Wandalowski on NorCo's Human Services Vacancies

Not all that long ago, Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski said that vacancies in Human Services existed because the county was stuck in a cumbersome state civil service program. Well, the county has been unshackled from state civil service and the vacancy problem should be an unhappy memory of the recent past, right? Wrong. Last night, Wandalowski reported that there are "around" 30 vacancies in Children and Youth. She indicated there are vacancies in the Department of Aging but failed to specify how many. I'll have more about this tomorrow. 

NorCo Human Services Caseworkers Plan to Rally Before Tonight's County Council Meeting

Yesterday, I received a news release from SEIU Local 668, the bargaining unit for NorCo's Human Services Caseworkers. Here's what it says:

County workers and community supporters will gather outside the Northampton County Council Chambers at 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 16, before the evening meeting. Participants will rally outside, then attend the meeting to speak during the public comment period about the announced layoffs and the broader funding crises driving them. Northampton County recently announced layoffs in its human services workforce, citing a lack of state reimbursements caused by the ongoing budget impasse in Harrisburg and the federal government shutdown. Workers and their union say those cuts are unnecessary and avoidable. SEIU Local 668 members are calling on Congress, Harrisburg, and the County to take responsibility for protecting critical public services and the workers who provide them.

Executive Lamont McClure assured me in a telephone conversation yesterday that he has no intention of laying anyone off and believes the county has enough funds to pay caseworkers through the end of the year. He explained that the union was given a 30-day notice because the collective bargaining unit requires it. He also told me and advised County Council last night that he's asked for an interest-free loan of $10 million from the state treasurer.

There's no denying, however, that if the state budget impasse continues much longer, the well will run dry, and the county will be forced to make difficult decisions. Instead of laying off caseworkers, I'd furlough as many exempt positions (these are political appointees) as possible and temporarily reduce wages to cabinet officials. I'd also sit down with SEIU and other unions to see if workers are willing to take a temporary paycut so that human services can continue. 

McClure's Planned Furlough of Human Services Caseworkers Widely Condemned by Dems and Rs Alike

SEIU rallies to oppose furloughs

On Thursday, I broke the story that NorCo Exec Lamont McClure had sent a required 30-day furlough notice to SEIU, the union that represents about 175 caseworkers in the county's human services department. Although McClure called the furlough an "option of last resort," he made clear that he would refuse to borrow money or invade the rainy-day fund. Unless the gridlock over the state budget is overcome, it's pretty clear that is what he intends to do. He has already stopped paying vendors who provide human services to the county in various different programs. SEIU responded to the furlough notice by holding a noon news conference on Friday at the Human Services Building in Bethlehem Tp. I received no notice myself, but found out accidentally, and decided to cycle down and cover it. I was astonished to see that Controller Tara Zrinski, who is running for County Executive with McClure's support, has split sharply with him over this issue. She is adamantly opposed to any type of layoff. So is nearly everyone else. Like me, GOP Exec candidate Tom Giovanni was likely excluded from the union's invitation list. But he agrees with Tara. So does Council President Lori Vargo Heffner. I was unable to contact all nine members of Council or those running for the position, but with the exception of Ken Kraft, everyone I spoke to is opposed to any kind of furlough. (I have included statements from them below).

Ce-Ce Gerlach

Most of the 150 or so people at this rally on a balmy Friday afternoon were caseworkers. But I was surprised to see a few other politicians at this event as well. They included Ce-Ce Gerlach, who is running for State Rep in Allentown. She was placed on ARD after taking a minor to a homeless encampment and dumping him off there. Congressional hopeful Mark Pinsley was also there, trying to score a few points with caseworkers he attempted to alienate last year with spurious claims that they were unnecessarily separating children from their families. Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana showed up after it was over, but she later shot a Facebook Live to summarize what had happened at an event she missed.  She also was placed on ARD for assaulting her adult son.

Kizzie Johnson, SEIU's shop steward, said the very first question that caseworkers had after hearing of the impending layoffs is, "What about our clients?"

Of aging adults, she asked "Who's going to go to their houses and make that they're safe and that they're being protected? We have drug and alcohol clients, we have clients that have mental health disturbances. Who is going to be providing them with the services? We have early intervention. We have babies that we take care of , children from the age of zero to 18, that are in foster care. Who is going to make sure that they are stable? Who's going to make sure that they are safe? Who's going to make sure that when bad things are happening to them, they have somebody to reach out to? If we're all gone, who is going to help?"

The big surprise was Controller Tara Zrinski. I suspected this might be a breaking point between her and McClure. He has not only contributed from his own warchest to her Exec race but has helped her get a great deal of financial support from the trade unions. I expected mild disagreement, but she provided a forceful denunciation of McClure's planned furlough, even to the point of ridiculing his logic. 

Here's what she said:

Tara Zrinski

As Northampton County Controller, I see where every county dollar goes. The current situation is real, our Q3 projections narrowly fulfill our budget obligations and in Q4, our projections are $19,412,000 which we will not meet at all without the state funding for human services. This is a double whammy from the State and Federal Government at this point and I know the blame lies squarely on the Republicans who are obstructing the passage of the budget at both levels of government, but, we cannot sit idly by when there are other options besides.

The burden of political gridlock should not rest on the shoulders of the very people who are the backbone of our community—caseworkers protecting children from abuse, crisis workers responding to mental health emergencies, and staff supporting our aging parents and grandparents. These jobs are not luxuries. They are lifelines for our community members.. We cannot sit idly by when there are other options.

As a hard-working single mom in this community, I believe deeply in the dignity of work, the stability of our families, and the responsibility the government has to protect both. And I know this much: furloughing human services workers is unnecessary, it is wrong and it will end up costing us far more in the end.

