31 minute read
Holiday Events Around the Region
Laurie Houser has a wide
variety of experience in the performing arts. She has developed a comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of theater and dance productions in both academic and professional settings.
She has extensive experience overseeing both front and back of house operations through her professional work behind the scenes and on stage with theater organizations. Hauser has performed in and worked on hundreds of productions. She has appeared on stage as an actress and dancer and on local television. She has taught dance for many years and is trained in classical ballet, pointe, lyrical, liturgical, jazz, tap, modern, belly dancing, Broadway and stage combat. She has worked behind the scenes as an Equity stage manager, director, choreographer, rigger and house manager. Her theatrical design credits include: lighting, sound, props, scenery, costumes, hair and makeup. In addition to working full-time at The Theater at North, Hauser works part time as a stagehand for the I.A.T.S.E. Local 329 Stagehands Union at both the Scranton
Meet Laurie Houser
Vice President of Theater Operations at The Theater at North in Scranton
Cultural Center and Montage Mountain’s Concert Pavilion. She also teaches in the theater program at Marywood University, works as a freelance theater technician and teaches at a local dance company. Hauser is a graduate of Marywood University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication arts with a major in musical theater and a minor in dance and English. She completed her master’s degree in communication arts with focuses in technical theater and children’s theater. She also earned her Ph.D in human development with a concentration in higher education instructional leadership. Hauser’s love of theater comes from her family. Her mom was a professional dancer who toured Northeastern Pennsylvania with her own act, and her dad was a stage manager as well as an entertainment booking manager. Hauser’s husband Ryan holds a degree in technical theater and is the technical director/production manager for Marywood University’s Music, Theater and Dance Department. Ryan works professionally as a stagehand, lighting designer and stage manager in the industry and works alongside Hauser for nearly every show at The Theater at North. You can often see Hauser’s parents (Ernie and Barbara) and Hauser’s in-laws (Pam and Don) volunteering as ushers for performances in the theater too! Hauser, who was born and raised in the Poconos, now lives in Dickson City with Ryan and their cat Leko (who was named after a type of theatrical lighting instrument).
Upcoming Events at North
December 10-11 “The Nutcracker” presented by Scranton Civic Ballet Company December 18 “The Italian Broadway Christmas Show December 23 “Twelve Twenty-Four Holiday Rock Orchestra • Visit thetheateratnorth.com H
A community tradition dances right into your home!
Ballet Theatre of Scranton Presents
Joanne D. Arduino / Artistic Director
Christmas in Our Hometown
Tunkhannock will host Christmas in our Hometown on December 3 and 4.
Share in Christmas traditions and holiday fun with horse rides, carolers, entertainment and new activities for the whole family.
Dietrich Theater’s 12 Movies of Christmas
December 3 – 16, 2021 Admission: Free
Seating is first come, first served. No advance tickets Enjoy 12 holiday movie favorites for free on the Dietrich’s big screen at various showtimes for 14 days.
For list of films and showtimes visit DietrichTheater.com
60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock •
dietrichtheater.com • 570-836-1022
Funded in part by the Wyo. Cty. Tax fund and the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau.
15% off any item $50 or more until Dec. 31st!
