We’re excited to share that Pressley Ridge has been awarded a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to support renovations at The Pressley Ridge Day School Pittsburgh. The funding will support the modernization of classrooms, expansion of clinical and administrative spaces, reconstruction of the cafeteria and enhancements to campus security through the addition of secure entrances.

This investment strengthens our ability to provide a safe, supportive and therapeutic learning environment for students with complex educational and behavioral health needs. We are grateful to Governor Shapiro and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for recognizing the importance of these services and investing in the future of the children and families we serve.

Gov Shapiro Invests $134 Million in 100 Projects across Southwestern PA

This school year marked a new chapter for Pressley Ridge as all five specialized schools adopted the Ron Clark Academy House System.

Even halfway through the first year, the impact has been immediate. The four houses — Altruismo, Amistad, Isibindi and Reveur— quickly became more than
names or colors; they became a source of identity, pride and connection for students and staff
alike. Hallways and classrooms are now filled with chants, celebrations, and a renewed sense of energy.

“Watching students and staff get excited during the school day over cheers and chants has brought
so much fun back to our school.”- Pressley Ridge Day School Johnstown Staff Member.

Pressley Ridge offers specialized, short-term education programs for students who have struggled to
succeed in traditional classrooms. We help students improve academic performance, reduce
disruptive behaviors, build coping skills, and develop positive relationships. By learning and
practicing replacement behaviors, students gain the confidence and skills needed to successfully
return to their home schools and communities. The results have been significant. Staff turnover has decreased by 60%, attendance has improved and schools have seen an 11% reduction in restraints during the first half of the year — signs of a calmer, more supportive environment. Students are more
engaged socially and emotionally, while older students have naturally stepped into leadership and mentorship roles by encouraging younger peers, leading cheers and reinforcing positive choices. Families are also becoming more involved, attending events and celebrating accomplishments alongside their children, further strengthening the connection between home and school.

“I wanted to let Altruismo House know the positive impact you have had on my child. He teared up as he told me how happy he was for being student of the month. He had never felt so happy about something like that before.”

Most importantly, the House System has transformed the culture inside each building. Students now rally around shared goals, celebrate one another’s successes and recognize that achievement is tied to teamwork and belonging. What began as a new initiative has quickly evolved into a powerful sense of community that is creating stronger relationships, greater joy and a more connected school experience for everyone involved.

The town of Roseto, Pennsylvania, sits in the eastern part of the state, just north of Allentown. In the 1950s, Roseto became the focus of a landmark study that revealed something remarkable: its residents experienced strikingly low rates of heart disease and fatal heart attacks.

What made the finding so surprising was that Roseto residents were not especially healthy by conventional standards. Researchers noted that they “ate a great deal” and “drank consid­erable amounts of alcohol.” They shared the same doctors, hospitals, water supply, and public services as neigh­boring communities, yet those towns experienced significantly higher rates of death from heart disease.

So what was different?

In a word: community.

Founded in 1882 by Italian immigrants, Roseto had retained many of its traditional cultural customs. Multiple generations often lived under one roof. Neighbors gathered frequently. Social class distinctions were less pronounced. Most importantly, people looked out for one another.

Researchers concluded that Roseto’s strong social fabric created a protec­tive environment that reduced stress, fostered emotional well-being, and contributed to better overall health. The people of Roseto didn’t simply live near one another—they belonged to one another.

Many addiction and recovery programs emphasize a similar truth: people often heal through relation­ships. Whether through support groups, faith communities, sports teams, or volunteer organizations, indi­viduals frequently report that recovery accelerated when they became part of something larger than themselves.

A common refrain is: “I didn’t just stop doing something harmful. I started belonging somewhere.”

Tapping into this mindset begins with awareness, but it also requires effort. Just as healthy eating and regular exer­cise demand consistent action, so does building meaningful relationships.

This philosophy is increasingly shaping the world of philanthropy and corporate giving through the growth of unrestricted gifts.