We should not punish workers because Harrisburg has failed to pass a budget. The obstruction in the state Senate has real consequences: children left more vulnerable, seniors left isolated, and workers put in impossible situations. But the County Executive is not powerless. There are alternatives that can and should be pursued before we upend people’s lives.

These are not faceless numbers on a spreadsheet. These are the caseworkers who protect children from abuse, the crisis workers who answer mental health emergencies, and the staff who care for our aging parents and grandparents. They are frontline workers who make our community safer and stronger. Cutting their paychecks destabilizes not just their families, but every family in Northampton County.

When we furlough these workers, it’s not just their families who suffer—it’s the families they serve. What happens when a child in crisis has no caseworker to answer the call? What happens when a senior with no family has no one to check in on them? What happens when a neighbor facing a mental health emergency has no crisis worker to intervene? The truth is, lives will be put at risk. Interrupting mandated services doesn’t just create delays or inconvenience—it creates dangerous gaps in protection and care that can mean the difference between safety and tragedy.

We need to create avenues of mutual aid within the community by calling on community partners to fill some of the gaps in human services. We have already delayed funds to service providers but we did not entertain temporary redistribution of County Funds or a Tax Anticipation Note, which would allow us to borrow against anticipated property tax revenue. This TAN would be paid back when the State passes a budget but with approximately $350,000 - $400,000 of accumulated interest. This has been the sticking point for the administration that has no desire to bail the State out because the interest would not be paid back by the State. We cut our nose off to spite our face though. That interest is a small small price to pay for the safety of our community and the security of our workforce that knows we have their backs. Literally, it is an estimated 2 cents for every $1000 of assessed property value in the County.

Well, here are my 2 cents– County Executive McClure has presented this as an inevitability. But there is nothing inevitable about abandoning our workforce. There are alternatives. There are reserves, reallocations, and other strategies available that don’t involve punishing workers or jeopardizing public safety. Leadership means problem-solving—not taking the easy way out by balancing the books on the backs of our workforce. When we destabilize human services, we invite higher long-term costs, greater risks, and more pain for the very residents we are sworn to protect. So today I stand with SEIU 668 workers, and I call on County Executive McClure: stop these furloughs. Protect the people who protect Northampton County. And I call on Harrisburg legislators: end the gridlock. Pass a fair budget now. You are literally arguing over what amounts to 6% of your overall budget– for what? To lower medicaid, to take away SNAP benefits. Where are the adults in the room?

This is about more than a budget line. It is about the social contract we honor when we ask men and women to devote their lives to caring for others. It is about whether we—the county, the state, and this nation—are willing to stand up for our workforce when they need us most. We must stand with them today, I stand with them.—because when they are secure, our whole community is secure.

Tom Giovanni, Zrinski's opponent in the Executive race, is on the same page as she. Here's a statement he provided. 

Giovanni with his better half.

“As a candidate for Northampton County Executive, I believe it is unacceptable that the current administration has chosen to cut essential programs and furlough hardworking employees simply because Harrisburg has failed to pass a state budget. Leadership is about preparation, responsibility, and putting people first. Our county should never be held hostage to gridlock in the state capital.

Instead of hurting workers to make a political point, I recommended that the administration follow Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s example of providing loans to counties to cover short-term budget needs. That would have protected services and employees while avoiding unnecessary disruption.

The stabilization fund had 16 million dollars in 2024. The current administration took about 9.5 million dollars to balance the 2025 County budget. That fund currently has about 7 million dollars, the minimum amount allowed.I would use some money from the Stabilization Account and take the loan from Treasurer Stacy Garrity to keep our people from being furloughed.

As County Executive, I will ensure that Northampton County operates with stability, accountability, and foresight—no matter the dysfunction in Harrisburg.”

He would both use the stabilization (rainy-day) fund and borrow. 

Council President Lori Vargo Heffner is also opposed to the proposed furlough, calling it a betrayal of a pledge that McClure made in August: 

Lori Vargo Heffner

I was shocked to hear that the current administration Is considering furlough as a method of dealing with the current gridlock in Harrisburg. In August, I spoke with Mr. McClure and Mr Barron regarding concerns about our budget if the state would not be settled soon. They both assured me they had no plan to let go of any employees and that services would need to be addressed first. This weeks’ announcement was not only shocking but an appalling betrayal of our valued employees who devote their time and effort and energy to our most vulnerable citizens. 

These employees are not people with six figure salaries. These are people who dedicate themselves to the service of others and then go home and take care of their own families' needs. They depend on their paychecks. Most if not all are union members. The suggestion of furlough is not to be tolerated or even entertained until the council is presented with information that shows that we are at such a point that we cannot afford to pay these salaries. 

There appears to be a great deal of manipulation in our budget. Recent financial discussions by council have shown that money has been moved and manipulated without our consent several times. I’m sure if we go back to this budget we will be able to find money to address both short term and long-term solutions. We need to hear from the administration immediately to determine what areas are concerning or at risk. I asked last week for Miss Wandaloski to present a list in writing of the deficits that we are facing for the human services committee meeting. If we are in such dire straits that we need to furlough employees, then I would expect to see this list sooner so council can begin to plan to begin to address the deficit that is pending. 

Utilization of what’s left in the stabilization fund is a starting point. Additionally, this administration has never been shy about requesting funding or refinancing for our debts or to build new buildings in homage to ourselves. We entertain the idea of a short term loan from a viable source. This does not suggest that I believe we should take advantage of the state treasurer's plan. We have been told innumerable times that we have an excellent bond rating, so we could look into alternative financing to support our employees. I stand by the message that the CCAP Board has put together & council passed in a resolution earlier stating that everyone needs to get back to the table and work to finalize this budget now. I am fed up with the idea that people on both sides of the aisle are using this budget impasse for their own political gain. People’s lives are not toys and this game is becoming dangerous. It’s time to communicate honestly and collaborate to find a reasonable solution.

