Full-day focus on human services connects community to resources

Published 09.08.2023

Most photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-Penn College News

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Flick opens the morning hearing, alluding to its placement between two events that feature aspects of human services: the stress felt by players in the Little League Baseball World Series as eyes across the globe watch them; and the 9/11 Memorial Ride, an emotional tribute that includes a number of veterans.

State Rep. Jamie L. Flick (R-83rd) hosted a legislative session, followed by a human services speaker series and expo, across three Penn College locations on Thursday. Events comprised a House Republican Policy Committee hearing, “Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Pennsylvania’s Rural Communities"; a series of experts with an audience question-and-answer session; and a Human Services Expo that attracted more than 60 agencies and providers from elder care and veterans' services to mental health and substance abuse recovery.

President Michael J. Reed welcomes legislators and guests to campus, providing an overview of Penn College's unique leadership position and of its human services & restorative justice majors and chemical dependency credential.

Panelists for the 10 a.m. hearing in the Thompson Professional Development Center are (from left) Ryan Gardner, Lycoming County district attorney; Keith Wagner, executive director of the Lycoming-Clinton Joinder; Sherry Shaffer, chief operating officer and government programs officer of Community Care Behavioral Health; and Eric Briggs, South Williamsport Area School District superintendent.

Members of the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee hear testimony and question panelists in the PDC Mountain Laurel Room. From left are state Reps. David H. Rowe, 85th District; Joe Hamm, 84th; Robert Leadbeter, 109th; Sheryl M. DeLozier, 88th District; Torren C. Ecker, 193rd, who chaired the hearing; Flick; Jonathan Fritz, 111th; Clint Owlett, 68th, a member of the Penn College Board of Directors; Aaron D. Kaufer, 120th; and Mike Cabell, 117th. Among those attending remotely were Reps. Eric R. Nelson, 57th District; and James B. Struzzi, 62nd.

Flick presented a House citation to Denise Lorson, supervisor at the UPMC Pediatric Rehabilitation Center on West Edwin Street, in honor of the facility's 100th anniversary. Speakers for the afternoon event were Kelly Gordon and Michaela Detrick, Northcentral PA Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness; Taylor Falk, West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission; Karen Koch and Amy Cline, Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living; and Rob Labatch, Hope Enterprises.

During the middle portion of the day, a series of speakers in the Davie Jane Gilmour Center presentation room, Flick presented a House citation to Denise Lorson, supervisor at the UPMC Pediatric Rehabilitation Center on West Edwin Street, in honor of the facility's 100th anniversary. Speakers for the afternoon event were Kelly Gordon and Michaela Detrick, Northcentral PA Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness; Taylor Falk, West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission; Karen Koch and Amy Cline, Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living; and Rob Labatch, Hope Enterprises.

The Field House is filled with tables staffed by helpful personnel with lifesaving information.

Flick, whose territory comprises parts of Lycoming and Union counties, tapes a Human Services Expo invitation for online posting. Visible over Flick's left shoulder is Alivia Tagliaferri, who manages the legislator's district office and was instrumental in planning the day.

At the NAMI display, Detrick (left) meets Krystle J. Richardson, representing the HSJ Club and completing her senior year in the human services & restorative justice bachelor's major.