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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County's Children, Youth & Families office is slated to receive a one-year operating license valid through October 2027, Commissioner Laura Burke said Thursday.
The state Department of Human Services forwarded a notice to Burke about the decision which represents a noted achievement. In April, CYF had its operating license restored for a six-month period after operating two years with provisional licenses.
Burke expressed pride in the state's decision to recognize CYF with a one-year license, based on its recent inspection during the first week of August. While the state has not yet posted the inspection results online, Burke indicated that it identified five citations but no repeats from prior inspections.
"Obtaining our full 12-month license is the result of continued hard work of our supervisors and caseworkers," the commissioner said Thursday. "I am extremely proud of their perseverance and dedication."
Staffing in the CYF agency was at an historic low in May 2022 when the state handed the agency its first provisional operating license and recognized a growing backlog of child welfare reports and delays in addressing the risks.
Subsequent inspections -- conducted every six months -- led to three more provisional licenses as the state continued to identify delays and shortcomings during inspections of Blair County's child welfare records.
In May 2024, the state restored Blair County's CYF operating license, but that occurred only after commissioners signed an agreement committing to actions designed to improve operations. Actions included the use of out-of-county consultants and efforts to increase and retain staff, including pay increases and bonuses.
After the May 2024 license expired in October 2024, the state replaced it with another provisional license and followed it with two more provisional licenses, in May 2025 and October 2025.
In April, however, the state announced the restoration of Blair County CYF's license -- six weeks early -- based on the results of a March inspection with minimal shortcomings.
In a statement distributed in April, DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh commended the CYF agency and county commissioners for their commitments to address challenges in the county office. Arkoosh also said at that time that the county CYF agency had made measurable gains which underscored the stability of its operation.
Burke indicated Thursday that ongoing efforts will continue.
"Although it's a relief to be back on a normal licensing schedule, we know that it takes effort, 24/7 and 365 days a year, to maintain the standards we need to keep kids safe," she said.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.