Centre County commissioners adopt gun-safety and elder-abuse proclamations, approve housing grant NOFA and consent agenda

The Centre County Board of Commissioners on June 16 adopted two proclamations and approved a range of grant and contract items on the consent agenda.

Proclamation 34 of 2026 designated June 2026 as Safe and Secure Firearm Storage Month. Anne Demo of the Centre County Interfaith Coalition for Gun Safety said June 21 is recognized locally as "Ask Day," encouraging people to ask "is there an unlocked gun where my child will be playing?" and told the Board that "in Centre County, 17 individuals died from suicide last year." Ashley Hamlin, who said the Centre County Interfaith Coalition for Gun Safety formed in 2023, noted the group will hold a remembrance and safety event on June 20 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; the Board thanked the speakers and adopted the proclamation unanimously.

Proclamation 35 of 2026 declared June 2026 as Elder Abuse Prevention Month. Quentin Burchfield said the Office of Aging tracks elder abuse allegations year-round and reported that "overall, in the last five years there has been an 84% increase in elder abuse," and announced a "Scam Jam" event for June 25 at the Community Services Building to educate the public and professionals about scams and prevention. Sheri Neale-Gummo added that protective-services staff are increasingly needed for intervention. The Board adopted the proclamation unanimously.

Planning & Community Development Director Ray Stolinas presented a Notice of Funding Availability for the 2026 Construction and Acquisition/Rehabilitation for Sustainable Housing (CASH) Grant Program. The NOFA makes $250,000 in Act 137 Trust Fund dollars available for projects serving households below 100% Area Median Income (with inclusion for households at 30% AMI). Stolinas said applications open July 1 and close July 31, and recommendations will be returned to the Board on Sept. 1.

The Board also approved the consent agenda, which included: a COSTARS contract with Watkins Security, LLC for replacement security cameras at the Centre County Correctional Facility ($131,885.20); an accessibility scanning platform contract with Optimal Solutions Group, LLC ($2,880); a contract renewal with Centre County Youth Service Bureau to provide drug and alcohol services ($334,416 funded as State $318,999 and County Match $15,417); an addendum with Service Access and Management, Inc. to add $30,000 for targeted case management services; a $5,000 addendum with Kids First for early intervention services; and a lease renewal for the Penns Valley Senior Center with John and Tamy Myers (monthly rates and a total contract value of $47,742.24 for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029). All motions were made by Commissioner Amber Concepcion, seconded by Commissioner Steven Dershem, and passed unanimously.

Upcoming: county offices will be closed June 19 in observance of Juneteenth, and staff highlighted forthcoming meetings for the Board and committees.