Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services Aging Foster Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County proclaims Foster Care Awareness Month and approves aging‑services amendments to support new Older Adult Advocacy Center
Summary
Commissioners proclaimed May 2025 Foster Care Awareness Month and approved amendments to county aging‑services contracts that correct provider rates and allow emergency funding for an Older Adult Advocacy Center intended to serve older adults experiencing abuse or neglect.
Lackawanna County commissioners proclaimed May 2025 as Foster Care Awareness Month and approved amendments to Area Agency on Aging agreements designed to support services for older adults, including an Older Adult Advocacy Center that county officials described as the first of its kind in Pennsylvania.
The board recognized local foster parents and asked residents to consider fostering. Lisa Sohara, foster care and adoption supervisor, described the role of foster parents and introduced Amy Davatina, a foster parent with 21 years’ experience who the agency highlighted for her long service.
Separately, the board approved amendments to an assessment‑services agreement with Aging Well Pennsylvania LLC to correct per‑assessment and per‑hearing rates and an amendment with Telespan Senior Services Inc. to permit the Area Agency on Aging to provide emergency funding to support older adults engaged in protective services. County staff said the Older Adult Advocacy Center provides short‑term transitional stays, meals, laundry and case management for older adults who have experienced abuse or neglect; county and provider representatives described it as a four‑room, five‑bed facility meant to bridge emergencies and safer transitions to home.
Helen Schmidt, president and CEO of Telespan Senior Services, said the organization operates home care coordination, an adult day center and AmeriCorps senior programs and described the advocacy center’s role in “wrap‑around” services. Clifton Miller, director of the Older Adult Advocacy Center, said the center provides observation, documentation, transportation and support so protective services can stabilize the home and prevent repeat incidents.
Commissioners praised foster parents and the new advocacy center as filling gaps in local care and approved the amendments by voice vote.
Clarifying details: the amended assessment rate with Aging Well was corrected from $259.35 to $264.40 per assessment and the hearing preparation/attendance rate was corrected to $1,422.7 (as read on the record); the Older Adult Advocacy Center offers daily rates ranging from $75 to $325 depending on length of stay, and the center is described as a four‑room, five‑bed transitional unit.
