“Dear Ms. Kresge,

Richard O’toole”

Thanks to Karen Votta, Lehigh County JusticeWorks for doing whatever it takes to achieve a positive outcome!

“I usually don’t write e-mails to give you updates on positive events only on negative ones. I wanted to take the time today to give you some positive feedback. I have three cases with Josh Lauzus (G****, Y***, and W***). I wanted you to know that I feel he has been doing an excellent job with all three families.

The feedback from the workers has been positive. His contacts are detailed and on time. I know that my caseworker Rachael Carey and Josh have been busting their backs on the G*** case trying to maintain the cleanliness in the home. I know that he was with Jennah Kosmicki when they drove all the way down to Delta in search of C*** W*** while he was on-run. They were successful in finding him but then he was high and the whole ordeal lasted all night with getting to the hospital and waiting. Josh has also found a way to make Ms. Y*** semi-compliant (which is nearly impossible). She was unsuccessfully discharge from team services before but somehow Josh gets her to follow through. I just wanted you to be aware that he is doing a very good job and I am happy with the services he provides. Thank you.”

Kerri Conley, CYS Supervisor
York County Office of Children & Youth Services

Thanks to Josh Lauzus, York County JusticeWorks for doing whatever it takes to achieve a positive outcome!

JusticeWorks YouthCare was cited as number 29!

JusticeWorks’ CEO, Dan Heit commented that “while growing a company is exciting and fulfilling, in our industry it is always a little bittersweet since it reflects the profound need and distress in families and communities”.

We are heartened though that our existing public sector partners see the value in our services and our ability to achieve positive outcomes with very challenging youth and families. Our programs have proven to save more money than they cost.

Even during these terrible economic times, we’ve seen increased utilization of our existing programs, new services added in existing counties, and new counties who have chosen to contract with JusticeWorks.

And, we know that our good outcomes and continued growth would not be possible without the hard work of our expert staff who are committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve success with the youth and families entrusted to our care.

Chelsea’s sister was glad for the opportunity to keep Chelsea out of another foster placement, and was open to JusticeWorks services, utilizing this worker very well. She called us a “team” because she knew I was working diligently with her to do what had to be done prior to the court date in which the child would be probably be placed if we did not meet all the requirements.

Together, we got Chelsea to all her weekly mental health appointments, ended the school truancy issues, implemented more household structure and rules, got the child off her pacifier, and maintained her significant medication regimen. With the help of the LCOCYS caseworker, we resolved difficult issues with DPW and Medical Assistance, and successfully navigated the Kinship Caregiver application process.

The little family moved into their own apartment and have become independent of their mother, who left the halfway home early, returned to the original family home, and to her previous drug and alcohol use. The adult sister strikes a balance in the family dynamic, supervising weekly visits between the child and their mother, who abides by the established ground rules and knows that to be allowed to visit with the child, she must be clean and sober that day.

It has been a pleasure to assist this family in establishing themselves and helping them to keep Chelsea out of foster care, and with family who loves her and who can keep her safe.

Thanks again to Karen Votta, Lehigh County JusticeWorks for doing whatever it takes to achieve a positive outcome!

Adam’s mother started and quit numerous treatments including in-patient, partial hospitalization and out-patient settings, always excusing herself for reasons she told herself were sensible, but in reality were designed to allow her to return to drug use. Adam’s grandmother refused to embrace any treatment. The situation appeared to be moving towards placement of the child, when circumstances occurred which caused the grandmother to move out of the family home. This event started a chain reaction in the mother’s life which ultimately cleared the way for the child’s mother to begin to get clean and sober.

Adam’s mother began to maintain her mental health and D&A treatment services. She accepted and embraced the services of this provider who constantly offered unconditional positive regard balanced with reality therapy using a confrontational approach.

She began to really focus on and care for her son, obtained a new job, started saving money, began a budget to pay back old debts, and saved her relationship with her boyfriend. Her attendance at NA meetings worked wonders in combination with her other services, which she finally realized were giving her a drug-free future which she previously could not imagine. She managed to keep extended family members rallying around her to keep the child in the home.

STOPP and JustCare intervention over a period of 8 months was a major contributor in the process of helping this family achieve stability and safety within the family home, preventing a placement, and helping them establish a solid start towards a bright and drug-free future.

Thank you to Karen Votta, Lehigh County JusticeWorks for doing whatever it takes to achieve a positive outcome!

About 150 staff, spouses and children enjoyed a picnic Bar B-Q, water slide, horseshoes, volleyball, carnival games and a dunk tank.

JusticeWorks’ CEO, Dan Heit & Vice President Operations Nicole Allen took the plunge in the dunk tank to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Amazingly, staff lined up and generously contributed to dunk Dan & Nicole! JusticeWorks is matching the staff contribution to Make-A-Wish.

In comments to staff, Dan recalled starting JusticeWorks with the idea to improve outcomes for juvenile courts and child welfare agencies through innovative and proactive programs. He acknowledged that a good idea is not nearly enough in human services.. it takes the hard work, dedication and commitment by staff to do whatever it takes to truly build better futures for youth, families and communities. And, JusticeWorks is blessed with a staff who do just that!

Starting with one contract with Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Office and 2 employees, JusticeWorks now provides a range of services in seven counties throughout Pennsylvania with a staff of some 100 outstanding professionals.

The report card above demonstrates that JusticeWorks is succeeding in its mission to collaborate with public agencies to achieve better outcomes for youth and families.

Counties will be 90% reimbursed by the State for using Promising Practices Programs.

We are very proud that Lehigh and Northampton Counties nominated JusticeWorks and our STOPP and JustCare programs have been awarded Promising Practice designation.

We are appreciative of our positive collaboration with Lehigh and Northampton Counties and of DPW’s innovative leadership to encourage tracking outcomes and use of programs with positive results.

Like a team winning a championship, this acknowledgment just makes us want to continue to work hard doing whatever it takes to build better futures for youth, families and communities.

We are creating a network of non-profit and municipal entities which need volunteer services. We will match youth with needs in the community and provide supervision to assure they complete their required hours with positive attitude and productivity. We will also provide job readiness training to youth to maximize the long-term benefits of their helping the community. The program is slated to begin in August, 2009.

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Have a great day!