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Donley Award nominations accepted until Jan. 22
Community Services for Children is seeking nominations for the 2019 Donley Awards.
This prestigious recognition, established in 1996, honors the legacy of Inez and Edward Donley, who worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for children in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Please fill out this nomination form, and attach extra sheets as needed.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 22, 2019, and criteria are:
- Nominee must be an individual, couple, group, nonprofit organization or for-profit company whose residence or offices are located in the 17 counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania;
- Contributions of time, talent and/or treasure or in-kind donations have directly improved the health, education or general welfare of children birth to age 18; or
- Efforts have substantially increased the awareness of needs of children.
Schools and child care/early education providers are not eligible for the award. The award is only presented once per individual or company, so please note past Donley Award recipients when considering your nomination:
Previous individual recipients:
Mrs. Beverly Bradley; Sen. Patrick M. Browne; Mr. and Mrs. Lee Butz; Mr. L. Jack Bradt; Dr. Deborah Campbell; Mr. Peter Carpino; Mr. Scott Fainor; Mrs. Marlene “Linny” Fowler; Mrs. Rebecca Gorton; Mr. Kostas Kalogeropolous; Mr. and Mrs. David Leber; Mrs. Patricia W. Levin; Dr. and Mrs. Peter Likins; Dr. J. Robert Lovett; Chief Roger MacLean; The Hon. Jeanette Reibman; The Hon. Edward G. Rendell; Mrs. Ardath Rodale; Ms. Marci Ronald; Dr. Arthur L. Scott; Dr. Diane Scott; Dr. John vanBrakle.
Previous organization recipients:
Agere Systems; Air Products & Chemicals, Inc; Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Computer Aid; CoreStates Bank; Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA); Crayola; DaVinci Science Center; Education 2020!; Just Born, Inc; Junior League of the Lehigh Valley; Lehigh Valley Health Network; Northampton County Medical Society Alliance; Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley; PNC Financial Services; PPL Corporation; St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network; The Harry C. Trexler Trust; United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Women’s Leadership Council.
All nominations should be submitted to Stacy Perlaki, Community Services for Children, 1520 Hanover Ave., Allentown, PA 18109; sperlaki@cscinc.org or faxed to 610-437-6500.
Recipients will be announced in February. The Donley Awards recipients will be honored at CSC’s Children’s Ball on Oct. 4 at The Centennial Catering & Conference Center in Center Valley, Pa.
Nadine Slifka December 3rd, 2018
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Community Services for Children receives $50K grant from PPL Foundation for The Learning Hub City Center Allentown
Community Services for Children is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support The Learning Hub City Center Allentown.
The Learning Hub, a partnership with City Center Investment Corp., opened in October on the ground floor of The Morning Call building at Sixth and Linden streets in Allentown. The center, which serves 110 Head Start children and their families, houses six preschool classrooms, a reading room, Innovation Lab, motion room and gathering spaces. All children enrolled in the program live at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level. The classrooms focus on developing 21st Century skills, through STEM education, arts integration, early literacy and innovation approaches.
The long-term vision of the Learning Hub is to engage with other community partners to provide preschool, after-school and summer programming for local families, to ensure economically disadvantaged children are ready for school and parents are engaged in their children’s education. The Learning Hub will also eventually offer GED and adult literacy classes, workshops on home buying and tax preparation and other enrichment courses.
“This PPL Foundation grant will have a direct impact on the lives of young children and their families living in Allentown,” said CSC CEO and President Paula Margraf. “We know that poverty is the greatest barrier to school success, and these funds will allow us to provide educational and enrichment programs that will ensure children are ready for kindergarten and their families have resources and support to start the path to long-term success.”
The PPL Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. This year, the PPL Foundation received more than 70 applications requesting nearly $4 million during this highly competitive grant cycle. CSC was one of 13 organizations to be selected for a grant.
