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Announcement

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HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Gov.-elect Austin Davis held a news conference Wednesday to announce the first steps in the transition to their incoming administration.

Outgoing Gov. Tom Wolf joined Shapiro and Davis for the announcement at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.

Shapiro and Davis will be sworn in on Jan. 17. The transition team will include executive director Akbar Hossain, who was the policy director on Shapiro’s gubernatorial campaign, and communications director Manuel Bonder, who was Shapiro’s campaign press secretary. Directing the inauguration will be Amanda Warren, who served as finance director on the campaign.

Shapiro also announced a transition website, shapirodavis.org, encouraging Pennsylvanians to learn more about the inauguration and to apply for roles in the new administration.

Shapiro is currently the state attorney general, and his term ends in January 2025. The governor will nominate someone to fill out the term, and that person will need Senate approval. The first deputy will take over the duties of attorney general until the position is filled.

Currently a state representative for the 35th District, Davis was reelected to that office in last week’s election while he also ran for lieutenant governor. A special election will be held to replace Davis in the state House.

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The Office of Developmental Programs is pleased to announce TaWanda Jackson as the new Chief of Staff. TaWanda brings a wealth of experience and will begin her new role October 31, 2022.

TaWanda Jackson, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an energetic professional with a passion for helping others. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Robert Morris University and continued her education and received her master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

TaWanda began her career in public service at the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging. She then joined the Commonwealth as an Income Maintenance Caseworker, and for the past thirteen years, she’s been with ODP in various roles. Most recently, TaWanda served as a statewide lead for the Quality Assessment & Improvement Process. She has participated in the development and implementation of the QA&I process since its inception and provided her knowledge and expertise to ensure that stakeholders understand the overall processes and procedures and adhere to federal and state regulations and requirements.

TaWanda is an alumnus of the Office of Administration Emerging Leader Program and the Department of Human Services Leadership Development Institute. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family playing games, cooking, reading, being active in her church, and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. TaWanda lives in Lancaster County with her husband Bobby and two children.

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QUAKERTOWN, PA — September 30, 2022: Community Skills Program® — a non-residential rehabilitation program of Counseling and Rehabilitation, Inc., has transferred its program to continue under Success Rehabilitation and will now become a part of Success Rehabilitation’s comprehensive continuum of care.

“We are truly humbled to have the trust of Sally Kneipp, founder of Community Skills Program, and will work with her to continue, under Success Rehabilitation, to build on her legacy and the incredible work of Community Skills Program. We are excited to come together to strengthen our culture of excellence in becoming the model for post-acute brain injury rehabilitation.” Success Rehabilitation CEO Joanne Tangney said in a statement, “This new initiative accelerates our strategic goal of delivering a comprehensive continuum of care to meet the rehabilitation needs of individuals with acquired brain injury or other neurologic impairments wherever they need it the most — from our residential and outpatient programs to their homes and communities.”

When explaining the decision to approach Success Rehabilitation about administering Community Skills Program as part of Success’s comprehensive care options, Sally pointed out that she has respected the brain injury providers with whom Community Skills Program has collaborated over the years, and has enjoyed their collegial relationships. She added, “Given the values and vision of Success Rehabilitation’s team members and the continuity and consistency of their management, it seemed logical for Success to take the reins in expanding Community Skills Program’s non-residential home and community-based services under their leadership.”

Community Skills Program, a private non-residential rehabilitation program of Counseling and Rehabilitation, Inc., has been serving individuals in Pennsylvania since 1981, and then in New Jersey, as well. Community Skills Program was designed to assist individuals with traumatic brain injuries to make the transition from hospital-based programs to inclusive community living focused on their strong interests and personal goals.

Success Rehabilitation is a specialty post-acute brain injury rehabilitation provider with residential and neuro rehabilitation outpatient program locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania. For 34 years, Success Rehabilitation’s CARF Accredited brain injury programs have set the standard for outcomes-focused rehabilitation, including a comprehensive vocational program, improving the lives of individuals who have experienced acquired brain injury.

Visit Success Rehabilitation

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Disability Champion and PATF CEO Susan Tachau Retires

Lifelong disability advocate and CEO of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), Susan Tachau, is retiring on September 30, 2022.

In her new role as PATF’s Chief Innovations Officer, she will work on special projects and advocacy activities.

During Tachau’s tenure as CEO, the organization has established itself as the leading Alternative Financing Program (AFP) in the US, continually providing more loans and extending more capital each year for the purchase of assistive technology than any other AFP, and offering information and assistance to thousands more Pennsylvanians, helping them access alternative funding resources.

With Tachau’s steadfast advocacy, PATF has also had significant impact among Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), helping to secure more federal funding for CDFIs to serve the disability community, and educating CDFIs on best practices.

In 2021, Tachau was an AARP Purpose Prize Winner, an award that recognizes people 50-plus who are using their knowledge and life experience to solve tough social problems.