Christmas
Across the Region
Over the river and
through the woods, to Northeastern Pennsylvania we go! Whether you celebrate the holiday season with time-honored traditions or with the latest trending event, these celebrations have you covered with different ways to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. Dietrich Theater
Tunkhannock December 3-16
12 Movies of Christmas. Enjoy classic holiday movies in a restored, small-town historic theater. Free admission. 570-836-1022 www.dietrichtheater.com
Ballet Theatre of Scranton’s Nutcracker
Dec. 23 on WQMY at 6 p.m. Dec. 24 on WOLF at 3 p.m. Dec. 25 on WQMY at 8 p.m. Dec. 26 on WSWB at 10 p.m.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic
PNC Holiday Pops Performance December 10-11
Enjoy the festive sounds of a one-of-a-kind holiday concert and a performance of the wooden soldiers from Ballet Theatre of Scranton. 570-270-4444. nepaphil.org
Festival of Lights
Stone Hedge Golf Course Tunkhannock
Grab a carload of family and friends and drive through nearly three miles of exquisite holiday light displays. Open every night through December 31 except Christmas Eve. Tickets available at the gate. Open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 570-836-5108 www.playstonehedge.com
State Theatre
Celebrate Christmas at the State Theatre in Easton with holiday events such as a “John Denver Christmas Show” on December 3 and “A Christmas Carol” on December 10 and Kenny G’s Holiday & Hits Tour on December 19. Find more info at www.statetheatre.org and 610-258-7766
Pictured here: The Rupert Covered Bridge is located between Bloomsburg and Montour Township in the village of Rupert. Celebrate a Factoryville Christmas Market December 4 and 5. factoryville.org 570-945-7484
HappeningsPA.com 35
Football with Friends and Family
Julian Campenni was
recently inducted into the Luzerne County
Sports Hall of Fame. He is the current defensive line coach at Bowling Green University. Having played as a defensive lineman himself, he earned many accolades throughout his high school and college career. Julian was influenced by his family to start playing football at age 7. He played for the mini football league in his hometown of Pittston. His team was called the West Pittston Rams. Since then, he has been enjoying this sport. "I fell in love with it and got involved with it ever since," he said. Julian continued football in high school at Wyoming Area High School. He also participated in track and field, seeing it as an opportunity to compete in a sport during the spring when football is off season. He also found it to be a way to train for football since both sports require running and throwing. "It just made it easier to kill two birds with one stone," he said. "But I enjoyed track. It's a very technical sport. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to perfect a technique and trying to become the best thrower I could." Julian enjoyed playing football in high school with friends he played mini football with as a boy. He grew up watching Wyoming Area High School football, so getting to play on the team was a fulfilled dream. He loved being part of the culture and pride that went into playing at Wyoming Area High School. "To play with your best friends and mak-
ing best friends through football, to me that was the best part," he said. "That was the most fun." During his senior year, Julian earned many accolades as varsity captain such as the 2010 MVP of Wyoming Valley Conference Small School Division II, Chosen 2010 Big 33 Defensive Lineman and 2010 2nd Team AP All State. He felt it a great honor when he was in the WNEP Channel 16 Dream Team. That same year, he became the Chesapeake Bowl All Star/Times Leader AllWyoming Valley Defensive Lineman as well as the Citizen's Voice AllWyoming Valley Conference Defensive Lineman. In 2011, Julian earned a scholarship to the University of Connecticut, where he continued to play football. He majored in human development and family studies. In 2015, when he was a team captain, he became the All-Atlantic Coast Conference 2nd Team Defensive Lineman. He participated in the Rookie Mini Camp with the Indianapolis Colts. "You’re competing with not only first round draft picks but with familiar college guys, and you’re at the highest level." he said. "It was a tremendous experience."
Julian felt confident about himself holding his own against the first draft picks. After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Julian became the graduate assistant in the offensive line at Boston College from 2017 to 2018. Since December 2018, he has been coaching in the defensive line at Bowling Green University. He teaches his students the value of effort. "You should put effort into something, and if you commit to something, it's going to turn out well," he said. "The results might not be immediate.You’ve got to put effort into anything you want to be great. If you give it your absolute best, you can't fail." Julian also enjoys playing golf as well as being with friends and family. Julian thanks his family for supporting him and being a great influence in his life." H
–Ben Freda
&O’MALLEY LANGAN:
Fifty years ago, Attorney Todd J. O’Malley was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar. One of eight children born to the late District Attorney Carlon M. O’Malley and Lucy Boland O’Malley, he and four of his siblings - Carlon, Billy, Peter and Mary - all became lawyers. As a boy, under his parents’ tutelage, Todd learned his most important life lessons, including
the value of loyalty. A scrappy, energetic paperboy during his teenage years, he found the persistence to work through his dyslexia and eventually graduate from Scranton Prep, The University of Scranton, and The University of North Dakota, where he earned his Juris Doctor
law degree. From 1971 to 1973, he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, and spent the next 18 years in The Pennsylvania National
Guard, where he retired as a
Lieutenant Colonel.
