When asked if there would be any impact on the Lycoming Clinton Joinder’s $62.3 million budget from the pullback of funding at the federal level, Keith Wagner, executive director, said there could be.

For example, one of the things that’s been talked about at the federal level is reviewing a Medicaid expansion back in 2016 that expanded who could be eligible for Medicaid, Wagner said.

“If they were to reduce that back to prior to 2016-2017 numbers, that in turn would reduce our covered lives,” he said.

Under mental health service agreements for fiscal year 2024-25, the Joinder approved the Center for Community Resources for blended case management services at a rate of $29.37 per quarter hour. The Joinder is ending its time as a provider of those services and community organizations like the Center for Community Resources will instead provide them, Wagner explained.

Most of that service is paid by Medicaid, Wagner noted, so they have a separate contract with Community Care, but the agreement the Joinder approved is for individuals who don’t have Medicaid, but still need the services.

Another organization which will also be providing blended case management services is Service Access & Management, In.. Their rate is $34.13 per quarter hour.

Wagner noted that both are new contracts and nobody has yet to transition to them, but they are anticipated to be up and functioning by the end of June.

Two other contracts with the Community Services Group (CSG) under Mental Health Services were approved. The first is with CSG for the enhanced personal care boarding home. The Joinder has five beds between the two enhanced personal care boarding homes. The agreement for services is at a cost of $450,289, which reflects no change.

“This service is focused primarily on either a step down from Danville State Hospital or a diversion from Danville State Hospital,” Wagner said.

“Individuals who tend to be involved in this service tend to be there for a long time in learning to acclimate back into the community,” he said.

The second agreement with CSG is the renewal agreement for residential services at a cost of $!.35 million.. There are two programs, one in Lycoming County with eight beds and one in Clinton County with six beds.

Both of the residential services are paid by mental health base funds, not Medicaid.

Another renewal agreement for long-term residential services with Salisbury Behavioral Services doing business as PAHrtner Deaf Services at a cost of $135,685, was approved. This is for one individual who has a hearing impairment.

Two agreements under Intellectual Disability service were approved. They are with: Erie County at a rate of $27.21 per quarter hour; and Service Access & Management, Inc. at a rate of $27.21 per quarter hour.

Two early intervention services agreements were also approved. These services are offered to children aged from birth to three years.

The first agreement is with Mary Bauman for Vision Teaming Services at $27.31 per quarter hour; and the second is with Emily Boyle for Occupational Therapy at $34.70 per quarter hour.

An annual contract between the Joinder and Community Care Behavioral Health Organization for managed care services for 2025 to operate as the managed care provider for the Lycoming-Clinton Health Choices.

Another agreement between the Joinder and the state’s Department of Human Services for Medicaid services was also approved.

The next meeting of the Joinder Board will be at 9 a.m. April 16, at the Third Street Plaza, fourth floor, 33 W. Third St. This week’s meeting had been rescheduled from last month due to an emergency.