HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlock Grant Meeting Minutes 7-7-2025
Franklin County Human Services Block Grant Committee Meeting
Minutes
Monday, July 7th, 2025
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Virtual Meeting
Voting Members
Virtual:
Zachary McCauley, Brenda Lamar, Mike Straley, Bruce Levy, Scott Graham, Kim Crider, Kim
Wertz, Gayle Brown, Kayla Stoner
Absent:
Greg Colbert, Sherri Sullivan, Lorna Blanchard
Staff Members
Virtual:
Stacie Horvath, Hali Finniff, Stacey Rowe, James Eagler, Tawnya Hurley, Melodie Hoff, Nicole
Weller, Ronda Ranalli, Rebecca Weaver, Leslie Bowers, Stacey Brookens, Zachary Gantz, Janelle
Friese, Erin Nye, John Gerak, Nancy Strueber, Ashley McCartney, Allison Harvey, Jane Cline,
Colleen Tidd, Cori Seilhamer, Katelyn Becker, Genevieve Harper, Joshua Curry, Quentin Clapper
Guests
Virtual:
None
Acronyms:
C&Y = Children & Youth HSDF = Human Services Development Fund
D&A = Drug and Alcohol HUD = Housing and Urban Development
DHS = Department of Human Services I&R = Information & Referral
EI = Early Intervention MH/IDD/EI = Mental Health/ Intellectual &
ESG = Emergency Solutions Grant Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention
FY = Fiscal Year HCP = Healthy Communities Partnership
TMCA = Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance HSBG = Human Services Block Grant
HS = Human Services SCCAP = South Central Community Action Program
Meeting Documents distributed:
● Agenda BG 7-7-2025
● Block Grant Meeting Minutes 11-25-2024
I. Welcome and Introductions:
The meeting was called to order by the chair, Stacie Horvath at 10:30 AM.
● Stacie Horvath introduced all to the meeting for roll call.
● Voting Members, Sherri Sullivan, Lorna Blanchard, and Greg Colbert were unable to
attend this meeting.
● Stacie Horvath welcomed the new Block Grant Committee for the Criminal Justice
Representative, Kayla Stoner.
II. Review of Meeting Minutes and approval:
Upon a motion by voting member Kayla Stoner, and a second by voting member Scott
Graham. All in favor. 9 Yes (in support), 0 No, and 0 Abstain. The minutes of the November 25,
2024, meeting were approved.
III. Voting Committee Members Reelection:
There were five members whose terms were going to be up this year. There is a need to
vote for four members today and the fifth member, Greg Colbert would like to think about
reelection as a voting member. A need for a motion to approve Kim Wertz, Lorna Blanchard,
Zachary McCauley, and Kim Crider for a second term. One member who was able to max out of
his term limit serving six (6) years, Mike Straley through the end of July 2025. Stacie Horvath
thanked Mike Straley for serving as a Human Services Block Grant voting member. Mike Straley
is able to return as a voting member after a break of 18 months.
Upon a motion by Kim Crider, to reelect Kim Wertz as a voting member and a second by
Brenda Lamar. All in favor. 8 Yes (in support), 0 No, and 1 Abstain.
Upon a motion by Zachary McCauley, to reelect Lorna Blanchard as a voting member
and a second by Scott Graham. All in favor. 9 Yes (in support), 0 No, and 0 Abstain.i
Upon a motion by Mike Straley, to reelect Zachary McCauley as a voting member and a
second by Brenda Lamar. All in favor. 9 Yes (in support), 0 No, and 0 Abstain.
Upon a motion by Mike Straley, to reelect Kim Crider as a voting member and a second
by Brenda Lamar. All in favor. 9 Yes (in support), 0 No, and 0 Abstain.
IV. Discussion of Projects / Planning for FY 24/25 Retained Earnings:
Stacy Rowe:
Assistant Fiscal Director for Human Services Stacy Rowe presented to the committee, the
Human Services Block Grant Fiscal Report, from July 7, 2025. With state regulations the County
is only able to retain 5% of the state funding into the next fiscal year, which is around $280,000.
With the influx of these funds not being spent, Stacy Rowe stated that placed them over the 5%.
If we were to reallocate those funds within the 24/25 FY, they will not have to be returned to the
state. Eligible funds to reallocate of $280,000 are available to be repurposed for programs that
are in deficits.