After practicing law with his brothers Carlon and Peter for many years, a young man named Gerard Langan joined them as an
Associate. Todd remem-
bers, “Jerry first came to me as a college student, very interested in becoming a lawyer. As I enjoy mentoring people, it was a terrific opportunity to work together. In 1990, we joined forces to form O’Malley & Langan.” In his early years as an attorney, Todd came face to face with the grim realities of how work injuries often come with disastrous financial consequences, and how workers’ compensation can be a lifeline. Since then, he’s devoted much of his career to fighting for workers' rights on many fronts. He is a past president of the national Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group and the recipient of their “2011 Lifetime Achievement Award,” is a past chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the American Association for Justice, has served on the board of directors of the PA Association for Justice, and has been featured in Philadelphia Magazine’s “Super Lawyers of PA” for 18 consecutive years. Todd is also the recipient of the American Association for Justice “Distinguished Service Award.” Todd says, “As a lawyer, I’ve very much enjoyed the opportunity to help people.” Such a simple statement belies the fact that his tenacity and professionalism have earned him decades of recognition including a recent “Mel Award,” named for famed attorney Melvin Belli, awarded to only one lawyer in the country each year. “It meant a great deal to me because I was honored by my peers. The Belli Society comprises some of the greatest lawyers from around the world, and for them to choose me for this award was truly humbling.” Attorney Mary Anne Lucas, Todd’s daughter and a Partner at O’Malley & Langan, admires her father’s many accomplishments, “My dad has a huge heart. He really cares and invests all his energies into the people he knows and the cases he takes. He sets an incredible example, not only for our staff here at the firm but for his children and grandchildren. We’re lucky to have him!”
Todd is very active in the greater community, lending his support to numerous charitable causes including The National Down Syndrome Society, Illinois’ Hope School Learning Center, and The Bill Bursis Foundation
Todd and his wife Liz...in the beginning for Spinal Cord Research. At O’Malley & Langan, Todd’s leadership and integrity have attracted a highlyskilled, dedicated team of professionals, the vast majority of whom have been with the firm for decades. In 2021, he was pleased that the firm’s newest associate, Attorney Kyle Stelmack, accepted a partnership role with the firm. O’Malley & Langan has offices in Scranton, Pittston and Towanda, and focuses primarily on workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability and Personal Injury. O’Malley & Langan has been ranked for 2022 as a “Best Law Firm in Northeastern PA” by Best Lawyers® and U.S. News & World Report (Metropolitan Tier 1 in Workers’ Compensation Law - Claimants). This achievement signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. The tier designation reflects the highest level of respect a firm can earn among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and practice areas. An industry leader whose influence impacts people on national and international levels, Todd is never happier than when he’s here at home in Northeast PA or traveling to spend time with family. He and his wife Elizabeth, married for more than 50 years, are the parents of Lucy Brady, a management consultant with the McDonald’s Corporation in Chicago, and his afore-mentioned daughter Mary Anne. Liz and Todd are devoted to their six grandchildren: Christopher, Caitlin, Cassidy, Maddie, Robby and Katie. When asked about his next adventure, his enthusiasm shines through, “After our upcoming trip to Chicago, Liz and I will meet up with family in Ireland and Belgium where we’ll visit the cemetery in which my Uncle Todd, who was killed in World War II, is buried. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.” H
–Christine Fanning
Aim to eat healthier in 2022
As a new year draws near,
plenty of people in Northeast Pennsylvania and beyond will resolve to eat healthier and perhaps shed pounds.
If you’re among them, bravo! Better eating habits can improve your physical and mental health, help you avoid – or control – chronic diseases such as diabetes, and even boost your self-esteem. As a longtime dietitian, however, I encourage you to not jump onto the Jan. 1 bandwagon without first planning how to succeed at becoming the “new you.”
Consider your commitment
level. Many people say they want to drop weight in the quest to impress at the next class reunion or maybe to squeeze into a new swimsuit for an upcoming vacation. In those cases, however, any “progress” is likely to be limited and temporary, not a true lifestyle change. For long-lasting results, you have to be committed and in a “readiness stage” to make a change. You can gauge your readiness by making a prosand-cons list. Identify the positive reasons you’re motivated to eat healthier (such as “feel better” and “have more energy”) and any potential drawbacks or barriers (“don’t like to cook”). If the pros outnumber the cons, you probably have the proper mindset to get started.
