Family Services of Blair County

We have seen some glimpses of spring - it will be here, and none too soon! It is not news that we have experienced a very difficult winter here in Central Pennsylvania! Many thanks to all of our staff for keeping themselves and our consumers safe while walking, riding, and driving. As you might imagine, black ice caused some slips and falls in our parking lots. Fortunately, everyone has recovered and is doing well.

A special thanks to Sam Claar, our maintenance manager, JJ Beta, our plowing service, and to all of our employees who pitched in to help remove what seemed at times to be the constantly falling snow and ice, and who remembered to take a few minutes to spread ice melter in dangerous spots so others could be safe.

The state budget was finally passed on December 23, 2003, and we expect to begin seeing funding from The Human Service Development Fund for our counseling services and Men Helping Men in a few weeks. Thanks to our staff and the board of directors for working so hard to control costs and make reserves available so we could continue to meet critical needs for counseling during what is now the 9 months that we have not received any funding. The Counseling Program has added two student interns since our last newsletter was published and two casual employees.

On May 13, the agency will offer a free seminar on grief and loss at The Blair County Convention Center. A nationally recognized keynoter will be present, who will also lead one of the breakout sessions. This full day experience is free, and is part of our Grief & Loss Center Protocol Grant funded through Virginia Mason Medical Center, and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime. The general public, clergy, healthcare and behavioral health professionals are encouraged to attend. Please call 944-3583, Extension 0 to resister for this very special seminar.

April will be a very active month. National Crime Victims Rights Week will be celebrated with a 4/24 Ethnic Food Festival at Heritage Plaza in Altoona. This event will run from noon to 8PM and is sponsored by our CVSS Program. On the same day, Family Services will be one of four organizations selected by the Altoona Sunrise Rotary Club to share the proceeds from a spaghetti dinner that will be served at the Bishop Guilfoyle cafeteria. Please contact any of our board members for tickets or call the phone number listed above.

May will also be very busy. 5/1 will see a Spring Fling at Evergreen Manors for the residents and neighbors. The STOP Grant will sponsor training for local law enforcement and prosecution covering the prevention and detection of technology being used for stalking and other purposes. On 5/23, our 4th Annual 10K-5K Race & Walk will be held at the Penn State Altoona Campus.

We have begun the development of our 2004-2005 operating budget. We trust that our elected officials in Harrisburg will be more responsible than last year by passing a budget that is complete by midnight on June 30, 2004.

The Administrative Team has begun development of input for consideration in the development of the agency's 2004-2007 Strategic Plan. The team will meet for a one-half day planning session with the board during April to finalize the draft of the plan.

As we deal with the fast pace of our lives each week, it would be great if each of us could remember these words:

"I need to think about the words I have spoken that have wounded others this week. Surely nothing cuts the human heart deeper than the unkind word. Yet, we often use our words to criticize, judge, and put down others. Gossip is a national sport, our way of building ourselves up at the expense of others. I need to think about using words that, one at a time, show respect for others and a willingness to work together."
Author Unknown

Have a great Spring!

Mahlon