Council member John Goffredo. NorCo Council's most outspoken conservative, also slammed the furlough. He would use the stabilization fund and borrow as well. He argued that we "have to show some loyalty to the staff." Loquacious Democrat Ron Heckman feels the same way. He would use the stabilization fund and, if necessary, borrow. He noted that "county social services are our fundamental responsibility and condemned the "lack of communication with council" before reaching this decision. 

Council candidate Jason Boulette was at the presser and is opposed to the furlough. He would consider a loan and the stabilization fund. 

Jon Irons, a Lehigh County Commissioner who refuses to pledge allegiance, said his county has avoided this by taking out a loan. 

The only elected official I spoke with who actually agrees with McClure is County Council member Ken Kraft, who only supports unions if they happen to be trade unions.  "I would not use the stabilization fund, I would ask that the republicans get off their hands and stop this nonsense and pass a budget already. I believe that if we have no money to perform these functions then we do not perform them. I will not vote to have the county borrow money and pay interest so these republicans can hold the entire state hostage. And NO I will not vote to use the stabilization fund either."

What Does Area Agency on Aging Do?

Lori Stanton Laney is Northampton County's Director of Area Agency on Aging, appeared before Northampton County Council's Human Services Commitee on August 1 to provide an overview of what exactly her office does for seniors. Unfortunately, much of what she said her office does is nowhere on the county's webpage. She said it is in the process of being updated, but that's no consolation to seniors exploring what options are available. 

"Some of them [services] are on there," said Laney. "We're working on getting all the information back up there again." 

Senior Centers. There are 11 in the county, open Monday thru Friday. They provide relief to those seeking respite from the heat. They also provide lunches in exchange for a donation. 

Farmer Market Voucher Program. These are $50 in vouchers for seniors age 60 or older for some limited participation in farmer markets. This is income-based, but there is on an honor system. This sounds good, but most seniors will tell you that very few vendors to honor these vouchers. This program runs from June 1 through November 30, and can be obtained at the Human Services Building at 2801 Emrick Blvd in Bethlehem Tp.

Options Program. This includes safety checks for someone worried about a neighbor. The goal is to keep seniors in their homes, living independently, as long as it is safe for them. This also includes in-home services, funding for adult aid services, in-home meals and personal care.

Caregiver support program. This will reimburse grandparents or older adults for seasonal clothing, baby food, formula and even camps. 

Protective services. Investigates abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment of older adults. Caseworkers respond to complaints within 72 hours unless there is need for an immediate intervention. 

NorCo Council to Vote on SEIU Contract for Unionized Human Services Workers Tonight

Despite threats to strike, SEIU Local 668 members recently voted to approve a new, three-year contract with the County. That deal must be approved by County Council and is on tonight's agenda. I will report on the basic terms of this agreement, which will probably be a model for future negotiations, after Exec Lamont McClure explains them to Council.  

Possible Strike By NorCo's Human Services Union Averted With Tentative Deal

I previously told you that SEIU Local 688, the bargaining unit for NorCo's unionized Human services workers, was pondering a strike to commence on June 21. That strike has been averted by a potential deal.

According to a highly placed county source, "we have a tentative agreement to settle the contract pending approval of the bargaining unit." 

No additional details were provided. 

Human Services union workers recently rejected a new three-year contract that addresses salary more aggressively than I've seen before. 

Year one is a 2.75% step increase plus cash equal to 4.5% rolled into the base. Year two is a repeat of year one. Year three is a 4% COLA.

Those already at the top of their pay scales would get $1,750 cash bonuses in years one and two, along with the 4% COLA in Year 3. 

Basically, the proposal amounts to a 13% payhike over three years. 

The county even sweetened this deal by offering a $500 retention cash bonus on July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025. 

Whatever the merits of the complaints that Human Services workers might or might not have, it is good to see that they placed the children and elderly they serve over their own financial interests. 

Human Services Union Claims Loss of 188 Employees Since 2020

Kizzie Johnson, the shop steward for the SEIU union representing Northampton County's Human Services workers, addressed County Council at their June 6 meeting in front of an audience that included numerous SEIU workers in purple T-shirts. Some brought signs. She said her remarks were intended, not just for Council, but for county residents and taxpayers as well. "Despite what you're being told and the reports you're being given, we are not OK. For many years, members have tried to tell this county, and even this Council, about issues that are plaguing our workforce. ...Our voices have fallen on deaf ears."

She said the workforce crumbles more every year. "Since 2020, NorCo DHS has lost over 188 employees." This includes nearly 30 vacancies in Children, Youth and Families (CYF). "Some employees retired, some were terminated, but most have voluntarily resigned due to low wages and feeling undervalued." She argued the county is wasting money to hire and train new employees just to see them leave, which also causes a dip in morale. She added it creates more risk to the people they serve as well as to themselves. 

Johnson stated her union has been negotiating a new contract with the county for the past nine months without success. "I know what everybody is saying, if you don't like it, get another job. Well, let me say this. Who will ensure the safety of the babies born that are addicted? Who will intervene when a child reports abuse? Who is going to investigate the 9,000 reports that NorCo got last year, and who is going to investigate the 9,000 reports that we're probably going to get this year? Who is going to protect the aging individuals being abused by their caregivers or being preyed upon by opportunists? Who's going to bring them food, and who's going to make sure that they're cool during blistering summer heat? Who will ensure that our toddlers and infants get early intervention services so they can meet their childhood milestones? Who's going to provide guidance, treatment and referral support to individuals suffering with mental health disturbances or substance abuse? Who's going to be around to answer those 1 am phone calls from people who need help? ... Who's going to be there if we all leave?"