Set a reasonable start date.
New Year’s Day might not be the best choice for implementing a new eating plan. That’s especially true if you’ll be feasting with family or friends during early January or if your house will be full of leftover holiday cookies and other sweet temptations. Perhaps pick a start date during the second or third week of January for your new eating plan. Use those extra days to go through your refrigerator and cabinets, removing less healthy options that won’t support your new eating habits.
Be realistic with expecta-
tions. Weight loss is a slow process. A person typically can expect to drop a half a pound, perhaps up to 2 pounds, per week. Realize that it’s going to take time to achieve your longterm goal. Meanwhile, set smaller, attainable goals. And stop to celebrate your victories along the way. You’re aiming for a lifetime change, remember? So prepare to incorporate your new behaviors over the long haul. Even among people who undergo weight-loss surgery, there is sometimes a mistaken belief that after the medical procedure they will not have to worry about their weight status. That’s not accurate. They still will need to continue to eat healthy and be active in order to maintain the weight they lost.
Karen Papi, M.S., R.D., C.D.C.E.S., L.D.N.
Form a habit. To get the full benefits of healthy eating, you’ll want to make it a habit. That’s not a simple thing to accomplish; we know that after adopting a new behavior, it generally takes 28 days of repetition to make that change stick. So rather than try to radically revamp your entire diet at one time, it might be more practical to implement small changes one at a time, mastering each for a few weeks before adding another change. Over time, you’ll become more mindful of what foods you’re choosing and how much you are eating at one time.
Beware common pitfalls.
When life gets busy, it’s natural to search for time-saving shortcuts such as dining out at a restaurant or ordering delivered meals. But by getting your food outside the home, you might inadvertently consume excess calories. A person can easily gain an average of 2 pounds over the year simply by eating out once per week, typically because restaurant portion sizes are much larger. Explore motivations. For some people, unhealthy eating practices might be linked to unresolved issues in their lives, even from childhood. For example, adults who were deprived of food as children, either due to household poverty or as a misguided form of punishment, might be prone today to overindulging. Talking with a behavioral health professional can help to unravel those complex emotions and further promote a permanent change that includes healthier eating.
The Wright Center launches ‘Neo’
The Wright Center for
Community Health recently launched “Neo,” a secure patientfriendly smart bot on its website to help new and existing patients directly schedule appointments, refill prescriptions, learn about available COVID-19 services and more.
By clicking on the easily identifiable icon, located at the bottom right-hand corner of the website (TheWrightCenter.org), consumers can start a convenient chat session with a live agent. “Neo” can find the nearest primary care location, help schedule an appointment, refill prescriptions, share the latest COVID-19 information, address billing questions and more. “Neo” begins the online interaction with the user by asking for a first name. It then offers a suite of options. The consumer can select, for example, assistance with making an office appointment with their primary care provider for themselves or a family member. “The Wright Center for Community Health strives to be on the cutting edge of technology when it comes to providing and delivering the best health care and information possible in Northeast Pennsylvania,”
Create a support team. When planning to make significant diet and/or exercise changes, it’s always best to work in consultation with your primary care physician or other health care professionals. Also, you are more likely to reach your goals with a good support team, whether it be family members, friends or an “eating buddy” who will urge you to follow your plan and be there to applaud your successes. Here’s to a happier, healthier 2022. And to the start of a “new you!” H
Karen Papi, M.S., R.D.,
C.D.C.E.S., L.D.N., of Old Forge, is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes care and education specialist at The Wright Center for Community Health. Call 570-941-0630 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.
said Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D.,
chief medical officer and senior vice president at The Wright Center. “The new technology is all about making it more convenient for patients.“Neo” has learning capabilities that will streamline and personalize future interactions with the smart technology. HIPAA compliant, the friendly chatbot is safe and secure when it comes to protecting patient privacy. The bot also will be phased into Facebook Messenger and eventually allow for direct SMS texting capabilities. H
Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Class of 2021-2022
Leadership Lacka-
wanna’s youth program, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT), recently met for its first session, which included an orientation, leadership basics, ice breakers and interactive sessions including a silent disco and tour around downtown Scranton.