Unlike traditional grants that specify how funds must be spent, unrestricted gifts allow nonprofit organizations to direct resources where they are needed most. Philanthropist MacKen­zie Scott brought national attention to this approach. Since 2019, she has awarded more than 2,500 unrestricted grants totaling over $19 billion to organizations across the United States, including an unsolicited $10 million gift to Pressley Ridge in 2022.

Scott’s model is simple but powerful: conduct rigorous research, identify organizations addressing critical and of¬ten under-supported needs, and then trust their leadership to make strategic decisions about how best to deploy resources within their community.

Closer to home, Pressley Ridge is fortunate to partner with organizations that embrace this same philosophy, including Huntington National Bank, RedHelm, UPMC Health Plan, Staley Capital Advisors, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Highmark, and Henderson Brothers. At their core, these organizations recognize the same lesson demonstrated decades ago in Roseto: communities thrive when people choose to support one another.

This brings us back to a question posed by author and community-building expert Peter Block:

“When you leave this room, what do you hope to feel about yourself, about one another, and about your collective place in the community?”

It is a powerful reminder that community is not something we possess; it is something we practice.

Like the residents of Roseto, we all have a role to play in creating the kind of community where people can flourish. And like any living thing, that community must be continually nourished if we want all of us—not just some of us—to thrive.

It calls for a perspective shift — going from, “What’s in it for me?” to “What can I contribute?”

Pressley Ridge is a national organization providing programs and services for children and families across the country. Learn more about our organization now.

Pressley Ridge Expands Family Centered Treatment Services Across Multiple States

Pittsburgh, PA (January 26, 2026) – Pressley Ridge has expanded its reach to support families in multiple states through Family Centered Treatment (FCT), an evidence‑based, intensive, home‑based therapy designed to help families stay safely together. Pressley Ridge now provides FCT in Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Texas, bringing life‑changing support directly to families where they need it most.

“Healthy families are the foundation of a child’s success, and Pressley Ridge is dedicated to providing the supports that help families stay strong,” said Susanne Cole, President & CEO of Pressley Ridge. “Expanding Family Centered Treatment aligns with our long-term strategy to grow family preservation services with models that are proven to make a meaningful difference.”

Pressley Ridge delivers this nationally recognized model as an approved provider through the Family Centered Treatment Foundation. Providing four or more hours of intensive support each week over six months, FCT strengthens family relationships, improves emotional well-being, builds resiliency and addresses systemic trauma through practical, experiential strategies. The model equips families facing complex challenges – including trauma, behavioral health concerns and substance use – with the skills and tools needed for long-term stability and safety.

Family Centered Treatment delivers proven results. Over the past three decades and across more than 40,000 families, research consistently shows that nine out of ten families report meaningful, positive change in their lives. The model’s sustainable approach creates the strength families need to begin healing and building long-term well-being.

“Families show incredible resilience when they have the right support,” said Amy Fenn, Executive Director of Family Preservation Services for Pressley Ridge. “By bringing Family Centered Treatment to more communities, we’re offering more families the chance to heal, rebuild trust, and create lasting safety and stability. For more information about Family Centered Treatment, visit www.familycenteredtreatment.org or www.pressleyridge.org/FCT.

About Pressley Ridge: Pressley Ridge provides hope and support for youth, individuals and families through a full continuum of mental health, foster and kinship care, residential treatment, and specialized education services. Our innovative programs provide a safe and supportive environment where children, youth and families can work to increase their sense of wellbeing and achieve sustainable, positive outcomes.

Pressley Ridge was founded in 1832 and remains headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A legacy of successful outcomes has enabled us to expand to also serve communities throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Texas.

I began my career as an eligibility specialist with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. My role was to determine eligible for families and  children for Medicaid, TANF, and food stamp benefits. After 10 years in that role, I started working for Child Protective Services as a Conservatorship Worker. As a Conservatorship Worker, my role was to aid families in being reunited with their children. If family reunification was not achieved, I worked with family members or foster parents to find a forever home for those children. After 13 years of  being Conservatorship Worker, I was offered the opportunity to be a Local Permanency Specialist, where I remained for the rest of my Child Protective Services career. As a Local Permanency Worker, my role was to see children placed in my area for all areas in Texas and ensure their needs were being met.

I began my career with the Texas Family Care Network in April 2025, as a Staff Support Specialist for courtesy worker team. I monitored the home study mailbox for the Kinship Program and I am the Missing Children’s Coordinator for all of TFCN.

What has kept me at my job is that I want to see families work through their challenges and remain a family unit. Once I started working with families, I never could see myself doing a different job. I have been blessed with amazing coworkers and supervisors who have stood beside me and helped me when things were good and also when things were challenging.

The delivery of our services has evolved throughout the internet. Over the last 30 years, the technology associated with the Internet has introduced so many more resources for our families and our staff. The ability to offer services on line,  and to attend meetings and court hearing through Zoom and TEAMS, allows families an even better chance for success.

There have been so many memorable moments with my career, but I will have to go with my last encounter with a young teenage girl on my caseload. I had been her courtesy worker for over two years and when I made the decisions to switch jobs when I joined TXFCN. I informed her that I would no longer be her worker and she would have a new worker seeing her each month. She told the that it will be fine and then leaned over and whispered “ Now we can be friends on Instagram”. She gave me her information and told me to keep it a secret. I didn’t dare tell her I was going to have to learn how to use Instagram.

I began my career as an Accounts Payable Clerk working with WV and MD. I transitioned to a Financial Manager/Accountant and was responsible for reconciling various accounts, managing credit cards for the agency, posting cash receipts and various other duties. Last year, I was promoted to the Controller position which oversees the Accounting Department.

I stayed at Pressley Ridge because it became clear to me over time that is different than the other companies that I had worked for. The mission, values and community gave me more meaning behind the work that I was doing. Being part of this organization and working with the staff who were also committed to the work that we do has been impactful in my decision to remain at Pressley Ridge.

Even though I am not directly involved in the delivery of services to Kids and Families, I have seen changes within the Fiscal Department to become more efficient and streamline. There are many moments that are my favorite but when the Accounting Department was at the Marshall Avenue campus, I enjoyed seeing the kids have fun trick or treating, sled riding and other activities that put a smile on their faces. I was also very honored to be recognized as an Employee of the Year.

We have likely all given to and know the importance of monetary donations to non-profit organizations. However, donations, particularly grants from foundations and corporations, often come with strict guidelines as to how and by when the funds must be utilized. Grant applications typically require organizations to specify certain programs or initiatives the funding is needed for, as well as the precise budget and timeline for the project.

While this type of funding is vital for specific projects, Susanne Cole, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh-based social services organization Pressley Ridge, wishes more funders would recognize the immense value of unrestricted giving to non-profit organizations.

Unrestricted gifts are funds that have no specific requirements on how the money is spent and can be used to support an organization’s overall mission. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has drawn attention to the concept in recent years. Since 2019, she has given more than 2,500 unrestricted grants to organizations throughout the U.S. totaling over $19 billion – including an unsolicited $10 million gift to Pressley Ridge in 2022. Scott conducts rigorous research to identify worthy beneficiaries that serve under-supported needs. Once the money is given, she trusts the organizational leadership to make decisions on how and when to spend the funds.

Unrestricted giving can be transformational for non-profit organizations. Without constraints, organizations can be innovative with programming or choose to fund overhead costs such as staff recruitment, retention and training and purchasing necessary equipment. Most importantly, unrestricted gifts provide stability for long-term planning and goals. Fiscally strong non-profit organizations like Pressley Ridge, which is debt-free and foundation-backed, need the financial flexibility to develop and adapt program structures as necessary.

