompliant or needing more information will proceed through appeals or supplemental review.

Ending: Commissioners thanked staff and community reviewers for their work; staff emphasized continued community engagement during project rollout and noted funded projects should fill gaps in the local continuum of care for opioid use disorder.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff briefed commissioners on the opioid‑settlement competitive application process—39 applications submitted to the trust, 29 initially approved—and the Office of Drug and Alcohol announced a high‑school winner for an overdose prevention billboard contest.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",3511,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6554322,"Montgomery County coroner’s office receives national accreditation, officials say",115,3789000,3904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2&start=3789&end=3904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2/thumbnail_3789000.jpg","/articles/6554322/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Montgomery-County-coroners-office-receives-national-accreditation-officials-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554322-0e66ba757a1327b4fc8171ebad6095c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170189&Signature=cxMhH7oIGxJI3I5-k7OX3INPXzRTrTAjy3P4fb8WZ2pg~ZC7OSEAaeoYWHo~dr-U~b9H3ArUPwXst4opwI8soMDBWcUELR74fpTpwM8~5ZGQpi3iHkkskyRBpdgPgNKS5~eqN0ucstiO9lizR-p5SXYTTZAhuPpms7cTqGU45bVMtXlIbKG3XOKJdNVRMEegrb7D2fyNTX3qeJoxehpLUQ71HZ5AnUp2BYgOQyXvGqKu-Ggn8ujItJBHgsuugI-w~EWCT6GLuB5xviKLZs7hjaS7GtWyMCYrsyEvklE66gi4ILG5Wl1IGuBqG1O32x9YisrE8NQTrQFfpM-u2gI33Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Janine Darby, the Montgomery County coroner, told county commissioners on June 18 that the coroner’s office has been accredited by the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME).

“Montgomery County coroner’s office has officially received accreditation by the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners,” Darby said, adding that the recognition “places us among a distinguished group of agencies nationwide that meet the highest standards in forensic science, public service, and operational integrity.”

Darby said accreditation strengthens grant competitiveness, boosts employee morale and recognizes professional work performed in a new state‑of‑the‑art facility. The coroner introduced senior leadership staff in the room and invited commissioners and the public to visit the facility.

Commissioners congratulated Darby and her team. One commissioner said it was the first time the county coroner’s office had achieved that accreditation and praised the office’s professionalization and community outreach.

Why it matters: Accreditation signals that the coroner’s office meets recognized professional standards for forensic practice and operations, which can affect evidence handling, interagency cooperation, and eligibility for certain grants.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the coroner’s office for its work and allowed time for photographs and a brief staff recognition before continuing the agenda.","Coroner Janine Darby told commissioners the office earned accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, a first for the county office, and credited staff and a new facility.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6554327,"Votes at a glance: Montgomery County commissioners approve planning contracts, farmland preservation transfer and homelessness grant application",267,4583000,4850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2&start=4583&end=4850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2/thumbnail_4583000.jpg","/articles/6554327/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Montgomery-County-commissioners-approve-planning-contracts-farmland-preservation-transfer-and-homelessness-grant-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554327-052108751d1f0e1cfb718bd17ae08f13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170189&Signature=DWsLlHfSjREMVujI25erEeJXblmBhvLHOjHKmaql3UgCfsXZEcrfGuyytZTey8JUfl6WSqONdtH7gA8~rYVa3Xgg1xs9ORuS~QM02IgtHrdwLnTZq-b4btDRaqXFCPYgjJ-Nz8KrvrOedqi-YfE~O6kBoXnW~TSGGo2QoincagsF1d6n0MFOp64XWkb7veORdAp0xX~U-eMZMi4~gbgG~NngzTWJIQC-fgUfSAe9ObLUUXHb7ujBqdjU--xrcBH2NNQJv7nyQfa1plFeEHls7IeD-Z~uwUccK5TChcxpoJ3b4I0JIS7hJgqzj2BSeMVod2~Gs3-VaIkOU4TGBu1UJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County commissioners on June 18 approved a package of routine and programmatic measures that the board said will support municipal planning, farmland preservation and homelessness services.

Key outcomes

- Planning assistance contracts: The board approved two three‑year contracts under the county’s Community Planning Assistance Program. Upper Frederick Township’s contract (retroactive to April 1, 2025) is valued at $75,284 with a municipal share of $37,642 and will prioritize a zoning code rewrite tied to the Central Perkiomen Valley regional plan. White Marsh Township’s contract (effective July 1, 2025) is valued at $109,032 with a municipal share of $54,516 and will address zoning, subdivision and land‑development ordinance updates and an affordable housing memo.

- Farmland preservation transfer: The board authorized acceptance of a roughly 10‑acre property bequeathed to the county from the estate of the late Harold Kaiser, appraised at a market value near $260,000 and with a preserved value near $115,000; the planning commission will proceed with preservation steps in Lower Frederick Township.

- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) application: The board authorized the county to apply for competitive Pennsylvania ESG funds — seeking $600,000 in state competitive ESG with a required 100% local match to be provided from the county’s affordable housing trust, Community Development Block Grant entitlement and related sources — to support street outreach, rapid rehousing and emergency housing under the county’s Your Way Home strategy.

