CLEARFIELD – At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Clearfield County Commissioners approved reallocations within its Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) after getting an increase in its state allocation.
The county is receiving $3,635 in additional human services funding, which increases its overall state allocation to $81,203 for 2012-13, said Commissioner Mark B. McCracken. He said in July, the HSDF was originally allocated $77,568.
According to the HSDF paperwork, the commissioners approved:
- the re-allocation of an additional $428 to the home-delivered meals program; $554 to the housing program; $467 to life skills education; and $493 to service planning and case management through the Adult Services program offered by Central Pennsylvania Community Action (CPCA).
- the re-allocation of an additional $125 to case management and $475 to the outpatient program under Drug & Alcohol Services.
- the re-allocation of an additional $231 to facility-based vocational rehabilitation and $499 to family support services under the Mental Health Services.
- the re-allocation of an additional $363 to the CPCA’s administration.
McCracken said some counties lost more human services funding and others gained after the latest HSDF reallocations. He said even with the county’s current increase, it still marks a decline when compared to past HSDF allocations.
According to a July 27, 2011 GantDaily.com report, the HSDF was slashed by more than 50 percent to Clearfield County in the state’s final budget in 2011-12. In that report, CPCA Deputy Director Stacy LoCastro said the county received approximately $209,000 in 2005-06 and $156,000 in 2009-10.
The following year, she said the county was allocated $143,416, before it declined to $86,188 in 2011-12. Last month, the county was originally allocated $77,568, a 10 percent decrease, for the upcoming year.
At a meeting last month, McCracken said that the county began absorbing the funding that was once allocated to Children, Youth and Family Services last year. He said last year, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging began allowing its funding to be reallocated to other programs.
McCracken said the county proceeded in this manner a year ago so that programs, such as Drug & Alcohol and Adult Services could continue being offered through the CPCA.