Cole hopes that more funders will consider following MacKenzie Scott’s example and begin providing organizations with funding without strict limitations. “MacKenzie Scott’s generosity sets a high bar for other philanthropists,” Cole said. “I’m grateful that she recognizes nonprofits are doing incredible work and supports them in a way that allows for growth and innovation.”

Scott’s generous, unhindered investment in Pressley Ridge was instrumental in allowing the organization to thoughtfully build a strategic plan designed to enhance their ability to serve the increasingly complex needs of youth and families over the next five years.

Pressley Ridge, which was established in Pittsburgh in 1832 and now serves families in seven states, is fortunate to be financially stable. In the early 1990’s, the organization formed a foundation to oversee investments and maximize endowment assets. The Pressley Ridge Foundation does not support the current portfolio of programs, which are funded by county contracts. Rather, it allows the organization to be innovative and explore new services, make capital improvements, perform in-depth research on program outcomes and to offer additional support for the basic needs of the families they serve.

Unrestricted gifts give organizations flexibility to use funds where and when they are most needed, increasing the ability to respond when crises arise. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pressley Ridge needed to respond quickly to continue delivering services to the kids and families who were suddenly house-bound. They were able to draw on foundation reserves to purchase computers and technology to enable kids to access online schooling and families to receive telehealth therapy.

In the past year, Pressley Ridge has seen a 73% increase in unrestricted giving. With these funds, Pressley Ridge can go beyond the prescribed services to support their kids and families, including providing essential resources for children in foster care, enhancing educational opportunities for the students in their specialized schools and delivering additional provisions for families navigating crises.

These additional supports are made possible through the generosity of community partners like Huntington Bank, which has contributed to Pressley Ridge for over 12 years. Susie Shipley, Huntington’s regional president, understands the importance of unrestricted giving. “Huntington Bank chooses to support the general operations of Pressley Ridge because we believe in empowering organizations that demonstrate strategic vision and measurable impact,” says Shipley. “Pressley Ridge’s ability to allocate resources where they are most needed ensures our investment meaningfully strengthens the communities we serve.”

Since Pressley Ridge does not rely on fundraising to sustain their operations and overhead, every dollar donated has a direct and measurable impact on improving services and supporting children and families in need. Even amidst the uncertain future of funding for human services, Pressley Ridge is prepared to adapt as needed to continue their mission of doing “whatever it takes to create success for kids and families” for many years to come.

 For nearly two centuries, Pressley Ridge has been a cornerstone of support and transformation in the Pittsburgh region. Since its inception, Pressley Ridge has been driven by a singular mission: to help children and families in need. Over the years, the organization has evolved to meet the growing and complex needs of the community, offering a range of services including foster and kinship care, mental health support, residential treatment and educational programs. Through all of this, the organization has remained focused on one core principle—creating a positive, lasting impact on the lives of the children and families it serves.

A Workforce That Cares

What truly sets Pressley Ridge apart is its people. Nearly one-third of the organization’s employees in Western Pennsylvania have been with Pressley Ridge for more than a decade, reflecting an uncommon loyalty and dedication to the cause. 32 members of the staff have seen the organization through three decades of changes in child welfare. For their employees, it’s not just about a paycheck; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.

This long-term commitment is also a testament to the organization’s supportive culture and work environment. Employees don’t just work at Pressley Ridge—they become part of a community that values collaboration, respect and personal growth. Many staff members have witnessed firsthand the transformation of children and families, building deep connections that go beyond professional roles.

The members of Pressley Ridge’s C-Suite have each been with the organization for more than a decade, including two executives who have devoted their entire 30-plus-year careers to the mission. Susanne Cole, President and CEO, and Laurah Currey, Chief Operating Officer, each began their tenure with Pressley Ridge upon graduating from college, working directly with the youth and advancing through a series of roles with increasing responsibilities.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow and develop my skills in a variety of different areas without ever having to leave a company I love,” Susanne said. “We are constantly exploring new ideas and innovation and finding ways to improve – this is what makes us a great organization that does outstanding work to support kids and families.”

Talent Investment

Pressley Ridge actively invests in its employees to ensure they feel supported, valued, and equipped to succeed. The organization offers a range of initiatives designed to promote employee well-being and career growth, including:

• Mental Health Awareness: Pressley Ridge understands the emotional demands of working in this field and offers resources to help employees manage their mental health.
• Flexibility/Work-Life Balance: With a focus on family and personal well-being, Pressley Ridge offers flexible work schedules to help employees balance professional and personal responsibilities.
• Retention Programs: The organization has developed retention strategies to ensure that dedicated employees remain in their roles long-term, reducing turnover and maintaining consistency for the children and families they serve.
• Longevity Program: Pressley Ridge recognizes the value of long-term commitment and rewards employees who have been with the organization for extended periods, honoring their dedication to the mission.
• Professional Development: Employees are encouraged to grow and advance in their careers through continuous learning, including internal training programs and continuing education.
• Leadership Development Program: Pressley Ridge is committed to nurturing future leaders by offering specialized programs aimed at cultivating leadership skills and preparing employees for higher-level roles.
• Succession Planning: The organization has a clear succession plan to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and maintain continuity in its operations, empowering employees to step into new roles when opportunities arise.

These initiatives help foster a strong organizational culture and create a work environment where employees are not only supported but also empowered to take the next step in their careers.

A Strong Future Ahead

As Pressley Ridge celebrates its remarkable 193-year history, the organization looks to the future with the same commitment to innovation, compassion, and excellence. New challenges will emerge, and new needs will arise, but Pressley Ridge is ready. Armed with a passionate, loyal workforce, and a solid foundation of proven strategies and community partnerships, the organization is poised to continue its critical work for generations to come.

In a world that is continually changing, Pressley Ridge remains a place where kids and families can turn for support and a place where employees are proud to serve.

The Family Centered Treatment Foundation (FCTF) is proud to announce that Pressley Ridge has become the newest provider of Family Centered Treatment (FCT), an evidence-based model that helps families heal, grow, and stay together. Pressley Ridge, a nationally recognized organization that serves kids and families in seven states, will first launch FCT services in Ohio. This exciting partnership expands the reach of FCT into Ohio and strengthens the shared mission of preserving families and preventing out-of-home placements.

Family Centered Treatment is a nationally recognized, home-based therapeutic model designed to address complex family challenges, including trauma, substance use, and behavioral health concerns. Guided by the principle of “Keeping Families Together,” FCT equips families with practical tools and relational strategies to succeed within their own homes and communities.

Pressley Ridge, with more than 190 years of service, is widely respected for its commitment to children, adults, and families through trauma-informed care, mental health services, foster care, and education. By adopting FCT, Pressley Ridge is expanding its continuum of care with a proven model that aligns seamlessly with its mission of strengthening families and improving long-term outcomes.

Matt Mitchell, Executive Director of Ohio for Pressley Ridge, says the organization is excited to implement FCT as part of their current strategic plan goal to expand family preservation services. “FCT’s mission of keeping families together and children safe at home directly aligns with our organization’s values and focus on supporting and strengthening families across the state of Ohio”

This collaboration reflects a strong commitment by both organizations to provide families with the highest quality of care, rooted in compassion, accountability, and evidence-based practice.

“We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and partnership,” said Tim Wood, CEO FCT Foundation. “Pressley Ridge Ohio shares our vision of empowering families and communities, and we are thrilled to welcome them into the FCT provider network.”

For more information about Family Centered Treatment, visit www.familycenteredtreatment.org.

In the past two weeks, 250 students returned to the campuses of the five Pressley Ridge schools. New this year, students and staff will be participating in the Ron Clark Academy House System, which is designed to build community and encourage student ownership, the system sorts students into four houses, each representing a core value: Altruismo – The Givers, Amistad – Friendship, Isibindi – Courage, and Reveur – The Dreamers. You can learn more about the House System and its implementation here.

