Council Meeting Minutes

January 25th, 2019

Present: Ken Dean, Jodi Hammers, Melissa Gillin, Laura Rieger, Howard Ermin, Sylvia
Rickabaugh, Jean Johnstone, Lori Pellegrine, Denise Adams, Diane Letzinger, Tracy Kelley, K.
Weakland, Courtney Blair, Lisa Hann, Suzanne Snyder, Dorcey Cuzzolina, Robin Walters, Dee
Martin Spallone, Denise Miller, Gail Clapper, Dottie Elder, Nicole Germaux, Anne Krill,
Donna Gority,

Call to Order-Nicole Germaux welcomed everyone and introductions were made.

Speaker: Denise Adams, Family Resource Center, spoke about a new program they are running
called “Families In Recovery.” Residents of a local Halfway House were invited. They currently
have openings. She listed the other services offered through the Family Resource Center
including Parents as Teachers (has openings), Make Parenting a Pleasure.

Consent Vote-Dorcey made a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Lori P. All
were in favor so motion was carried. Tracy Kelley made a motion to accept the Consent reports
as written and was seconded by Lisa Hann. The reports stand.

Special Nomination and Election of VP -No one has been nominated; therefore, Nicole asked
anyone interested to contact her and added she will address this with the nominating committee.

Approval of Bylaws ARTICLE vi Section III-Jean Johnstone made a motion to remove the
specific address of the location, to send membership dues, from the Bylaws. The was seconded
by Lisa Hann. All were in in favor and the motion was accepted. The current process is to
forward the membership form and dues to the Blair County United Way office, then it is
forwarded to the treasurer for deposit of funds and then provided to the secretary for membership
and to Dee for the Website, as long as permission was granted. Dee reported she updated the
Website to reflect the changes.

The Grant Process is now open. Nicole suggested viewing our website for the Grant
Application, to submit it to bchwc1@gmail.com by the Deadline Feb 22nd at 4:00 pm. The
Secretary will provide a confirmation email. Applicants will be reviewed by the Executive
Council, then presented to the Council for a vote on 3/22/19. Recognition of the recipients will
be done at the Council Meeting on May 17 including a photograph for the newspaper.

Note: Nicole reminded participants that the BCHWC Meeting is cancelled if the Altoona Area
School District has a two-hour delay or is cancelled. Membership dues are due today to be
considered for a grant. Everyone who has not paid will be removed form the email blast list.
Updates:
a. Blair County Department of Social Services-No update.

b. County Assistance Office-Earl Getty-Not present.

c. United Way-Melanie Shildt-Not present but Denise provided some updates including
Laugh United, Glass Slipper, VITA (Blair Senior Services also provides this service to
people who are eligible.) She announced the Week of the Young Child is 4/6.

d. Community Updates-

Gentle Counseling-will be holding a Bully Support Group.

BDAP-Will be holding a Prevention program for children and parents/caregivers.

WIC-will now provide electronic benefits instead of paper checks that had to be used all at once.
They are the pilot agency for the state.

Family Services- Their Point-in-Time survey identified 8 homeless people. They have served
800 in the past four years and are planning to provide for more since purchasing the Drenning
Building.

AASD Adult Basic Education- Has a new schedule in March. Dee announced the standard for
the GED has been raised.

Angel Feet Ministry-Have provided close to 5,000 shoes and served 2100 children. It is for
children birth to 6th grade on Saturdays. Dee added there are children with a great need.

Senior Life-will be having open houses every other month. For people 55 and up and income
eligible they provide home care, medications, a social program, doctor and therapies.

PA Department of Health- Distributed 35 free doses of Naloxone and was disappointed in the
low interest.

The Launch Box at the Gables Building will hold a LBGTQ Support Group the third Friday of
the month from 2 to 4 pm.

Donna announced Maria Brandt received the Chamber’s Athena Award and Tim O’Brien the
Donna Gority Leadership Award.

Wise Women of Blair County-is seeking nominations for tributes. Scholarships are for women
age 21 and up seeking a B.S. and have overcome adversity.

The Blair County Coalition will be offering Tobacco Prevention, Eating Better/Moving More.
And Youth Connection.
Adjournment-Lisa Hann made a motion to adjourn and Dee Martin Spallone seconded it, the
motion was carried unanimously.

Council Meetings-Location ARC 8:30 am

Friday-3/22/19
Friday-5/17/19

Submitted by,
Anne Krill, B.S.
Blair County Health & Welfare Secretary