Submitted photo From left, Mifflin County Commissioner Noah Wise, Veterans Affairs Director James Peters, Commissioner Robert Postal, and Commissioner Kevin Kodish pose for a photo in recognition of Operation Green Light.

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday joined counties nationwide in honoring America’s veterans, approving a proclamation supporting Operation Green Light to recognize those who served and those transitioning back to civilian life.

The resolution, adopted unanimously by Commissioners Robert Postal, Kevin Kodish, and Noah Wise, designates Nov. 4-11 as a week to “salute and honor the service and sacrifices” of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

As part of the campaign, residents and businesses are encouraged to display green lights in their windows during that week to show gratitude and solidarity with veterans.

Operation Green Light is part of a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the National Association of Counties to highlight the challenges service members face when transitioning from active duty. The proclamation acknowledges that about 200,000 service members reenter civilian communities each year, often encountering stress, housing issues, and employment barriers in the process.

After adopting the resolution, the board moved through a series of agenda items involving county operations, public programs, and local appointments.

Commissioners approved an inmate housing agreement with Centre County for 2026. The contract allows for temporary housing of inmates between the counties if needed, continuing a cooperative arrangement that helps manage capacity at correctional facilities across county lines.

Mifflin County Children and Youth Administrator Nicole Patkalitsky presented several agreements aimed at improving services and training for caseworkers. Among them was a memorandum of understanding with the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators Association to participate in the Accenture Avenues Virtual Reality Training Program. The program enables caseworkers to practice real-world child welfare scenarios in a virtual environment before working directly with families.

Patkalitsky said Mifflin County will join other counties statewide in using the simulation-based training. The county’s initial cost includes $1,500 for the headset, $500 for an annual software license, and $2,901 for program access.

The commissioners also approved a purchase-of-service agreement with George Junior Republic in Grove City, which provides behavioral health and residential services for dependent and delinquent youth. While the facility is used primarily by the probation department, the contract allows Children and Youth Services to access it when necessary.

A separate memorandum of understanding was renewed with the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network, ensuring the continuation of two paralegal positions assigned to the county’s Children and Youth office. The program provides legal support to expedite child welfare and adoption cases throughout the state.

The board approved an agreement with Laura Espigh to provide cleaning services at the courthouse as needed at a rate of $20 per hour. Commissioners also reappointed Randy Miller to the Mifflin County Hospital Authority for a five-year term ending in 2029 and appointed William Campbell Jr. to the same board for a term expiring in 2030.

In other business, Grants Liaison Madison Price presented a Community Development Block Grant budget revision on behalf of Derry Township. The modification reallocates $13,410.72 in remaining funds from the Derry Township Senior Center project back to the Yeagertown Area Road Reconstruction Phase I project. Price said the township had moved funds earlier in the year to cover possible overruns at the senior center, but with that project completed, the unused money will now return to infrastructure work in Yeagertown.

The commissioners also approved the hiring of Lisa Bowman as a courthouse custodian effective Nov. 17.