“The PPL Foundation is proud to team up with nonprofit organizations throughout Pennsylvania that are tackling tough issues in our communities with innovative solutions,” said Ryan Hill, president of the PPL Foundation. “They are working every day to make our communities safe, strong and sustainable by expanding access to high-quality pre-k education, sparking students’ interest in new and exciting career paths and providing the resources people need to move out of poverty.”
Nadine Slifka November 28th, 2018
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Community Services for Children welcomes Dr. Kelli Nayak to Board of Directors
Dr. Kelli Nayak
Community Services for Children is honored to welcome Dr. Kelli Nayak to the Board of Directors.
Nayak is a pediatrician with Lehigh Valley Hearth Network and has served as the medical director of the Lehigh Valley Physicians Group pediatric clinic on 17th Street in Allentown since 2016.
Prior to coming to the Lehigh Valley, Nayak was the pediatric clinic medical director for the Miami Rescue Mission Clinic, which serves homeless and uninsured children. She previously worked as an urgent care physician at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, and at National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md., where her rotating schedule covered the general pediatric clinic, adolescent clinic, newborn nursery and inpatient ward.
She is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, and was nominated clinical teacher of the year for Lehigh Valley Health Network in 2016 and 2017.
Nayak holds a bachelor’s degree in international political science from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., and a received her medical degree from MCP-Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. She completed her residency through the National Capital Consortium Pediatric Residency Program at the National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Nadine Slifka October 29th, 2018
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Community Services for Children adds 3 new board members
Julissa Burgos
Joe Jackson
Camie Modjadidi
Community Services for Children is honored to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors voted in June to add Julissa Burgos, Joseph Jackson and Carol Ann “Camie” Modjadidi to the board.
Burgos has more than 15 years of experience in treasury and finance with PPL Corp. and an in-depth understanding of financial markets and investment instruments. In her current role as manager of investments and pensions for PPL, she provides oversight for $6 billion in assets for retirement plans, including pensions, other post-retirement benefits and savings and investments for the PPL Foundation. She serves as chairperson of PPL’s Employee Benefit Plan Board.
Burgos holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance from the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration, and she is a Certified Treasury Professional. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Jackson is the vice president and co-owner of Bracy Construction, Inc., based in Allentown. He is responsible for various aspects of the business including business development, charitable giving and marketing; overseeing projects to ensure they meet budget, safety and scheduling requirements; staff recruitment and development; and managing the accounting department. Prior to joining Bracy Construction, Inc., Jackson was a project manager for Turner Construction Company in Philadelphia and Boston.
Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University, where he developed a prototype of a football helmet that can measure brain acceleration during collisions. His other interests include real estate investing, skiing, golf, travel and photography.
Modjadidi is a long-time educator with experience ranging from early childhood education through graduate school. She has been an adjunct faculty member in Moravian College’s Education Department since 1995 and currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses. She previously worked in Bethlehem Area School District, as the acting assistant principal at Donegan Elementary School, an instructional support teacher, an educational consultant and a special education teacher. She is involved in a number of professional development and educational stewardship activities, serves on the St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary and chairs multiple committees at Central Moravian Church.
Modjadidi holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from West Chester University and a master’s degree in elementary education from Lehigh University.
Nadine Slifka July 6th, 2018
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Early Learning Resource Centers to create one-stop hub for families, early learning providers
Families and early learning providers across Pennsylvania will soon have access to one-stop hubs that offer information and services to support the goal of improving quality, accessibility and affordability of early education.
Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs), were created by The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Community Services for Children (CSC) will lead ELRCs in five regions, comprising 17 counties: Bradford, Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Sullivan, Wyoming, Carbon, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks.
