The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 25 approved contract renewals and rate adjustments for providers under the Children and Youth unit. Jamie Scribe presented the items, describing a range of rate increases across providers.

Scribe said Cornell Abraxas Group LLC — which provides in-home services, shelter, detention, secure residential and institutional programs — requested increases that mostly ranged from about 3.33% to 19.45%, with a 26.98% increase for secure residential services for certain offenders and a 43.46% increase for one intensive institutional program. Scribe noted that, “even with these increases, they are still requesting rates that are lower than their state, maximum approved rates.”

The board also approved a contract with Diversified Treatment Alternative Centers LLC, which provides institutional programs and counseling; Scribe said only the psychiatric evaluation rate increased (11.43%). He noted the county sometimes pays for psychiatric evaluations when a youth’s insurance will not cover the cost.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval and carried the motions by voice vote. No public commenters spoke on these contracts during the meeting.