How Does Gracedale Stack Up Against Other County-Owned Nursing Homes in 2026?

Pa's Department of Health (DOH) maintains a nursing home facility locator. You can search for homes by county, zip code, city or do a radius search. You can search just county-owned homes, state-owned home, nonprofiit or for-profit homes. Once you find a home, you can click on patient care surveys and see them for yourself. But as NorCo Council member Dave Holland has observed, there is a 41-day lag between when a deficiency is observed and when it appears on the DOH website. 

During 2025, Gracedale was cited for eight deficiencies on 4/16 (bedsores), 6/25 (abuse), 8/11 (staffing), 9/19 (elopement), 9/23 (elopement), 10/2 (elopement), 10/17 (abuse) and 11/18 (staffing). (I have previously detailed these deficiencies both here and here.)  How is it doing this year, and how does that stack up against other the 14 county-owned nursing homes? Let's check. 

In 2026, Gracedale has been cited just once during 5 visits so far. The one citation is for poor staffing. 

Berks Heim (Berks County) has had no visits or citations this year. 

Cedarbrook (Lehigh County) was visited once, but no deficiency was substantiated. 

Indian Haven (Indiana County) was visited three times, but no deficiency was found. 

Fair Acres (Delaware County) was visited twice and cited once. ,

John J Kane (Glen Hazel - Allegheny County) was visited once, and there was no deficiency. 

According to the DOH nursing home facility locator, Gracedale remains the only county-owned nursing home with a provisional license. It still provides the lowest amount of nursing care to the residents. 

John J Kane (McKeesport - Allegheny County) was visited twice and cited once.

John J Kane (Ross Tp - Allegheny County) was visited three times and with no citations. 

John J Kane (Scott Tp - Allegheny County) was visited once and cited. 

Neshaminy Manor (Bucks County) was visited and cited once.  

Pleasant Ridge Manor-West (Erie County) was visited once with no deficiency found. 

Pocopson Nursing Home (Chester County) has received no visits. 

Rouse-Warren County Home (Warren County) was visited twice, with no deficiencies noted. 

Westmoreland Manor (Westmoreland County) was cited visited once and no deficiencies were found. 

UPDATED: McClure Sole Congressional Candidate at LV Workers' Memorial

Over the weekend, a group of about 30 people attended the annual Lehigh Valley Workers Memorial at Bethlehem's Rose Garden. It was established to commemorate the Lehigh Valley's working men and women who been killed or injured on the job. Lamont McClure, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in Pa. 07, was there. He's been doing it for over 20 years. None of his Democratic rivals showed, nor incumbent Ryan Mackenzie. Although State Representatives Bob Freeman and Steve Samuelson came, none of Bethlehem's elected officials wished to pay their respects. Their absence is astonishing, especially since Bethlehem's Recycling Center has been named after two employees who were killed on the job. 

It was April 16, 2002. Dana Grubb (then a Bethlehem City employee) received a call telling him to get out to the recycling center immediately. In his own words,

"Our police department was already on site investigating. There was a lot of blood in the area were Ray Theis and Lewis Cornfeld had been hit and crushed against a cardboard compactor and building.

"I was back and forth with the City's police communications center as we tried to locate their families.

"Ray had been medivacked to Lehigh Valley Hospital and Lew to St. Luke's Hospital. There was confusion about who had been sent where. I was asked to go to St. Luke's to provide identification. One had died on the way to Lehigh Valley Hospital, the other was still alive, but they weren't sure who was who.

"When I arrived at St. Luke's I was ushered into the emergency room where I was able to ID Lew. I will never ever forget what the trauma of his injuries had done to his appearance. He was hardly recognizable.

"Afterward I was sent into a room where Lew's family was waiting along with a chaplain. When an emergency room doctor arrived, he told them to prepare for the worst. You could feel the heavy emotions in that room. Lew would pass very shortly after.

"I left and went to Town Hall where a City Council meeting was underway and let Mayor Cunningham know the status of the situation. He made an announcement to Council.

"For years each April 16 a brief remembrance is held on/around April 16 to remember these co-workers. Unfortunately, the current management no longer does anything to remember the two men whose names are honored at the Their-Cornfeld Recycling Center. They're just names these days."

Incumbent Ryan Mackenzie might have shipped this event because it attracts mostly union members, but this could be one way he could have demonstrated that he actually does care about workers and their on-the-job safety. Ryan Crosswell, who appears to have lived everywhere in the United States but the Lehigh Valley, probably knew nothing about this annual tribute. That's what I'd expect from someone who moved here to run. Obando-Derstine was until recently was a systems engineer with rate-greedy PPL, has never had any real connection to the working class. But Bob Brooks is a former Bethlehem City firefighter and a union president. His absence tells me what he really thinks about the working class, not his TV ads. 

