Lehigh County Comm Commission Chair Geoff Bracepraised an announcement earlier in the day by State Sen. Lisa Boscola for $1.6 million in grants toward nonprofits and county criminal justice programs June 12.

At the commissioners meeting that day Brace said highlights include $96,000 for the county’s rapid post-mortem toxicology screening at LOCO, $100,000 for the Youth Justice Advisory Board Council Pilot, and $660,000 toward the TCAP Intermediate Punishment Treatment program.

Brace commented, “It’s great to see these resources become available for us.”

He also spoke on the consolidated waiver program, which currently has 300 individuals on the waitlist for medical assistance in the county, 13,000 across the state.

“These are people waiting for services for the intent of these individuals maintaining independent life in the community. Often, these are individuals with intellectual disabilities,” Brace explained. Transportation needs, counseling and education needs are among the services provided.

“Three hundred people on a waitlist for these types of services is a significant waitlist,” he added.

According to Brace, $78 million would need to be allocated to this program clear 1600 individuals.

The board approved a professional services agreement with CGI Communications to update their website with shorts.

Back on April 10, Executive Phillips Armstrong spoke with the commissioners about CGI Communications with other counties.

Valley Housing Development Corporation will receive a subgrant coming out of the county’s funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the amount of $400,000. The money will go to four affordable rental housing units in the Borough of Fountain Hill.

A 2002 Chevrolet 2500 truck previously used by the Parks Department was donated to Lehigh Valley Zoological Society.