Section 3130.21 of the Pennsylvania Code requires that the County Executive Officers appoint a children and youth advisory committee "to review and make recommendations pertaining to the county children and youth social service program and the operation the county agency."
The Section further states that the duties of the Advisory Committee are:
(a) to make recommendations on matters referred by the executive officers or the agency administrator and suggest policies for the agency’s operation and development at the committee’s own initiative
(b) to advise the executive officers and the agency administrator on the development of the County Children and Youth Services Plan and Budget Estimate.
Throughout the years, the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau Advisory Board has strived to maintain a Board that is representative of the county's population in relation to race and sex. It is currently composed of 12 members who share a common goal: to help protect the children and youth of Westmoreland County. Their professional and personal backgrounds encompass a wide array of expertise, interest and participation in children and youth services.
Although the Advisory Board is not the public relations arm of the Children's Bureau, all members strive to promote a better public and consumer understanding of the program and objectives of the Bureau.
The Board has approved bylaws regarding the conduct of its business. Annual elections provide for a rotating membership. Regular meetings are held 10 months of the year. Special meetings are called as needed. The Children's Bureau Executive Director or representative attends all Board meetings, providing an update to members on current Bureau business and discussing needs and problems relevant to the operation of the agency. Board members actively participate by offering advice or joining in discussions concerning the effectiveness of the Bureau. The August meeting is dedicated to a review of the agency's annual plan and budget.
From its inception, the Advisory Board has taken an interest in providing financial support for children in needy situations. For many years, these monies were donated from the collection of aluminum cans at a local business and was known as the "Cans For Kids Fund." When the collection of cans was no longer profitable, this source of funding ended and the Advisory Board began to rely on donations from the community, small fund-raising activities and most recently, an annual Wine and Chocolate event. The Advisory Board also established a Fund at the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County in an effort to establish a perpetual fund and attract donors.
In 2015, the Board became a non-profit entity, and now functions as "Westmoreland Children First." This move allows the Board to raise and collect monies and apply for funds as a 501c3 organization. These monies are used to support programs that the Board deems relevant to the safety and security of the child and family and are otherwise not supported by government funding. The programs actively supported by the Board include:
The Board also provides ongoing support to the dedicated Bureau staff by contributing to longevity awards and providing a yearly staff appreciation brunch.
The Section further states that the duties of the Advisory Committee are:
(a) to make recommendations on matters referred by the executive officers or the agency administrator and suggest policies for the agency’s operation and development at the committee’s own initiative
(b) to advise the executive officers and the agency administrator on the development of the County Children and Youth Services Plan and Budget Estimate.
Throughout the years, the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau Advisory Board has strived to maintain a Board that is representative of the county's population in relation to race and sex. It is currently composed of 12 members who share a common goal: to help protect the children and youth of Westmoreland County. Their professional and personal backgrounds encompass a wide array of expertise, interest and participation in children and youth services.
Although the Advisory Board is not the public relations arm of the Children's Bureau, all members strive to promote a better public and consumer understanding of the program and objectives of the Bureau.
The Board has approved bylaws regarding the conduct of its business. Annual elections provide for a rotating membership. Regular meetings are held 10 months of the year. Special meetings are called as needed. The Children's Bureau Executive Director or representative attends all Board meetings, providing an update to members on current Bureau business and discussing needs and problems relevant to the operation of the agency. Board members actively participate by offering advice or joining in discussions concerning the effectiveness of the Bureau. The August meeting is dedicated to a review of the agency's annual plan and budget.
From its inception, the Advisory Board has taken an interest in providing financial support for children in needy situations. For many years, these monies were donated from the collection of aluminum cans at a local business and was known as the "Cans For Kids Fund." When the collection of cans was no longer profitable, this source of funding ended and the Advisory Board began to rely on donations from the community, small fund-raising activities and most recently, an annual Wine and Chocolate event. The Advisory Board also established a Fund at the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County in an effort to establish a perpetual fund and attract donors.
In 2015, the Board became a non-profit entity, and now functions as "Westmoreland Children First." This move allows the Board to raise and collect monies and apply for funds as a 501c3 organization. These monies are used to support programs that the Board deems relevant to the safety and security of the child and family and are otherwise not supported by government funding. The programs actively supported by the Board include:
- Promoting literacy by maintaining a free Library for needy children and families at the Westmoreland County Court House. The program is titled "Open Books, Binding Families"
- Installing and maintaining a Comfort Room for Children awaiting court hearings at the Westmoreland County Court House
- Annual coat drive
- Yearly holiday toy and gift collection
- Foster children's picnic
- Adoption Day activities and summer picnic
- Program to purchase beds/linens for needy children and youth
- Establishment of a Children's Burial Fund
- Funding for summer enrichment programs for needy children and youth
- Support for children in the Independent Living Program
- Promotion of Child Abuse Awareness Month
- Supplying essential resources to families such as diapers, school supplies, and clothing
The Board also provides ongoing support to the dedicated Bureau staff by contributing to longevity awards and providing a yearly staff appreciation brunch.
