Montgomery County, PA

December 12, 2008 – The Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth held a Holiday Brunch this date in the Human Service Center Community Room.  The Brunch provided an opportunity for Children & Youth staff to relax while reflecting back over the significant events of 2008.  Administrators and officials were on hand to thank staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the vulnerable children of Montgomery County.  Staff worked tirelessly during 2008 to insure safety, permanence and well-being of children we serve. 
Click here for photos.
 

December 10, 2008 – Montgomery County employees celebrated diversity with an event entitled “Holidays Around the World” this date in our Human Services Center Community Room from 11:00 to 1:00.  Department displays included various ethnic foods, cultural information, traditional music, family recipes, historical garments and much, much more.  The Office of Children & Youth’s display entitled “Treats & Traditions” was coordinated by OCY Administrative Assistant, Suzanne Mountney, and was awarded “Most Informative Display”.  Thank you to all the Children & Youth staff that helped to make this event so successful.

December 5, 2008 – The annual Hershey Park Trip for our OCY kids was sponsored this date by Superkids of Montgomery County, Inc.  The children and their chaperones rode by motor coach from Norristown to Hershey, PA for an exciting evening of holiday rides, lights and festivities!  This year was especially significant to several children who were reunited with siblings and cousins during the event.  A wonderful time was had by all who attended!  Special thanks to Pam Hartman for organizing the event and to Superkids of Montgomery County for providing this opportunity for our children.
 

December 4, 2008 - A very special thanks goes out to Chris Murray and the staff at SKF, Inc. in Kulpsville, Pennsylvania for donating 50 winter coats to children with the Office of Children & Youth.  The coats were provided to abused and neglected children known to the Office of Children & Youth who did not have adequate winter weather garments.  The Office of Children & Youth would also like to thank Nancy Miller and Mary Beth Roberts and all the staff at SKF for allowing us the opportunity to speak with SKF staff at an employee event held this date.  Thanks to the generosity of the people at SKF, the Office of Children & Youth has been able to provide numerous contributions to needy children for many years now.  Thanks SKF!  Click here for photo.

November 24, 2008 – Special thanks to Performance Controls, Inc. of Montgomeryville, PA who presented Superkids of Montgomery County, Inc. with checks totaling $2,000.00.  Superkids supports the educational and enrichment needs of abused and neglected children in Montgomery County and the money provided by Performance Controls and their parent company, Hitachi, will all go to support our most vulnerable children.  Thank you Performance Controls, Inc and Hitachi!  Click here for photo.

November 20, 2008 – McNeil Consumer Healthcare in Fort Washington, PA provided a generous donation of Thanksgiving food baskets for families in need known to the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth.  Baskets included non-perishable food items, dry goods, linens, small toys, books and grocery store gift certificates for purchase of a Thanksgiving turkey.  Our sincere thanks and appreciation goes out to Veronica Custer at McNeil who organizes this event each year, as well as to the staff at McNeil for their years of dedication and support for families receiving services from the Office of Children & Youth.
 

November 18, 2008 - The Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth hosted its 4^th Annual Adoption Match Event in the Community Room of the Human Services Center to celebrate November as National Adoption Month. The Match Event was coordinated by OCY Staff Member, Pamela Hartman, and is held as an opportunity for adoptive families to learn more about children in the area who are awaiting adoption, to speak to the caseworkers of the children, and to obtain information about the adoption process.  It is also an opportunity for caseworkers to learn more about perspective adoptive families.  Both public and private child welfare and adoption agencies were represented at the event.  An exciting addition to the event included a beautiful display of children’s portraits by the Pennsylvania Heart Gallery.  The Gallery display ran from November 10^th to November 20^th.  Thanks to all who participated and made this event so special.

October 26, 2008 - Biker’s Against Child Abuse (BACA) sponsored fifty (50) Children & Youth kids at the Freddy Hill Farms Fall Fest this year.  Children were delighted to pick pumpkins, experience the hay ride, explore the corn maze and slide, complete arts and crafts activities, and enjoy lunch.  BACA covered all expenses for the children who enjoyed a spectacular fall day of fun and excitement.  Thanks again BACA!!!  Click here for photos.

October 18, 2008 - Biker’s Against Child Abuse (BACA) held their 5^th Annual Holiday Bike Run to benefit abused and neglected children in Montgomery County.  The event was organized by BACA Montgomery County Chapter leaders representatives and Children & Youth staff.  Approximately 100 motorcyclists gathered in Colmar and rode together to the Office of Children & Youth in Norristown to drop off over $1000 in gift cards to support abused and neglected children here in Montgomery County!  Caseworkers, Family Support Workers and other professionals will assist families in appropriate utilization of gift cards this holiday season.  Thanks BACA!  Click here for photos.