Leadership Lackawanna’s seven-month Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program develops the leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills of high school juniors, giving them an enhanced understanding of Northeastern Pennsylvania as well as the opportunity to explore teamwork. Participants learn collaborative decision making, explore different communication styles and engage in problem solving techniques. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of Northeastern Pennsylvania and meet community leaders and other high school students. Leadership Lackawanna’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Program accepts applications from sophomores who attend high school in Lackawanna County or in the Lackawanna Trail and Western Wayne school districts.
Pictured above: Front row (l to r): Giuliana Mazza, Kaylee Butler, Audrey Cobb, Nina Ghirelli, Mary McHugh, Ella Frounfelker, Lindsay Tunis, Sarika Mongar, Maya Chorba. Second row (l to r): Cecilia Otis, Julia Murphy, Colleen Blockberger, Emily Acevedo, Bella Nee, Pranav Palle, Michael Cummins, Skylar Long, Ayman Mounota, Sanliya George. Third row (l to r): Ethan Roberts, Abby Drozdick, Faith Bennett, Camia Capalongo, Ben Warring, Ally Anderson, Carson Bushta, Adhinav Palle, Frankie Cocchini, Evan Pierce, Noah Planey. Last row (I to r): Adam Howanitz, Vienna Supon, Luke Kotcho, Jennifer Genell, Eddie Kaufmann, Sydney Degnon, Manan Pancholy, Rina Hanumali, Morgan Seamon, Ethan Symuleski. Missing from photo: Marshall Davis. H
Even Kathleen McGuigan Doesn't Know the Gecko's Name
The GEICO gecko is
so darn cute and proper and everybody asks Kathleen McGuigan about him and if he works in the
office with her. “They want to know what his name is –it's not Martin, as some think. As a matter of fact, we don't know what it is. But we have lots of tchotchkes with the gecko’s image that we give away to people, including little plastic geckos.”
For 14 years, Kathleen has represented GEICO as the local agent in Northeast Pennsylvania. From her office in the Keyser Village Shopping Center in Scranton, she has helped thousands of local residents with automobile, homeowners, motorcycle, boat, RV and other insurance needs.
She and her husband, John, decided to move back to their hometown to raise their six sons after John retired from a career in the United States Navy. “John retired in 1999 after serving for 20 years. He was an aviation electrician and worked on helicopters. He retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer (E8). He deployed many times over the years for six months at a time. It goes without saying that when you have a house full of children to manage alone you need to be organized. The boys and I would get into our own routine and I really believe it was as difficult for him to be away as for us to be alone. When he
was 14 and the youngest 1. When she first opened the office, her eldest was 22 and the youngest was 10. “To be honest, there were quite a few fights over who got to wear the gecko costume to whatever marketing event we were doing. Unfortunately, they all outgrew the desire to be stuck in the hot suit.”
Her sons are now 34, 33, 30, 28, 26 and 23. The eldest, Michael, served in the Navy; No. 2, John/JR is a scientist; No. 3, Daniel, and No. 6, Brian are Marines; No. 5, Matthew, is a lieutenant in the Army and No. 4, Kevin, worked for Kathleen for five years and now has his own GEICO office in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She also has four daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. When she applied for the office, she was one of many vying to be chosen. “I was up against people with years of experience in the insurance industry. What ultimately won the recruiter over was the story I told of how I went door to door after moving back to Scranton to win a seat on the Scranton school board, which I held for 11 years. I told her how I had to sell myself (I was largely unknown) to win that seat. She felt as though that was exactly what GEICO was looking for. Working for an insurance company can be a rewarding and exciting profession that may allow one to make a positive impact on people's lives. Probably what I like most about the insurance industry is helping people save money while at the same time making sure they have the coverage they need. It's great to help people understand the protection they are purchasing and realizing the value and peace of mind GEICO provides. Also, as a business owner, I feel it is so important to give back to the community that supports us. I love to support local veteran organizations and I am always looking to support additional school and youth organizations as well.”