"We need a fair contract. We need livable wages. We should not have to beg."

The picture painted by Johnson is dark and grey, but Human Services union workers recently rejected a new three-year contract that addresses salary more aggressively than I've seen before. 

Year one is a 2.75% step increase plus cash equal to 4.5% rolled into the base. Year two is a repeat of year one. Year three is a 4% COLA.

Those already at the top of their pay scales would get $1,750 cash bonuses in years one and two, along with the 4% COLA in Year 3. 

Basically, the proposal amounts to a 13% payhike over three years. 

The county even sweetened this deal by offering a $500 retention cash bonus on July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025. 

I'm even told that the county at one point offered a remote work pilot program for some caseworkers, but it was rejected out of hand by the union because it included supervision.

Johnson, who was in some respects quite eloquent, failed to explain why this generous offer is inadequate. She also failed to mention that a significant number of union members support this offer and have even suggested a lockout until union members come to their senses. This is something the county would never do, but it's surprising to me that some union members have themselves urged this action. 

Why Are There Double-Digit Vacancies in Human Services?

Yesterday, I told you that SEIU local business agent Chris Ellis was at Northampton County Council's April 18 meeting. He presented a petition signed by over 100 human services employees who believe better pay is needed to combat double-digit vacancies in departments like Children and Youth, where there should be none. The last time I checked, and that was in 2022, I was told that the county had 8 of 13 allotted caseworkers to investigate sexual abuse allegations. But I'll assume that what Ellis said is correct. But why? Is low pay the only answer? Are other factors involved. 

Here's what I know. Former Exec John Brown was raked over the coals on that very issue by none other than Lamont McClure. He frequently pointed to our obligation to care for our most vulnerable residents, those in the dawn or dusk of their lives.  He made this a campaign issue. 

But is the staffing shortage really the result of poor pay? Aren't there other factors?

The contract

Here's what I know about the "best and final offer" the county made to SEIU human services workers on a three-year contract. In year one, they will receive a 2.75% step increase plus cash equal to 4.5% rolled into the base. Year two will be a repeat of year one. In year three, they will get a 4% COLA.

Thise already at the top of their pay scales will be getting $1,750 cash bonuses in years one and two, along with the 4% COLA in Year 3. 

So basically, the proposal amounts to a 13% payhike over three years. 

There is a downside. Employees will be required to contribute 0.25% or 0.50% more of their salary for health coverage depending on whether they have a PPO or HSA plan. The county was wiling to offer an increase in deductibles instead, but the union rejected that option. 

Overall, I'd say this offer is more generous than what the county has offered in the past to bargaining units. It dies seem to recognize it needs to pay more. But frankly, I think the staffing crisis has other causes. 

Burnout

The simple reality is that many caseworkers, especially those who investigate child abuse or neglect, get burned out. Wen he was Director of NorCo's Children and Youth, Kevin Dolan often stated that most workers either leave or go to another, less stressful job. This stress also leads to unhealthy habits. 

Civil Service

Another reason for a staffing crisis was, until recently, the requirement that the county make hires through a state civil service list that was usually outdated. The county began the process of opting out of state civil service in 2019. It took four years, but as of July, Northampton County is now free to hire on its own. 

NorCo Human Services Employees Seek Better Union Contract

At the April 18 NorCo Council meeting, SEIU Business Agent for addressed County Council on behalf of  Human Services employees in Children and Youth, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol and other human services provided by the county. They are in the process of negotiating a new contract with the county and are unhappy with a "best and final offer" that includes a "twoload pay increase" [I do not know what this means] as well as an increase in the employee contribution to health care. Negotiations continued yesterday. 

Ellis presented a petition signed by over 100 human services employees that states the following:

"We are deeply committed to bettering the lives of our residents and building a strong community. The NorCo Department of Human Services members take their commitment to serving the community very seriously. However, we are deeply concerned about the disparity between our wages and the rising cost of living. County Executive Lamont McClure acknowledged in the March 2024 edition of the NorCo newsletter that stagnant wages are making it increasingly difficult for middle to lower income workers to afford housing in our region. This issue affects our current workforce and our department's ability to retain qualified staff and fill double digit vacancies, exacerbating caseloads and workload issues. Staff turnover has become a consistent problem across multiple county agencies. For residents of NorCo, this could result in difficulty accessing services, inadequate outreach, inadequate protection of our most vulnerable populations and overwhelmed caseworkers."

NorCo Opts Out of State Civil Service to Streamline Hiring in Human Services

For years, Northampton County has been plagued by caseworker vacancies in Children, Youth and Families (CYF). Without question, this is a stressful job with a high burnout rate. But according to county Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski, an underfunded and understaffed state civil service commission has made things worse. It's been slow in providing lists of caseworker applicants, sometimes taking months. Thus is pre-COVID.  The lists it has provided has been full of errors. 

Caseworker vacancies in CYF can mean the difference between life and death for some abused or neglected children, so Wandalowski has wanted to opt out of civil service since 2019 and do the hiring in-house. This has already happened in Berks and Bucks Counties, she said. According to The Sentinel, Cumberland County is currently in the process of withdrawing from the state civil service commission because of similar difficulties in filling vacancies. The state civil service commission actually encourages counties to opt out so long as career service regulations are in place.

It took four years, but Northampton County is no longer part of the state civil service commission. Executive Lamont McClure advised Council's Human Services Committee last week that it can now do its own hiring. 

