The entrance to One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown, where many county offices are housed. Credit: Montgomery County Commissioners
Montgomery County officials authorized more than $12.3 million in contracts last month, with multimillion-dollar agreements going toward the district attorney’s office and Health and Human Services.
The 10-item package unanimously approved during a recent Montgomery County Commissioners meeting encompassed child advocacy, data storage, domestic violence support, as well as drug and alcohol prevention services.
A more than $3.75 million agreement with Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, of Blue Bell, offered a “coordinated approach” through support, advocacy and quality assurance to help children who’ve experienced abuse. Additional services allow for detection, forensic interviewing and “multidisciplinary investigative teams” who employ techniques “to bring perpetrators of child sexual abuse to justice,” the contract states.
Terms stipulated a three-year contract with two annual renewal options, according to the contract, which was funded through “state gaming allocation” dollars.
Two Montgomery County nonprofits were awarded more than $3.75 million for “comprehensive support services” to domestic violence victims, including counseling, housing, shelter, as well as legal and medical assistance.
Laurel House, of Norristown, received a more than $3.15 million contract and the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, of Colmar, received $595,000. Each contract will last three years with two optional annual renewal terms, according to the contract, which was funded through “state gaming allocation” dollars.
A more than $1.15 million data storage contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., of Scottsdale, Arizona, covered “access and support” for the “evidence management system” used by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The five-year contract was funded through the county’s general-operational budget.
“The Axon Justice system significantly modernizes the way evidence is collected, stored, and shared digitally by the District Attorney’s office,” the contract states.
Valley Youth House Inc., of Bethlehem, secured $2.47 million in two contracts with Montgomery County’s Office of Health and Human Services. Each contract stipulated two-year terms, with three annual renewal options. Funds were obtained through the Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families’ needs-based plan and budgets special grants.
A $2.07 million agreement covered “independent living services for current and former foster children.” Valley Youth House Inc. was one of four organizations to a previously advertised request for proposals.
More than $1 million in state and federal dollars was designated for mental health and drug and alcohol prevention services operated by four organizations across Montgomery County, located in Lafayette Hill, Pottstown and Willow Grove. The $450,250 in drug and alcohol-related services are expected to focus on “youth prevention education and student assistance program/youth intervention,” the contract states, with additional $574,960 contract funding directed for the county’s Office of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Early Intervention.
Drug and alcohol specific funding is expected to be allotted for six months, until Dec. 31, 2025, while the mental health-focused monies will be available from July 1 until June 30, 2026, according to the contract. Terms stipulate four additional annual renewal options. Creative Health Services, Inc of Pottstown; Merakey, of Lafayette Hill, and the the Upper Moreland Youth & Drug Council, also known as Aldersgate Youth Service Bureau, of Willow Grove were among the selected providers.
Another $400,000 two-year agreement with the Bethlehem-based organization covered mentoring services for “current and former youth who were placed into foster care” between 14 years old and 23 years old. The company was one of five companies to submit bids to a previously advertised request for proposals.
In other business, Montgomery County officials also executed a five-year lease for office space for the county’s Department of Information and Technology Solutions inside the Logan Square Shopping Center, located at the intersection of Johnson Highway and Markley Street, in Norristown.
The agreement with Norristown Centre A, L.P. set terms for more $1 million over the next five years. Rent was set at roughly $188,669 for the first year, which will be allocated in monthly installments of about $15,722, according to documents. Incremental increases were included to follow at approximately $194,353 for the second year, $200,136 for the third year, $206,115 for the fourth year, and $212,289 for the fifth year.
The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St, Norristown. Those interested in attending the meeting can also do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov.
