SUMMER 2019 www.pacounties.org BROADBAND A DIGITAL DIVIDE THE VOICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES Publisher Douglas E. Hill, Executive Director Editor Ken Kroski, Director of Media and Public Relations Design & Advertising Sales Graphtech 2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania President (CCAP) is the voice of county government; a statewide Kathi Cozzone, Chester County First Vice President nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing all 67 Jeffrey Snyder, Clinton County counties in Pennsylvania. CCAP members include county Second Vice President commissioners, council members, county executives, Kevin Boozel, Butler County Treasurer administrators, chief clerks and solicitors. CCAP Leslie Osche, Butler County strengthens the counties’ abilities to govern their own BOD Chair affairs and improve the well-being and quality of life for Dennis Stuckey, Lancaster County every Pennsylvania resident. It advocates for favorable 2019 EDITORIAL BOARD state and federal legislation, programs and policies Executive Director, PACAH • Kelly Andrisano, J.D. Executive Director, JDCAP • Wayne Bear on behalf of counties. CCAP is committed to service Executive Secretary • Lori Dabbondanza excellence through education, information, insurance, Executive Director, PACDAA • Michele Denk Insurance Programs Services Coordinator • Tona Faust technology and other programs that support effective Insurance Programs Accountant • Ginger Galliher county government. Founded in 1886, CCAP is an affiliate Director of Member and Vendor Relations • Mandi Glantz Executive Director • Douglas E. Hill of the National Association of Counties. Executive Director, PACA MH/DS • Lucy Kitner Director of Media and Public Relations • Ken Kroski To acquire an article idea submittal form for CCAP’s Pennsylvania Deputy Director • Brinda Penyak Risk Management Training Director • Linda Rosito County News please email Ken Kroski at [email protected]. Managing Director Insurance Programs • John Sallade, CRM Director of Meetings and Education • Karen Sweigard DISCLAIMER FOR ADVERTISING Pennsylvania County News magazine is published four times a year by the Jen Smith (717) 238-5751 x124 County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). Editorial Offices: [email protected] PO Box 60769, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-0769. The information provided in this publication is not intended to take the place of professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with competent legal, financial or other appropriate professionals. Statements of facts and opinions expressed CCAP OFFICE in this publication, by authors other than Association staff and officers, PO Box 60769 are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent Harrisburg, PA 17106-0769 an opinion or philosophy of the officers, members and staff of the County (717) 526-1010 Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). No endorsement of advertised products or services is implied by CCAP unless those products or services are expressly endorsed, or are owned or managed by the Association programs, or its affiliates. Materials may not be reproduced or translated in part or in whole without express permission. summer BROADBAND There is a digital divide in Pennsylvania. Connecting with the world around us means having access to high-speed, quality broadband for all residents. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: The CENSUS matters for all Pennsylvanians. It directly impacts funding for a decade. SPECIAL FEATURE FOCUS ON Lawrence 44 County features 10 14 18 High Speed Broadband and Lack of Broadband Access Is 67 Counties, 1 State: Rural Pennsylvania: Challenge vs. Hurting Pennsylvania: Restore Pennsylvania Counts in 2020 Opportunity Pennsylvania Offers a Solution 24 Making it Count: How Counties Can Help Ensure a Fair and Accurate Census 27 New Courthouse Videos to Air 28 It’s a Ruff Job 33 County Leaders Graduate from CCAP Academy for Excellence 36 Youth Mental Health First Aid: Working to Prevent Youth Suicide in Chester County 48 Criminal Justice Best Practice Awards Presented by CCAP 53 Embracing Media Relations 61 Get the Word Out Locally 62 Simplifying the Sharing of Geospacial Data 65 The Keystone Markers of Pennsylvania 68 Healthy Moms Making a Difference 81 How Safe Is Your Information? in every county issue highlights 6 President’s Commentary 76 CHESTER: Chester County Proves That Saving Land Saves Money 8 Annual Sponsors 84 BERKS: Berks County a Stepping Up “Innovator” 50 Newsworthy a five-time national award winning publication of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania president’s commentary KATHI COZZONE President, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Chester County Commissioner ecause I am a