Berks County holds hearing on 2026–27 human services block grant amid Medicaid eligibility changes

Berks County commissioners opened a statutorily required public hearing on the 2026–27 human services block grant on June 26, hearing presentations about how the county uses consolidated funding for mental health, developmental disabilities and homelessness services.

Pam Seaman, director of mental health and developmental disabilities, said the consolidated funding approach gives the county flexibility to move money between categorical line items with state approval and described several priorities for retained and restricted funds. "Our allocation for mental health was a little over $10,000,000 and for developmental disabilities was close to 3,400,000," Seaman said, adding that renovations are under way on a long-term structured residence the county expects to come into operation in early 2027.

Seaman told commissioners the county sometimes carries "retained earnings" across fiscal years and uses that money for short-term prevention activities and one-time purchases because such funding cannot always sustain ongoing programs. She said the county moved some developmental-disability funds this year to support drug-and-alcohol treatment after receiving state approval to reallocate those resources.

Jackie Steed, assistant administrator with the single county authority, reviewed behavioral health investments and overdose-response work, reporting that "in 2025, there were 90 confirmed overdose deaths, which is a slight decrease from 95 the previous year." Steed said the county distributed nearly 5,700 naloxone kits and that the warming handoff program has connected more than 700 people to services; roughly 450 accepted treatment when appropriate.

Officials also warned of federal changes that could reduce Medicaid coverage for some residents and drive increased demand for county-funded services. Seaman said redetermination rules and new documentation requirements mean "individuals who are previously eligible are no longer going to be eligible," and added the county has seen Medicaid enrollment fall by around 30,000 over the past two to three years.

The board discussed procedural timing for adopting the resolution related to the block grant and agreed to delay final action until after a separate in-person public hearing scheduled at Alvernia University. Commissioner Dante Santoni moved to postpone agenda item 118.2026 until after that hearing; the motion was seconded and the chair said it carried.

Next steps include finalizing the county's consolidated plan for state submission and incorporating public feedback collected at the scheduled in-person hearing. No roll-call tally for the postponement was recorded in the meeting transcript.