Dauphin County researchers are making polymers that can environmentally degrade.

Dauphin County, in the heart of Pennsylvania, is the preferred place to live, work and raise a family. Dauphin County government provides a vast number of programs and services for its 286,000 residents. Management of the county is the responsibility of a three-member Board of County Commissioners, whose members are elected at-large by county voters to serve four-year terms. They are assisted by a number of professionals, including a chief clerk/chief of staff, elected row officers, and solicitors. Dauphin County’s departments include Community and Economic Development, Criminal Investigation Division, Court and Deputy Court Administrations, Domestic Relations, Emergency Management Agency, Facility Maintenance, Human Resources, Human Services, Information Technology, Probation Services, Public Defender, Purchasing, Risk Management, Safety and Security, Solid Waste and Recycling, Tax Assessment, Veterans’ Affairs, Voter Registration, Work Release as well as various row offices. The following agencies comprise the county’s Human Services: Area Agency on Aging, Social Services for Children & Youth, Drug & Alcohol, and Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities. The county also operates Dauphin County Prison and the Judicial Center.