Carbon County officials approved 11 new positions in its Children and Youth Department this week in response to a settlement with the state to keep its license.

The new positions total approximately $800,000 additional in costs to the salary budget, with 80% of that covered by state and federal subsidies.

“We made a lot of moves here under Children & Youth and I certainly hope that the Department of Health Northeast Regional Office appreciates going forward on what we’re sacrificing or doing to improve our caseloads and care of our children in Carbon County,” Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said.

“The county as a whole strongly supports Children & Youth and really understands the complexity of that job and the requirements put on us by the state is really a huge burden, not only on the agency, but the county as well.”

The board was unanimous in changing the rate of one administrator II from $24.81 per hour to $33.29 per hour, effective Jan. 1.

The board also voted to establish the following positions, effective Jan. 3:

• One county casework manager I at $25.09 per hour.

• One county caseworker supervisor I at $20.22 per hour.

• Four county caseworkers II at $18.93 per hour.

• Two county caseworkers I at $16.02 per hour.

• One social services aide II at $12.31 per hour.

• One D&A assessor/urine screen collector at $18.93 per hour.

• One fiscal assistant at $13.18 per hour.

One additional motion that was made to establish a Children & Youth IT specialist at a rate of $14.53 per hour was tabled until a plan is coordinated between the IT department and the director of Children and Youth based on the specialized training that is needed for the systems the department uses.

Corrections

The county also made significant moves in the department of corrections, establishing nine positions at the county correctional facility, effective Jan. 3:

• Added two assistant deputy warden positions and changed the rates from $23.30 per hour to $23.89 and $26.10 based on the person’s experience.

• Added four sergeant positions at the prevailing Teamsters Local Union 773 Sergeants rate.

The board said the positions will provide for a sergeant to be available daily, as well as an alternate. This is aimed at reducing overtime for prison employees.

• Added three corrections officer positions at the prevailing Teamsters Local Union 773 rate.

The board said that it will revisit this motion at a later time to see if the additional two corrections officers originally in the motion were still needed.

The county also abolished the positions of seven part-time corrections officer positions at $11.95 per hour due to increasing full-time staff; as well as four part-time corrections officers positions under Teamsters.

Other actions taken

The following actions were also taken in various departments:

• Commissioners’ office: Change the rate of one fiscal assistant/para legal from $20.69 per hour to $21.31 per hour, effective Jan. 1.

• Communications Center: Change the rate of one part-time dispatcher from $14.13 per hour to $13.32 per hour, effective Jan. 10.

• Elections: Abolish the position of one temporary part-time utility worker at $12.31 per hour, effective Jan. 3.

• Human resources: Establish the position of one human resources benefits and billing coordinator at $15.26 per hour, and abolish the position of one human resources assistant at $14.69 per hour, both effective Jan. 3.

• Pocono Counties Workforce Development Agency: Establish the position of one Temporary Assistance for Needy Families caseworker at $18.77 per hour; abolish the position of one coordinator/case manager at $18.04 per hour; and establish the position of one coordinator at $13.84 per hour, all effective Jan. 3.