HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-10 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, January 10, 2017, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment
of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the January 3, 2017 and January 5, 2017 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, January 12, 2017.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The items will be
approved Thursday, January 12, 2017.
The Board reviewed Early Intervention matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the annual Income
and Expenditure Report to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for Fiscal
Year 2015-2016 for Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention.
Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, was present to provide information on
a Nursing Scholarship Program. Ms. Bloyer explained that several months ago she was
asked to research a scholarship program for Franklin County high school students who
would be planning to attend college and pursue a course of study toward an Associate's
or Bachelor's Degree in nursing. She said that when the County sold the nursing home
several years ago an idea was developed that with the profit from the sale could be used
to give back to the community and they learned there was a high demand for nurses in
the community. Ms. Bloyer explained that there would be six $2,500 scholarships
available for all Franklin County school districts. She said all schools have scholarship
websites that are pretty impressive and they start collecting scholarship information to be
posted to their websites mid-January through mid-April and then there is a big ceremony
in each school district in May where they announce the recipients for the scholarships.
She explained the County will have a scholarship committee with representatives from
the healthcare community and County representatives who will select the best candidate
from each local school district and the selected applicants will be announced at the
ceremonies in May. The applicants also need to demonstrate a financial need in order
to qualify. Ms. Bloyer asked the Board to consider if they want to accept part-time or full-
time students. Chairman Keller said that there was an extensive amount of research
that has gone into this, he asked for guidance from Ms. Bloyer on the part-time vs. full-
time status. Ms. Bloyer responded that two year community colleges have part-time
programs but her recommendation would be to use the scholarships for full-time
students. Chairman Keller suggested starting with full-time to begin with and see what
the demand is and if we don't receive as many applications then can open it up to part-
time students. Commissioner Thomas asked why a student would go part-time, could it
be someone who has to work to get through school because they have less money or
the parents can't afford to help them. Tiff explained that financial aid is only for full-time
students not part-time and one part of the application process asks what other funds
they have been given so the committee will take this into consideration. Commissioner
Ziobrowski suggests keeping their eye on the prize to get more RN's and bringing
someone up from poverty is a noble cause but we have to keep our eye on the prize.
Chairman Keller said that when the County was running the nursing home, they were
well aware of the need for nurses and there had been a change in the skilled nursing
facilities and with Medicaid and Medicare to have more RN's. The Board is hoping this
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scholarship fund will help address that need. He recalled that $300,000 was allocated
for the Human Services Enhancement Grants and $200,000 was allocated for the
nursing program. Ms. Bloyer said she will reach out to all six school districts this week to
get as many applicants as possible. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by
Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to proceed with the Nursing Scholarship
Program.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS