PA PowerPort

April 2004

GOVERNOR RENDELL ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF STAKEHOLDER COMMISSION TO CABINET ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

HARRISBURG: In an effort to support the work of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families, Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced 39 members of a statewide commission comprised of experts and stakeholders from across the state. The commission will be chaired by Shelly Yanoff of Philadelphia County, executive director of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, and will be organized under six regional chairs.

"The representatives on this commission are family members, advocates and people who work on the front lines with service providers in the Commonwealth," Governor Rendell said. "We are creating a diverse group of stakeholders representing the unique regions of Pennsylvania and a rich pool of talent, passion, skills and expertise-all tasked with helping improve the lives of children."

Governor Rendell signed an executive order Sept. 18, 2003, establishing the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families to coordinate and streamline services for children and families among the many government agencies throughout the state.

The statewide commission of stakeholders will help the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families identify the barriers that impede effective and efficient service of the needs of children and families and form solutions to the problems.

Yanoff is a native of Philadelphia with a law degree from Villanova University who has served as executive director of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth for more than 14 years.

"I have known Shelly for a number of years and count on her as a trusted adviser on children's issues," Governor Rendell said.

The six regional chairs are:

* Southeast - Nick Torres, executive director, Congresso de Latinos Unitas, Philadelphia.

* Southcentral - Wendy Luckenbill, parent and coordinator, Pennsylvania Collaboration for Youth, Womelsdorf.

* Southwest - Leon Haynes, executive director, Hosanna House Inc., Wilkinsburg.

* Northwest - Maureen Barber-Carey, executive vice president, Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Center Inc., Erie.

* Northcentral - Ellen DeDomenico, human services director, Lycoming-Clinton Counties Joinder Board and president, Pennsylvania Association of County Human Services Administrators, Selinsgrove.

* Northeast - Patricia Levin, executive director, Community Services for Children Inc., Allentown.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Listed below are the Stakeholder Committee members:

Allegheny County

Carmen Anderson, program officer, The Heinz Endowments, Pittsburgh.

Dr. Robert Cicco, Pediatric and Neonatal Associates, Pittsburgh.

Hon. Kim Clark, supervising judge, Family Division-Juvenile Section, Pittsburgh.

Leon Haynes, director, Hosanna House, Inc., Wilkinsburg.

Liz Healy, parent and advocate, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Pittsburgh.

Dr. Robert Nelkin, director of policy initiatives, University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development, Pittsburgh.

Berks County

Wendy Luckenbill, parent and coordinator, Pennsylvania Collaboration for Youth, Womelsdorf.

Cathy Palm, publisher, Advocate's Agenda, Bernville.

Bucks County

Dr. Frances Barnes, superintendent, Palisades School District, Ottsville.

Lee Rush, executive director, justCommunity Inc., Perkasie.

Centre County

Norma Keller, Centre County Youth Service Bureau, State College.

Hon. Donna D. Gority, Blair County commissioner, Hollidaysburg.

Dr. Mark T. Greenberg, director, Prevention Research Center, Department of Human Development and Family Services, University Park.

Dauphin County

Joan Benso, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Harrisburg.

Terry Casey, executive director, Pennsylvania Child Care Association, Harrisburg.

Daniel Elby, executive director, Alternative Rehabilitation Communities, Inc., Harrisburg.

Larry Gardner, president/CEO, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Capital Region, Harrisburg.

Sandra Peck, parent, Dauphin.

Ilene W. Shane, executive director, Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy, Inc., Harrisburg.

Erie County

Maureen Barber-Carey, executive vice president, Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Center, Inc., Erie.

Lancaster County

Robert Haigh, president, Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation, Lancaster.

Alice M. Yoder, director, Community Health, Lancaster General Hospital, Silver Spring.

Lehigh County

Paulette Hunter, parent, Allentown.

Patricia W. Levin, Community Services for Children, Allentown.

Luzerne County

Dr. Dennis Gourley, executive director, Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley, Dallas.

Joseph De Vizia, president, Children's Service Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Philadelphia County

Jeannie Kim Carpenter, director, Primary Care Services, Children's Hospital, Philadelphia.

Cynthia Corbin, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia.

Gloria Guard, president, People's Emergency Center , Philadelphia.

Rev. Geneva Hackett, Impacting Your World Ministries, Philadelphia.

Frazierita Klasen, Pew Charitable Trust, Philadelphia.

Lynne McDivit, Family Advocacy coordinator, Philadelphia.

Andrew Pack, executive director, Variety Club - Helping Children with Disabilities, Philadelphia.

Nick Torres, Congresso de Latinos Unitas, Philadelphia.

Shelly Yanoff, executive director, Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, Philadelphia.

Potter County

Honorable John B. Leete, president judge, 55th Judicial District, Coudersport.

Ellen Shinn, Potter County Human Services, Roulette.

Snyder County

Ellen DeDomenico, human services director, Lycoming-Clinton Counties Joinder Board and president, Pennsylvania Association of County Human Services, Selinsgrove.

Union County

Dr. Robert G. Witten, executive director, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Lewisburg.