In this Issue Click on the headline to go to the article Events & People Get to know our ACS colleagues and the work we do in support of the agency. • Commissioner Carrión Meets With Staff - DCP Meetings (Brooklyn, Manhattan) - Racial Equity and Cultural Competence Committee • New Deputy Commissioner Felipe Franco leads the Division of Youth and Family Justice • DCP Leadership Participate in Self-Care Workshop • FPS Reaches Out the PanHellenic Council of Greater New York to Consider Fostering Commercially Exploited Youth • US Russia Visiting Fellows Exchange Program • Bronx Resource Fair • Black History Month Celebrations • NSD Residents Participate in Efforts to Stop Gun Violence

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November 2013 March 2014

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March 2014

Events & People

Get to know your ACS colleagues and the work we do in support of the agency.

Commissioner Carrión Meets With Staff Since her appointment in January, Commissioner Gladys Carrión has been meeting with staff to familiarize herself with the operations of the agency, and to gain insight from them. Early on, Commissioner Carrión made her first visit with Brooklyn Borough Division of Child Protection office to offer her support immediately after the death of Myls Dobson, whose case was under court-ordered supervision in Brooklyn. Later at a meeting with staff at the Manhattan DCP Office, Commissioner Carrión said developing and working from

we work with are succeeding overall, reading successfully, graduating high school, maintaining healthy relationships, and are able to parent successfully.” She also spoke about the need to invite and engage our neighbors and communities to become more involved and responsible in the lives and safety of all of our children. To promote this, the Commissioner said the agency is developing a new public awareness campaign, and new strategies to promote child well-being and safety. In addition, the Commissioner listened to staff concerns regarding workload, job safety, and collaborations with other City

Appointments • Luisa Linares • Elliot Boyd • Jim St. Germain • Christian Claudio

Co-chairs Sandra Killett, and Alan Sputz share a light moment with Commissioner Carrión, right, at the RECC meeting.

Retirements • Adele Parker

a ‘child well-being framework’ is a critical component of her vision for ACS. She told staff, “We should measure our system’s success in similar ways that a parent measures and examines their success. To that end, we should question if the children

agencies and organizations including the Department of Education, hospitals, the NYPD and Family Courts. On February 18th, Commissioner Carrión was the special guest at the Racial Equity continued on page 2

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Commissioner Carrión Meets With Staff (continued)

and Cultural Competence Committee (RECC) Meeting where she met with the members of the Committee headed by co-chairs Alan Sputz, Deputy Commissioner of Family Court Legal Services and Sandra Killett, Executive Director of the Child Welfare Organizing Project. She was accompanied by Eric Brettschneider, Deputy Commissioner of Coordination and Integration of Services. The Commissioner affirmed that the work of the RECC is of great value to the agency. She added that providing culturally competent services is important to child well-being. She noted that having a conversation about cultural competence and racial disparity is always challenging, but it is one that must be had, adding that she looked forward to working with the committee to continue that work. 

Deputy Commissioner Eric Brettschneider introduces Commissioner Carrión to staff at Manhattan DCP.

New Deputy Commissioner Felipe Franco leads the Division of Youth and Family Justice On February 24th, ACS welcomed Felipe Franco as our new Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ). As Deputy Commissioner of DYFJ, Felipe is responsible for the direction and administration of innovative juvenile justice programming that includes: therapeutic services, safe and secure custodial care, responsive health care, effective re-entry services and the promotion of educational achievement for justice-involved youth. Felipe brings extensive experience in juvenile justice and child welfare spanning both the government and non-profit sectors. In his first week at ACS, Felipe visited several sites, as he describes: “I had a chance to visit Horizon Juvenile Center, Crossroads Juvenile Center, and the Department of Education’s

school sites for our non-secure placement and detention youth, Bronx

“I had a chance to meet the staff of two of our provider-operated nonsecure placement sites and was impressed by the staff and the use of groups for youth support and growth.” Hope Academy and Belmont Academy. It provided me the opportunity to meet

with dedicated staff and teachers working together to educate our youth. I had a chance to meet the staff of two of our provider-operated non-secure placement sites and was impressed by the staff and the use of groups for youth support and growth. I look forward to working with our staff, partner agencies, families, and communities to help our youth succeed!” Felipe comes to ACS from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth where he served as Deputy Commissioner and managed all nonsecure, limited secure, and secure juvenile placement facilities in New York State. He was instrumental in transforming New York State’s continued on page 3