Your local GEICO office is staffed with professional insurance agents who are available six days a week and offer great insurance products from a company you can trust, GEICO. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. H
–Christine Fanning
Northeastern PA Native Returns as New CEO of Scranton Counseling Center
After a national
search, Scranton Counseling Center (SCC) selected Sarah Wodder, Psy.D. as the organization’s new president and CEO. In late summer Dr. Wodder, a Northeast Pennsylvania native, returned to the area to lead the community based, non-profit behavioral health organization.
Dr. Wodder most recently served as an executive director of Edison Court, Inc., a Doylestown, Pennsylvania, child and adolescent residential and outpatient treatment facility for those with behavioral health issues. She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, and her Master of Science in community counseling from the University of Scranton. She was awarded her doctorate in clinical psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia. She assumed her new responsibilities in September, relieving Sal Santoli, the interim CEO, who has remained in a senior management position with the Center.
“Having grown up in the Scranton area with deep roots in this community, I am thrilled to be chosen to lead Scranton Counseling Center and its professional staff of behavioral health specialists,” said Wodder. “My previous outpatient and residential experiences will be valuable in leading the devoted team in providing exceptional service.”
Scranton Counseling Center is a community-based, private nonprofit behavioral health provider serving children, adolescents, adults
and families with mental health and substance abuse issues in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and surrounding counties.
SCC is Northeast Pennsylvania’s largest integrated behavioral health provider with quality, accessible services for those in need. The center also serves as the 24/7 mental health crisis service provider for Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties and provides in-person, telephone and mobile individual and team services to respond to mental health crises in the community. The center provides crisis services in the five hospital emergency departments in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties. SCC staff works in conjunction with human service agencies, the courts, schools and other groups with the intention of addressing behavioral health and substance use disorder issues. They strive to promote greater community awareness of available behavioral healthcare programs and related services and recently moved into a new $15 million campus of facilities on the corner of Cedar Avenue and Cherry Street in South Scranton. Contact
570-348-6100 H
Treating adults, children, and families for behavioral health problems such as, depression, stress, anxiety, child behavioral problems and family problems, in Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties.
YOUR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH Specialists
from left: Kashif Khan, M.D. Tiffany Hughes-Eagen, M.D. Dorothy Perillo, PA-C Muhammed Rahman, M.D.
570.348.6100 l ScrantonSCC.org l Cedar Ave. at Cherry St., Scranton
Handle With Care (HWC) Initiative
The Luzerne County Human
Services Division, including Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health and Developmental Services through the LuzerneWyoming Counties System of Care, announces the launch of a countywide initiative, Handle With Care (HWC). HWC promotes safe and supportive homes, schools and communities by protecting and helping traumatized children heal and thrive. HWC promotes schoolcommunity partnerships aimed at ensuring that children who are exposed to trauma in their home, school or community receive appropriate interventions to help them achieve academically at their highest levels despite whatever traumatic circumstances endured.
The ultimate goal of HWC is to help students succeed in school. Regardless of the source of trauma, the common thread for effective intervention is in the school setting. Research now shows that trauma can undermine children’s ability to learn, form relationships and function appropriately in the classroom. HWC programs support children exposed to trauma and violence through improved communication and collaboration between law enforcement, schools and mental health providers. It connects families, schools and communities to mental health services when needed.
The Handle With Care initiative allows police to notify schools if they encounter a schoolaged child at a traumatic scene. Notifications are made through a web-link as part of the Safe2Say Something platform. No information is shared regarding the details of the trauma the child may have been exposed to, as this program is designed to treat all children with universal precautions. Evidence demonstrates that everyone responds differently to trauma and all should be Handled With Care despite the perceived nature of the traumatic event.
