Corbett Administration Receives Enthusiastic Response to Innovative Human Services Block Grant Program; Announces Selected PA Counties

Localized program will enable more effective and efficient use of tax dollars

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced the 20 counties selected to participate in the Human Services Block Grant, a new and innovative program that transforms how the state works with counties to distribute funding for human services.

"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," Corbett said. "This program will ensure more funding makes it to our recipients and less is spent on red tape."

The Human Services Block Grant consists of seven funding streams that will allow counties the flexibility to decide where the money is needed most. Those funding streams are:

• Mental Health Community Programs
• Intellectual Disabilities Community Base
• County Child Welfare Special Grants
• Homeless Assistance Program
• Act 152
• Behavioral Health Services Initiative
• Human Services Development Fund

Traditional funding streams defined up front how much money was spent on each program, resulting in an inefficient, one-size-fits-all system. 

"Providing the funding that Pennsylvania counties need to support their most vulnerable neighbors is one of our highest priorities," Corbett said. "Counties have been asking for increased flexibility for years. It makes sense to enable local governments to determine how to best allocate funds and serve the needs of their residents."

"This is a landmark achievement that for the first time combines health care and social service funding into one performance-driven block grant with local flexibility," said Secretary of Public Welfare Gary D. Alexander. "We had an overwhelmingly positive response from counties. While I wish we could have included all of Pennsylvania's counties in this program, I am committed to working with the counties and the General Assembly to expand this program to all 67 counties in the next legislative session."

The Department of Public Welfare reviewed 30 county applications and selected the 20 participating counties based on several factors, including the county's geography, size, poverty-level, recent population shifts, its administrative structure and its demonstrated ability to manage the block grant. 

The Human Services Block Grant program was included as part of the 2012-13 state budget. All 67 counties will benefit from the numerous reforms included in the budget that reduce and streamline planning and reporting requirements.

For more information, visit www.pa.gov.

Media contact: Christine Cronkright, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
Carey Miller, DPW, 717-425-7606

Editor's Note:  Below is an alphabetical listing of counties that have been selected to participate in the human services block grant program. 

1. Allegheny
2. Beaver
3. Berks
4. Bucks
5. Butler
6. Centre
7. Chester
8. Crawford
9. Dauphin
10. Delaware
11. Erie
12. Franklin
13. Fulton
14. Greene
15. Lancaster
16. Lehigh
17. Luzerne
18. Tioga
19. Venango
20. Wayne

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor