Lancaster County was proclaimed the fourth county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 10, 1729. Lancaster County is 946 square miles, consists of 60 municipal divisions including the city of Lancaster, 18 boroughs and 41 townships. Lancaster has been a third class county since 1962. The 2000 census showed a population of 470,658, a 10% increase from the 1990 census. The City of Lancaster has 56,348 residents.
The Lancaster County Office of Mental Health/Mental Retardation has been responsible for managing the local public mental health system since 1969. In 1973, publicly funded Drug and Alcohol services came into existence and joined the Lancaster County MH/MR program which then changed its name to Lancaster County Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Drug and Alcohol Program. Both agencies continued in tandem to serve the publicly funded individual until 1989 when the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission became a separate Single County Authority.
The Lancaster County Office of Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program and the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission serve individuals who are enrolled in Medical Assistance and those who are not enrolled in Medical Assistance including the uninsured, the underinsured, and those whose insurance programs have capped-out.
Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission directly offers through its staff of 14 Civil Service employees and its County Commissioners appointed Executive Director, administration, prevention, consultation and case management services. Through its contracted network of providers, the Program offers the following drug and alcohol services: inpatient rehabilitation, intensive outpatient, outpatient, Detox and halfway house treatment.
During fiscal year 2002-2003, the Commission provided treatment services for 607 Lancaster citizens in Detox, 418 in rehab, 103 in halfway house, and 56 in partial and 1,388 clients in outpatient therapy. More than 10,000 citizens were served in the prevention programs.
Links County Website Board of Commissioners Chairman Scott Martin Vice-Chairman Dennis P. Stuckey Secretary Craig Lehman General Information* Population 1970319,693 1980362,346 1990422,822 2000470,658 2010519,445 % change 1970 to 200047.22% % change 1990 to 200011.3% % change 2000 to 201010.36% Age (Years)-2010 Census < 57.0% 6 - 1824.8% > 6515.0% Employment/Unemployment Unemployment Rate 19953.6% 19973.0% 20002.0% 20106.9% Civilian Labor Force 1990222,213 2000243,015 2010267,350