The Luzerne County Human Services Division, including Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health and Developmental Services through the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties System of Care, began researching Handle With Care more than a year ago. This division has spearheaded this cross-system endeavor which has strengthened existing partnerships in the community through ongoing sharing, communication and planning. After studying how it was successfully implemented in other states, a plan was developed to effectively train all the partners (schools, law enforcement and mental health providers), Initiative was successfully launched in February 2021, in the Wilkes Barre Area School District and the Hazleton Area School District as a pilot program. The pilot was successful in both districts and with minimal adjustments, Handle With Care has been launched countywide as of October 1, 2021.
In Luzerne County, all law enforcement municipalities including the Pennsylvania State Police are involved and
actively participating. The Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, along with all law enforcement, have been supportive in implementing Handle With Care. Many chiefs of police see this as an opportunity to support the children they protect and serve. Although many police departments had an informal system established with schools, this formalizes the process and makes it much easier.
All school districts and private schools are participating in the program, thanks to the support of each of the district’s superintendents, the Luzerne Intermediate Unit #18 and Luzerne-Wyoming Counties System of Care. This also includes the Berwick Area School District whose five school buildings serve Luzerne County. Each school is equipped with a multidisciplinary team to triage the notifications and alert each of the identified student’s teachers to Handle With Care.
Luzerne County is committed to becoming a trauma-informed county and continues to put practices in place to prevent and/or improve the way those impacted by trauma are served. The Handle With Care Initiative is an example of the strides made toward this goal. For information on Handle With Care, contact Joe Kloss, 570-408-1332 or joseph.kloss@luzernecounty.org H
Every child grows and learns new things at his or her own pace. You know your child better than anyone else.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development WE CAN HELP!
Health Choices
On February 1, 1997 the Commonwealth of PA introduced a new integrated and coordinated health care delivery system, known as the HealthChoices Program, to provide medical, psychiatric and substance abuse services to medical assistance recipients. The physical and behavioral health components of the HealthChoices Program were implemented through separate procurements. Counties were offered the option to manage the behavioral health program within their respective counties.
On July 1, 2006 the HealthChoices Program was implemented for behavioral health services (mental health and drug and alcohol) in Northeastern PA, specifically Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. This program now serves over 140,000 medicalassistance eligible individuals in the four-county region. These counties accepted a contract with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and have delegated the management of the project to the
Northeast Behavioral Health Care Consortium (NBHCC)
to manage the project on the counties’ behalf. NBHCC, a non-profit company, is responsible to manage the mental health and drug and alcohol services provided to medical assistance recipients. NBHCC receives a fixed capitated amount of funds (based on actuarial projections) to serve the needs of all of the residents in the four-county area. The goals of the DHS, and NBHCC, are to:
Improve access to services. Improve quality of services. Control costs.
NBHCC was planned for many years, and explored many options in designing its structure. They attribute their success in expanding and enhancing services to prudent management and close monitoring of the program. NBHCC has engaged Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH), a recognized and experienced managed care organization, in designing and delivering the best services in the most efficient manner.
Learn more about this behavioral health program located in Moosic, PA by contacting (570) 344-2005 or www.nbhcc.org H
Warm Wishes This Holiday Season
PSBanking.com
100 Old Lackawanna Trail Clarks Summit (570) 585-6400
251 E. Grove Street Clarks Green (570) 586-3122
A DIVISION OF PS BANK
Lochen& Chase,P.C.
Full Service Accounting Firm
Offering the following services: Tax Preparation & Planning, Auditing, Payroll, Bookkeeping Individuals, Corporations, Partnerships, Government, and Non-profit
Gordon W. Chase, CPA
Tunkhannock, PA 18657 (570)836-3868
Richard S. Lochen, CPA
Nicholson, PA 18446 (570)942-4578
www.Lochen-Chase.com
Northeast Behavioral Health Care Consortium
The counties of Luzerne, Wyoming, Lackawanna and Susquehanna have partnered to create the Northeast Behavioral Health Care Consortium. NBHCC is a regionally focused, non-profit, Behavioral Health Organization serving medical assistance recipients. Our mission is to provide enhanced access to high quality, fiscally responsible, recovery oriented Behavioral Health Services. These positive outcomes will be accomplished through an intense, ongoing dialogue including consumers, families, providers and all other stakeholders.
72 Glenmaura National Blvd. Moosic, PA • 570-344-2005 • www.nbhcc.org