Don't get me wrong. I recently watched the Blue Ridge Cable TV of the Dem Congressional candidates who were sparring in Jim Thorpe. All seemed likable. McClure and Crosswell were easily the most polished speakers, which should be expected because that's how they both made a living. But Brooks and Obando-Derstine were fine. 

Of the four candidates, Crosswell is best suited to beat Mackenzie because he might attract GOP votes from disaffected Trump supporters. But the problem with Crosswell is that he will not be representing us, as his finance records reveal. He simply lacks the understanding of local issues and people that McClure has. He's been doing it many years. Along the way, he has made some enemies. But he's been on the frontline, and here in the Lehigh Valley. 

10:55 AM UPDATE: I am informed that Congressman Mackenzie was at a ceremony to honor Lehighton's last surviving WWII veteran at its American Legion and attended a Department of Labor Memorial event in DC on Thursday. 

NorCo Jail as 161 Guards, Director Says There Should be 212

DeeAnn Lawrence, Northampton County's new Corrections Director, described what's happening at the jail during a very informative Courts and Corrections Committee hearing last week. Unfortunately, the meeting was coming to a close at the time of her remarks, so it was an abbreviated report. In a nutshell, her job is to provide a safe and secure environment for the inmates, corrections officers and the general public. 

Larence told County Council that, in recent weeks, she sat down with staff from each of three shifts covering the jail's 24/7 operation, to identify the "concerns, the needs and wants of the facility." She claims these sitdowns led to " immediate resolution of standing staff grievances, grievances, better communication, and an uplifted morale. This approach will continue to increase the relationship between staff and supervisors, ensuring that staff are not merely workers, but human beings.

Unfortunately, these human beings are often mandated to work 16-hour shifts, which does nothing to make the facility more secure or safe. This is primarily due to a staffing shortage.

Lawrence claimed there are currently just 161 corrections officers (COs) in a jail with a census of 480, and this includes 4 who are in the training pipeline. The jail is budgeted for 180 COs and, according to Lawrence, should have 212. 

They still have off every other Saturday, but with mandates, it can be grueling

US House Ethics Complaint Filed Against Pa. 07 Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks

According to Apocalypse Vibes, an ethics complaint has been filed against Pa. 07 Congressional candidate Robert "Bob" Brooks for his knowing refusal to list a $130,000 judgment filed against him by his former mother-in-law that helped him acquire and build the home in which he now lives. This refusal is something I noted myself when I first reviewed his disclosure. This is something I noted myself when I reviewed his financial disclosure back in January.

His disclosure reports debt of between $380,000 and $850,000 based on a residential mortgage, an investment property mortgage, and outstanding debt to Darrell and Linda Crook. He failed to list a $130,000 judgment owed to Carol Wiley, his former mother-in-law, since 2022. 

A title search of Northampton County records reveal that Brooks owns no real estate under his own name, nor is there any recorded mortgage in which he is listed for either a residential or an investment property mortgage

Something is very fishy about Brooks' disclosure.

Review of this complaint requires approval from two members of the Office of Congressional Conduct, who must include a majority and minority member. All investigations are confidential. 

Sultana Vows Write-in Campaign, But DSA Investigating Her Treatment of Staff and Volunteers

Former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana wanted to primary incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola, but her nomination petition was rejected by Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey. The reason for this rejection is that she failed to tell the public exactly what she does for a living, Judge Covey's decision was affirmed by the Pa. Supreme Court. After being rebuffed by two courts, a normal person would sail off into the sunset.  But as we all know, nothing about Sultana is normal. Yesterday, she announced her candidacy as a write-in candidate, and oh yeah, she wants money. 

Here's her latest text bomb:

"Bernard, While Seniors and working families are struggling with the cost of living.

The political establishment spent thousands to remove my name from the ballot.

But they can’t take away your vote.

WRITE-IN 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐛𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚.

It’s time for better wages, tax relief for seniors, healthcare for all, and affordable housing."

When she talks about better wages and helping working families, she probably should start with the people who were working on her campaign. In fact, the local Democratic Socialists of America has asked its members pause any work for her while they investigate allegations involving "her treatment of both paid staff and volunteers while the campaign was active."

Here's what a member sent me yesterday (it is a little unclear unless you expand it). 

NorCo's Three Treatment Courts

At last week's very informative Courts and Corrections Committee hearing for NorCo Council, Judge Jennifer Sletvold provided an overview of the county's three treatment courts She, along with Judges Brian Panella and Jeremy Clark, preside over these courts.

