MINUTES
November 17th, 2025
11:00 am
Central Park Complex Bldg.
110 Franklin Street, 1st Floor, Johnstown, PA 15901
Conference on the Park
Attendees: Commissioner Hunt, Commissioner Chernisky, Tracy Selak, Elyse Kirchner, Rebecca Valle, Fred Oliveros, Missy Raho
- Approval of Minutes: September 22, meeting minutes: Approved motion Commissioner Rager/seconded by Commissioner Hunt. No discussion.
- Review of requested financials: (See attachment):
- Nothing new to discuss
- CCHC continues to receive funds through the government shutdown
- Everything was finalized and moved over with the RFP with new rates etc at First Summit Bank
- Cost of Care/Rate Adjustment Request:
- A rate adjustment was requested for 2025 Request denied
- Over budget by 1.7 million
- Tracy discussed with the state, and the state issued a $2 PMPM increase
- Offer/increase was accepted
- The state suggested that CCHC use some R&C to help cover costs
- No provider increase will be given in 2025
- Will try to give some sort of provider increase in 2026
- DHS and County HealthChoices contract renewal is due by the beginning of next week. Tracy forwarded it to Ron for review. Commissioner signatures are needed.
- Annual CCHC salary increase request: Further conversation between Tracy and the Commissioners is needed.
- Reinvestment Committee Meeting: Ad hoc:
- No new plans to discuss
- Supportive Housing (SH): Wrapping up
- Recovery Community Center (RCC): Still active until the end of 2026
- Transitional Housing (TH): Contract to be extended for 12 months.
- Cambria County HealthChoices (CCHC):
- No new updates
- A discussion was had concerning Dustin Green and his behavior towards staff
- Magellan Behavioral Health (MBH) Updates:
- 10/3/25 – Met with and provided resources to representatives from the Greater Johnstown School District (elementary, middle and high school teachers, counselors and administrators).
- 10/6/25- Met with Cambria County Christian School via Zoom to discuss the Paint Positive Project, an art project with Positive Messaging to raise awareness of mental wellness and prevent suicide. The plan is to offer this to the students in December.
- Submitted 2026 CBCM Plan to OMHSAS on October 1, 2026.
- Negotiated revised 2026 budgets for both CBCM CBOs, which will result in cost savings of approximately $38,700 in 2026.
- 10/14 – Cambria County Housing Summit, sponsored by Magellan, was held at Ace’s in Johnstown. Presentations provided by members who were formerly homeless but who are now experiencing community tenure as well as CBOs that provide Housing Supports such as Summit Legal Aid, Vision Johnstown and the Community Help Center, to name a few. The Housing Summit was well attended, with over 100 participants.
- 10/24 – Cards and Recovery at Peer Empowerment Network (PEN). Participants created handmade Holiday Cards for Cambria County members that are placed at Torrance State Hospital.
- 11/6-Cards and Recovery at FAVOR Laurel Highlands. Participants created handmade greeting cards for their families and loved ones.
- 10/28 toured new 44-bed inpatient mental health facility at IRMC.
- 10/29 met with OMHSAS and Mercer to negotiate a more favorable rate package for 2026. As a result, the rates increased slightly.
- Continued to coordinate the monthly REACH Crisis Program oversite meeting. The new director has been extremely active in seeking out new referral sources, conducting presentations about the program, and attending tabling events. An open house was held for first responders on 10/28 with ten police and fire departments attending. The goal was to make first responders more aware of the program and to encourage them to bring people experiencing behavioral health concerns to the walk-in center.
- Facilitated the Paint Positive Project to all 6th grade students at Central Cambria School District on Nov. 7.
- Sponsored Taking Action for Whole Health and Well-Being training of facilitators Nov. 10-14 at Magellan office. 14 participants plus one trainer. Three out of town participants stayed all week at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown. Local providers Peerstar (Reach Crisis Center Peer Supporters) and the Women’s Help Center/Community Help Center participated.
- 2025 CCHC Trainings: All trainings will be held in person (Cambria County Academic Center). More information can be found on our FB page and/or website www.cchealthchoices.org
- Report to the Community; December 5th, 10a-Noon
- Commissioners to speak at RTC
- 2026 trainings will be listed on the agenda for the next meeting
- Reba to reach out to Doug Lingenfelter about possibly presenting a Human Trafficking training
- Report to the Community; December 5th, 10a-Noon
- Executive Session: N/A
Adjourn: Motion to Adjourn: Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Hunt/seconded by Commissioner Rager. No discussion.
Next meeting: 2026 TBD
2026 Meeting Dates:
TBD