Juniata County approves forensic interviewer position for Children’s Advocacy Center

BY BRIAN CARSON

MIFFLINTOWN — Juniata County commissioners approved a new forensic interviewer position Tuesday for the county’s Children’s Advocacy Center, a grant-funded step officials said will bring child abuse interview services closer to home.

Melissa Stewart, director of Mifflin and Juniata County Human Services, told commissioners the position is “a crucial part” of developing the Children’s Advocacy Center. She said the job will be fully paid through grant funding.

Hiring someone now, Stewart said, will allow the person to begin the training needed to conduct forensic interviews and help the center move toward authorization.

Ashley Dexter, director of Juniata County Children and Youth Services, said the center would reduce the need for children, families, police and advocates to travel to other counties for child abuse investigations.

Dexter said the county has had to use centers in Bellefonte or Harrisburg, turning the process into a daylong trip. She said that distance can be harder on children and create transportation barriers for families.

“We wanted to bring it locally,” Dexter said.

The Children’s Advocacy Center is being developed at a location outside Mifflintown. Officials said the site has been renovated and will allow services to be provided in Juniata County instead of requiring families and agencies to travel elsewhere.

Dexter said Juniata County is the first county in Pennsylvania to receive approval for the local Children’s Advocacy Center effort. Commissioners approved the position after a brief discussion.

The board also issued Proclamation No. 2026-7, recognizing May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.

The proclamation was presented by Phil Myers of Juniata & Perry Ridge Runners No. 58. Representatives described the Ridge Runners as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises money for charitable causes and provides direct help, including assisting residents with projects such as cutting wood.

“We are a charity organization,” one Ridge Runners representative said. “We help out wherever we can.”

The proclamation comes as warmer weather brings more motorcycles onto area roads and as riders prepare for Memorial Day weekend events. For residents, it is a reminder that motorcycles will be more common on rural roads, particularly at intersections, on two-lane highways, and during group rides.

For riders, it also recognizes motorcycle safety efforts and the charitable work of a local organization that said it supports veterans, children, animals, and residents in need.

Myers said the group has raised more than $4,000 toward a new van to help Disabled American Veterans. A Ridge Runners representative said the Juniata and Perry chapters helped Perry County last year and are now working to assist locally.

Representatives also discussed the group’s Memorial Day ride, which they said has drawn hundreds of motorcycles in previous years. One representative said the ride is held on the last Saturday of May and has had “upwards of 300 motorcycles.”

The ride is scheduled to leave the Giant in Newport at 10:30 a.m., travel to Fort Hunter by 11 a.m. and arrive at Indiantown Gap by noon, according to the discussion at the meeting.

Commissioners also approved a purchase of services agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services and Avanco for CWIS maintenance during the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Dexter said CWIS stands for Child Welfare Information System and that the annual agreement allows the department to use the system and view information across Pennsylvania.

In another public safety-related item, commissioners approved an agreement with Vertiv Corporation to provide maintenance services for two UPS units at the 911 Center.

The agreement runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, at an annual cost of $4,480.

Commissioners also accepted the resignation of Nicole Pannebaker, a 911 telecommunicator, effective at the close of business on May 27.

The board also ratified a Juniata County hazardous materials payment to Wex Bank for $91.65, reviewed April departmental reports and approved tax exonerations for Delaware and Fermanagh townships.

The board also approved payment of checklist Nos. 78581 through 78650 in the amount of $371,219.30.

No salary board, retirement board, or board of elections business was scheduled.