Sletvold expressed great enthusiasm for these programs, describing them as the most meaningful aspect of her judicial role. "I love administering our treatment courts," she said, using a word rarely heard by a judge.  These three specialty courts, sometimes called problem-solving courts, include Recovery Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court. Problem-solving courts were first championed approximately 10 years ago under Judge Craig Dally as a Recovery Court for people suffering from addiction. It was then expanded with the Mental Health Court, Two years ago, Judge Sletvold provided the impetus for Veterans Court, which just had its first graduation.

Noting that she is the wife of a veteran, she told Council that she is "honored to be able to serve our veterans and our community through veterans court."  She invited everyone to watch the proceedings, usually conducted on Thursdays, calling it an "uplifting" experience. 

Speaking specifically about veterans, she said, "You'll see a veteran start out in prison so low. So just down on their luck, so sad about where they're at, in trouble, addicted, mental health court issues, PTSD, what have you. As they have progressed through this program, we have united veterans with their children. We have gotten them on their feet. We've gotten them housing, we've gotten them functioning, and it's just really wonderful to see. And the feel, the vibe in Veterans Court. Please come see it." 

A key theme of the presentation was the transformative impact these courts have on participants. Judge Sledfold highlighted how individuals often enter the program at low points, facing addiction, mental health challenges, or trauma such as PTSD, but gradually progress toward stability. Outcomes frequently include reunification with family, access to housing, and improved functioning within the community. She emphasized that while the courts serve distinct populations, there is substantial overlap among participants, particularly between mental health and substance use disorders.

Judge Sledfold explained important structural differences among the three courts. Mental Health Court operates entirely on a diversion model, meaning participants avoid prosecution if they successfully complete the program. Veterans Court uses a hybrid approach, with approximately half of participants on diversion and others entering through guilty pleas, particularly in DUI cases. Recovery Court differs in that all participants have some form of conviction and are not eligible for full diversion. Despite these differences, all three courts share the same overarching goal: to provide treatment, support, and accountability in order to help individuals reintegrate into society while reducing long-term costs associated with incarceration.

Each treatment court relies on a multidisciplinary team that includes judges, assistant district attorneys, public defenders, probation officers, and treatment specialists. Strong partnerships exist with the county prison, sheriff’s department, mental health agencies, and the Veterans Affairs system. Judge Sledfold highlighted the recent addition of a deputy sheriff as a formal team member, which has enhanced coordination and participant support. She noted that a deputy sheriff provides a perspective from law enforcement, Veterans Court also benefits from volunteer veteran mentors who provide peer support and play a critical role in participant success.

Mental Health Court even has a dog on its team. 

Weekly team meetings are held prior to court sessions to review participant progress. Court sessions then involve direct engagement with participants through review hearings. Mental Health Court is capped at 25 participants due to resource constraints, while Recovery Court and Veterans Court currently have no such cap.

She highlighted ongoing efforts to achieve formal accreditation through a national organization that establishes best practices for treatment courts. The county is currently pursuing accreditation for Recovery Court in 2026, which will be followed by Mental Health and Veterans Court. 

Participants are provided transportation assistance through community partnerships, and community service initiatives such as a veterans-run garden at Louise Moore Park, where I was evicted a few years ago for keeping a weed-infested garden.. Funding for the courts comes from a combination of county resources, grants, and volunteer contributions.

Housing and access to mental health treatment are the most significant ongoing challenges. But lack of housing is no bar to admission into the program, and securing stable housing is a key component of participant support.

A listing of treatment courts in Pennsylvania can be found here. There are even treatment courts for prostitution in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. 

DA Baratta Expects Grand Jury Report on Patient Safety at Gracedale

 At last week's meeting of NorCo Council's Courts and Corrections Committee, DA Steve Baratta that he expects a "Gracedale report" from an investigating grand jury within the next six weeks. He indicated that the report is likely going to be focused on "issues of patient safety that we were made aware of over the past year. I don't want to shock anyone when they file the report, but at the end of the grand jury period, they're required to do that if they so choose. And I believe they want to write a report."

DA Baratta Tells NorCo Council Child Advocacy Center Needed

 District Attorney Steve Barratta told NorCo Council's Courts and Corrections Committee last week that "it's a bit of an embarrassment" that the county has no child advocacy center. He acknowledged it's a "heavy lift" because a center for victims of child abuse needs both space and forensic interviewers. Most counties the size of NorCo do have child advocacy centers. He noted that Lehigh had a very vibrant center, but thanks to attacks by Controller Mark Pinsley, Lehigh Valley Hospital pulled out and the center was closed. 