September 21, 2008 – The Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth held a picnic at Souderton Borough Park for our foster children, foster parents and post-adopt families.  The picnic provided an opportunity for children and families to socialize with and receive support from other families.   Everyone had a great time while enjoying activities including a cookout, moon bounce and hay ride.  Special thanks to event coordinators Carol Godshall, OCY Post-Adoption Specialist, and Jenn Laubach, President of the Montgomery County Foster Parent Association.

September 18, 2008 – Nine (9) Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth employees were among the honorees recognized by the Montgomery County Commissioners for their years of service to the County at a luncheon held at Presidential Caterers.  Commissioners Joseph M. Hoeffel and Bruce L Castor were on hand to honor employees and to hand out service pins to those who have served the County for ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty and thirty-five years.  The following Children & Youth employees were recognized:

10 Years of Service                  20 Years of Service                  25 Years of Service     

Sheryl Carter                             Elizabeth Socki                         Donna Stephens

Barbara Coyne

Lawrence Delaney

Carol Godshall

Pamela Hartman

Amy Purchase

Kathleen Spano

September 13, 2008 – Children & Youth Caseworker, Pamela Dennis, was honored this date by State Senator LeAnna Washington of the 4^th Senatorial District at the Thirteenth Annual Wadsworth Day Festival.  Ms. Dennis has been a dedicated Caseworker with the Office of Children & Youth since she joined the agency in 2003.  In addition to her Casework duties, Ms. Dennis has represented the Office of Children & Youth at important community events over the years.  Congratulations, Pam, on this significant achievement!

September 8, 2008 – Superkids of Montgomery County, Inc held a second golf outing this year at Plymouth Country Club to continue fund-raising efforts for abused and neglected children in Montgomery County.  Golfers and guests enjoyed a beautiful day filled with fun while donating to Superkids’ cause of providing educational and culturally enriching support to children in need in our community.   Superkids has been supporting abused and neglected children in Montgomery County since 1994.  During 2008, Superkids hit two important milestones, they supported their 5,000^th child and provided $1,000,000 is assistance!!!  Thank you Superkids for all you do for children!   Continuing donations are always needed and welcome.  Contributions are tax deductible.  Thank you for your support. Click here for photos.

Contributions can be mailed to: 

Superkids of Montgomery County, Inc.

P.O. Box 1472

Blue Bell, PA 19422

August 12, 2008 – Caring members of SKF, Inc, located in Kulpsville, PA, held a Backpack and School Supplies Drive to benefit abused and neglected children known to the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth.  Thanks to these efforts, children in need of school supplies and backpacks are headed off to classes with confidence knowing that they have what they need to start the school year out right!  SKF also presented, Children & Youth Community Relations Specialist, Michele Kristofco, with a monetary donation for Superkids of Montgomery County which supports educational and enrichment needs of abused and neglected children year-round.  Thank you SKF for your help and support to children in our community!  Click here for photo.

August 11, 2008 – Children & Youth Director, Laurie O’Connor and Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Steve Custer presented an overview of the 2009-2010 Needs Based Plan and Budget for Child Welfare Services in Montgomery County at a Public Hearing in the Human Services Center Community Room this date.  According to Director O’Connor, “Programs and services provided in Montgomery County will continue to prioritize the needs of children and families, identify family strengths, and positively impact children, families, caregivers and providers in our county.”   Chief Custer echoed those sentiments and added that Juvenile Probations services will focus on protecting the safety of community members and Balanced and Restorative Justice Principles.

August 6, 2008 – Superkids of Montgomery County, Inc. provided a “Night with the Reading Phillies” for children in foster care and in their own homes who are dealing with issues of child abuse, neglect and dependency and are known to the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth.  Game time was 7:05 pm.  Children, their friends and families enjoyed an exciting evening watching the game between the Reading Phillies and the Portland Sea Dogs.  Thank you, Superkids, for this enjoyable night out for children and families.

June 9, 2008 – Superkids of Montgomery County, Inc held their annual golf outing at Jeffersonville Golf Club in Jeffersonville, PA to raise money for abused and neglected children in Montgomery County.  Superkids of Montgomery County, Inc. is a non-profit (501 C 3) charitable organization of volunteers that provides financial support for educational and enrichment opportunities for abused, neglected and abandoned children known to the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth.  Superkids, has supported thousands of children with the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth over the last fourteen years.  Thanks to Superkids, children who would not otherwise have the means, have been afforded the opportunity to attend college, participate in vocational programs, enroll in art, music and dance lessons, and experience summer camp enrichment programs.  Donations are always welcome.  Contributions are tax deductible.  Thank you for your support.