Citizens Complain of Human Services Abuses

Three people complained to Northampton County Council last night over what they claim are serious human services abuses in both Northampton County and nationwide. They all went over their allotted time, but Council VP Ron Heckman let them speak. Since these people feel no one has heard them, he made the right call. Whether what they claim is true is another story

Ron Shegda is an excitable former tea party politician who at one time hosted a blog that tried to imitate mine. His Pa Political Polka video by itself is reason to have him and everyone around him committed. After watching it, I need to commit myself. He once referred to me at a courthouse rally about human services abuses as Satan.

He was the first to speak. His sister, who suffers from Down's syndrome, was taken away from him about seven years ago. He complained of "chronic cruelty and intense abuse" by Northampton County Human Services and the agencies it employees. "They will lie about vulnerable people and their families for their 30 pieces of silver," he said, claiming that Human Services should be called Human Disservices or Inhuman Services. He spoke of his sister being dragged out of the house by Attorney Deborah DeNardo, who is often employed as a Guardian.

He didn't mention his video.

Arlene Dabrow, who refers to herself at LinkedIn as the Chair of Pennsylvanians Against Government Abuse, pointed out that there are three branches of government. "We are not supposed to have a branch called the bureaucrats, but that is what we have." She complained about "negligence and abuse, covered up by fraud."  It appeared that most of her complaints were directed at Lehigh and Northampton County for refusing to hire her.

The final speaker, Tamar Dick, is a disabled artist who said NorCo human services workers mocked her when she filed for disability. She claims to be a victim of capitation fraud. "This is a human rights issue," she argued.

My first impulse on hearing these stories is to dismiss them. But what if they are right?

Executive Lamont McClure told County Council that there's very little he can say in public when accusations like these are made. But he suggested that Council's Human Services Committee could review these allegations, and if thought to be meritorious, refer the matter to the District Attorney.

He also defended the Human Services department, giving it his "strongest endorsement," and calling it one of the finest in the state. "We're not perfect," he admitted. "We do make mistakes." But he added, "We care."

Instead of condemning or dismissing this trio, he commended them for having the courage to address Council.

Mahatma McClure?

On his first day in office, what is Lamont McClure's biggest problem? His 2,200-person workforce is underpaid and overworked. McClure's predecessor, John Brown, was able to save money by cutting benefits and refusing to make needed hires while pretending that the employee is the county's most valuable asset. Not only is morale in the tank, but the public suffers, too. Unfortunately, it's our most vulnerable.

Just two weeks ago, Pennsylvania's Department of Aging gave Northampton County a failing grade for its response to elder abuse complaints. The county's former Director of Human Services insisted at meeting after meeting that there were next to no vacancies in her department, and that her caseworkers met or exceeded state requirements. We now know the truth. One investigator was saddled with a caseload three times the state mandated limit.

In addition to elder abuse, the opioid epidemic is having a big impact on children who must be placed in foster care. In nearby Ohio, a " “tsunami of opioid-affected children is flooding Ohio’s children services agencies." By the year 2020, more than 20,000 children will be placed in foster care. In Pennsylvania, the number of children in foster care is already at 16,000, and more than half are there because their parents are drug addicts.

"Drug usage dramatically increased our investigations this year," said Kevin Dolan, NorCo's Director of Children, Youth and Families. "In a good number of the cases we are seeing a combination of drug usage combined with mental health issues."

For John Brown, building a $185 million jail we don't need at Gracedale was the top priority. For Sal Panto and Peg Ferraro, it's a $130 million fishtank in Easton. The real priority, and this is something Lamont McClure recognized while he was still on Council, was how we take care of our most vulnerable. As Mahatma Ghandi said (and was later paraphrased by Hubert Humphrey and JFK), “A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”

They should matter just as much as those who belong to the Northampton Country Club.

Devil Incarnate Disrupts Child Abuse Awareness Rally

There was an important child abuse awareness rally outside the Northampton County Courthouse on Friday afternoon. But it received little attention. Though the message itself is important, and chief messenger Charlies Stecker, Jr is very impressive, most of the small group who joined him consisted of people who have themselves lost siblings and children and are lashing out at everyone instead of dealing with their own issues.

Charlie's message 

Let me tell you about Charlie's message first.

He was just a four year-old toddler when his two year-old brother Eddie died in his arms. His foster mother, upset at a crying baby, let him have it with a toy bowling pin, knocking him out of the crib and onto the floor. As blood oozed out of Eddie's ears and nose, Charles held him until an ambulance arrived. But it was too late.

Shegda hides benind "Gestapo" sign

Ironically, Charles and his siblings had been taken from his biological parents over allegations of abuse. But they went from the frying pan and into the fire. To this day, Stecker is still unable to extend his arm as a result of the abuse that he received from his foster mother.

She never went to trial for Eddie's murder. She apparently died in a mental institution.

But Stecker, who calls himself God's bondservant on his Facebook page, has lots of unanswered questions. How did this mentally unstable woman end up as a foster parent? What happens to abused and neglected kids now? Stecker became a child advocate in Philadelphia, or as he refers to himself, a children's rights warrior. He founded The International Child Abuse Prevention Task Force.Yesterday's rally was supposed to be one of 400 worldwide, though I don't know if it actually happened anywhere else.

Charlie's messengers

I caught Shegda anyway

I saw this group waving their signs while waiting for a news conference later that day. I decided to find out what was happening, but was nearly assaulted by Ron Shegda. It would have happened, too, except that Charlie Stecker interposed himself between Shegda and me.

"It's the Devil Incarnate!" screamed Shegda when he saw me. I admit, I was dressed in red.

Who the Hell is Ron Shegda?

I first wrote about him in 2006, when he hadn't quite made up his mind whether he was running for the U.S.Senate or State Representative Bob Freeman's seat. He ended up going after Bob Freeman's seat three times, losing worse each time. The last time he ran things got so wacky that even the tea party excommunicated him.