procrastinator, partners and significant others to deal When it comes to our colleagues, I’m writing this column the with the inevitable negativity that regardless of party, respect is the key day it is due—the day after comes with the required campaigning to success—whether it is in our home the Primary Election of 2019. to be elected. We’ve missed family counties, or our work together through BI wasn’t successful this time around events and sometimes our kids don’t CCAP. In these days of endless sound which has me doing a lot of pondering get the time they should from us. In bites and social media death spirals, and reflecting on my nearly 12 years my first year, my son was six and about that can be difficult. I encourage you all in office. There are a couple of things a week before Christmas he told me to continue to do that work—and it can I keep coming back to. I would never that Santa was never going to find our be hard sometimes—to find common have had any success were it not for house because we had no tree, no gifts ground and respect for one another. the people who supported me, and and no decorations. It took probably County employees—and I include those who didn’t; the people I work 24 hours straight, but my husband and CCAP staff in this category—are the with and the people that work for the I solved that problem. I learned from bedrock of county government. They county; my colleagues at home and that experience that I had to figure work every single day to serve the around the commonwealth; and most out a better work-life balance. Being citizens of our communities and they importantly my family. an elected official provided me an do that because they care. None of opportunity to do things with and for us would be successful without their While we do our best every day to my son that I wouldn’t have been able dedication and compassion. We work for the people we serve, very to do if I had a 9 to 5 job, and for that should take every opportunity to thank often it is our families that sacrifice I’m grateful. the most. It’s harder on our spouses, them—the unseen heroes; the boots on the ground, the folks who make us look good. Let’s always remember it is a privilege Let’s always remember to serve. Let’s always remember to thank those who make our service possible. Let’s always remember the the people we serve are people we serve are counting on us to be the best we can be. It’s been my counting on us to be the honor to serve with all of you and I thank you for inspiring me to do my best we can be. best. 6 PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY NEWS | SUMMER 2019 Counties have trusted us for more than 70 years to provide retirement plan services that meet their unique objectives while complying with changing laws. Also count on us for: Retirement plan cost studies. Retirement calculation software. Government compliance. Cost containment through benefits program design. Analysis and design of organizations and jobs. Talent, compensation and performance management. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to learn more. kornferry.com/haygroup The CCAP UC Trust provides unemployment compensation coverage and services to Pennsylvania counties and county related entities since 1980. WHY JOIN THE CCAP UC TRUST? The CCAP UC Trust offers a full service package administered by Corporate Cost Control including: claims management, hearing representation, benefit charge auditing, tax rate verification and more! Members enjoy an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all member counties and their employees, administered by Mazzitti & Sullivan. CCAP UC Trust members are able to attend CCAP Insurance Program Workshops at a free or discounted registration! For more information on the UC Trust, please contact Desiree Nguyen at [email protected] or (717) 736-4779. Ask Us First...We Cover It All! www.pacounties.org 7 The Pennsylvania County News For more information, 2019 and to learn about our gets seen by 2020 editorial calendar, along with opportunities Annual 1500+ readers to advertise in our Annual Conference Program, visit every quarter. www.pacounties.org. Sponsors Advertisers Index CCAP is pleased to offer a variety of opportunities to vendors who wish to do business with Pennsylvania Affinity Health Services, Inc. ..........................86 counties including participation in the associate AT&T. 52 membership program, TechNet membership program, Babst Calland .....................................64 Conference attendance and sponsorship, advertising Baker Tilly .......................................47 in Pennsylvania County News magazine, and more. BeneChoice Enrollment Solutions DBA Colonial Life ........80 There is also an opportunity to participate in a bundled Campbell Durrant Beatty Palombo & Miller, P.C. ...........26