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Directors Coner Now that summer is here, it is time for picnics in the park. I encourage each foster family and care provider family to attend the DePaul picnic in your area. It is a great way to get to know other families and have a fun time. Please contact your nearest DePaul office if you need more information. We continue to grow in several areas. On May 17, 2006 we had an open house for our Danville Clinical Services program. We have also hired two new staff members for that office to better serve the Southside community. Our new Mental Health Support Service has received several referrals and is going well in the Roanoke office. We have received national recognition for our work in adoption. Janet Barr, Adoption Program Director, presented a paper at the Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences earlier this month. The paper focused on our collaborative work with seven local Departments of Social Services to enhance both the quality and quantity of adoption services. Our partners were Pittsylvania County, Halifax County, Danville, Campbell County, Bedford County, Amherst County and Lynchburg Departments of Social Services. We are pleased to say that the grant has made a big difference to children waiting for a family. Although the original federal grant has ended, our partnership has continued with funding from state adoption funds. The Mental Retardation Program has continued to look for opportunities to serve those in need. About a month ago, we purchased a home in Campbell County which we will be converting into a home for six residents. We have received a grant from the State Training Center to help us make the home handicapped accessible. We will be starting on the renovations soon and look forward to a fall opening. We say good-bye and thanks to Case Manager Jamie Gagnon; Mentors Carleen Johnson-Alleyne, Connie Short, Archer Caldwell, and Jessica Woody; and Interns Sarah Dickinson and Lyn Howard. We also say goodbye to Clinician Dale Tremmel and Social Worker Regina Brown. We welcome Clinicians Louis Puryear, Cindy Tuck and Prestonia Kier; Social Workers Stephanie Mabe and Judy Brown; Office Manager Laura Whitt; and Mentors Robin Burroughs, Miranda Zimmerman, Ann Anderson, Ryan Cook, Theresa Banks, Annette Harney, Kristen Smith and Rachel Wolpert (who had previously been an intern with us). We also welcome our new officers to DePaul’s Board of Directors. Doug Henson is the new Board President and Tom Winn is the Vice-President. Bob Allen is the Secretary and Haden Dudley will continue to serve as Treasurer.
Sue Bentley |