Mifflin County commissioners recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, EMS Week

BY BRIAN CARSON

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County commissioners approved proclamations Thursday recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month and May 17-23 as Emergency Medical Services Week, putting a public spotlight on mental health services and the work of local emergency responders.

The Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation was issued through Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services, which serves Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata counties. The proclamation states that mental health affects a person’s relationships, productivity, ability to handle stress, and ability to live with dignity and purpose.

It also calls on residents to challenge stigma, seek help when needed, and support organizations working to improve mental health resources.

Commissioners also approved a proclamation designating May 17-23 as EMS Week in Mifflin County, recognizing emergency medical services as a public service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The proclamation notes that the EMS system includes first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, physicians, educators, administrators, and trained members of the public.

Representatives from behavioral health services and local EMS agencies attended the meeting and spoke about their work.

Kathy Whalen, representing Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services, thanked the commissioners for recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and reviewed several events held in May.

She said the CSP Recovery Day picnic was held at Walker Township Park in Juniata County and had strong participation. Whalen said the event rotates through the three counties each year.

Whalen also said the agency held its first “Shatter the Silence” cornhole tournament on May 16 at Mifflin County Youth Park in Reedsville. She said attendance was lower than hoped, but noted it was the first year for the event.

Whalen thanked the county for participating in the Light Up Green campaign, saying the green lights help start conversations about mental health. She said the End Darkness Walk is expected to be held in October at Kish Park.

The park, she said, offers room for organizations to set up, space for food trucks, a track, and a small stage for opening remarks.

The EMS Week proclamation recognized the 52nd anniversary of EMS Week, which has the theme “EMS Week: Improving Outcomes, Together.” The proclamation encourages the community to observe the week with programs, ceremonies, and activities honoring EMS providers and the essential service they provide.

Michael Coldren, chief operations officer of FAME EMS, thanked the commissioners for recognizing EMS Week and said local ambulance services remain important to the community.

“It’s the local people helping others, and it’s important we’re getting young folks involved to come up through the ranks and make EMS better,” Coldren said.

Commissioners also approved several other items, including a request to exonerate 2025 delinquent real estate taxes on a parcel where a mobile home was removed, a tower HVAC service agreement with MGM Mechanical Inc. and an Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement.

The tower HVAC service agreement with MGM Mechanical Inc. runs from 2026 through 2031 at a cost of $4,360 per year. Commissioners discussed the length of the agreement, noting that 2026 through 2031 could appear to be six years depending on how the term is calculated, and asked that the issue be clarified in the minutes.

The Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement is for fiscal year 2025 and covers Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, in the amount of $44,737. The agenda listed 911 Supervisor Josh Pennepacker in connection with the item. During the meeting, officials said the grant covers part of the salaries for emergency management-related personnel.

Commissioners also approved a Community Development Block Grant budget revision for a Derry Township project. The revision reduces the Scattered Site Roof Replacement Project by $3,720 and reallocates the money to the Yeagertown Area Road Reconstruction Phase 2.

Officials said the roof project changed after costs increased, and the number of homes involved may be reduced from four to three.

Commissioners also approved all listed personnel items. Those included the hiring of Michael Jones as an LPN at the correctional facility; Juan Rivera and Kolton Porch as part-time correction officers; Aija Binder and Trey Shoemaker as judicial assistant summer interns; Matthew Rickert as a field assessor; and Ansh Patel as an intern in the public defender’s office.

They also approved the retirement of Ronald Knable as a corrections officer and the resignation of Daniel Treweek as a 911 telecommunicator.