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New Deputy Commissioner Felipe Franco leads the Division of Youth and Family Justice (continued)

Juvenile Justice System by reducing the number of placements, improving conditions of confinement, and played a critical role in ACS’ implementation of Close to Home. He led the adoption of evidence-based practices in OCFS’ residential care and aftercare programs as well as the investment in positive youth development programs, post-secondary education, and vocational programs.

Before OCFS, Felipe was the Director of Juvenile Justice at the Children’s Aid Society in New York City where he helped disconnected juvenile justice and foster care youth find pathways to success in the community.

Prior to his role as OCFS Deputy Commissioner, Felipe served as the Associate Commissioner of Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth where he provided overall policy and programmatic direction for Community-Based Initiatives and oversight of county Felipe ,at right, with Donna Locke, Bradley Pierre and Germaine Simon operated detention services. on a site visit to Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx.

Felipe has also taught at New York University and has worked at the NYPD as Coordinator of Community Police Partnerships; the Vera Institute of Justice as a Research Associate; and the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center as a psychologist. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico. 

DCP Leadership Participate in Self-Care Workshop In between putting out fires, on February 20th, Division of Child Protection (DCP) leadership recently carved out two hours to participate in a “Heal the Healer” workshop conducted by Joyful Heart Foundation at 110 William Street. The Joining the workshop were DCP Acting Deputy Commissioner Eden Hauslaib and her executive team comprised of Acting Associate Commissioner Camelia Pierre, and Assistant Commissioners Mary Nam (now the Commissioner Carrión’s Acting Chief of Staff), Charita Thomas, Derrick Hinds, Jacqueline Jeffrey, Marsha Kellam, William Fletcher, Bryan Kemp and Trevor John. Joyful Heart trainer Sherisa Dahlgren, a former social worker in the California Allison Talis gave each DCP team member a journal.

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DCP Leadership Participate in Self-Care Workshop (continued)

child welfare system opened the workshop by discussing the impact of vicarious trauma. Sherisa explained that staff in leadership positions are often so busy shielding those they supervise, that they leave themselves exposed to trauma, sometimes unknowingly. She encouraged the executive team to recognize that they too need self-care. “There has to be a way to do this work without harming ourselves,” she said. Sherisa and co-trainer Allison Talis helped the staff recognize vicarious trauma, which can manifest in the following ways: exhaustion; a sense

that one can never do enough; fear, hyper-vigilance and guilt. Next, the presenters took participants through a series of exercises intended to “engage the body through movement, the mind through creative expression, and the spirit through group sharing. Activities included breathing exercises, meditation and movement. The Joyful Heart Foundation was founded by actress Mariska Hargitay as a way to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, and to “shed light into the darkness

that surrounds these issues”. The “Heal the Healer” Program was developed to help frontline workers and other first responders who are repeatedly exposed to stories of abuse and suffering to understand the effects of secondary/vicarious trauma on themselves and introduce them to self-care practices to address it. ACS frontline and supervisory staff have benefitted from similar workshops in the past as part of efforts to provide self-care and vicarious trauma awareness opportunities for child protective staff. 

FPS Encourages PanHellenic Council of Greater New York to Consider Fostering Commercially Exploited Youth

Ival Grant Williams addresses the reception for NPHC-GNYC members.

Deputy Commissioner Benita Miller and Assistant Commissioner Ival Grant-Williams of the ACS Division of Family Permanency Services (FPS) hosted a reception for the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater New York (NPHC-GNY) on March 5th with the support of the Jewish Child Care

Association (JCCA). The purpose of the event was to have a discussion about how ACS and the NPHC-GNY will collaborate to recruit foster home for children who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The membership of NPHC-GNY is

currently composed of about 100 delegates from the 47 local chapters of nine international Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa continued on page 5

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March 2014

FPS Encourages PanHellenic Council of Greater New York to Consider Fostering Commercially Exploited Youth (continued)

Benita (center) and Ival (at right) with the group after the reception.

Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The delegation is committed to supporting youth in foster care, especially those who are victims of sexual exploitation. During the reception, attendees watched an excerpt from a video produced by ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking - USA) which documents the stories of young people who were sexually exploited and listened to a powerful poem written and performed by a young woman about her experience as a victim of sexual exploitation. NPHC-GNY pledged its commitment to collaborating with ACS to recruit foster homes and provide support to youth in foster care by

“This is just the beginning of our relationship with NPHC-GNY” said Ival,“We want our young people to form real and lasting relationships with some of the best and brightest men and women in our City.”

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coordinating programs and activities that promote the social, educational, economic and physical well-being of youth in foster care. JCCA also made a presentation about their RESOLVE program, which serves youth throughout the five boroughs who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, and answered questions from attendees about how to become a foster parent. “This is just the beginning of our relationship with NPHC-GNY” said Ival, “We want our young people to form real and lasting relationships with some of the best and brightest men and women in our City.” Click on this link to view the video, or go to www.witness.org. 

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Russian Delegation Visits ACS Recently, members of the Child Protection Working Group of the US-Russia Social Expertise Group visited ACS to learn about the child welfare system in New York City. The delegation was led by Marina Lalayants, Assistant Professor at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and included an advanced practitioner, a corporate social responsibility senior manager for the company which works with orphaned and neglected children, a psychologist at a leading orphanage run by the Moscow Department of Public Social Protection, a deputy director of the child care institution for orphans and children, and a USbased fellow who works as a Program Manager for the Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund, an organization in the Pskov region of Russia. The group was given a tour of the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center by Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Placement Services, Trevor John where they were able to see the center through the eyes of a child,

Trevor John shows members of the US Russia Visiting Fellows Exchange Program on a tour of the Children’s Center.

from the admittance to living areas to the child’s temporary placement at the Center. Afterwards, they participated in a discussion on child welfare practices led by ACS staffers Iris Kaplan Assistant Commissioner, Family Permanency Services (FPS), Kristina Daley, Director FPS; Nancy Thomson, Associate Commissioner, Family Court Legal Services and

Tracey Francis-Martin, Director of Operations the Division of Child Protection. The group was interested in a host of issues including how ACS handles reports of child abuse, assessing risk, termination of parental rights, and the services available to children and families. During their visit to the U.S, the group also visited California and Washington, D.C. 

Bronx Resource Fair On Feb 26, staff from Bronx Division of Child Protection Zone E and the Office of Community Partnerships hosted a “Resources for Children with Special Needs” Community Fair” at the Rotunda of Bronx Supreme Court. It was an afternoon of connecting with and educating various service providers and Child Protective staff of the various agencies that service children with special needs. Participants received information from representatives of Autism Speaks regarding identifying signs of autism in children and information on services and advocacy available to autistic children. In addition, representatives of the Department of Health and Mental Health (DOHMH) Healthy Homes Pro-

Sanctuary for Families staff providing information to participants.

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Bronx Resource Fair (continued)

gram provided information on keeping homes lead free and tips on cleaning to prevent various sicknesses in children, such as asthma. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) presented literature on Fire Safety when utilizing a wheelchair or leg braces when there is a special needs child in the home. The Department of Aging/ Grandparent Resource Center also provided information of their services for grandparents caring for children with special needs. Various Community Based Agencies were also present to share their roles, referral process and services in the Highbridge/University Heights (Community Districts 4 and 5) sections of the Bronx. Kimkecha Farrior Caldwell, DCP Child Protective Manager and Osman Boayke, Support Facilitator in the Office of Community Partnerships took the lead in organizing the fair. 

FDNY staff provided information on fire safety for children with special needs.

Black History Month Celebrations Black History Month Celebrations wrapped up agency-wide with several events including Health Fairs, a forum geared toward youth at the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center, the 10th Annual GospelFest, the Commissioner’s Breakfast, a panel discussion on the book “High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self Discovery that Challenges Everything you Know about Race and Society” by Carl Hart, and closing ceremonies in the Bronx and Staten Island.

