MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata Prevention Board honored a student this week at the Juniata County Commissioners meeting with its Youth Spotlight Award.

The Juniata County Prevention Board acknowledges youth in Juniata County who are going above and beyond to make an impact in their community.

A 17-year-old New Day Charter School student, Abigail Hosler, not only helps her school by volunteering her time to sort meals for students but she is also a volunteer firefighter with East Waterford’s Fire Company, said Prevention Board representative Melissa Stewart.

“At New Day, we do not have a cafeteria, so our breakfast and lunches are delivered to the school. Abby volunteers her time in the morning, as well as during her activity/study hall period to help organize all of the breakfast and lunches for other students,” says Holly Hosler.

Hosler nominated Abby for this because she’s always helpful to other students.

Abby Hosler also works when she’s not at school or volunteering.

During regular business, Commissioners reviewed the memorandum of understanding between Mifflin-Juniata Human Services Department and Helping Hands of Juniata County for grant applications as Helping Hands are looking to expand their services by applying for and receiving grants.

“Right now, Helping Hands is not experienced in doing so, therefore they are utilizing our department to apply for and manage grants for them,” said Stewart.

“The MOU is the document needed to state that the parties agree to do this and the portion that they will receive is essentially a reimbursement for time spent managing the grant, up to 10% of the grant total depending on grant reporting requirements”, according to Stewart.

Commissioners also approved the 2025-30 Cooperative Agreement for the Juniata County domestic relations office.

This agreement is between the Commonwealth of PA, acting through the Department of Human Services, and the Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas and the Juniata County Commissioners.

“The purpose of this agreement is to administer and optimize the effectiveness and performance of the Title IV-D Child Support Enforcement Program in accordance with Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations and to ensure the securing of financial and medical support for minor children”, says Abby Ingle, director of the Juniata County domestic relations office.

“To locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, determine parents’ ability to pay support and provide health insurance or pay medical costs, establish and enforce support orders, and provide sufficient facilities, staff, and resources to ensure that these functions are proper, efficient, effective, and carried out as required by the regulations,” adds Ingle.

Commissioners also heard a cost proposal to switch providers of their reverse notification system from Rave, the county’s current provider, to Regroup Mass Notification Company.

A reverse notification system is a system used by public safety authorities like EMS to send emergency and life-saving alerts to residents and businesses within a specific area, rather than waiting for people to call 911.

These systems use various channels, such as automated phone calls, text messages, emails, and wireless emergency alerts on mobile devices, to provide critical information for events like hazardous material spills, evacuations, boil water advisories and severe weather.

Switching to Regroup Mass Notification Company the county is actually saving money.

In other news, commissioners took the following action:

Approved the Juniata County Crime Victim Services 2025-26 second year grant proposal in the amount of $37,594. This is used to help victims of crime through the Rights and Services Act;

Approved the certification statement from County Children & Youth Social Service Programs for the period of April 1 through June 30 as submitted by the Children & Youth Fiscal Department;

Approve a human services block grant for fiscal year 2025-26;

Approved a software support agreement for open source software for the LANDEX system that is used in the Register Recorder’s office, said Commissioner Alice Grey;

Ratified a Community Development Block Grant check in the amount of $1,109 to The Sentinel and a check in the amount of $14,911.37 to CP Engineers;

Approved the hiring of Denise Hahn as a casual, part-time employee within the public defender’s office to provide clerical services as needed at an hourly wage of $18 and a start date of Sept. 25. This position is classified at less than 1,000 hours per year and is not eligible for benefits nor is it part of the county’s retirement fund as outlined in the Juniata County employee’s retirement system summary plan;

Approved the change of employment status as of Sept. 1 for Kathy Stuart and Tyler Supplee in the 911 center. They both are changing from casual part time to part time regular employees. Stuart is already part of the county’s retirement plan and Supplee will now become eligible for the retirement plan, Commissioners said;

Approved the change in polling place for Monroe Township from the head start building on Snyder Street, Richfield to the Richfield Community building, 7007 Heister Valley Road, Richfield;

In other news, Commissioners said as of Aug. 21, the courthouse annex and the Bousum building have a new security station. The public entrance to both buildings is now the main entrance to the courthouse annex. All visitors to these buildings must go through security before entering any offices.