Commissioners approve human-services and CDBG allocations, language access plan, procurement policy and multiple service contracts

Mifflin County commissioners approved a slate of human-services and community-development items on July 15, including state grant allocations, a CDBG budget reallocation, updated program policies and multiple service contracts.

The county’s Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) allocations — handled through the usual RFP and review process — total $50,000 and were distributed to shelter services, the abuse network, counseling and Lutheran Community Services (administration/coordination), county staff said. The board approved the allocations by voice vote.

The board also approved a homeless assistance program allocation that follows a 27% increase the county received last year; commissioners approved applying the same 27% increase across recipients this year. The transcript lists recipients including shelter services, the abuse network and Midland Community Services Department; county staff said some funds are used for rental and utility assistance for households facing homelessness within a defined short-term period.

During a public hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) FY2022 budget modifications, county staff said a planned water-main replacement project in Juniata Terrace will not require the county’s entitlement line item after bidding; the county proposed moving a $167,382 line item to a new Grove fire-hydrant system improvements project and presented the plan at a public hearing before seeking formal certification. The county said it will present a force-account certification for the municipal authority at a future meeting and will submit paperwork to the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Staff presented and the board approved the annual language access plan for two townships with notable populations of non-English speakers (Minnow and Union townships) and appointed Addison Price as the county’s language-access contact for CDBG/TDBG matters. County staff said the plan ensures residents with limited English proficiency can request translations and that the county must maintain a point of contact to handle requests.

Commissioners approved an updated procurement policy for CDBG and HOME programs, which staff said reflects annual HUD and state-file requirements.

The board also approved multiple purchase-of-service agreements (through June 30, 2026) for providers serving children and families, including Children’s Home of Reading (rates $116.01–$229.71 per day), Lutheran Services Amigo PA (rates $68.11–$530 per day), an attorney providing guardian ad litem services at $85 per hour, and Raystown Developmental Services (rehabilitation, parenting and truancy services at $82.40–$102 per hour). County staff said one child was currently placed in the Children’s Home of Reading program and that future use of that provider was not anticipated beyond that placement.

County staff said municipalities will shortly receive letters advising them of municipal allocations (liquid-fuels formula allocations totaling about $62,547). Commissioners approved the contracts, allocations, policy updates and appointments by voice vote.

Why it matters: these actions allocate state and federal grant funding for homelessness prevention, community development infrastructure and social services. The language access plan and procurement updates meet regulatory requirements tied to CDBG/TDBG grant compliance.

What happens next: staff will submit required paperwork to DCED and HUD, execute purchase-of-service agreements and provide municipal allocation letters; staff said a force-account certification for the hydrant project will come to a future meeting.