The McKean County Collaborative Board convened its annual meeting on November 13, 2025, bringing together more than 21 stakeholders representing a broad range of local agencies, service providers, and community organizations. The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships, addressing shared challenges, and identifying opportunities to improve services across McKean County.

The meeting opened with a Community Connections Mapping activity, allowing participants to explore how their agencies currently collaborate and where new linkages can be developed. Stakeholders discussed referral pathways, points of contact, and partnership opportunities, reinforcing the Board’s commitment to coordinated and efficient service delivery.

During the roundtable reflection, attendees identified key challenges affecting residents throughout McKean County. These included

• Volunteer shortages impacting essential community programs
• Transportation barriers common in rural areas
• Limited access to healthcare and behavioral health services, including effects from the closure of the psychiatric inpatient unit at BRMC
• Pharmacy closures reducing medication access
• Technology and broadband limitations affecting communication and service delivery
• Insufficient childcare options for working families

Stakeholders also proposed several strategies to address these challenges, such as hosting a countywide volunteer fair, expanding student service-learning partnerships, advocating for expanded telehealth and broadband infrastructure, coordinating shared-ride transportation solutions, and collaborating with childcare providers on service expansion.

The group highlighted multiple opportunities to strengthen community capacity in the coming year, including:

• Hosting a Volunteer Fair to connect agencies with potential volunteers
• Collaborating with school districts to support student service-learning requirements
• Forming focus groups dedicated to improving outreach and communication
• Increasing use of the Poverty Simulation Training available to agencies
• Creating an ad hoc networking committee to deepen interagency connections

Future meeting topics proposed included presentations from new local programs, scams and fraud-prevention education, insights from the Assistance Office, and legal resource sessions for community-serving agencies.

Participants emphasized the strong partnerships that already exist across McKean County. Several key resources were celebrated, including Mental Health First Aid trainings, Rays of Hope services, and the Strengthening Families Program offered through local schools. Stakeholders noted that dedicated community members and agency staff remain the driving force behind local resilience and progress.

During the business portion of the meeting, the Board unanimously reappointed Dan Wertz as Chair for the upcoming year. The Steering Committee will continue with its current membership.

The meeting concluded at 11:31 AM, with members reaffirming their shared commitment to collaboration and improving outcomes for McKean County residents.