Conklin: $2 million secured to improve juvenile justice services, combat opioid addiction, strengthen programs for Centre County crime survivors
Rep. Scott Conklin December 11, 2025 | 4:18 PM
STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 11 – Grant funding of $2 million is coming back to Centre County to fund an important juvenile justice initiative, combat opioid addiction and bolster resources for domestic and child abuse survivors, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today.
Conklin said the funding includes nearly $1.2 million to the Pennsylvania State University to continue its work with the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol – a data-driven system that allows the state to assess which evidence-based programs are most effective at serving juveniles in the justice system and preventing recidivism.
“PSU has been a unique partner with the state in its efforts to improve the quality of juvenile justice services,” Conklin said. “The new funding will allow them to continue those efforts.”
Conklin said that a $500,000 grant to the Centre County Commissioners will enhance the Centre County Correctional Facility’s medication-assisted treatment program to fight opioid addiction.
“The program has been working to reduce addiction and opioid-related deaths through an approach that combines medication, therapy and access to post-release services,” Conklin said. “The new funding will make the program even more effective by adding educational components and intensive, post-release case coordination services to help people transitioning back to the community.”
A $125,000 grant under the federal STOP Violence Against Women program will fund the second year of a project that employs the skills of specialized law enforcement and prosecution units. Conklin said the project also provides a wide range of direct services to survivors, with a focus on those from the international community, LGBTQ individuals and people of color.
“The new funding will help support the services of a dedicated sexual assault detective in the State College Police Department, two assistant DAs to prosecute violent crimes against women and staff positions at Centre Safe to provide a range of services to survivors,” he said.
Additional grants include $147,750 to the county commissioners to bolster services for crime survivors and witnesses and $50,000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County to support the center’s work providing evidence-based medical exams and treatment for young survivors and to reinforce training in a multi-disciplinary investigative team approach.
The funding was approved through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. More about the agency is available here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pccd.