MIFFLINTOWN — For Robin White, it’s difficult to put a price tag on drug and alcohol prevention, especially when children are involved.

White, the community resource coordinator for the Juniata County Prevention Board, hopes that a $2,500 grant will fund an outreach event to raise awareness and aid in the fight.

White suggested a splash hop at the Central Juniata Park Pool in Mifflin where agencies would be present to teach children about the risks and consequences of drug use and how to say “no.”

“We plan to have a punch card process for the kiddos to make sure they check out every station and once they complete their punches they can use their card to redeem at the concession stand,” said White at the Juniata County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.

Mike Hannon, executive director of Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Services in Lewistown, also shared his support of this event.

White was also there on behalf of the Mifflin Juniata Human Services who wished to request permission to apply for the Veterans Trust Fund Grant.

“If approved, this grant will be used for veteran outreach initiatives, as well as rent and utility assistance for veterans,” White added.

White is asking for two $15,000 grants, one for Mifflin County and the other for Juniata County.

The Veterans Trust Fund Grant will run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website funding priorities for the 2026-27 grant year are programs that address social determinants of health; transportation, and employment. The maximum request for county applicants is $15,000.

Melissa Stewart, director of Mifflin Juniata Human Services was also in attendance seeking approval for a grant request for the UPMC Child Advocacy Center of Central Pa.

Child Advocacy Center of Central Pa. serves Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland and Schuylkill counties.

Formerly known as the Children’s Resource Center, Child Advocacy Center is one of the oldest organizations in Pennsylvania. The center provides forensic interviews, specialized medical care, and mental health services to children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse, neglect, or who have witnessed a violent crime.

Stewart wishes to bring this agency to Juniata County to conduct interviews after abuse accusations, so it will benefit the district attorney, police and families, so they won’t have to travel.

Stewart hopes to secure other grant funding.

In other news, commissioners:

-Approved the tax exonerations for Mifflintown Borough, Beale Township, Delaware Township and Monroe Township;

-Approved the purchase of service agreement between Juniata County Public Defender’s Office and Brian Baker, Esquire to provide legal services to indigent defendants. The length of the contract is from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026;

-Approved the purchase of service agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services Agency and Juniata County Probation Department with Community Specialist Corporation (The Academy), to provide child welfare services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026;

-Approved the purchase of service agreement between Juniata County and Juniata Valley Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission to provide services from Sept 30, 2025, through Sept. 29, 2026;

-Approved the purchase of service agreement between Juniata County and CSG Forte Payments, Inc. to provide taxpayer credit card services. The length of the contract will be five years from the date approved;

-Approved the October 2025 departmental reports for the sheriff’s office, treasurer’s office, assessment office as well as the monthly activity report as submitted by the Adult and Juvenile Probation Office, the summary of collections report as submitted by MDJ Powell’s Office and the monthly statistics as presented by the Juniata Children and Youth Office;

-Accepted the resignation of Justin Dobson, probation officer, effective Dec. 1, 2025;

-Approved hiring of John Hershey as the assistant district Attorney, effective Dec. 5, 2025, as recommended by Cory Snook, Juniata County district attorney. Hershey will replace Tammy Dusharm, who resigned Oct. 10, 2025.