Clinton County Commissioners Voting Session Highlights: Key Contracts Boost Services for CYS and Victims of Crime and Abuse
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— During their bi-weekly voting session last Thursday, the Clinton County Commissioners approved several contracts and agreements for the county’s Children and Youth Services (CYS) agency, Department of Emergency Services (DES), and one for the PA SAVIN Program, which is used by law enforcement and the judiciary.
The commissioners approved a grant agreement between Clinton County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, facilitated by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), for $20,833. This 911 Statewide Interconnectivity Funding Grant will support the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services (DES) and the Clinton County Geographic Information System (GIS) Department until December 31, 2025.
They also approved a contract with Genesis Home of New Beginnings to provide placement services for the Clinton County Children and Youth Services (CYS) agency at a rate of $350 per day. This agreement is effective from December 9, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Furthermore, a contract with FamilyLinks Inc. was approved for similar placement services for the county’s CYS agency at a daily rate of $1,370.80, effective from November 4, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Last for the county CYS agency, the board approved a contract between Clinton County and the Washington Assessment of Risks and Needs of Students (WARNS) for assessments of middle and high school students. This service, offered at an annual fee of $500, is effective as of December 19, 2024.
The commissioners also approved the 2025 SAVIN (State Victim Notification System) Maintenance and Service Agreement with the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Institute, effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. Notably, this service comes at no cost to the county.
Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse attended the meeting and discussed the PA SAVIN program, describing it as a notification service for victims of violent crimes and domestic abuse. The program has been available in the county for many years and has recently been offered free of charge.
D.A. Strouse emphasized that PA SAVIN is a crucial tool for law enforcement and the judiciary, as it provides victims with immediate alerts about changes in the status or custody of incarcerated individuals or those charged with crimes against them.
“The PA SAVIN Program is essentially a notification program for the victims of violent crime and domestic abuse,” D.A. Strouse explained. “It provides instant alerts to victims of violent crimes and victims of domestic abuse of any status change or custody change of any incarcerated individual, or any individual who’s charged with a criminal offense in which that particular individual is a listed victim.”
D.A. Strouse highlighted the importance of the SAVIN Program, particularly in situations where a violent offender is transferred to another facility, posts bail, attends a bail hearing, is released on bail, or escapes custody.
Previously funded by the county, the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Institute now offers the program to Clinton County and other areas in the Commonwealth at no cost. However, D.A. Strouse cautioned the board that this funding might not be permanent. If costs arise in the future, he stressed the program’s critical importance for the judiciary and law enforcement.
With no additional reports from elected officials, staff, legislators’ offices, or commissioners, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting of the Clinton County commissioners is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on January 2, 2025. Meetings are held in the Piper Building’s 2nd-floor conference room at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven and are also live-streamed on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page.
