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LEWISTOWN -- Juniata County Commissioners Tuesday approved a virtual reality software agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services (CYS) and the University of Utah as it pertains to Virtual Home Simulation software for child welfare training as recommended by Ashley J. Baxter, Children and Youth Director.
Mandy Noss, deputy director for Juniata County CYS, told commissioners that CYS caseworkers can utilize their new virtual reality headset under the approved program. This tool allows caseworkers to participate in a realistic situation to learn how to handle and communicate with clients.
"With a minimal cost, we thought this would be an excellent tool to help our new caseworkers with engagement skills and training," Noss said.
This confidential disclosure and software transfer agreement will terminate one year from the date of signing unless extended via an amendment to the agreement.
Commissioners also approved of two upcoming CYS events. The second ever Child Abuse Prevention event at Juniata Elementary School is slated for April 17, 2024. Service providers from the county set up a booth with an activity for children to participate in. Hotdogs, snacks and water will be provided. A flier for this event will be made public with more details to follow.
"This is an opportunity to share awareness with our community that we have all of these providers who are out here to help and offer different services," Noss said.
The next approved event is the CYS Back-to-School Program slated for sometime in August of 2024. This program is new and offers members of the community the ability to sponsor a child or a family of multiple children. The sponsorship entails buying clothing and shoes and back-to-school necessities for the child or children in need. CYS receives backpacks and school supplies but a lot of families struggle with finding clothing and shoes.
In other news, commissioners...
• Reappointed Mr. Scott E. Fritz, President and CEO of Pennian Bank as an Additional Representative to the SEDA-COG Board of Directors for calendar year 2024 effective as of Jan. 24, 2024.
• Approved payment of checks in the amount of $60,545.97.
• Approved the tax exonerations for Lack Township.
• Approved reclassifying one of the CYS full-time Fiscal Assistant positions as a casual part-time designation. This position will be classified at less than 1000 hours per year and will not be eligible for benefits nor will it be part of the County's Retirement Fund as outlined in the Juniata County Employees Retirement System Summary Plan.