Mental Health & Intellectual Disabilities Advisory Board

The Centre County Mental Health/Intellectual Disability/Early Intervention (MH/ID/EI) Advisory Board was instituted by the MH/MR Act of 1966 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The purpose of the MH/ID/EI Advisory Board is to review and evaluate MH/ID/EI needs, services, facilities, and special problems in relation to the local health and welfare needs, services and program; to make recommendations to the MH/ID/EI Administrator and to the County Commissioners regarding the program and any other matters relating to MH/ID/EI services in the county, including purchases of service contracts and the extent of funds required to implement the program; to develop, together with the MH/ID/EI Administrator, continuing plans for the program; and, to review performance under the mental health and intellectual disability program and to participate in evaluations of the service delivery system.

Meeting Schedule

The Board meets the third Monday, every other month, at noon via video-conference.  If you wish to participate in a public meeting, please submit your request to mh-id-ei@centrecountypa.gov and we will forward a meeting link to you.  The meetings for 2023 are as follows:

  • Monday, February 27 (due to the holiday)
  • Monday, April 17
  • Monday, June 26 (due to the holiday)
  • Monday, August 21
  • Monday, October 16
  • Monday, December 18

Membership

The thirteen members of the MH/ID/EI Advisory Board are appointed by the Board of Commissioners. According to 55 Pa. Code § 4200.11, the members of the advisory board shall consist of:

  • one representative of the Board of Commissioners
  • at least two physicians (where possible, one shall be a psychiatrist and the other a pediatrician)
  • at least two professionals from the fields of psychology, social work, nursing, education or religion
  • at least one member of a citizens’ organizations active in the field of mental health
  • at least one member of a citizens’ organizations active in the field of intellectual disabilities
  • at least one member from either a health and welfare planning organization or a hospital
  • at least one member from a community group whose membership represents the economically, socially, and culturally disadvantaged

Term Length

3 Years

Current Members



Greg Gaertner, ChairJune 2024
Christopher Potalivo, Vice Chair
June 2025
Timothy Derstine
June 2024
Kristie Kaufman
June 2024
Nathan Varner
January 2025
Shannon ManleyJuly 2025
Vacant
TBD
Vacant
TBD
Vacant
TBD
Vacant
TBD
Vacant
TBD
Vacant
TBD
Catherine Arbogast, MH/ID/EI-D&A Administrator

Amber Concepcion, Commissioner Vice-Chair