Students at the Day School Pittsburgh returned to find Phase 1 of the building renovations complete with accessibility updates, a brand-new sensory room, smart boards and new furniture in all classrooms. Phase 2 is now underway and includes a new student entryway, courtyard improvements such as new plants and green space, a STEAM room and an updated Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) Lab. These projects are expected to be complete in early 2026 and will be followed by renovations to the administrative areas and Family Counseling Center.

Representatives from Pressley Ridge and Texas Family Care Network recently attended the Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA) “Rhythms of Resilience: Energize, Elevate, Engage” conference held in New Orleans, LA. The annual conference brings together leaders, practitioners, and partners in the health and human services sector to share their collective knowledge and proven solutions for advancing wellness in youth, families and communities.

Thanks to all who joined us at the Kinship Networking Event and those who attended the following workshops led by our staff:
-“When Grandma becomes Mom: Navigating Role Shifts in Kinship Care” presented by Kimberly Lohrfink, Karen Celedonia and Rachel Duvall
-“Responding to Trauma Using the 6R’s to Enhance Self-Soothing & Relaxation” presented by Paul Wolfe, Patti McCloud, Michael Kaelin and Jennifer Benner LCSW-C
-“Communities Must be Experienced to be Understood” presented by Alexandria Hamler, Michael Kaelin and Stephanie Law of the Bender Leadership Academy

The Pressley Ridge family has lost a true friend with the passing of long-time board member Fay Mosle, who passed away on Sunday, June 29th surrounded by her family.

Fay was a true original — highly intellectual, intensely curious, and always energetic as an unwavering champion for children and families. For nearly three decades, Fay gave generously of her time, wisdom, and compassion in service to our mission. She helped guide Pressley Ridge through times of growth and change, always centering her actions on the needs of those we serve.

Susanne Cole, President and CEO, is proud to have had the honor of working with Fay for many years. “We are so grateful for Fay’s leadership and unwavering support over the past 30 years. Her passion for the education and wellbeing of youth made her a true champion for the kids and families of Pressley Ridge. She will be greatly missed.”

In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, the Fay Mosle Generosity Award was established in 2019 to honor Pressley Ridge staff members who exemplify the same kindness, empathy, and commitment that defined her life. That award now stands as a living testament to her impact—one which will inspire our team and benefit countless young people and families for generations to come.

View Fay’s obituary here.

Fueled by a passion to serve vulnerable children and families, Susanne Cole, President and CEO of Pittsburgh-based social services non-profit Pressley Ridge, has devoted her life to helping kids overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Adopted at birth, Susanne knows her life could have taken a very different path if she hadn’t been chosen by a loving family. Her mother always instilled in her an admiration and respect for the decision made by her birth mother.

“I truly believe what my birth mother did was a gift,” Susanne said. “She unselfishly sacrificed raising me by herself to give me an opportunity for a better life than what she thought she could provide.”

Susanne was raised on the values of a good education and the importance of helping others without judgement, which led her to begin her career at Pressley Ridge after graduating from Marshall University in 1990. At the Grant Gardens residential treatment center, she and her fellow teacher-counselors worked to help youth gain the skills to overcome their behavioral and emotional challenges and return to their home and family.

Over the years, Susanne progressed through a number of roles with increasing responsibility at Pressley Ridge, including Executive Director of West Virginia and Virginia and Senior Vice President of Programs before relocating to Pittsburgh in 2008 to become Chief Operating Officer. In 2011, she was named President and CEO.

In addition to working with the board of directors to set the organization’s strategic direction, Susanne is responsible for ensuring success in serving more than 8,000 children and families each year. During her tenure as CEO, Pressley Ridge has seen a 43% increase in net operating revenue while reducing its debt by 72%.

