Chester County approves contracts for children’s services, homelessness supports and mental‑health programs

Directors from Children, Youth & Families, Community Development and Mental Health presented a series of contract amendments the board approved on Sept. 9.

Eve Large (Children, Youth & Families) outlined amendments that included Avanco International ($17,118.66) for the statewide child accounting system, Bethany Homes ($20,000) for residential placement services, a $3,313,000 award for a maternal and child health consortium to support life‑skills and parenting programs, and a $200,000 award to the Bear Foundation of Pennsylvania for residential placement.

Sean Balig (Community Development) described contracts for shelter services (Friends Association, $109,677) and rent assistance (Open Hearth, roughly $120–$124k) for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Linda Cox (Mental Health and IDD) presented multiple contracts totaling several million dollars for community residential rehabilitation, supported employment, teen support lines and enhanced residential clinical services.

Commissioners approved the package of amendments by motion and voice vote as part of the meeting’s contract agenda. Officials said most of these programs are funded through state or federal sources, with varying county match requirements.