POSC Family Support Center Wins Power of Work Advocacy Award

Uniontown, PA- Just six months after its grand opening, the Fayette County Plans of Safe Care (POSC) Family Support Center is now an award-winning program.

Children and Youth Services (CYS) and POSC Program Specialist Jayme Shaffer accepted the Power of Work Advocacy Award from Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania during a recent ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel in Pittsburgh.

The Advocacy Award is presented annually to an individual, organization or company that has worked for systemic change in workforce development, creating equitable opportunities for those with disabilities, justice involved and those facing other barriers.

Shaffer said the award "aligns perfectly with our mission," because it focuses on "social justice, creation of equitable opportunities and empowerment."

"To be recognized for this work means we at the Family Support Center are on the right track to helping our families create lasting, positive change," Shaffer said. "As we start to see center clients begin to take an active role in achieving their goals and shaping how the center works for them, we feel confident that we are on the right track to seeing stronger, healthier, happier Fayette County families."

A joint effort by CYS, Fayette County Drug and Alcohol and the Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration, the POSC Family Support Center was created to support children born with drug dependencies and offer a variety of resources designed to help mothers who may be battling addiction. Funded by grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), the program is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and offers a safe, judgment-free space for families to utilize its services.

CYS Administrator Gina D'Auria said she's "so proud" of Jayme and her staff for receiving the Advocacy Award.

"Their team has worked diligently to engage women and families to offer services and support. To hear that the nomination came from someone outside of the agency was exciting. This showed me that we are making a positive impact. So often, CYS is only viewed negatively, but through the center's work, we can highlight that we are more than just the mandates of child welfare," D'Auria said. "We are here to provide services to our community to make life better for children and families, but the community does not always see that side of CYS. The Family Support Center offers comprehensive services and partners with so many community resources for women and children."

Shaffer thanked her "amazing" team that brings "passion, ideas, dedication and hard work to the table every day," in accepting her award. Her staff includes Jessica Burden, Master of Social Work Intern; Shayna Mitchell, Bachelor of Social Work Intern; and Callie Rulli and Kelly Newcomer, Community Network Team members.

The Plans of Safe Care Family Support Center is located in the former Yarrick's Hearing Center office, through the former Sears entrance, at Uniontown Mall, 1368 Mall Run Road, Uniontown, PA 15401.

To learn more about the Fayette County Plans of Safe Care Family Support Center, visit www.fayettecountypa.org/879/Plan-of-Safe-Care-Program; email [email protected]; or call or text 724-880-6909. Prospective clients, their family members, service providers and more are also encouraged to use that direct phone line to reach the center at any time.

To learn more about the Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania Power of Work Awards, visit www.goodwillswpa.org.

To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.fayettecountypa.org.

Editor's Note: Photoattached (POSC Family Support Center Award)

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This communication, among other initiatives, is funded through the 2016 Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA.

For more information, contact Kristi Kassimer Harper, Public Relations Specialist, at 724-437-4571, [email protected] or Kaylie Glaze, Community Relations Coordinator, at 724-430-1200 Ext. 1611, [email protected].