SMETHPORT — On Tuesday, the McKean County commissioners approved a $9 million bond obligation and legislative priorities, and heard an overview of mental health resources, all during the regular meeting.
Commissioner Chair Tom Kreiner read an ordinance regarding the bond, which said the purpose includes improvements to the countywide 911 system.
“Over the years, our radios are coming to their end-of-life,” said Commissioner Cliff Lane. “This is an opportunity to break us into the 21st century. No one wants to (spend the money) but it does improve coverage for 9-1-1.”
The ordinance was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Carol Duffy then read a resolution regarding the legislative issues being prioritized this year through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. The first priority, she said, was “advocating for appropriate funding for the crumbling mental health system.” She added that “state funding has lagged far behind caseloads for years.”
The other priorities included the workforce crisis in human services, broadband expansion, appropriate funding for Children and Youth Services, election integrity, 911 funding and funding and resources for elections.
Offering a further look into the county’s mental health network was Dan Wertz, administrator of the Department of Human Services.
“There are nine required services every county is responsible for having available,” he said, explaining the services are outpatient, partial hospitalization, 24/7 emergency services, consultation and education, aftercare, specialized rehabilitative and training, interim care of individuals with intellectual disabilities and unified intake services.
He described the Behavioral HealthChoices program, which involved delivery of mental health and drug and alcohol services to people enrolled in Medicaid.
“The county is identified as the payer of last resort, also known as contingent liability,” Wertz continued, saying that covers people who have exhausted private insurance or when insurance doesn’t cover a service.
“We’re filling in those gaps that arise through those other programs that support mental health services in our communities,” he explained.
Wertz spoke a bit about mental health, too. “There are many factors that can influence any of the functioning elements that make up a person,” he said, “things like other stresses that get in our lives like ‘where am I getting my kid today’ to clothing and employment, financial stressors, health care access. It really is that whole-person aspect and approach we have to be thinking about when we’re approaching mental health and care.”
Stressing the importance of staying connected to others, Wertz said, “We’ve been working on a way to capture some of those connections. We have a Help Map on the county’s website.”
The Help Map offers contact information for services throughout the county, like basic supports about life and food, childcare, aging care, crisis support, legal support and more.
“The point of it is that information is being compiled and is accessible on the county’s page,” Wertz said. “If you are involved with an organization that is helping people, get on the map. There’s a little form to enroll.”
He added, “Everyone plays a part in addressing the mental health in our county.”
The commissioners commended Wertz and two other human services workers who spoke.
Lane said, “All these things take money. Again that’s an area CCAP has always pushed for. This is something that helps many of our citizens who need help.”
It’s frustrating to have to keep fighting for the money to adequately address the needs, he added, and encouraged people to talk to their representatives about how important it is to fund mental health care.
The next meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 22.