Shegda wants Devil
Incarnate arrested

Shegda has a mentally challenged adult sister. She was taken from him, and nobody but human services, the Hellertown police and Shegda know how that happened. He has lashed out at everyone in Northampton County, from caseworkers to John Stoffa. He also befriended other local whack jobs, including the Blog mentor and Tricia Mezzacappa. When you see all the hate comments directed at Stoffa and former Human Services Director Ross Marcus, you know where most of them are coming from.

Naturally, he was a Bobby Gunther Walsh guest on crackpot radio.

Anyhoo, when Shegda saw me, he began screaming that I had no right to take pictures. Never mind that this was a public rally on public property. I recognized several of the people with him, and they have issues themselves. They called for the Sheriff to have me ejected or whatever for taking pictures of their public demonstration.

I have no doubt that Charlie Stecker means well. But he should be more careful about who he attracts to his banner. Instead of hearing the voiceless children, divisive people like Shegda make people run away.

The Devil and Tom Walker

Though Tom Walker is nothing like his namesake in the Washington Irving novel, he certainly is playing with the Devil. In late February, he appeared in front of nine of them in his quest to become Lehigh County's next Director of Human Services. I'm referring, of course, to Lehigh's Board of commissioners. There may be ten devils if you count Muller. Maybe he thought his association with the Lehigh Conference of Churches would shield him. If so, he thought wrong. He obviously has a sincere desire to make a difference, but his qualifications are suspect.

First, he has no direct experience working in an actual human services department on a county, state or federal level.

Second, he claimed to have a supervisory role over only twelve people at the Lehigh Conference of Churches,where he's been employed for the past 13 years. He's currently their Human Services Director.

Third, he claims to have made great strides in reducing homelessness on Allentown's Commission to End Chronic Homelessness, with which he's been involved since 2004. But as Commissioner Scott Ott observed, his Commission seemed to be a big failure this past Winter, when 40 people were crowded onto the floor at Safe Haven. "I don't get the sense that all these human service agencies have done all they can do," noted Ott."Maybe I'm hoping against hope.

Fourth, he is involved in a nonprofit that actually took a needless and counterproductive swipe at other homeless activists when the temperatures plunged and the problem became a crisis. Forced into opening their doors, The Lehigh Conference of Churches sent out a mailer referring to the homeless in condescending terms as "the least of these, my brothers and sisters." It also condemned the efforts of others as "divisive and derisive."

Fifth, Walker had no good answer to Geoff Brace's question about how he would keep the Lehigh Conference of Churches, one of the County's biggest vendors, accountable.   Perhaps there is nogood answer.

These are his negatives, but Walker has his strong points. The Chief of these seem to be his desire to make a difference.

First, He proposes making incremental changes in block grants, where flexibility is possible.

Second, he wants to perform a community wide needs assessment. "How can you save lives without knowing what the community needs?" he asks.

Third, his familiarity with nonprofits will enable him to collaborate with them.

Fourth, he'd do more work on suicide prevention.

Fifth, he'd focus more on children, making more of an effort to ensure they are literate and have a chance of making it through high school.

"It is government's responsibility to ensure that the needs of the least of us are met," he told Commissioners. I'm not sure that the so-called reform block buys into that, and I certainly don't think the Lehigh Conference of Churches distinguished itself by the way they handled the most recent homeless crisis. But Walker himself seems to be genuinely concerned.

Lehigh Commissioners will vote on Walker this Wednesday night.

Brown's Human Services Pick Has Record of Mismanagement

Public activists Diane Teti, Ken Heffentrager and Rich Fegley forced Allentown City Council to pause a moment last week and consider what the hell they are doing. Are they an urban growth regime for NIZ developers like J.B. Reilly, or do they have some other, often forgotten purpose? Like helping those in need. They were forced to stare into the face of homelessness, which for too many of us, is just a missed paycheck away.

Mayor Edwin Pawlowski, who's running for Governor, was too busy courting donors to attend a meeting of his own governing body. But Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller was there. This is where county government can make a difference because so much of its money is for human services.

Muller could have told everyone that Lehigh County helps fund a program that found housing for 2,425 people last year. It's the Hispanic American Organization (HAO), which was founded by Lupe Pearce in 1976. In some instances, it even provides rent assistance. And it's not just for Hispanics.

But a few years ago, that worthwhile organization, which does much more than help people find homes, was nearly put out of business. The person responsible for this is Allison Frantz, a Lehigh County bureaucrat who failed to do her job.

Frantz is now Northampton County Executive John Brown's pick for Director of Human Services.

Technically, she's the HealthChoices Administrator. According to Lehigh County,

"The HealthChoices Program offers medically necessary mental health and drug and alcohol services to Medical Assistance eligible children and adults. Individuals are offered a choice of providers for needed mental health or drug and alcohol treatment services. The Lehigh County HealthChoices program is managed by the Departments' Office of Human Services, which also includes the Offices of Mental Health / Intellectual Disabilitites (formerly Mental Retardation) / and Drug and Alcohol. The HealthChoices program in Lehigh County is adminstered through a subcontract with Magellan Behavioral Health."

HAO is a recipient of money administered by HealthChoices for counseling, family therapy and even nutrition awareness. Frantz, as the Administrator of this program, was required to visit funding recipients on site and explain how the program works. She was also required to monitor compliance. She did neither.  As a result, when state auditors reviewed the procedures in place, they determined that HAO had improperly billed HealthChoices to the tune of somewhere between $600,000-800,000. HAO was required to repay every cent misapplied, and nearly went under as a result.

Had Frantz been doing her job, this would never have happened. But like any good bureaucrat, she was adept at pointing fingers when her own failures were noted.