GospelFest The GospelFest which was held at the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center on February 21 featured performances from ACS staffers Estee Leger Odom, Cecelia Titus and Sandra Graydon Long, Troy Sullivan (performing as William Troy), as well as a host of

Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan Simpson.

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Black History Month Celebrations (continued)

African American Heritage Committee members pose for a picture with Commissioner Carrión, second from left Lakisha Adams, Damita Oliver, CIR, Lamont Morales, Audrey McDaniel, Geraldine Sheard-Curmon, JoVon Seymore, Carol Beck, John Green, Rogera Simmons, Tracy Johnson, Carline Numa, Phyllis Griffith. Not pictured, Cheryl Drumgold.

gospel stars including Tommy Odom, Richie Righteous, Angela Hill, Brandon Burke, and Tiffany Andrews-Woodside. The event was organized by African American Heritage Committee (AAHC) co-chair Cheryl Drumgold, who over the years has produced an event that

audiences always love. Former ACS staffer, Wilma Brown Phillips, now Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) was honored for her role in developing the event as part of Black History Month.

Commissioner’s Black History Month Breakfast Hundreds of staff gathered in the Manhattan Room on February 24 to enjoy the traditional Black History Month continued on page 9

John Taylor, a forensic social worker makes a point during the panel discussion on the book “High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self Discovery that Challenges Everything you Know about Race and Society” by Carl Hart.

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March 2014

Black History Month Celebrations (continued)

Wilma Brown receives her award from AAHC Committee members Melvin Alston, Lakisha Adams, Cheryl Drumgold, Gospelfest expediter, Rev. Dr. Agnes Blackmon, and Kenny Anderson.

breakfast hosted annually by the ACS Commissioner. For many, it was the first opportunity to greet newly appointed Commissioner Gladys Carrión and other new members of staff including Eric Brettschneider, Deputy Commissioner, Coordination and Integration of Services. Commissioner Carrión welcomed staff and thanked the AAHC for organizing events for Black History Month, which this year honored the late South African leader Nelson Mandela. She recounted a meeting with Mandela on his visit to New York in 1990 shortly after he was freed from prison, noting that she was impressed by his drive and humility. “Each of us honors the memory of Nelson Mandela when we persist, despite the difficulties that our families face. In keeping with the spirit of Nelson Mandela and the mission of the Administration for Chil-

A section of the enthusiastic crowd at the GospelFest.

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Black History Month Celebrations (continued)

dren’s Services, I am happy to honor and recognize each of you for your role in this important work,” she said. Guest speaker the Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan Simpson delivered an inspired presentation in which she invited the gathering to have a conversation about the values of Harriet Tubman who vowed to rescue every slave who wanted to be free. Dr. Jordan Simpson also spoke about meeting Nelson Mandela and listening to his concerns that we need to do better for our young people. She encouraged everyone in the room to become “agitators” for better conditions for all of our children. She said she was especially inspired by the writings of W. E. B. Dubois and she read from his book Prayers for Dark People in which he encouraged readers to “snatch success and victory from the teeth of failure.” In closing, Dr. Jordan Simpson charged the audience to “approach this moment with the continued on page 11

Gospel star Brandon Burke performs.

Kathy Blount and Louis Ramos.

Anisha Threatt-Mcbrown performing at the Bronx event.

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March 2014

Black History Month Celebrations (continued)

Bronx Culture Parade: From left Cheri Coleman, Georgette Lawrence, Beverly Danvers, Carol Thomas, Cloverlyn Nembhard, Antoinette Davis and Caryl Trocard.

spirit that you must make a difference.”

Bronx - A Celebration of Black History and Culture Throughout the Diaspora The Bronx Borough Office marked Black History Month with an event titled “A Celebration of Black History and Culture Throughout the Diaspora” on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 1200 Waters Place. The program opened

with greetings from Charita Thomas, Assistant Commissioner followed by the traditional prayer and libation performed by Louis Ramos and the singing of Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Master of Ceremony Will Harris III presided over a full program of performances in verse, song and dance by Antoinette Davis, Cottrella Thomas, and John McCarthy, and a showcase of Jamaican poem and folk songs performed

Some of the exhibitors at the Horizon Black History Month Health Fair.

