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Youth task force named Rural Health Program of the Year

KATELYN HIBBARD/Sun-Gazette The Lycoming County Youth Development Task Force recently was honored as the Rural Health Program of 2018 by the state Office of Rural Health. Members of the task force represent each of the county's eight school districts as well as St. John Neumann and Lock Haven University. Here, the task force poses for a photo with advisers, county officials and Terri Klinefelter, outreach coordinator for the Office of Rural Health, who presented the award.

The state Office of Rural Health recently deemed the Lycoming County Youth Development Task Force the Rural Health Program of 2018, with Terri Klinefelter, outreach coordinator for the office, presenting the force with an award in front of their peers, advisers and a multitude of county and other local officials.

The task force, formed by representatives from each of the county’s eight school districts as well as St. John Neumann Regional Academy and Lock Haven University, has been hard at work diving into mental health issues, especially for young adults.

“When we send this (award application) out, we’re soliciting nominations for a community rural health leader,” Klinefelter said. “This truly is a testament that it’s not one person. It’s many people, it’s many agencies, it’s many organizations that are all coming together and doing the phenomenal work that all of you are doing.”

The county commissioners also were present to congratulate the task force, and encouraged them to keep learning, keep taking action and to be there for their peers.

“The biggest thing about receiving this award is that it’s making public awareness of the mental health issues that we have in our community,” said Commissioner Jack McKernan. “The awareness that you’re helping to bring is very important. You’ve got the ball rolling, and we just have to continue working at this.”

“You’re our next leaders,” Commissioner Tony Mussare added. “We’re leaving a lot up to you, we’re putting a lot in your hands.”

Commissioner Rick Mirabito reminded the task force to be grateful to those who lifted them up, and to lift others in return.

The county Health Improvement Coalition, started about 20 years ago, helped build the foundation that the task force stands on today, he said.

“I think it’s important for us to remember that we all stand on someone’s shoulders,” Mirabito said. “Think about how you can build your shoulders broader so other people can stand on them. We thank you for what you’ve done.”

In the 1980s, there were 17 asylums or institutions statewide for the mentally ill. In 2015, there were seven, Mussare said.

The people who can’t get the treatment they need oftentimes end up in prison, he said.

Therefore, the county judicial system, prison and other departments also are ramping up programming, training and more.

“There is still much work to be done,” said Matt McDermott, chief clerk and director of administration for the county, “but, through continued collaboration and strengthening our partnerships, we will continue to grow the successes that we have witnessed.”

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