Chester County to Participate in Human Services Block Grant Program

Editor's note: The following information comes from Chester County communications office.

WEST CHESTER—Chester County was selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to participate in the Human Services Block Grant program.

The Chester County Board of Commissioners was notified of the county’s inclusion in the program on Thursday by a letter from Secretary Gary D. Alexander of the Department of Public Welfare.

“This designation means we are able to better utilize the money we receive for vital human services,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell. “Only 20 of the 30 counties applying for the program were selected and we are grateful for being one of the chosen counties.”

Governor Tom Corbett said of the new program, “Recognizing that counties need flexibility to fund their human services programs in a way that best serves their communities, we worked with the legislature to institute this new funding approach. This program will ensure more funding makes it to our recipients and less is spent on red tape.”

County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone said, “The need for social services is growing in Chester County and funding is not keeping pace. The block grant program will allow us to shift available funds to help cover some of the costs of underfunded programs.”

According to Chester County’s Human Services Director Ruthie Kranz-Cark, the designation will also allow the county to keep a maximum of three percent of unspent funds at year-end for the next year. The money can be used to support start-up programs without sufficient initial funding.

“Chester County has an excellent record of managing taxpayer money and being able to maximize services within our budget,” Commissioner Ryan Costello said. “As a designated block grant county, we have flexibility in the spending of money and will be able to help more of our residents with their social service needs.”

The Human Services Block Grant consists of seven funding sources, Mental Health Community Programs, Intellectual Disabilities Community Base, County Child Welfare Special Grants, Homeless Assistance Program, Act 152, Behavioral Health Services Initiative and Human Services Development Fund.