For homeless individuals in Centre County who are suffering from mental health disorders, help may soon be on the way.
During the May 2 board of commissioners meeting, a grant application for the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness — or PATH — was approved by a unanimous vote.
“The PATH grant is actually a program that is funded through the substance abuse and mental health services administration,” said Catherine Arborgast, an administrator for the county’s drug and alcohol program. “SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) provides funding to the state. The purpose of PATH formula grants is to provide resources to help reduce homelessness for individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders and those experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.”
In Pennsylvania, Arborgast said, PATH services are provided in 36 counties through contracts with 24 separate counties or joinders.
Now, she said, Centre County can apply.
“(Centre County) could now be added to the number of counties or joinders that receive PATH funding,” Arborgast said.
She also said the definition of homelessness has changed as far as PATH is concerned.
“It’s a much broader definition than the HUD definition,” Arborgast noted. “Under the PATH grant, we are going to be allowed to serve individuals under a much broader definition.”
Individuals who are being served will need to be diagnosed with mental illness or a co-occurring substance abuse disorder.
“Since this will be coming through our mental health department, it makes sense that they have these diagnoses,” Arborgast said.
The grant total is $63,881 for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
But, as Arborgast pointed out, it will be an “ongoing allocation” if the county is awarded the grant.
Chair Mark Higgins lauded administrators for applying for the grant.
“Another great example of Centre County Government stretching resources, utilizing grants to help fund services. … We’re going to hopefully be able to add these additional services to persons who are homeless or are about to become homeless without having to add any additional staff inside of county government. It’s a great story,” Higgins said.
The Centre County BOC will meet again at 10 a.m. on May 9 at the Willowbank Building. The meeting is open to the public and will also be televised live by C-NET. There will not be a meeting on May 16 because of election day.
