Human Services Advisory Board Meets May 17

A group of volunteers holds regular meetings to provide input on operations of Potter County Human Services. Directors of the county’s drug and alcohol, aging, mental health, intellectual disabilities and coordinated services programs depend on the Potter County Human Services Advisory Board in determining program priorities and other issues. Board meetings are open to the public and anyone interested in serving is encouraged to contact the Potter County Commissioners, c/o executive secretary Sharon Costa at scosta@pottercountypa.net, or 814-274-8290, Ext. 207.

Next meeting of the Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, at the Human Services office in Roulette. Board members will meet for a 6 pm dinner and the public meeting will follow at 7.

During their most recent meeting, held on March 22, members in attendance were Charles Wicker, Kassie Irwin, Denise Minderler, Anne Nelson, Cameron Kockler, Dawn Deiter and Gail Allen. Human Services staffers in attendance were Jim Kockler (executive director), Ken Hoffman, Melissa Gee, Mark Benson, Ronda White, Sherry Hoffman and Colleen Wilber. Members reviewed the impact of state budget cut and block-grant funding; changes being made to the Medical Assistance Transportation Program due to state budget cuts. Other topics included new mental health emergency crisis/after-hours procedures, Teen Challenge, the Potter County Area Agency on Aging plan, and new initiatives in drug and alcohol services.