By LAURA JAMESON ljameson@lockhaven.com
LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County Board of Commissioners are shining a spotlight and honored its Children and Youth Service workers with its latest proclamation.
The board declared June 5 through June 9 as Child Welfare Professionals Appreciation Week to showcase those who work to protect the Commonwealth's children.
Commissioner Angela Harding read the proclamation which was approved unanimously during Thursday's voting session.
"The challenging task of investigating child abuse, providing services of families, assessing safety and providing services to ensure that Pennsylvania's children are provided with nurturance, family connections, support as they transition into adulthood and services that allow children to remain safely in their home or return home as expeditiously as possible falls to the child welfare professionals," Harding read.
The proclamation noted that these professionals, when performing their work, often must enter into situations that could put their personal safety at risk.
"Child welfare professionals work in difficult and emotional situations with children who have been victimized by physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and other forms of maltreatment," Harding read. "Child welfare professionals must develop great skill in working with families who are in crisis situations, struggling with mental health challenges, suffering from drug and alcohol afflictions, poverty and other difficult situations."
The proclamation further adds that these professionals must develop a wide range of skills and knowledge regarding the rights of families, the laws around child welfare and much more in order to execute their duties.
"Child welfare professionals selflessly undertake the endeavor to protect Pennsylvania's children, often with low pay, long hours, tremendous demands, little appreciation, great criticism and with dramatic impacts to their personal life," Harding read. "Every year, child welfare professionals are injured or killed in their pursuit to protect children across the United States."
Prior to approving the proclamation, CYS Director Autumn Bower shared a few words about her department.
"Every single thing that you said there is absolutely true. These guys work really long hours, they do a lot," Bower said. "I'm really grateful for all of our staff and just thankful for the selfless work that they do every day."
In other business the commissioners:
- Approved an agreement between the county and City of Lock Haven, waiving liability during the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services participation in Law Enforcement "Ride Along."
- Approved a gas supplier agreement with NRG, LLC for the Piper Building, Garden Building, Mellott Building and Clinton County Correctional Facility's storage facility at a rate of $5.499 per MMBTU for 50 months beginning July 1, 2023.
- Approved an amendment to the CDBG-CV Grant agreements between the Commonwealth, Department of Community and Economic Development and the county for its 911 tower projects. The timeline will be extended to Dec. 31, 2024. Chair Miles Kessinger said this is due to the length required for the bidding process and set up.
- Approved three 2023 liquid fuels funding allocations as follows: $10,000 to Lamar Township for drainage and water quality on Burrell Road; $16,200 to Lamar Township for drainage, DSA, and paving on Bolopue Road; and $58,800 to Noyes Township for resurfacing Bitumen Road and Plank Road.
- Reappointed Susan Hann, James Maguire, Jr., Paul Caimi and Clarence Rine to the Clinton County Revolving Loan Board for a one-year term ending June 30, 2024.
- Appointed Art Foltz to the Chestnut Grove Recreation Authority for a five-year term ending June 30, 2028. Foltz will replace Jack Bailey. Harding thanked Bailey for his work on the board.
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