A moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen and the heroes of 9/11 was observed by Lehigh County Commissioners at the start of their Sept. 11 meeting.

Helping those struggling with trauma and other mental health issues was at the core of the evening’s agenda.

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month.

In recognizing its significance, Chair Geoff Brace took the opportunity to remind attendees of the county’s 988 Center, which will be launched soon. It will be funded with moneys from the American Rescue Plan as the county awaits state and federal funding.

“When people find themselves in crisis in Lehigh County, contemplating suicide, that if they hit 988 here in Lehigh County, it’s going to come to a local center. It’s not going to be diverted to a center in Western Pennsylvania or somewhere else,” Brace explained.

Commissioners acted on the Opioid Settlement by approving a motion to support the 2024 Allocation Plan. Once the county budget is approved, strict guidelines on collected and reporting data on this matter will take effect.

Commissioner Jon Irons stressed the importance of collecting and analyzing data to “asses the root and impact of the pain which brought this settlement.” His colleague, Commissioner April Riddick, added the importance of funding programs which offer help and research on drug addictions, as society will face a new crisis like the Opioid one.

A motion to support the 2023 Allocation Plan drafted by the American Rescue Plan Task Force was approved by the board. The plan, available on the county website, lists funding proposals for across the county.

Referring to the American Rescue Fund, Finance Committee Chair Jeffrey Dutt reminded, “this is not an unending amount of money or funds.”

Terri L. Nasatka was appointed to the Aging & Adult Services Advisory Council for a term ending March 31, 2028.