“Sonbeam is a ministry that has provided quality childcare while teaching about the love and grace of Jesus Christ to the community for nearly 30 years. We are both a mission of the church and service to families in the surrounding communities, being the only early childhood center of its kind and caliber in Juniata County,” said Ward, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in McAlisterville.

Sonbeam provides care and educational opportunities, along with weekly chapel times for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. The ministry is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and provides before and after school care in addition to wrap around care for Head Start. Students attending East Juniata Elementary School, Juniata Elementary School, Juniata Christian School and Sacred Heart have been students of Sonbeam. In the summer months, the ministry also provides a school age program.

Sonbeam receives government funding and has received various grants. It is through these avenues of financial support that they have been able to continue their mission.

Ward said Sonbeam is certified by the Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning and has recently earned a STAR 4 designation with the Keystones STARS Program.

Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
Samantha Slautterback, Mifflin-Juniata Regional Services Corporation Executive Director (left) and Chelsea Reed, Mifflin-Juniata Area Agency on Aging Director (right) presented information regarding the anticipated change in location for the 4 Seasons Senior Center in Mifflintown to a location at Jam House Road, Mifflin, Pa.

“Earning a STAR 4 designation took an enormous amount of hard work from our Board and staff. They worked overtime to meet the high standards, complete training and improve the overall experience of the children who walk through our doors,” Ward said.

The Keystone STARS program is a responsive system to improve, support and recognize the continuous quality enhancement efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania.

This designation means more funding for the center that will be poured into providing a livable wage for their teachers and staff, keeping childcare affordable for low-income families and nurturing the growth and development of students.

Sonbeam is accepting applications for teachers. Individuals must have a high school diploma. This available entry-level position gives individuals the opportunity to explore a career in child-care and participate in training and certifications to further their future work.

The ministry is also in search of a program director to lead the staff, communicate with the families and continue their mission and service. An applicant for this title is required to have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and experience. A job description and qualifications for this director position as well as applications are available at the Juniata County Courthouse.

Commissioners also heard a presentation from Samantha Slautterback, Mifflin-Juniata Regional Services Corporation executive director and Chelsea Reed, Mifflin-Juniata Area Agency on Aging Director. The two presented information regarding the anticipated change in location for the 4 Seasons Senior Center in Mifflintown to the Jam House Road, Mifflin location.

The 4 Season Senior Center located in Mifflintown will be moving locations in the near future. The Care Network purchased the former Geisinger Mifflin Hill Clinic on 56 Jam House Road, Mifflin, Pa.in mid-December and will be relocating the 4 Seasons Senior Center to this location.

“We are currently working with an architect, Greg Larson from Huntingdon, to help design and renovate the senior center. We hope the renovations will be completed by the summer,” Reed said.

Reed discussed programming at the senior centers which included healthy steps in motion, outside agencies providing presentations to center members, daily opportunity for socialization which reduces isolation, congregate meals offered daily at no cost (donations are encouraged), and home delivered meals from this site on Mondays and Wednesdays each week. The senior center is open to individuals 60 years and older.

Also, Centers in Motion is an available program that is described as a senior center on wheels. This program is for individuals 55 and over and includes activities such as Tai Chi, bus trips, and other programming.

In other news commissioners took the following action:

Adopted Resolution No. 2024-2 “A Resolution to Implement Ordinance No. 2022-1, an Ordinance Known as the County of Juniata Uniform Parcel Identifier Ordinance;”

Approved the Family First Transition Act Invoice Claim for the period of July 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2023 as submitted by the Children & Youth Services Fiscal Department;

Approved a revision to the policy on procurement for Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs;

Approve the tax exonerations for Beale Township;

Acknowledged Juniata County’s final medical assistance transportation program allocation in the amount of $146,407 for fiscal year 2022-23;

Approved pending final legal review, an agreement between the Juniata County Commissioners on behalf of Magisterial District Court #41-3-02 and Karin Fitzgerald for cleaning services at a rate of $15 per hour;

Approve hiring Dennis Hutchings as a casual, part-time employee with County Commissioners office at an hourly wage of $15.78 effective Feb. 6. This position is part-time and does not qualify for any benefits including membership in the County’s Retirement Fund.