National Family Week Conference Will be Held in November
By: Jayne Ann Bugda
Updated: September 28, 2012
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County-Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley (FSAWV) will sponsor its third annual National Family Week Conference titled: A Snapshot in Progress: Restoring Justice in Our Community, on Friday, November 16th at The Woodlands Inn and Resort, Route 315, Wilkes Barre.
The Conference will begin with registration at 11:30 AM followed by the Opening Session at 12:30 and will conclude with dinner and a Keynote Presentation by The Honorable Thomas F. Burke, Jr., President, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.
This is the third Conference in a series of the David R. Thalenfeld Family Life Programs, celebrating National Family Week, each November.
The conference, which is open to the public, will feature an Opening Session on " Balanced and Restorative Justice", presented by Susan Blackburn, MS, Specialist for the Center for Juvenile Justice Training and Research, Shippensburg, PA. Also an Opening Session Panel will introduce three new programs when they present: "Paving the Road: Programs for At Risk Youth & Children" presented by Tanya Olaviany, MSW, LSW, Director of Catholic Social Services Big Brothers-Big Sisters Expansion and Enhancement Program; Judith Jones, BA, Director of Lycoming, Norhtumberland & Luzerne County CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocate Program; and Jason Harlan, MA, Treatment Supervisor, Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Education & Training for At Risk Youth.
Other presentations include: Optional Programs for Youth Offenders; Family Strengthening Programs, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Juvenile Defender's Unit, and Victim's Services. Area service providers will be available at resource tables throughout the day with information on the many resources available and how to access community services.
For further information on the conference, or to register, contact Ruth Kemmerer at FSAWV, 823-5144, ext. 309.
Shown are members of the conference planning committee, from left, seated -Toni Cisowski, FSA Board Member; Carmela Yanora, Co-Chair NFW Conference;Theresa Kline, Co-Chair, Luzerne County Juvenile Justice Task Force; Theresa Tyler Smith, FSA Board Member; Mary Jo Shisko, LIU #18; District Attorney, Stefanie Salavantis. Standing- Ruth Kemmerer, FSA Chief Advancement Officer; Helen O'Brien, FSA Friends Committee; Jessica Ives, FSA Time Limited Family Reunification Program; Mike Hopkins, Exec. Director, Children Service Center; Sarah Luvender, FSA Outreach Prevention Program; Michael Zimmerman, FSA Chief Executive Officer; Michelle Williams, Victims Resource Center; Khris Nardi, Paul Aglaloro, FSA Making Changes Program; Atty. Cheryl Sobieski-Reedy and Atty. Al Flora, Jr., Luzerne County Public Defender's Office.
