Washington County proclaims May 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month; approves transitional housing funding
May 21, 2026 | Washington County, Pennsylvania
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The Washington County Board of Commissioners on May 21, 2026, adopted a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month and urged agencies, organizations and residents to support behavioral health services.
Commissioner Janice read the proclamation, citing national and state estimates included in the text: about 59.3 million U.S. adults and nearly 20 million children and teens nationwide experience mental or emotional challenges; the proclamation also noted 2.35 million “Pennians” affected by serious mental illness. The board voted to adopt the proclamation by roll call.
Mary Joe Hatfield, director of Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, thanked the commissioners for their ongoing support and urged reducing stigma so individuals seek treatment. "Washington County is uniquely blessed to have commissioners that have a keen understanding of the importance of mental health," Hatfield said.
Following the proclamation, the board approved a provider agreement with the Mental Health Association to purchase a home and cover startup costs for a 90‑day re‑entry and transitional housing program. The contract authorization amount is $410,000; the transcript records that the amount will be paid from fiscal year 2025 human services block grant funds and that no additional county funds are required. The agreement is effective May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026.
The meeting also approved a related children’s services contract addendum with New Life Adolescence for residential treatment services (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) that increases the contract authorization to $950,000 and is to be funded by PA Act 148 and federal sources under the CYS contracted services budget; no additional county funds were required.
The board took no public comment during the meeting. The most recent procedural step is the adoption of the proclamation and the execution of the provider agreement; implementation will be handled by the county Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Mental Health Association.
Commissioner Janice read the proclamation, citing national and state estimates included in the text: about 59.3 million U.S. adults and nearly 20 million children and teens nationwide experience mental or emotional challenges; the proclamation also noted 2.35 million “Pennians” affected by serious mental illness. The board voted to adopt the proclamation by roll call.
Mary Joe Hatfield, director of Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, thanked the commissioners for their ongoing support and urged reducing stigma so individuals seek treatment. "Washington County is uniquely blessed to have commissioners that have a keen understanding of the importance of mental health," Hatfield said.
Following the proclamation, the board approved a provider agreement with the Mental Health Association to purchase a home and cover startup costs for a 90‑day re‑entry and transitional housing program. The contract authorization amount is $410,000; the transcript records that the amount will be paid from fiscal year 2025 human services block grant funds and that no additional county funds are required. The agreement is effective May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026.
The meeting also approved a related children’s services contract addendum with New Life Adolescence for residential treatment services (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) that increases the contract authorization to $950,000 and is to be funded by PA Act 148 and federal sources under the CYS contracted services budget; no additional county funds were required.
The board took no public comment during the meeting. The most recent procedural step is the adoption of the proclamation and the execution of the provider agreement; implementation will be handled by the county Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Mental Health Association.
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