Few CEOs can boast an entire career at one organization. The mission and spirit of Pressley Ridge are what has kept Susanne “doing whatever it takes to create success for kids and families” for all these years.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow and develop my skills in a variety of different areas without ever having to leave a company I love,” Susanne recounts. “We are constantly exploring new ideas and innovation and finding ways to improve – this is what makes us a great organization that does outstanding work to support kids and families.”

Shaped by her childhood and the evolution of child welfare over the last three decades, Susanne strongly believes that children deserve to be raised in healthy families, and she leads Pressley Ridge with this goal in mind. Many of the organization’s 70 programs are geared toward preserving and strengthening families so children can remain at home.

This belief also led to Pressley Ridge’s recent expansion into Texas, where the state has adopted a community-based model of care to manage child and family services. Susanne’s expertise and drive for change earned her a seat on the board of directors for the National Center for Community-Based Child Welfare, which unites child welfare leaders to deliver community-based solutions and share information and resources to transform lives.

Susanne’s career path has provided her with a wealth of knowledge and experience that makes her a valuable resource and partner for other nonprofit leaders, policy makers and advocacy groups. In addition to the National Center for Community-Based Child Welfare, Susanne currently serves on the board of the Texas Alliance for Children and Family Services.

Susanne is genuine, down-to-earth and serves as an inspiration to Pressley Ridge’s 1,000 employees across seven states.

Tanya Johnson, Treatment Foster Care Program Director, has worked at Pressley Ridge for 10 years and is grateful for Susanne’s leadership. “Susanne can go from the boardroom to the classroom to the field, and she’s the same genuine, compassionate person. She’s gifted, talented and has a vision to serve. She sees and hears what the community needs and what we need to do better, then gets everyone together to make it happen.’”

Although 35 years is admirable enough, Susanne isn’t slowing down yet. She strives to find purpose and joy in each day and to positively impact on as many people as she can. As long as she can continue to achieve these things, her career will have been worth it.

“I am extremely proud of the work we do at Pressley Ridge and everything that has been and will be achieved to improve the lives of kids and families. I am grateful and honored to lead this organization and look forward to ensuring our mission continues well into the future.”

We R… thankful for our community’s support in raising funds to give families hope for their children’s futures.

We have recently received the following gifts towards We R… The Campaign for Pressley Ridge.

• Hillman Family Foundations: $250,000 towards the renovation of the Pressley Ridge Day School Pittsburgh, including technology and infrastructure upgrades.
• Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust: $175,000 in support of the new intellectual disability program at our Day School Pittsburgh, which will provide students with functional academics, physical education, art, music, daily living skills, community-based activities and pre-vocational skills.
• Allegheny Foundation: $750,000 in support of the reimagined Pressley Ridge Day School Pittsburgh and our commitment to providing a trauma-informed educational environment that creates success for our students and helps them transition back into public school.
• Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development:$500,000 grant for much-needed renovations at the Pressley Ridge Day School Pittsburgh.
• Massey Charitable Trust: $50,000 for the Day School Pittsburgh renovations.

With these gifts, in addition to funds received from MacKenzie Scott in 2022 and the support of the Pressley Ridge Foundation, we have proudly reached $14.5 million in funding for We R… The Campaign for Pressley Ridge.

Learn how you can join in our commitment to strengthening families through our trauma-informed programs and schools and therapeutic approach to foster care and adoption, visit www.werpressleyridge.org.

Circle of Hope and Support members and special guests joined Pressley Ridge for Monster Jam on February 15th at PPG Paints Arena. More than 70 attendees enjoyed a luncheon at Moonlit Burgers where Allegheny County Foster Care Program Director Tanya Johnson shared the importance of Treatment Foster Care and the need for foster parents. After lunch, they enjoyed an amazing show watching Gravedigger, Monster Mutt, Megalodon and other trucks duel, show off tricks, and race.

For more information about the Circle of Hope and Support, click here.