In the same year, Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) recognized Tachau’s CDFI work with the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance, the highest individual honor in the CDFI industry.

Last year, the Institute on Financial Literacy presented PATF with the Non-Profit Organization of the Year 2021 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award, for PATF’s one-of-a-kind financial education curriculum, Cents and Sensibility, tailored to the needs of people with disabilities.

In a push to serve more people, Tachau founded Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund, a subsidiary to PATF, so that people with disabilities in nearby states will have access to affordable financing for assistive technology.

Building up PATF and advocating for people with disabilities has been Tachau’s life’s work. Tachau described the source of this wellspring of passion for this work.

“Our son, Michael, introduced me to the world of disability and the importance of community living, work, and connection to family and friends. Assistive technology can make this possible,” shares Tachau. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside my dedicated colleagues to grow PATF from a small, fledgling organization to one that has helped more than 4,500 Pennsylvanians with loans worth almost $46 million.”

“I’m proud of our commitment to excellence and compassion, and the desire to expand our programs to meet the growing demands of the future. I’m confident that PATF’s good work will continue long after I retire.”

President of PATF’s Board of Directors, Nancy Murray, reflects on Susan’s announcement, “The Board is proud of Susan’s commitment, dedication, and achievements as PATF’s CEO for almost two decades. Susan has grown the organization into a formidable force for good in the world.”

PATF Board of Directors Appoint Ben Laudermilch as Chief Executive Officer

Seasoned executive Ben Laudermilch is PATF’s new CEO, as of September 6, 2022.

Most recently, Laudermilch served as the Vice President and Executive Director of Inglis Housing Corporation, where he established independent living communities for people with disabilities.

Prior to his tenure at Inglis, Laudermilch was the Special Assistant to the Secretary for the PA Department of Corrections, developing housing opportunities for reentering Pennsylvanians. Laudermilch also served as the Special Advisor to the Secretary of the PA Department of Human Services. For a decade prior, he worked for the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities in various roles, including Executive Director.

Laudermilch’s experience promoting the benefits of assistive technology is highlighted through projects that he has managed that integrated smart home technology (a form of assistive technology) into housing for people with disabilities and older adults.

“I am excited about this new chapter in my career and the life of PATF. For many years, I’ve been in roles that have intersected with the disability world, and this new position feels like a culmination of all the work I have done,” Laudermilch says.

“We are thrilled that Ben is joining the organization as CEO, bringing new skills and experiences that will take PATF into the future, into a new chapter,” says Nancy Murray, President of PATF Board of Directors.

In his role as CEO, Laudermilch will be growing PATF’s mission across Pennsylvania, working with public and private stakeholders and partners.

To assist with this transition, PATF has developed a new Strategic Plan and a comprehensive, state-of-the-art brand book – both of which will help guide the nonprofit for years to come.

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RCPA member Venango Training & Development Center, Inc. would like to introduce their new Production Operations Director, Tom Scott. Tom comes to the company with over 30 years of experience in industry. Tom lives with his wife and family in New Bethlehem. He’s already hit the ground running, reaching out to area employers to assist them with their contract packaging, assembly, quality inspection, document imaging and destruction, CASS certified mailing, fulfillment, and commercial janitorial and lawncare needs. He’s also excited to connect with RCPA member organizations. Please welcome him. You can contact Tom at 814-676-5755 or via email.

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Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Miranda Brazinski
570-709-4655

August 1, 2022 (PITTSBURGH, PA) — Mainstay Life Services, a nonprofit organization that provides life-long, high-quality support services to people with developmental disabilities, is pleased to welcome Willette Walker as its first-ever Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO).

“I’m honored to begin this new chapter of my career with Mainstay,” said Walker. “To ensure Mainstay’s services continue to exceed the needs of those supported, I hope to cultivate an even stronger work environment for our employees so that they are inspired to continue our mission as their best selves.” In her role, Walker will support the organization’s strategic human capital initiatives as a multifaceted leader through organizational development, employee relations, talent strategy, and strategic business partnering.

Walker comes to Mainstay with over 25 years of leadership experience in human resources and organizational development. Most recently, Walker served as EVP of Human Resources at A Second Chance, Inc., where she provided leadership and oversight over the full spectrum of the organization’s human resource functions. In addition to Walker’s previous experience, she spent six years as an educator with Pittsburgh Public Schools where she developed and implemented lesson plans designed to facilitate student learning.

“Willette’s experience will prove a strong asset for our organization’s growth,” said Kim Sonafelt, Mainstay Life Services Chief Executive Officer. “She has a heart for leading and educating others, which seamlessly supports Mainstay’s mission to ensure those we support live fulfilling lives.”

Walker received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Wilberforce University, her JD degree from Duquesne University School of Law, and her master’s degree in teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.

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About Mainstay Life Services

Mainstay Life Services is a nonprofit organization providing residential services, community services, and other supports to people with developmental disabilities and their families. We are committed to assisting the people we support to reach their fullest potential within their community.

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