The Berks County commissioners on Thursday expressed support for a $16 million spending plan that steers state funds to several human services programs.
The board was presented with the preliminary budget for the Berks County Human Services Block Grant, a program that allows local officials to decide how to spend money on programs for the homeless, those battling addiction, those who are intellectually disabled or otherwise vulnerable residents.
Pamela Seaman, administrator of mental health and developmental disabilities programs for the county, told the commissioners that the $16.2 million budget is expected to cover the cost of services for nearly 15,000 Berks residents.
The county has been participating in the block grant program since 2012. It was designed to give counties more flexibility to spread its state aid to the local agencies with the most need.
Seaman outlined the proposed block grant budget to commissioners:
• The Mental Health Fund: $10,101,510; people served in 2024-25: 8,336
• The Developmental Disabilities Fund: $3,397,755; people served in 2024-25: 1,876
• Human Services Development Fund: $322,352; people served in 2024-25: 781
• Homeless Assistance Program: $579,109; people served in 2024-25: 1,189
• Behavioral Health Services Initiative & Drug and Alcohol: $1,839,071; people served in 2024-25: 2,671
Seaman did highlight an issue that may complicate matters.
She said federal changes stemming from the 2025 passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have brought large cuts to Medicaid, which means some clients are losing coverage due to stricter federal rules.
“There are people who will no longer be eligible for Medicaid, which means they will be coming to us to see if we can provide funding for the services that they need,” she said.
More than 3 million people in Pennsylvania are covered by Medicaid, according to data from the state Department of Human Services.
Seaman said that over the past several years she has seen 30,000 Berks residents dropped from the program and expects that number will continue to grow.
The commissioners expressed support for the block grant program, thanking Seaman and those who oversee the programs included in the spending plan for their hard work.
The commissioners are expected to approve the plan at their next meeting.