For immediate release
January 26, 2022
Contact: Jackie Herbstritt
Email: jackie@communityedcenter.com
Phone: 814-781-3437
Leadership Elk & Cameron Completes Session on Health and Human Services
The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk & Cameron’s (LEC) monthly session in January focused on the area’s Health and Human Services sector. The participants were hosted at the Elkland Search and Rescue facility in St. Marys in the morning. Matt Young, President of the organization, provided a presentation on the history, mission and work of Elkland Search and Rescue. Matt said that “volunteers are always needed and there is a job for everyone.” The class participated in a panel discussion with Billie Jo Weyant, Director of CAPSEA, Angela Chew, Program Director of Dickinson’s Restoration Center, and Brad Chapman, President of Penn Highlands Elk & Clearfield. The discussion focused on challenges, collaboration, and facility acquisitions and upgrades. Brad’s best leadership advice to the group was that “despite the current crisis or challenge on the table, you must stay focused, have a plan and keep on moving”.
The class moved to the St. Marys Police Department for the afternoon. Operation Elk County (local drug task force) provided several presentations and demonstrations on the drug crisis in the area. Presenters included District Attorney Beau Grove, Sgt. Shaffer, Sgt. Pistner, Officer Welsh, Chief Nicklas, Sheriff Caltagarone, Detective McManus, and K9 Nando. One participant reflected “it was great to see the task force has access to the newest technologies to help combat the drug crisis in our rural communities.” Each LEC participant was given a copy of the locally produced book Ripples: Effects of Addiction, which were donated by Operation Elk County. Lunch was sponsored by Dickinson Center.
The goals of Leadership Elk & Cameron are to increase community awareness and understanding, provide opportunities for collaborative leadership and relationship building, and to foster and promote civic readiness. More information about the Leadership program can be found at http://www.communityedcenter.com, or by contacting the CEC at (814) 781-3437.
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Picture attached
Front row, L to R: Seth Weible, Andy Urmann, Dawn Sexton, Kasey McClain, Sgt. Shaffer and Nando, Jodi Guisto, Rachel Barrett, and Shannon Gitterman,
Middle Row, L to R: Brandon Smith, Tyler Cuneo, Emily Crowe, Jean Stefano, Officer Welsh, Nikki Delhunty, Cortney Fritz, Josh Parslow, Katie Lenze, Jen Wonderly, Bryan Linton, and Sheriff Caltagarone.
Back row, L to R: Joe Jacob, Sgt. Pistner, Det. McManus, and Chief Nicklas