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Announcement

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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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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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NEWSMAKERS – READING EAGLE

Thomas W. McNelis, President and CEO of Threshold Rehabilitation Services, Inc. recently announced that Edward B. Michalik, Jr., PsyD, has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer.

 

Dr. Michalik will oversee the organization’s strategic planning, human service licensing and accreditation, and government and community outreach efforts.

Dr. Michalik joins Threshold with a broad background in human services administration, most recently as Berks County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Program Administrator and Berks County Area Agency on Aging Executive Director.

Dr. Michalik performs significant support functions with the law enforcement community as the Clinical Director, Member Support Program for the Fraternal Order of Police, Berks County Lodge #71, and City of Reading Lodge #9.  He also has served for over thirty-five years providing trauma counseling services to first responders. Dr. Michalik actively serves on various state committees and community boards, including the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and Shillington Borough Council.

Dr. Michalik received his Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree from Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA, his Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Scranton Graduate School, Scranton, PA, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from the University of Scranton.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced today that Dr. Michael Lynch, UPMC Health Plan Medical Director of SUD Services, has been named Medical Director of DDAP. DDAP’s announcement follows last Wednesday’s announcement by RCPA of the creation of the new position.

Dr. Lynch, who will continue his full-time role with commercial insurer UPMC Health Plan, is board-certified in emergency medicine, medical toxicology, and addiction medicine.

In this position, Dr. Lynch will advise and assist DDAP in the development of policy and procedures related to medical best practice as well as advances related to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, including:

  • Providing technical assistance to SUD treatment providers and physicians in PA’s system of care, including the application of the ASAM criteria;
  • Developing projects to improve delivery of care to individuals with SUD;
  • Researching and reviewing new technologies and procedures, reviewing pertinent medical literature, and presenting findings and recommendations to appropriate entities regarding SUD, opioid use disorder, and medication-assisted therapies;
  • Educating stakeholders and providers relative to medication-assisted therapies as well as drug, alcohol, and narcotic treatment regulations; and
  • Developing new workflows and processes to increase quality improvement measures for DDAP and treatment providers.

Dr. Lynch graduated from the University of Notre Dame and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine before completing his residency in emergency medicine and fellowship in medical toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh. He is an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh and works in the emergency departments at UPMC Presbyterian and Mercy Hospitals. The toxicology service at UPMC is one of the busiest in the country, seeing patients at five Pittsburgh hospitals as well as providing inpatient addiction and telemedicine treatment. Dr. Lynch is the Medical Director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center and of SUD Services at UPMC Health Plan, and he continues to serve on the Boards of Directors for the PA College of Emergency Physicians and the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

UPMC Health Plan is the commercial insurance arm of UPMC. Community Care Behavioral Health, UPMC’s behavioral health managed care organization, is a sister company and the largest behavioral health Medicaid payer in the commonwealth. Both UPMC and Community Care Behavioral Health are RCPA members.

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Project Goal: To improve service delivery and processes for DHS’ clients, DHS staff, and business partners

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) is launching a website to share information about the ECM system up to and beyond implementation. The website is intended to communicate key information of the services provided to participants and families through multiple DHS program offices, regardless of the human services program or county providing the service.

The ECM website can be accessed here.

ECM will replace several legacy systems across program offices through the implementation of one common solution. By means of this website, users can get acclimated with all ECM subsystems and their functions. The primary pages and a brief synopsis are as follows:

  • About ECM: An overview of ECM, its timelines, goals and objectives, benefits, scope, and project governance structure.
  • Stakeholder: An overview of the participants who benefit from ECM. This will include links to the subpages for the different stakeholder groups, including the Program Areas, County Organizations, Hearings and Appeals, Providers, Service/Support Coordinators, Administrative Entities and Those we Serve.
  • Development: Description of the scope of the project, the technology used, methods used to implement and operate the future ECM, and the phases of the project. The development and maintenance of the ECM system will follow a hybrid-agile system methodology which will be described in more detail within this area of the website. System development involves the process of producing and sustaining an information technology system. It covers technology, people, and processes.
  • Change and Training: Information about the system including training materials, user guides, and schedules. It is key that the stakeholders and those we serve are supported throughout the entire project process.
  • News: Communications such as press releases, news coverage, and announcements.
  • ECM FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions that cover various topics like general information, the timeline for the project, implementation process, and trainings.

We hope that you will refer to the website often as more information is posted while PA DHS and its partners prepare for the initial launch.

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