1. Human Services Development Fund - Aging Services - Personal Care ($160,000)
2. Human Services Development Fund – Drug and Alcohol – Treatment Services ($70,000)
3. Housing Assistance Program - Rental Assistance ($50,000)
Voting:
1. Upon a motion by Kim Crider, to approve the reallocation of funding to Aging Services in the
amount of $160,000. Kim Crider to move and a second by Scott Graham. All in favor. 9 Yes (in
support), 0 No, and 0 Abstain.
2. Upon a motion by Mike Straley, to approve the reallocation of funding to the Drug and Alcohol
Programs in the amount of $70,000. Mike Straley to move and a second by Kayla Stoner. All in
favor. 9 Yes (in support), 0 No, and 0 Abstain.
3. Upon a motion by Kim Wertz, to approve the reallocation of funding to Rental Assistance in the
amount of $50,000. Kim Wertz to move and a second by Bruce Levy. All in favor. 9 Yes (in
support), 0 No, and 0 Abstain.
V. Program Year 24/25 Fiscal Update
Ms. Stacy Rowe reported to the committee the 24/25 Fiscal update as follows:
The reallocation for 24-25FY is $280,000. that leaves an estimated balance of $129,000. The
$129,000. is unallocated funds set to carry over into 25-26FY. With the fiscal year ending in June,
Stacy Rowe will not receive preliminary June numbers until mid to late August. The $129,000. is
an estimated number set to fluctuate. Those funds will carry over into 25-26FY as retained
earnings. The funds set for retained earnings will assist continued support for critical services like,
Military Share, Veteran’s transportation program, Information and Referral, and the SIM Training.
VI. Discussion of Planning phase for HSBG 25-26FY Plan submission:
Melodie Hoff spoke on the timeline schedule for the 25-26FY Plan Submission.
July 7 – All completed components submitted in a shared folder
July 11 – Grants team will work on compiling separate components into one document
July 11 – Newspaper ads for Public Meetings #1 and #2 are due for posting in the paper and for
the Franklin County Website
July 18 – PowerPoint is to be completed for the Public Meeting #1
July 24 – Public Meeting #1 will be held virtually and in person at the Human Services Building.
July 25 – Presentation and Application documents sent to the County Commissioners for Review.
July 25 – Minutes, and attendance sheets are to be completed
July 30 – Public Meeting #2 will be held at the Commissioner’s meeting.
July 31 – Public Meeting #2 public comments and attendance sheets are due
July 31 – Grants will submit the Board Action cover sheet
August 6 – Commissioner’s Meeting will take place with any questions and due for signing
August 11 – Plan Submission is due to the State
VII. Human Services Program Department Review:
Stacie Horvath stated that representatives from the departments will be speaking about
any updates and crucial information going on. This is to keep the public and the Block Grant
Members informed.
Mental Health, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, and Early Intervention with Mental
Health Housing (MH/IDD/EI): Stacey Brookens
Stacey Brookens: Administrator spoke on the IDD program – IDD does have two SCO
providers as supports coordination agencies. Those two agencies are to provide case
management services, all reports are going well. There will be a day program opening through
Jessica and Friends this summer. There will be another day program opening through the
CARES Organizations. On the Franklin County website, you will be able to find resources under
something called a Padlet. The Padlet will give you different information about IDD and other
services within the county and includes events, different activities that are going on. IDD Program
had some ARPA Money leftover, so they were able to host bowling for two months, a bowling
league, and provide emergency kits for all providers who have vehicles.
Erin Nye: Deputy Administrator spoke on the Mental Health Programs - Forensic Long
Term Structured Residence (LTSR) a 16-bed facility, which is moving along. The engineer and
architect are doing some land testing in preparation of building. The goal is to start building in
September. The residential program on McKinley Street received a new provider on July 1st. The
previous provider was Keystone Human Services; the new provider is Step by Step.
Cori Seilhamer: Mental Health Program Specialist – They implement a co-responded by
the court. This co-responder will work with adult probation, juvenile probation, and the public
defender's office. This way individuals are able to get access to medical treatment they may
need.
