Commissioners approve renewals for eight Children & Youth Services providers
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Summary
The board approved a package of eight contract renewals for Children & Youth Services providers, most at unchanged rates; county staff said placement levels at several providers are currently zero.
Lawrence County commissioners voted June 24 to approve renewals of eight contracts used by the county Children & Youth Services (CYS) department for foster care, group homes, family‑finding and investigations services.
Mike, a CYS representative, presented the package and walked commissioners through each provider: Crossroads Group Homes and Services (Farrell/Mercer County); Family Pathways (Butler County); Families United Network (Wyoming County); Lifespan Family Services of Punxsutawney (Jefferson County); a provider listed as "Mike Merricket, Pennsylvania" (Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County); Percy House Inc. (Erie County); 3 Rivers Adoption Council (Pittsburgh, Allegheny County); and CSI Corporate Security and Investigations LLC (Monaca, Beaver County).
Mike said most contracts carried no rate increase from the prior year. He noted a small number of providers had modest increases (for example, one provider’s rate rose about 3%; another had select units up 8% and 16%; and 3 Rivers Adoption Council had rate ranges with a 5% increase), and he repeatedly stated that, at the time of the meeting, the county had no children placed at several of the listed facilities. The CYS presenter emphasized that placement numbers can change quickly and that absence of current placements does not remove the need to maintain contractual relationships.
The board voted to approve the package of renewals (identified in the agenda as proposed resolutions 137 through 144). The roll call recorded three yes votes and the chair announced the motion carried. Commissioners said they preferred to approve the eight renewals together unless a specific contract required separate action.
Mike described CSI Corporate Security and Investigations LLC as providing family‑finding services, training for caseworkers on interview and investigative techniques, and supervisor training; he said that provider’s rate did not increase. The transcript records no public objections during the discussion.
The county will continue to use the renewed contracts when placements or services are needed; staff noted the contracts are renewals of existing providers the county has used for several years.