He indicated that NorCo and Lehigh might work together to establish a center . 

NorCo Court Administrator Tells County Council That Higher Salaries Are Needed For Youth Care Workers

If you'd like to know more about county government, I'd strongly recommend that you view the committee hearings on YouTube. Last week, Council member Dave Holland's Courts and Corrections Committee conducted an exhaustive review of just some of the county agencies that deal with the back end of crime. This, like elections, is a core county function.  The meeting kicked off with Court Administrator Jermaine Greene and what he calls his "baby," the Juvenile Justice Center. 

Greene has been the county's court administrator for the past 10 years. Prior to that he was the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Director for 10 years. He explained that it is unique because it has both detention and treatment beds. It also has contracts with other counties for beds (Lehigh - 3, Monroe - 3, Lackawanna - 2, Pike - 1), that are paid at a rate of $415 per day, regardless whether the beds are filled. 

Under the prior County Council and former Exec Lamont McClure, Greene was before County Council extensively in a quest to seek better pay for better wages for youth care workers, "the backbone of our juvenile center." He repeated this request with the current Council again last week. "We need to raise the salaries of our youth care workers," he argued. The current starting wage is $19,80 an hour, and they must have 60 college credits. "They can go down the bottom of the hill, work at Wawa or FedEx, and make more than that," noted Greene. He believes that raising the starting wage is the key to ensuring that the facility is fully staffed. "We have to spend some money to make money," he expounded. If operating at 80% capacity, the JJC can actually receive $2 million in bed fees from other counties. Right now, the facility is operating at about 40% capacity. 

Greene claimed that previous attempts to set higher salaries were "roadblocked." But he said he had a good conversation with Exec Tara Zrinski, "and she got it. She got it after a half hour of conversation with her."

Greene added that "the court is fully behind me and the vision I have for the center. ... It will work. I promise you that. It will work." He complimented Council member Lori Vargo Heffner, who had unfiltered access" to staff and residents during a half-day tour, and invited all Council members to visit. 

In response to a question from member Theresa Fadem, Greene said he'd like to raise the starting salary to about $23 an hour. 

Member Tom Giovanni asked Greene about a four-county movement to create a regional JJC, which is actually up for a vote tonight in Lehigh County. Greene said he has a good relationship with Lehigh and added "we have the infrastructure right now to make it happen here." The county is currently negotiated with Lehigh for an increase in bed count. 

The JJC is supposed to be staffed by 52 youth care workers, 13 assistant supervisors and 9 supervisors. The youth care workers are only about 40% staffed. The "assistant supervisor" was created to keep youth care workers from leaving and they were filled within a month. The JJC includes detention and treatment pods for females and sex offenders. 

Member Dave Holland assured Greene that he now has advocates on Council who will support higher wages. 

In addition to Greene, JJC Director JaMarr Billman spoke. He's been there 19 years. He explained that the facility can hold up to 36 juveniles in detention, but its usual census is 12-18. He acknowledged that there are current conversations with Lehigh to increase the number of contracted beds. Starting in July, the daily bed rate will increase to $435.  This alone generates $1.4 million in annual revenue. Other counties also will send juveniles, and Northampton will accept if it has the available staff and beds. 

The JJC also offers a boys' treatment program with an on-site school, including four teachers. The boys actually go out into the community to help with fundraisers, as volunteers for local events, visits to an art museum, jib searches and even Phillies and fishing trips. They can even receive lessons on building and repairing bikes, which makes me want to enroll. Dynamic Counseling Services provides mental health treatment. 

Holland stated that the county really needs to both staff and fund every available bed at the JJC. "It's a core function of the county. and I don't know how long this (staffing shortage) has been going on , but the fact that we haven't been able to do that, is kinda outrageous. We have to find a way to do it. There's children who need help. We have empty beds. They're sitting there. We have to figure out a way to do that, and I believe we will."

Welcome to Northampton County, Mr. Holland, where tax breaks for the rich get priority over the needs of our most vulnerable. When Jermaine Greene said he was roadblocked, he has the receipts. Here are links to just some of my previous stories.

Previous Juvenile Justice Center Stories:

NorCo Administrators Respond to Staffing Crisis Story at Juvenile Justice

Express Times Awards Turkeys to Tara Zrinski & Kevin Lott

NorCo Council Addresses Staffing Shortage at Juvenile Justice Center

Our Juvenile Justice Crisis

UPDATED: NorCo Council Members Zrinski and Lott Double-Team Court Administrator Jermaine Greene