The state Department of Human Services has restored the operating license for Blair County Children, Youth & Families — six weeks earlier than the pending expiration date of its provisional license.

The state’s action, based on March 16 and 17 inspections, identified a few shortcomings within the agency responsible for addressing child welfare concerns within the county. But the amount was far less than identified in prior inspections leading to seven provisional licenses since the first was issued four years ago.

In a statement distributed Wednesday, Pennsylvania DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh commended the CYF agency and county commissioners for their commitments to address challenges within the office and to pursue improvements.

“We are encouraged by BCCYF’s progress and the measurable gains it has made toward achieving operational compliance, and this full license underscores the agency’s stability,” Arkoosh said.

The state, which requires and reviews correctional plans to address shortcomings in prior inspections, also praised the county in a letter issued Friday, indicating that CYF’s operating license is fully restored as of April 10 and remains valid through Oct. 10.

“DHS determined that significant and continuous progress has been made in the implementation of your plan of correction,” Deputy Secretary Laval Miller-Wilson of the state CYF wrote in her letter to the Blair County CYF office.

Blair County commissioners welcomed the state’s decision to restore CYF’s operating license.

“To get to this point — after the last four years of feeling like a lot of time we would take a step forward just to take two steps back — is huge,” said Commissioner Laura Burke.

The state issued Blair County CYF its first provisional license in May 2022 after finding multiple violations in areas assessing children welfare complaints and risks, during the prior 12 months. At that time, CYF was having difficulty filling vacant positions and casework backlogs were increasing.

After conditions persisted, the state’s regional CYF office assigned staff and provided technical assistance to the county CYF office. The state subsequently worked on a settlement agreement with Blair County commissioners that went into effect on May 5, 2024 and required the county to cover salary and expenses for a DHS appointed operations manager and paved the way for greater reliance on contracted personnel and qualified part-time personnel.

“Change can be very difficult, and our staff had to be open to a tremendous amount of change over the last several years and work hard to build the agency,” Burke said. “They should be commended for all their efforts.”

Commissioner Amy Webster also welcomed the state’s decision.

“Every child is a gift from God, deserving of society’s protection,” Webster said. “We thank and congratulate our CYF staff for their perseverance in accomplishing the goals required to attain full licensing to serve our Blair County kids.”

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.