Starting in July, regional offices will open at the following locations:
Region 11:
415 N. Main St.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
833-229-6925 or 570-704-5333
986 Wall St.
Danville, PA 17821
833-229-6925 or 570-271-9550
Region 12:
Oppenheim Building
409 Lackawanna Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503
833-229-6926 or 570-468-8144
411 Main St.
Suite 102-C
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
833-229-6926 or 570-994-1135
Region 13:
1111 Commons Blvd.
Reading, PA 19612
833-229-6927 or 610-987-2247
2335 West End Ave.
Pottsville, PA 17901
833-229-6927 or 570-391-5211
Region 14:
1520 Hanover Ave.
Allentown, PA 18109
800-528-7222 or 610-437-6000
322 E. 3rd St.
Bethlehem, PA 18015
800-528-7222 or 484-898-8101
Region 16:
228 N. Main St.
Doylestown, PA 18901
833-229-6928 or 267-898-3980
333 N. Oxford Valley Road
Suite 402-403
Fairless Hills, PA 19030-2624
833-229-6928
ELRCs are designed as integrated system of supports that help families access quality early education and child care programs and other critical services, such as child care subsidy. They combine the work of Keystone STARS and Child Care Works programs, creating a streamlined one-door approach that addresses all family needs and breaks down barriers to services. ELRCs ensure children learn and develop through services such as Head Start, Pre-K Counts, home visitation and Early Intervention; parents are able to afford to go to work; and child care professionals can obtain coaching to bolster quality outcomes.
The ELRC in each region will build connections with community partners and achieve CSC’s mission to ensure all young children and their families succeed in learning and life through innovative, comprehensive, leading-edge services.
Nadine Slifka June 11th, 2018
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CSC names Nyanda Finley de Santos director of family, community engagement
Community Services for Children is pleased to announce that Nyanda Finley de Santos has been named director of family and community engagement.
Finley de Santos has been with CSC since 2002 and spent 13 years as a family engagement manager in the Head Start program. She most recently served as the assistant director of family engagement. Over the years, she has spearheaded various special projects, including the Healthy Marriage grant, Father Involvement Initiative and design and implementation of adult development workshops.
Prior to joining CSC, Finley de Santos held several positions in the human services field. She was a caseworker for Pinebrook Services (now Pinebrook Family Answers) in Allentown. She also spent several years as a houseparent for Community Service Foundation, where she provided crisis prevention and intervention to teens in a group home setting.
Finley de Santos holds a bachelor of arts in International Studies and Spanish from Wells College and a master of education in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Turabo.
Nadine Slifka June 11th, 2018
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CSC names Pamela Cho VP of Early Learning Resource Centers
ALLENTOWN – Community Services for Children is pleased to announce Pamela Cho is the organization’s new vice president of Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs).
Cho, who has been employed at CSC since 2008 and most recently served as the Director of Child and Family Development, has more than 25 years of experience in social work and management. During her time with CSC, Cho has led a comprehensive Early Head Start home visitation program for pregnant women, infants and toddlers, as well as family engagement services for Head Start families, and developed a community-based parenting education program.
In her new role, Cho will lead and manage the development and implementation of the regional Early Learning Resource Centers to ensure an increase in access to and quality of early learning services across 17 counties in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced the selection of the regional ELRCs earlier this week, as a means of helping families identify the best child care options, while providing connections to additional services, such as child care subsidy or early learning programs. The ELRCs will combine the work of Child Care Information Service agencies and the Regional Keys to create one-stop hubs where families and early learning providers can seek resources and support and build community connections.
Prior to coming to CSC, Cho was the Director of Placement Services for Pinebrook Services for Children and Youth, now Pinebrook Family Answers. She also previously worked as a casework supervisor for Pinebrook and a social worker with Ken-Crest Services in Philadelphia.
Cho, a licensed social worker, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emory University and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work. She is also a graduate of the UCLA/Johnson & Johnson Head Start Management Fellows Program. She serves as the president of the Project Child Steering Committee and sits on the National Advisory Council for the Home Visiting Applied Research Collaborative.
Nadine Slifka April 26th, 2018
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CSC to lead Early Learning Resource Centers in 17 counties across PA
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced the creation of a new integrated system of supports for families and early learning providers, and Community Services for Children will be the lead agency for five regions and 17 counties.
These regional Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) are designed to improve the quality of and access to early education programs and help families access other critical services, such as child care subsidy, while ensuring they find the best child care options.
