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Drug & Alcohol Planning Council
The Drug & Alcohol Planning Council is an 11 member board which meets a minimum of nine times per year. The Council advises Centre County Drug & Alcohol in the planning, coordinating, and administering of drug and alcohol services.
Vacancies
The Drug & Alcohol Planning Council is currently looking for volunteers to serve on the Council in the following categories:
- Under 25
- Drug and Alcohol Consumer Representative
Purposes
- To function as the Single County Authority (SCA) for Centre County, as defined by the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs (BDAP).
- To review and evaluate drug and alcohol abuse needs, services, facilities, and special problems in relation to the local health and welfare needs, services, and program.
- To develop, together with the Administrator and the Drug and Alcohol Program Administrator, continuing plans for the program.
- To make recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding the program and any other matters relating to drug abuse and alcoholism and funds required to implement the program.
Responsibilities
- To review and evaluate drug and alcohol services, projects and special problems in relation to the incidence and prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse.
- To prepare the annual Comprehensive Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Plan.
- To review and amend, on an annual basis, the Comprehensive Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Plan.
- To recommend approval of projects and any other matters related to drug and alcohol services in the county.
- To assist the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs (BDAP) in evaluation of drug and alcohol treatment and prevention projects.
- To conduct program surveys and evaluations of SCA funded projects for the purpose of program enhancement and in-house accountability.
- To prescribe, amend, and repeal by-laws governing the manner in which business is conducted and the manner in which the powers granted to it are exercised.
- To submit the annual plan to the County Commissioners for approval.
Standing Committees
- The Executive Committee consists of the officers of the Council and the chairperson of each standing committee. Its role is to exercise the authority of the Council in emergency situations and to serve as the Contract Dispute Committee, hearing issues and arguments involved in a dispute and developing recommendations to the appropriate authority.
- The Personnel Committee consists of three Council members and makes recommendations to the Council regarding replacements for Council membership and the Single County Authority Administrator.
- The Planning and Evaluation Committee consists of at least five Council members and makes recommendations to the Council regarding planning and evaluation of the program, including the county plan.
- The Community Education Committee connects with the community and with schools in terms of educational and informational programs about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.
- The Independent Grievance Review Panel shall serve as the designated committee to review all second-level appeals made by drug and alcohol clients regarding decisions, including denial or termination of services, length of stay in ICM services, level of care determination, length of stay in treatment, determination of financial liability, and/or violation of the client’s human or civil rights.
Membership
The Drug & Alcohol Planning Council is an 11 member board appointed by the Board of Commissioners.
Term Length
3 Years
Current Members
Member | Term Expires |
---|---|
Thomas Sowerby, Chair | December 2023 |
Jennifer Torres, Vice-Chair | December 2023 |
Mi A. Kim | December 2023 |
Kathleen Matason | January 2026 |
Linda Meek | December 2023 |
Sandra Podgurski | January 2026 |
Linda Verbeck | December 2023 |
Terry Ann Loring | January 2026 |
DeAnn Patterson | January 2026 |
Deirdre O’Sullivan | March 31, 2024 |
Steven G. Dershem, Commissioner | Ex Officio |
Denise Ferger, Crossroads Counseling | Ex Officio |