About 57 percent of Northampton County's annual $335 million spending plan, which includes grant money received from the state and federal government, is devoted to human services. This includes money spent for Gracedale, senior centers, child protection, and disadvantaged people. Over 18,000 people use these services. So you'd think the person in charge would have an understanding of their needs, and would be responsible enough to ensure that the millions allocated is being spent properly.

Allison Frantz can do neither. She's already demonstrated a complete inability to explain or monitor spending under her own program. Her knowledge of the many other aspects of human services is also very questionable.

Many in the human services field have never even heard of her. One local professional who has over three decades of experience told me he does not know her. That raises a red flag with me.

Another professional tells me, "I do not know her well. Lehigh County has had a very stand offish approach it seems when dealing with Healthchoices and so when I had concerns about things, I did not get much back. Lehigh County refuses to allow people to observe their Human Services Block Grant Process, and ... do not believe that the planning process should be open for the public to see how they plan on the distribution of public funding. I don't hold many of them in high esteem for how they handle things, with Gilgoff [the former Director] being a real disappointment. It is not the place to look to for leadership."

That's exactly where John Brown is looking.

Frantz is one of eight department heads who work under the Director of Human Services. If she has excelled in that position, why hasn't Executive Tom Muller named her as his new Director? The position is open.

Instead she's coming to Northampton County to administer a massive department with which she is mostly unfamiliar, with a proven track record for being completely unable to ensure proper accountability.

"She would be a disaster", a third human services professional told me.

If Council does not reject this nomination outright, the matter should be tabled so that they can investigate the circumstances concerning HAO.

NorCo To Participate in State Human Services Block Grant Plan

Northampton County has been approved for participation in the state's Human Services Block Grant program, which will give the County more flexibility in funding programs and services for 18,000 people who have no voice.

DPW Secretary Beverly D. Mackereth told Executive John Stoffa, "Thank you for your continued leadership in streamlining and strengthening services provided to Pennsylvanians."

Northampton County is one of 30 counties participating in this program. Lehigh County was admitted last year. The Human Services Block Grant consists of seven funding streams that will allow counties the flexibility to decide where the money is needed most. Those funding streams are:

• Mental Health Community Programs – based on local priorities around unified intake, community consultation, and education, support for families caring for members with mental disorders and community residential programs;

• Intellectual Disabilities Community Base – services to individuals of all ages with an intellectual disability diagnosis not eligible for other specific waiver programs;

• County Child Welfare Special Grants – services for dependent and delinquent children and their families;

• Homeless Assistance Program – services that help those who are homeless with shelter, housing, rental assistance, and general case management;

• Act 152 – non-hospital residential detoxification and rehabilitation services for persons eligible for Medical Assistance;

• Behavioral Health Services Initiative – for treatment for individuals with serious mental health and substance abuse disorders who are not eligible for Medical Assistance; and

• Human Services Development Fund– assistance for a number of welfare issues, combating isolation, poverty and dependence.

Updated 12:01 am to correct the number of human services' customer. I incorrectly stated 80,000

Hooray and Up She Rises

Like the great humpback whale, Northampton County's Centralized Human Services Building has breached the surface and is rising day-by-day. Located at 2801 Emrick Blvd. in Bethlehem Township, construction of the 3-story, 66,375 sq ft building is well under way. Project manager Jim Gentile tells me that 90% of the steel is up, metal studs are going onto the exterior and concrete floors have been poured.

The project is on schedule for completion by next March.

The Lehigh County Bagmen

Not all that long ago, I wrote an essay excoriating both Lehigh County Commissioners and Bethlehem City Council members for even questioning pass through grants like one from CDBG for Meals on Wheels and another from RCAP for an Arts Charter High School.

But nothing is ever black and white. Last week, Lehigh Commissioners Mike Schware, Brad Osborne and Vic Mazziotti questioned three of these pass-thru grant proposals. They were absolutely right to do so.

$220,000 for one-bedroom apartments

The first of these is a $750,000 grant through Health Choices for six units at Cumberland Gardens Housing project in Allentown. The total project cost for 70-units is $15.4 million. That translates to $220,000 per one-bedroom unit.

That "seemed to be a little excessive to me," said Commissioner Mike Schware.

D'you think?

That grant was tabled 7-0 (Scott Ott and Tom Creighton were MIA - Summer Hours) while some suit harrumphed that "prevailing wages" is what makes this project so costly.

Those damn unions.

Feds Instruct Counties on How to Avoid Prevailing Wages

While paying prevailing wages with one grant, mindless bureaucrats in Washington did their best to avoid (evade?) them in a second, $500,000 grant intended to bring a block in Catty up to code. In fact, they gave County officials instructions on how to get around the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires local prevailing wages for public projects.

"So they're telling us how to get around the federal law?" asked Commissioner Vic Mazziotti.

If HUD or the the County were to hire the contractor to bring these homes up to code, they'd have to pay prevailing wage. If the money was given directly to homeowners, that would never do, either. Heaven forbid that a $500,000 actually go directly to the parties who need it. That might cut down on paperwork. So the feds have instructed that there be contracts between homeowners and contractors, prepared in quadruplicate, which will then be reviewed on thirty levels and the contracts can then be paid with CDBG funds.

Commissioner Vic Mazziotti, no friend to the Davis-Bacon Act, is a bit bothered about a scheme devised by the feds that seems to be intended to avoid it. "It's a hard thing," he told me late last week. "You don't want to say No but we shouldn't be put in a position where our only role is money launderer."

Then they laundered the money, 7-0.

"If you question any of this, you're accused of hating poor people," explained Vic Mazziotti.

