The mission of the Government Relations Institute (GRI©) is to give PCPA members in-depth, professional training that will enable them to develop and enhance their relationships with government officials. The institute also hopes to foster greater collaboration among human service agencies through our emphasis on coalition-building in public policy efforts.

GRI© Program

The Government Relations Institute©, hosted by PCPA, includes a number of training opportunities throughout the year. The 2007 class begins November 6-7 with training sessions in Harrisburg and concludes with graduation and a reception June 20, 2007 at the PCPA board meeting. The institute offers approximately 60 hours of professional level training. The program enables participants to acquire knowledge of public policy issues throughout the year and to utilize this knowledge through practical assignments.

Goals

• To increase PCPA members’ expertise in educating public policy makers.
• To expand PCPA’s visibility in the governmental arena.
• To promote stronger ties and collaboration with other human service agencies on government relations issues

Benefits

• Increased competence in developing governmental relationships and affecting public policy.
• Networking among agencies.
• Increased ability for providers to collaborate with other advocacy groups.
• Broadening staff skills.
• Practical, hands-on experience in lobbying and governmental relations.

Cost
Agencies are responsible for travel, hotel, and meal expenses (with some exceptions) for their employees. These costs are estimated to be $1,000 - 1,200 for the year. PCPA provides all materials and arranges a corporate discount for hotel accommodations.

Candidates
Criteria for selecting GRI participants include demonstrated or potential leadership skills and interest in public policy issues. Participants must be willing to commit the time to attend sessions and be sufficiently in control of their own schedules to make that commitment meaningful. The GRI selection committee will seek a class representing geographic and service area diversity.

Commitment
Those chosen to participate in GRI© must be willing to commit an average of one day per month to public policy issues for two years after completing the training. The participant’s agency must also be willing to support the participant’s commitment to the institute and to public policy issues.

 

GRI Application

2008 Application
(Requires 8" x 14" paper to print)

Class of 2008

Roster
Christine Coughenour - Step by Step, Inc.
Melissa Fillman - Lenape Valley Foundation
Megan Lape, MSW - Mercy Behavioral Health
Gary Minnier II - Adams-Hanover Counseling Services, Inc
Sally Rutkowski - Achievement Center
Alex J. Salego - Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Barbara Saunders - Wesley Spectrum Services
Joni Schwager - Staunton Farm Foundation
Kelly Shuey - Community Services Group
Rachel Steigerwalt - Family Services of Western Pennsylvania

Class of 2007

Roster
Evangeline Holmes - Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Denise Macerelli - Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Community and Government Relations
Victoria Livingstone - Milestones Community Healthcare, Inc.
Miki Hammond -Safe Harbor Behavioral Health
Angelo Stamoolis - Community Counseling Center of Mercer County
Janet Blazaskie - Step by Step

Class of 2006

Roster
Paul J. Cornely - Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
Sarah Eyster - Community Behavioral HealthCare Network of Pennsylvania
Rhonda Kutzik - The Consortium, Inc.
Diane Len - FamilyLinks
Michael W. Ogden - Eagleville Hospital
William Stennett - Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
David Webster - Dickinson Mental Health Center

Class Projects
Bill Analysis Project - William Stennett, Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Bill Analysis Project - David Webster, Dickinson Mental Health Center
Bill Analysis Project - Paul Cornely, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
Bill Analysis Project - Rhonda Kutzik, The Consortium

Class of 2005

Roster
Sara Black - Philadelphia Health Management Corporation
Jen Gesing - Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems
Amanda Hitz - Adams-Hanover Counseling Services
Jen Rossi - Community Services Group
Wendy Shapiro - Lenape Valley Foundation
Betty Simmonds - PCPA
Julie Sorrentino-Kresge - Safe Harbor Behavioral Health

Class Projects
Campaign Project, Julie Sorrentino-Kresge - Safe Harbor Behavioral Health
Media Project - Wendy Shapiro, Lenape Valley Foundation

 

Class of 2004

Roster
Sue Coyle - Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
Kristina DelPrincipe - Tadiso, Inc.
Dennis Kowalski - Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Tammy Marsico - Wesley Spectrum Services
Rick Marsilio - Viaquest Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania
Jen McLaughlin - Community Services Group
Joe Ostrander - PCPA

Class Projects
Bill Analysis Project - Dennis Kowalski, Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Bill Analysis Project - Tamara Marsico, Wesley Spectrum Services
Media Project - Tamara Marsico, Wesley Spectrum Services

Class of 2003

Roster
Edward E. Brown - Unlimited Staffing Solutions
Dawna Byrom - Indiana County Guidance Center
John Eliyas - Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Rachel Freund - Mental Health Association of Allegheny County
Shelley Johnson - Indiana County Guidance Center
Holly Kricher - Adams Hanover Counseling Services, Inc.
Melissa Lewis - Dickinson Mental Health Center
Bill Parfitt - Wordsworth
Lori Rea - Glade Run Lutheran Services
Albert Schubert - Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Art Silverman - CONCERN

 

Class of 2002

Roster
Debra Bumar - Westmoreland Case Management Services
Gregory Doan - Friendship House
Michele Cotter-Kopaczynski - Lenape Valley Foundation
Brigid Lawlor - National Advocacy Center for Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Stephen Mosovsky - Auberle
John Pockey - Beacon Light Behavioral Health System
David Schreder - Community Services Group
Tim Wilson - The Philadelphia Alliance
Jim Wiseman - Beacon Light Behavioral Health System

Class Projects
Bill Analysis Project - Dave Schreder, Community Services Group
Budget Project - Debbie Bumar, Westmoreland Case Management Services
Media Project - Sr. Bridget Lawlor, Sisters of the Good Shepherd

GRI© Alumni Network

PCPA's GRI© Alumni Network is comprised of all persons who have graduated in a GRI class. The Alumni Network focuses on ongoing government relations issues, grassroots advocacy, rallies and budget analyses, and building the Pennsylvania Community Providers Political Action Committee. Alumni Network news is available by contacting Anne McHugh Leisure, Director of Legislative Affairs.

For more information about GRI© contact Anne McHugh Leisure.

Bldg 3, Ste 200, 2101 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717-364-3280
Fax: 717-364-3287
© Pennsylvania Community Providers Association