- Personnel, bids and contracts: The commissioners approved the final personnel list (document dated 06/17/2025), authorized advertisement of multiple bids and RFPs, and approved contract awards, renewals and amendments listed in the meeting exhibits. The Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Task Force’s advertisements and contract awards were approved as presented.

Votes and procedure: Motions were made and seconded from the dais and the board recorded unanimous ‘Aye’ votes on the resolutions presented; no recorded ‘No’ votes or roll‑call tallies appeared in the transcript.

Why it matters: The planning contracts provide technical support to two municipalities that did not recently receive county planning assistance; the farmland bequest expands the county’s preserved farm holdings; and the ESG application would bring additional state funds into county homelessness services if awarded.

The meeting record shows standard legislative procedure on these items: presentations by planning and housing staff, motions by individual commissioners and unanimous approval by voice vote.","At its June 18 meeting the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners approved multiple resolutions and routine items, including two municipal planning contracts, acceptance of a small farm bequest for preservation, and authorization to apply for state Emergency Solutions Grant funds.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6554332,"Montgomery County outlines new immigrant‑support policies, commissioners and residents press for stronger ordinance",689,899000,1588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2&start=899&end=1588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028308-1bffce4ffecbd59c2c450af6f20626f2/thumbnail_899000.jpg","/articles/6554332/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Montgomery-County-outlines-new-immigrantsupport-policies-commissioners-and-residents-press-for-stronger-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554332-496682c16fdb4b1fd69c6c9ebe685aed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170189&Signature=JN0WO66exL-iSNbt--QAJ5aUXxe3w1Mfd7Pfxx8JK8kfQ-YS22a4MU4ou~rg5uxf72HTGq5mX09ZlsA-L2OsPi-UTMhQVif41MHXhkLclvCQNZzauGLo3i1eNHIBak0uDnsY~NuOWiusRu7CsuldBK6hPheT0wDFHCCcert459hwHE3Jy2hxyDniCVfRiOkh6pktwD55fjtM0HIwvvP2IRqeUnQ9qxluYryJXhxaQC6dYGDx8DBRDtYqHJCeg6L3p6A3d8NFrRePl7M~ecC5loYz7VDoUx6KzmhlNzN~7z3m~Bxo4BVtUn4qS4ynhw8kWGKxYxxGJe6P78RM3TYxbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County commissioners on June 18 described a multi‑part county strategy aimed at protecting immigrant residents’ privacy and access to services while several dozen public commenters urged the board to adopt a formal welcoming ordinance.

Commissioner Makeisha, speaking at the meeting opening, said the county has appointed a director of immigrant affairs and “we have to put public safety first and we have to put our communities first,” and outlined steps the county has taken to support immigrant residents.

The county’s actions, as summarized at the meeting, include creating the county’s first director of immigrant affairs (Neli Jimenez Arvallo, appointed about 90 days earlier), launching a multilingual immigrant resource web page, creating voter guides in eight languages, allocating recovery funds for community centers and an AAPI community and wellness center, and issuing a county policy limiting staff interactions with federal immigration authorities to instances required by law or accompanied by a judicial warrant. “The policy is clear about compliance and law,” one county official told the board during a clarification.

Why it matters: speakers in the meeting said the measures are intended to maintain trust between immigrant communities and county services, encourage reporting of crime and use of public health and support programs, and protect residents’ due‑process rights while recognizing that federal immigration law remains in force.

The public comment period that followed included repeated calls for the board to go farther. Dr. Andy Ladisio told commissioners, “I’m urging you to pass the welcoming act,” saying the measure would reduce fear that keeps people from reporting crimes or seeking medical care. Community organizer Stephanie Vincent told the board the employee policy is a start but “can be changed any day,” and urged passage of a stronger, more durable local ordinance.

Other commenters — including Peg Idol, Edward Lee of the City Center, Anne Marie Giacchio (joining by Zoom), representatives of Aclima, and several residents and organizers — described fear in their communities and urged permanent policy protections, legal defense support, translation services and municipal‑ID and workforce programs to reduce exploitation and under‑the‑table employment.

Commissioner Winder echoed concern about political violence and said elected officials must condemn threats against public servants; she also credited the county’s outreach to municipalities and described visits to Pottstown and other local engagement efforts. Commissioners repeatedly said they would review proposed policies carefully, noting the county must avoid adopting measures that conflict with federal law. One commissioner said they had received a final draft of an internal policy that morning and would review it for consistency with existing federal immigration law.

Residents pressed for clear next steps for township and borough officials and asked whether magisterial district courts and other local offices were covered; commissioners and staff said the county is coordinating guidance for county departments and will continue outreach to municipalities.

Ending: Several speakers and commissioners said more work is needed and urged activists and residents channel energy toward legal and legislative avenues as well as local policy changes. The board said it will continue refining policies and implementing measures that fall within the county’s authority.","County commissioners described a package of new steps to protect immigrants’ privacy and access to services, and residents urged the board to adopt a formal \"welcoming\" ordinance during an extended public‑comment period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County announces opioid‑settlement grant awards process results and names student billboard winner for overdose prevention campaign

Montgomery County coroner’s office receives national accreditation, officials say

Votes at a glance: Montgomery County commissioners approve planning contracts, farmland preservation transfer and homelessness grant application

Montgomery County outlines new immigrant‑support policies, commissioners and residents press for stronger ordinance