Bagmen For the State

While Commissioners might be money launderers for the feds, they are bagmen for the state. You see, the state uses counties to funnel money to entities that it is unable by law to find itself. So it simply used Lehigh County last week to send $250,000 to Luther Crest for site improvements at an $8 million project. Barred by the state constitution from giving Luther Crest the money directly, Lehigh County will be the bagman.

Pointing out that it "makes little sense to me," Mazziotti noted, "We had nothing to do with this grant. We didn't receive proposals, we didn't evaluate proposals, we didn't make this decision. The State made this decision."

Now I've told you before that Mazziotti, a mild-mannered, unassuming bean counter, is a gold mine of pithy quotes. Here's a few from last week's meeting.

"This is an avoidance of the state Constitution that we're asked to participate in. "

"If the state wants to give a grant to this organization, that's wonderful; they should just do it."

"If a private sector organization did this, they'd be in jail."

"I'd rather not be the bagman."

"Given my nationality, I'm a little sensitive to that term."

Another accountant, Commissioner Mike Schware, likens the process to a teenage neighbor coming over and asking him to buy a six pack for him. "It shouldn't be this easy," he said.

Of course, the grant passed 7-0.

Lehigh County Commissioners don't mind being called money launderers or bagmen. Just don't call them bogeymen.

Northampton County Sells Governor Wolf Bldg

Real estate developer Mark Mulligan is a Julliard grad

The latest chapter in Easton's Governor Wolf Building, named after the only Northampton County resident to ever become the state's Governor, is about to begin. At a May 29 news conference at the steps of this 1893 schoolhouse, Executive John Stoffa announced that he's found a buyer. Mark Mulligan, along with partners David Dallas and Bill Vogt, have signed an agreement to purchase the 52,171 sq ft schoolhouse, which sits atop 3.4 acres with a commanding view of the Delaware.

In addition to paying $1,925,000 for this property, located at 45 North Second Street, Mulligan and his partners plan to invest another $3.5 million and completely gut the interior for a June 2015 grand opening for high end apartments, with the possibility of some commercial use.

Stoffa explained that, in 1986, when the County purchased the schoolhouse for $912,000, it was intended to be the "One stop" center for human services. But as the demand grew, the County purchased the Bechtel building, located in Bethlehem.

"It's a great day for Easton," claims Mayor Sal Panto

But both buildings require $4.3 million in capital repairs and improvements, according to County officials. So in February, Council voted, 8-1, to lease a new human services building on Emrick Boulevard in Bethlehem Township. That decision came on the heels of a jaw-dropping power point presentation by caseworkers depicting grisly conditions at Governor Wolf that endanger not only the people who work there, but innocent children who are already the victims of abuse and neglect.

Governor Wolf is plagued by asbestos, mold, chipping lead paint, bats, guano and an excessive number of large bugs. Supervised child visitation takes place in rooms where lead paint is chipping along the floor and windowsills. Mold is all over ceilings and vents are collapsing.

The "Penny Arch" at Governor Wolf

This is where real estate magnate Mark Mulligan, who specializes in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings, comes to the rescue. His Master's degree was not earned at Harvard or Wharton, but at Julliard.

"He studied to be an opera singer, so I trust him," joked Stoffa.

Stoffa called the sale “a win - win situation. Northampton County will reinvest the revenue from this sale into the new Human Service facility that can better serve our 18,000 clients while at the same time we are able to contribute to the economic development and historic preservation of downtown Easton.”

Exec John Stoffa announces sale of Wolf Building

Buyers Mulligan, Vogt and Dallas have over 50 years experience working in real estate development, property management and commercial real estate. Their partnership is developing the Simon Silk Mill and recently renovated the Pomeroy Building, just a few blocks away from Governor Wolf.

According to Easton Mayor Sal Panto, who lauded the sale, Mulligan's group was also involved in the redevelopment of the now-full National Building as well as Maxim's 22, which employs between 70-80 people. The second-term Mayor pointed to the mix of development on Second Street, which includes a combination of modest homes with high-end law firms and other businesses and homes. Panto, who lives on the City's South Side, eschews the gentrification model practiced in many other cities. "I don't believe in it," he said, adding, "We still want to be a City - an urban center."

Panto also praise Stoffa, whose government service is ending this year. "He will be missed," Panto said.

Mulligan plans to make no changes to the building's exterior, which includes elaborate brickwork, stained glass windows, a bell tower and the ornate Governor Wolf Memorial Arch,. It's also known as the "Penny Arch.because it was funded by pennies donated by school children and their families. The arch is topped by a marble globe of the world.

The agreement of sale has provisions requiring the preservation of these historic features.

The agreement also includes the county leasing back the 5,883 square foot warehouse behind the Wolf Building to consolidate storage it has in other leased or owned facilities. This will actually save the County approximately $2,700 per year.

This agreement must be approved by County Council, which will review the matter in June.

Final closing is scheduled for the end of the year.

L to R: Mayor Sal Panto, State Rep Bob Freeman, Council member Peg Ferraro, Exec John Stoffa and developer Mark Mulligan

Centralized Human Services Groundbreaking on Friday

Jim Gentile, John Stoffa, Tom Harp & Ken Mohr

Groundbreaking for Northampton County’s new Centralized Human Services Building, 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem Township, will take place on Friday. Speakers will include Northampton County Executive John Stoffa, County Council Vice-President Margaret Ferraro, and Jim Gentile, President of North Star. Also attending will be members of the Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners, Northampton County Human Services staff, representatives of Human Services advisory boards, and local elected officials. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Honor Guard will be presenting the colors. Parking for the event will be available in the rear of the parking lot at Sartorius Inc., 2800 Baglyos Circle, Bethlehem with a short walk to the groundbreaking site.