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by Nataki Robinson and Cloverlyn Nembhart, among other performances. A highlight of the day was an African Fashion extravaganza honoring Nelson Mandela which featured a parade of ceremonial garments worn by the staff representing different African and Caribbean countries. A special thanks to the committee members Kathy Blount, Georgette Lawrence, Antoinette Davis, Cottrella Thomas, continued on page 12

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March 2014

Black History Month Celebrations (continued)

Dr. Sharon Cadiz at the Manhattan Health Fair.

Caryl Trocard, Natasha Simon, Cheri Coleman, Annette Hunter, and Sabrina Yancy who led fundraising efforts and organized activities to make the event a success. 

At the Manhattan Health Fair free eye exams were performed by the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, the DOHMH distributed information on help to stop smoking and the zumba class was well attended.

Kerri Edge Children’s Dance Ensemble performance at the Queens closing ceremony.

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A family visits one of the exhibits at the Horizon Health Fair.

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NSD Residents Participate in Efforts to Stop Gun Violence

NSD residents participating workshops.

Residents of the New Way, Bergen, Dean Non-Secure Detention (NSD) facilities attended a youth program focused on violence prevention at the CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College, 2180 3rd Avenue on February 7. This monthly event featured the showing of the documentary “Triggering Wounds.” The producers were on hand to talk about their experiences and led breakout sessions where residents engaged with other youth groups in talking about the root causes of violence.

Also as part of these efforts, residents from NSD participated in a weeklong event between February 18-21, which included a basketball tournament and violence prevention workshops sponsored by Harlem Mothers SAVES. The workshops included a round table discussion about gun violence and the impact it has on not just the victims but the victim’s family. The NYPD Gang Unit presented a workshop about violence on social media, and Dr. John

District Attorney Cyrus Vance fourth from right presented to the trophy to a member of the Episcopal Social Services team, winners of the tournament. Others are from left Deacon Rodney Beckford, Director of Catholic Charities at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Center in Harlem, Jamel Nedderman, Kimberley Hayes, Harlem Mothers SAVES, Marva Chevalier-Barrow, Executive Director of Detention Services, Roy Simmons, NSD Beach Avenue.

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M. Palmer, former Executive Director of Harlem Hospital encouraged the resident to take a leading role in their own successes. The final workshop featured three presentations: the first was by Clayton Sizemore of the Urban Yoga Foundation who demonstrated yoga strategies and techniques that today’s professional athletes use during their practices. He also discussed with residents ways to care of their bodies and relaxation techniques; secondly, the NYPD 32nd Precinct youth officers gave a presentation about making good decisions and excelling in the classroom if they wanted to be successful in basketball and in life, and finally, Kelsey Stevens Director of Sports, Recreation and Fitness for The Children’s Aid Society talked to the residents about other desirable careers in basketball besides being a player, including as referees, scoring officials and time keepers. The final day of the event featured a basketball tournament and a trophy ceremony. The winners received their prizes from Division of Youth Family Justice (DYFJ) officials and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance who was also the guest speaker. 

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Appointments Luisa Linares Luisa Linares has been appointed as Director of the Office of Preventive Technical Assistance (OPTA) in the Division of Family Support Services. Luisa will be responsible for overseeing and managing day-to-day operations and the quality of services of the Office which is comprised of a Support Team, Resource Team and Response Team. Her duties include supporting a wide array of preventive programs to enhance the quality of services; ensuring that provider agencies are assisted in overcoming identified barriers to effective quality practice; providing on-site support and guidance to provider agencies facing agency transfers, close downs and intake backlogs; developing, implementing and evaluating the Technical Assistance Teams; developing policies and procedures for the Technical Assistance Teams, and providing ongoing professional development, coaching and supervision of managers, among others.