“The Wolf administration believes that all children and families should have access to high-quality child care,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “The announcement of ELRCs is groundbreaking for Pennsylvania’s comprehensive early learning system. The department looks forward to supporting integrated, innovative agencies as they increase access to and continue quality-building for early learning programs.”
Starting July 1, ELRCs will combine the work of Child Care Information Service Agencies and the Regional Keys to create one-stop hubs where families and early learning providers can seek resources and support. ELRCs will administer more than $680 million in child care subsidies, allowing Pennsylvania parents to maintain employment while their children learn and develop. Child care professionals will obtain support and coaching to bolster quality outcomes, build connections with community partners and help families access services such as Head Start, Pre-K Counts, home visitation and Early Intervention. CSC is the sole provider of Head Start and Early Head Start in the Lehigh Valley.
“CSC is proud to be part of this transformation, using an innovative approach to ensure that all children and families have the services they need to be successful,” said Paula Margraf, CSC CEO and President. “This is an exciting opportunity for CSC, one that will take us one step closer to realizing our mission, and achieving our goal to increase access for children and families to high-quality early education.”
CSC will operate ELRCs in Region 11: Bradford, Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Sullivan and Wyoming counties; Region 12: Carbon, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne counties; Region 13: Berks and Schuylkill counties; Region 14: Lehigh and Northampton counties; and Region 16: Bucks County.
Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. Its Head Start program is recognized as a national center of excellence and innovation.
Nadine Slifka April 26th, 2018
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PA Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera, Allentown Superintendent Thomas Parker to keynote Donley Awards
Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Edu
cation Pedro Rivera will keynote at CSC’s Donley Awards luncheon April 19, along with Allenton Superintendent Thomas Parker.
The 23rd annual awards luncheon is scheduled for noon – 1:15 p.m. at DeSales University Center. Recognized this year for their advocacy of children’s welfare are: Dave and Kathy Leber, Dr. Deborah Campbell, DDS, and Junior League of the Lehigh Valley. The Donley Awards were named after benefactors Inez and Edward Donley, who epitomized the spirit of supporting children through their various philanthropic and volunteer activities.
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.cscinc.org/events or by contacting Stacy Perlaki at sperlaki@cscinc.org or 610-437-6000, ext. 2113.
Nadine Slifka April 10th, 2018
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Donley Awards honor advocates of children in Lehigh Valley
ALLENTOWN – Community Services for Children will present three awards April 19 to individuals and organizations who have significantly improved the quality of life for children in the Lehigh Valley.
Dr. Deborah Campbell, Dave and Kathy Leber and Junior League of the Lehigh Valley are the 2018 winners of the Inez and Edward Donley Award for Children’s Advocacy. The annual award recognizes those who advocate on behalf of children locally, regionally and nationally. The Donley Awards luncheon is noon, April 19, at DeSales University. Tickets are $35, and are available at www.cscinc.org/events.
Dr. Deborah Campbell, of Lehigh Valley Health Network, has partnered with CSC’s Head Start and Early Head Start program since 2013, donating her time to provide dental screenings and exams to pregnant women and children birth to age 5. Over the past three years, she has provided 600 dental s
creenings to the most vulnerable families in Lehigh and Northampton counties. She educates families on oral hygiene and the importance of routine exams, and her gentle approach helps children overcome a fear of the dentist.
Dave and Kathy Leber chaired the capital campaign for SafeStart, raising $2.7 million for CSC’s specialized Early Head Start center-based program that provides a therapeutic classroom setting for babies and toddlers impacted by drugs and alcohol. Kathy also serves on CSC’s board and Children’s Ball committee. Both are very involved with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and were instrumental in helping to establish the Safety Net Effort, an emergency relief fund for families that slip through the cracks of social services.
The Junior League of the Lehigh Valley focuses on improving health and reducing the education gap among children in low-income communities. They partner with elementary schools on programs that teach the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise. They also get students excited about learning through special summer enrichment programs and book blasts, and provide parents with resources such as summer learning and camp opportunities and information on registering for kindergarten.
3S33d_admin February 26th, 2018
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