Committee approves preschool therapy contract, signs onto WIC grant agreement, accepts donation and confirms advisory-council reappointments

At its final meeting of the year, the Allegany County Human Services Committee approved multiple routine items by voice vote. The committee approved the preschool Occupational Therapy Related and Evaluation Services contract with Emma Sullivan after a motion and second. The committee also authorized Public Health Director Tyler Shaw to sign an agreement to accept additional WIC infrastructure grant funds to cover translation services; Shaw said he will return to the committee in 2026 to accept and appropriate the actual funds.

The committee accepted a $50 donation from Joel and Diana Talbot to the Child Advocacy Center in memory of Charles Talbot and moved to fill a public educator vacancy resulting from a resignation. The committee also approved referring a full-time/part-time account clerk typist and an employment specialist hire to Ways and Means so staff can be in place for HEAP season; members noted the account clerk position is 100% federally funded.

Chair announced the chairman of the board plans to reappoint Carol Onada (Almond), David Pullen (Fillmore), Marianne Trice (Wellsville) and William Koch (Alfred Station) to three-year terms on the Citizens Advisory Council to the Office for the Aging (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028); the committee carried the motion, subject to full-board confirmation. The meeting concluded with members’ year-end remarks and adjournment.