Management Team
JusticeWorks knows that quality services are entirely dependant on a quality staff supported and guided by committed managers. Our senior management team has a tremendous skill set and experience. Most importantly, they ‘walk the walk’ when it comes to doing whatever it takes to help youth and families succeed.
Dan Heit, M.A.
JusticeWorks’ Founder
Dan Heit founded JusticeWorks YouthCare in Pittsburgh, PA in 1999 after a distinguished leadership career spanning more than 20 years. A nationally recognized expert in behavioral health programs, he has been acknowledged as a leader in developing and managing innovative programs for troubled youth.
He was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve on a 24 member Presidential Commission for model legislation and, as president of a national trade organization, met with President Clinton and served on subcommittees for health care reform. He was a founding member of The National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws and served two terms as President of the Therapeutic Communities of America. He is active in his community and serves a number of community organizations.
Dan’s commitment is to develop and manage programs that do “whatever it takes” to make a positive difference for troubled youth, their families and communities. Please contact him directly to see if JusticeWorks can provide a resource for your agency and community: danheit@justiceworksyouthcare.com
Nicole Allen, M.S.
Vice President, Operations
Nicole has extensive clinical experience providing home-based services to troubled youth and families. She is an entrepreneur who co-founded a renowned health & wellness center. As the first Director of Lehigh’s STOPP program, she led our team to achieve 100% positive outcomes! Now, with responsibilities for all programs in Berks, Chester, Lehigh, Northampton and York Counties, she is the driving high energy force managing JusticeWorks’ growth and continued high quality.
Dipesh Chauhan, M.A.
Director of Quality Assurance & Program Development
Dipesh has a depth of experience as a clinician, planner, manager, trainer and educator. He has worked in specialized services for adolescents and adults including criminal justice, drug & alcohol treatment and mental health. He has expertise in residential and home-based services and has taught at a local college. As our first Director for Berks County, Dipesh led our CYS and JPO programs to dramatic growth and stellar outcomes.
Now, as Director of Quality Assurance & Program Development, Dipesh works with all counties to make sure our programs are ‘best in class’ and we continually evolve to meet the needs of our county partners as well as youth and families in our care. He works to identify and introduce new approaches and technologies which enhance our services. Dipesh also presents our capabilities to new areas and helps JusticeWorks extend its reach to other locations.
John Kokales, M.S.
Controller
John has been a business owner and has extensive experience as a tax account and controller in a variety of health service and other industries. He was an agent for the Internal Revenue Service. John is involved in his community as the director of his church youth group and a coach for the local athletic organization. . He is responsible for all of the finance and human resources functions at JusticeWorks.
Vakeycha Rogers-Grant, M.S.W.
Program Director Philadelphia
Keycha has had a varied career devoted to helping adolescents and adults overcome profound challenges. She has worked as a clinician, teacher and Quality Assurance Director in residential and outpatient programs providing drug and alcohol treatment, foster care, mental health, recreation and mentoring.
As Director of our Philadelphia Reintegration Program, Keycha has successfully led our Philadelphia team to achieve dramatic reductions in recidivism and positive engagement in the community for chronic delinquent youth.
Renee Kresge
Program Director Lehigh & Northampton Counties
Renee is a native of the Lehigh Valley who graduated from Penn State with a degree in Human Development & Family Studies. Renee has more than 10 years experience providing and managing family-based services. Starting as a clinician, she has successfully adapted to the complex role of Program Director, balancing quality assurance of services, developing community resources, training, stakeholder relations and overall management. Under her leadership, our Lehigh and Northampton programs have continued to excel and expand.
Dave Baker, M.Ed.
Program Director York County & Alternative Education Division Director
Dave began his career as a teacher in a long-term residential facility for delinquent teens. His dedication and talent resulted in continuous career growth to ultimately become Director of Operations for 11 alternative schools in 4 states.
He has never wavered in his commitment to help all students find ways of succeeding in school, identify themselves as capable of learning and become life-long learners. His management and supervisory style incorporates the same balance of support and insistence on achieving high goals. Dave brings to JusticeWorks the talent to keep our York County programs successful and the drive to help us initiate our new Education Division.
Marc A. Maddy, LSW
Program Director Berks County
Marc has extensive experience as a clinician and manager in private agencies and as an Intake Supervisor for Berks County Office of Children & Youth Services. He is active in many associations, serves on the State Board for Family Group Decision Making and is pursuing a second
Master’s Degree.
As Program Director, he works tirelessly to make sure we meet the needs of youth and families in our care and that we are responsive partners to CYS and Juvenile Probation in Berks County. His staff routinely comment that ‘he never asks us to do anything he won’t do’ and leads by example.
