November Declared National Adoption Month in Clearfield Co.

CLEARFIELD – Shannon Kelly of the Children’s Aid Society on Tuesday asked the Clearfield County Commissioners to declare the month of November as National Adoption Month.

Kelly also mentioned that the Children’s Aid Society will be hosting a function on Nov. 10 at Luigi’s Villa in DuBois, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for various child agencies as well as potential families to meet area children that would benefit from adoption.

A motion was made to proclaim November National Adoption month and was passed unanimously. 

Kara McGary, also of the Children’s Aid Society, encouraged the commissioners to declare Nov. 8 as National Parents as Teachers Day.

McGary is the new manager for Parents as Teachers at the Children’s Aid Society. Parents as Teachers is a program available to the community that assists parents with children from birth to 5 years of age in development for children, parenting tips, as well as assisting the parent themselves with emotional support and other various guidance.

A motion was made to proclaim Nov. 8 National Parents as Teachers Day and was passed unanimously.

Michelle Stiner, the executive director of Community Action, also gave an update. As of March 15 of this year, Community Action has used $3.3 million to assist 916 households with relief for rent as well as some utilities.

Community Action serves Clearfield County as well as Centre County. Stiner requests that landlords work with tenants with Community Action’s rental assistance program.

Community Action can assist with rental arrears, utilities, as well as assisting with paying rent ahead to help ease the financial burden due to the COVID pandemic. 

Commissioner David Glass encourages residents to reach out to Community Action as well as Parents as Teachers through the Children’s Aid Society, stating that there are many helpful programs in the county that residents may not be aware of but should be. 

The commissioners also passed a motion to bond the tax collectors. 

The commissioners also gave a reminder that the meeting for Nov. 2 is cancelled due to the meeting falling on Election Day.

Residents are encouraged to vote as well as volunteer at local polling places.