Prior to joining ACS, Luisa was the Administrative Director of Children’s Services at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services (CMCS), where she managed their Foster Care and General Preventive programs, leading the transition of two FRP models to FTR and the implementation of a new medical fragile program. Luisa previously worked at ACS in the Agency Program Assistance (APA) area as a Supervising Performance Monitor and Consultant, and at Children’s Aid Society as a Program Coordinator/Social Worker. Luisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Spanish Literature from the State University of New York College at Oneonta and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing and Program Administration from Syracuse University. She has observed international social work practices through study programs in Spain, France, England and Ghana.

Elliott Boyd Elliott is now Teen Specialist Associate in the Division of Family Permanency Services Teen Services Unit. In this position, he works with young parents in care, especially fathers, to engage them in becoming more active in the lives of their children. He also serves as a resource to the division in its efforts to enhance ACS’ work with parenting youth in care. Elliot worked as an intern with the division since September 2013. He was also

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a member of the Youth Speakers Bureau which works to inform and educate the community about issues of concern to young parents in care. Elliot plans to study computer science in the future.

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Appointments Jim St. Germain (top), and Christian Claudio Jim St. Germain and Christian (Chris) Claudio have been appointed Resident Care Advocates in the Office of Advocacy. They will be responsible for confidentially investigating and resolving the individual concerns of, or on behalf of youth in placement as part of the Close to Home initiative. Before joining ACS, Jim worked as an Advocate for young people living with mental disabilities at the Mental Health Association, Inc., and as a Youth Care Worker at a juvenile detention facility where he was once a resident. As a result of his personal experience with juvenile justice, Jim has been called by organizations such as The Children’s Defense Fund of New York, where he has participated in press conferences and trainings on issues related to helping young people thrive; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), as a national policy advisor; and ACS, as a former member of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Board. Jim has channeled his passion for public service into advocating for young people, as a motivational speaker in New York City public schools, and as a volunteer member of New York State’s Division of Criminal Justice Services Youth Advisory Council. He interned with New York State Assemblyman Karim Camara and continues to work with the Assemblyman on community mat-

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ters, including reducing gun violence. Jim earned an Associate degree in Human Services from the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Along with his work as an advocate, Jim is most proud of his role as a new father. Chris has extensive experience in working with at-risk youth especially in efforts to address gang involvement and bullying. He is a motivational speaker, a certified New York Gang Specialist and anti-bullying specialist. His personal life experience and exposure to the juvenile and criminal justice system has given Chris a passion for helping young people. This passion comes from seeing a need for our youth to have a voice. He is also the founder of a not-forprofit organization that focuses on anti-gang & anti-bullying. Ever since his personal evolution, he has committed and dedicated himself to being an example to show that one recover from mistakes to become a successful and productive member of society. Chris is particularly proud to join ACS and have the opportunity to become a voice for youth. Chris received his education at Lehman College where he majored in accounting and early childhood education.

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Retirements

Adele Parker After 25 years of City service, Adele Parker has retired. Adele began her career with the City in September 1988, in Home Care Medicaid with Human Resources Administration as an Eligibility Specialist. In December 1990, she was transferred to the Administration for Children’s Services through a promotion as a PAA I and was assigned to the Brooklyn Field Office at 345 Adams Street, working as a Categorical Eligibility Specialist. This new unit was responsible for determining reimbursement eligibility, to the city, for services rendered to children and family, receiving foster care, or preventive services. After the integration of all Categorical Eligibility Specialists, she transferred to 150 William Street, working under the supervision of Mr. Glenn White, in the Policy and Planning Division.

Upon her retirement Adele plans to do volunteer work with babies and the elderly, as well as working with the youth in her community. She also intends to spend time traveling and just enjoying the rest of her life. According to Adele: “I have met some truly wonderful and lasting friends and have had some amazing, and at times, funny experiences. Now, 25 years later, I’m about to step into a new, unchartered area of my life and am looking forward to a new adventure, and the meeting of more friends and experiences. To all of you, that I have had any contact with, I trust that it was a pleasant one, and that I touched your life in a special, meaningful way.

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Jill Krauss:  Acting Deputy Commissioner of Communications and Community Affairs Valerie Moore: Public Information Specialist / Intel Editor Laura Postiglione: Creative Director Emily Dolan: Design and Layout

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