Pennsylvania
JusticeWorks YouthCare to Provide Services for Lebanon County!
On September 13th, 2019, our JusticeWorks team met with representatives from Lebanon County Children and Youth to discuss the implementation of our signature services, STOPP® and JustCare®. We welcome Lebanon County as our 44th Pennsylvania County!
Lebanon, formerly known as Steitztown, was historically home to a major steel mill operated by Bethlehem Steel. Lebanon bologna originates from the area and was first made in the city. Lebanon’s native son, Kerry Collins, born Dec. 30, 1972, played football for the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Oakland Raiders – among many other teams.
We look forward to an enduring partnership with Lebanon County. We will do ‘whatever it takes’ to ensure the highest level of success for the children and families of Lebanon County.
JusticeWorks Top Workplace Award
We are honored to have recently received an award by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette which recognizes JusticeWorks as one of the Pittsburgh region’s Top Workplaces!
On Thursday, August 22nd, senior managers Dipesh Chauhan, Rebekah Smith, Errone Cody, Matt Davin, Jeff Ralph, Annette Trunzo, and Justice Work’s President Daniel Heit were pleased to accept the company’s award. What makes this honor truly special is that it is awarded based upon survey responses from the JusticeWorks’ staff. We are honored to have a team of such talented and dedicated individuals who do whatever it takes to achieve positive outcomes for the children and families we serve.
In a letter to all JusticeWorks’ staff, President Daniel Heit said, “I am proud that our commitment to be an employee-centered and positive place to work is working. In human services, it’s the humans who make a difference, and each of you do!”
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette specifically sought to recognize businesses with values, connection, effectiveness, engagement, and leadership. Congratulations to everyone for upholding these standards each and every day. Justice Works Youth Care will strive to continue to improve our services for those we serve and the nearly 100 counties in which we provide care.
Who’s on First!
As a team builder, Schuylkill County Children and Youth have maintained a softball team for many years. This year, JusticeWorks staff have been offered the opportunity to participate on their team. This past week, they played against Broad Mountain Nursing Home. Our Director of Colorado Services was in Pennsylvania for training. He was recruited to play on the team! After a tough battle, JusticeWorks staff assisted CYS in Victory over Broad Mountain 10-6!
“It is wonderful to see such collaboration, teamwork, and comradery on and off the field. That is the recipe for success!” stated JusticeWorks Director, Sam Gerdeman.
Schuylkill County Children and Youth and JusticeWorks once again demonstrate that it is hard to defeat a great team!
JusticeWorks receives the CCAP 21st Centry Best Practice Award!
Front row (left to right): FRS Iesha Santos, Supervisor Tom Bilinski, President & CEO Dan Heit, Director Rebecca Bieber, Supervisor Trish Beltz
Back row (left to right): Director Dipesh Chauhan, CCAP Deputy Director Brinda Penyak, FRS Shannon Rhodes, JDCAP Executive Director Wayne Bear, Regional Director Jeff Ralph, Juvenile Probation Officer Justin Clay
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is the voice of Pennsylvania counties. CCAP provides county leaders with information and guidance related to legislation, education, media, insurance, technology, and many other issues that help create and maintain vital services for residents throughout the state.
CCAP supports county leadership that is responsive to the needs and circumstances of citizens. Every year, CCAP honors outstanding criminal and juvenile justice efforts through award recognition for being innovative pioneers in meeting the challenges facing all county jails and juvenile justice providers. JusticeWorks is pleased to announce that CCAP recently bestowed the 2019 Juvenile Alternatives Program Award to Berks County for our JusticeWorks YouthCare Reintegration Program.
The Reintegration program was developed to provide the “missing link” in intensive long-term treatment and residential programs. The program begins while the youth are detained, continues throughout the placement, and their transition into the community. Reintegration requires collaboration between the out-of-home placement facility, stakeholders, families, and the community to ensure delivery of services and supervision. It also involves partnerships with other child-serving agencies and community supports to expand the capacity of youth services.
Our innovative programming has generated numerous success stories. JusticeWorks YouthCare takes seriously its responsibility to be an accountable and high-quality provider of services. We are committed to evaluating the outcomes of our work, which then guides the evolution of our programs. While we are proud of the outstanding results we’ve achieved, we never stop trying to improve our programs.
We are honored to be recognized for our Reintegration program and delighted to receive this award. Many thanks to our Berks County Team for their outstanding commitment to JusticeWorks’ mission and values.
Brrrr…It’s getting Chili in Schuylkill County!
Judges table: Dan Heit, Robert McGee, and Angel Ramos
Winners: 3rd place- Samantha Gerdeman, 2nd place – Kaitlyn Miller, 1st place – Vince Troutman.
While the rest of Pennsylvania enjoys the frigid temperatures of March, the Schuylkill County team opted to warm things up. On March 18th, JusticeWorks Schuylkill hosted their first annual Chili Cookoff! Dan Heit, our President & CEO, surprised the staff as a celebrity judge! Ten delicious pots of chili were entered and faced off against each other in a bracket-style match-up. Our 2019 winner was Vince Troutman. Congrats Vince! We are confident that you will have hungry competitors from other counties who will want to participate next year!
JusticeWorks has always had a passion for supporting its staff. Our staff engagement strategies have produced a culture of team spirit and accomplishment. We are proud that our environment let’s staff feel a part of something greater than themselves and leads to emotional gratification in their work. Research shows that staff with high job satisfaction produce positive outcomes.
Praise from Monroe County Children and Youth Services!
Hello JusticeWorks Team,
I just wanted to send a quick email to acknowledge Dalton White, he is currently working with a family for one of my cases and they cannot speak any higher of him. This family was not the easiest to deal with and yet he completely turned their home around for the better. The mother explained to me (the caseworker) that “ Dalton doesn’t choose a side and will tell both myself and my daughter when we are wrong, now we work together and I don’t wait for her when I drive her to places, I know I was mean to my daughter and I have to stop. Dalton showed me that I need to give my daughter more freedom and he showed her that she needs to listen to her mother.” The mother feels Dalton really helped their family in such a positive way and I just wanted to share that with you guys. You have a great team over there.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Walter
County Caseworker
Monroe County Children and Youth Services
Kimberly, thank you for recognizing the amazing work of Dalton. Dalton, we value and appreciate the high standard of care you offer to the families we serve. People like you make an incredible impact on the community we serve.
