The Gettysburg Borough Council on Monday night unanimously approved a resolution supporting a $1.2 million competitive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center ACCAC) “Brighter Tomorrow Center” renovation project at 224 Baltimore Street.
ACCAC is a child-focused, community-based program that brings together representatives from many different disciplines—law enforcement, child protection, mental health, medical and victim advocacy—working together to help children and families heal from the trauma of abuse.
The action followed a brief public hearing in which advocates said the center has outgrown its current home at 450 West Middle Street.
Harlan Lawson, an Adams County economic development specialist and Senior Project Manager at GMS Funding Solutions assisting the project, told council that Gettysburg’s prior use of its FY 2025 entitlement funds made the competitive application possible. He explained that roughly 12% of Pennsylvania’s annual CDBG allocation is reserved for a discretionary, competitive program, which Act 179 entitlement boroughs like Gettysburg may pursue if at least 75% of their most recent allocation has been committed.
Lawson said the CAC’s current facility is constrained by “layout and security,” while the Baltimore Street site would allow for expanded space for child abuse investigations, forensic interviews, medical exams, and mental health services. He noted that the project qualifies under CDBG rules because abused children are considered a presumed benefit population. Since its last presentation, the CAC has secured a $500,000 Local Share Account grant and received “very encouraging feedback” from DCED Deputy Secretary Rick Valello during a January site visit.
During public comment, former ACCAC board member Irene Powell said the move is long overdue. “The Children’s Advocacy Center has long outgrown the capacity of their current location on Middle Street,” she said, adding that the historic Baltimore Street property would be preserved and remain engaged with the downtown community.
Board Vice President Cindy Small said the existing facility allows the center to serve only “one child at a time in the old, overstuffed house,” while the new space would support ongoing care for children and families, including teen support groups that participants have asked to extend.
ACCAC Executive Director Elida Murray said the center received 538 referrals in 2025 and directly served 244 children and their families. She noted that 24% of those served came from Gettysburg Area School District addresses. “If you approve this resolution, it’s not just a today decision, but a forever decision for kids in Adams County,” she told council.
In the business meeting that followed, borough officials said the resolution does not commit additional local funds, but serves as “seed money” that unlocks other funding streams. Council then adopted Resolution No. 0122626 authorizing submission of the CDBG-C application.