Nancy Strueber: Child and Adolescent Service System Program – Nancy is still receiving
referrals over the summer. Some of the children have additional concerns and the parents are not
sure how to assist their child fully. That’s when Nancy receives a referral for the child. She is
similar to a children's mental health program specialist. In addition to the new referrals coming in
she is following up on some of the kids that had some school involvement or still needed
resources.
Franklin/Fulton SCA Drug & Alcohol: Administrator James Eagler
James reported they do not have their overdose data for the month of June yet. The first
months and the beginning of June they were at seven fatal overdoses. Six of the seven
overdoses were poly-substance use. That is an opioid and a stimulant were in the individual's
system. Most of the stimulants were cocaine. Drug and Alcohol has seen a spike in cocaine in the
Franklin and Fulton County area. Overdoses take place because of dosage and low tolerance.
They have attempted to increase naloxone distribution efforts and having conversations with EMS
about leave behind kits. The department is always trying to get harm reduction tools out in the
community. Opioid Settlement the department does have an evaluator that was contracted to look
over all of the funds, and at the end of the year they always put together a report as to how the
monies were spent during the year. The Opioid Remediation grant was awarded to about six or
seven entities and agencies. The purpose of those funds is to assist in different categories like
prevention, recovery and treatment, community harm reduction, and pregnant women and
families. Some of the new programming using the Opioid Settlement monies is going towards an
Opiod Education Coordinator. This will be available to the public schools, private schools, cyber,
and home. This person will be assisting schools looking at their resources to look at at-risk
individuals to assist. Drug trends and drug supply in Franklin and Fulton Counties are opioids and
synthetic opioids; there’s other drugs and substances that are going to be cut into the drugs to
make it more harmful for the individual. The Drug and Alcohol department is currently monitoring
the trends in Philadelphia and Baltimore, for trends of drugs that are causing issues and impacts
to the individuals that are using those substance. Franklin and Fulton County typically will pickup
those same trends about three to six months later. Any individual that has a need or an interest in
treatment please reach out to the Drug and Alcohol department. They will have one of their case
managers screen the individual and assist from there and make a referral to treatment or can
provide harm reductions tools. There are FDA approved medications for opioid use disorder and
alcohol use disorder. Alcohol is the number one drug in Franklin County.
Children and Youth Services (C&Y): Minnie Goshorn
Nicole Weller spoke on behalf of C&Y.
They have noticed a spike in substance use and are collaborating with Drug and Alcohol.
Children and Youth are also working with CASSP and TMCA to assist with children who have
mental health needs. They are down nine caseworker positions that need to be filled. They are
currently working on Need Based Budget for the next two years to see what needs need to be
met to serve the children of the community.
Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance (TMCA): Missy Wileman
Genevieve Harper spoke on behalf of TMCA.
TMCA is currently working on their budget. They are basing the budget off of the previous
year as they’ve done in the past. They did have an unexpected amount of money at the end of
the year with some of the projections. TMCA is not sure if they will be able to get in increase from
the state due to the extra funds at the end of the year. TMCA has seen a slight decrease in Drug
and Alcohol services needed. They believe that may be due to MAT – medical assisted
treatment. With the MAT individuals will not need a higher level of care like an inpatient facility or
an IOP.
Area Agency on Aging: Tawnya Hurley
Tawnya stated that when the temperature and heat index reaches above 100 degrees,
they have cooling stations at some of the Senior Centers. The cooling stations are open until
7pm. This is to help beat the heat during the prime hours for the seniors.
Adult Probation: Kayla Stoner
Kayla Stoner stated they have a new Officer, Officer Dudley the golden retriever. Officer
Dudley is there to help make it a lighter environment, at probation, and court. Officer Dudley is
currently in Connecticut being trained with Chief Wilburne and Officer Gardner. Officer Dudley
attend Treatment Court and was able to roam around the room. It gave the whole environment a
better prospective on how Officer Dudley is able to assist. Kayla Stoner reported it gave the
environment a lighter feeling; it felt much happier, and it made it easier on the participants in the
courtroom. It was less intimidating, overwhelming, and just makes you smile. Officer Dudley was
invited to WIN for a first responders' event at their location. WIN asked if he could be present for
the children who are currently staying there.
VIII. Community Comments or Discussion
N/A
IX. Next Scheduled Meeting:
1st Public Meeting for FY 25/26 Grant Submission Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10am-12pm
2nd Public Meeting Commissioner’s Meeting Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 10am
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