In March 2022, Susanne Cole, President and CEO of Pittsburgh-based non-profit Pressley Ridge, received what she thought was a SPAM e-mail stating that the organization was being awarded a $10 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Thankfully, Cole followed up on the message and learned that Pressley Ridge would be receiving the largest gift in their nearly 200-year history, completely unsolicited.

Considering the possibilities of such a gift, Susanne and the Board of Directors wanted to be thorough and meticulous in their planning. They undertook a deep-dive analysis of the social service sector to determine the best use of the dollars to sustain critical services for the future. Recently, the organization unveiled its new five-year strategic plan.

“This generous investment in Pressley Ridge’s mission has been instrumental in allowing us to build a strategic plan designed to enhance our ability to serve the increasingly complex needs of youth and families in our communities. The unrestricted nature of this gift has allowed us to thoughtfully develop a strategy for growth over the next five years,” said Cole.

The new strategic plan focuses on advancing equity, strengthening families, and improving community-based care to support youth and families facing significant challenges. Key initiatives include being a national leader in foster care, expanding into kinship care, and increasing family preservation services. By 2029, Pressley Ridge aims to increase its impact and improve outcomes for thousands more children by being able to keep families together with increased supports.

The plan reflects Pressley Ridge’s commitment to adaptability and innovation, ensuring that vulnerable children and families receive the support they need to stay connected to healthy relationships and community resources. As the child welfare system continues to evolve, Pressley Ridge seeks to lead by example, creating a more equitable and family-centered approach to care.

“We recognize that for all children to thrive, our impact must extend far beyond the current scope of Pressley Ridge programs and services. By embracing this comprehensive strategic plan, we aim to seize opportunities to educate, advocate, and champion initiatives that enhance the system of care, ensuring that all children, youth, and families can benefit,” stated Cole.

The organization plans to raise an additional $25 million through a comprehensive fundraising initiative titled “We R… The Campaign for Pressley Ridge.” However, the $10 million gift from Scott serves as the catalyst for the plan, enabling Pressley Ridge to enhance its services to impact more youth and families while addressing systemic issues such as racial equity, which directly align with MacKenzie Scott’s giving priorities.

In 2019, Scott signed the Giving Pledge, vowing to give away more than half of her wealth over the course of her lifetime. Since then, she has donated a total of $17.3 billion in unrestricted gifts to more than 2,300 organizations. Unrestricted gifts support an organization’s overall mission with no specific requirements on how the money can be spent. Through Yield Giving, Scott conducts rigorous research to identify worthy non-profit beneficiaries that serve under-supported needs. Once the money is given, she trusts the organizational leadership to make decisions on how and when to spend the funds.

Unrestricted giving, although uncommon in philanthropy, can be transformational for non-profit organizations. Without constraints, organizations can be innovative with programming or choose to fund overhead costs such as staff recruitment, retention and training and purchasing necessary equipment. Most importantly, unrestricted gifts provide stability for long-term planning and goals. Fiscally strong non-profit organizations like Pressley Ridge, which is debt-free and foundation-backed, need the financial flexibility to develop and adapt program structures as necessary.

Susanne Cole hopes that more funders will consider following MacKenzie Scott’s example and begin providing organizations with funding without strict limitations. “MacKenzie Scott is an example for all of us,” Cole said. “Her generosity sets a high bar for other philanthropists. I’m grateful that she recognizes that nonprofits are doing incredible work and supports them in a way that allows for growth and innovation.”

Over the next five years, Pressley Ridge is committed to making strategic investments that not only address current challenges within the communities they serve but also lays a strong foundation for sustained future growth. Their vision is to build a more responsive, supportive, and effective child welfare system that keeps families together and ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive within their own community.

On Thursday, April 25^th, Pressley Ridge hosted an Employee of the Year celebration at The Carnegie Science Center. 80 people were in attendance when 22 Pressley Ridge staff members were awarded as 2023 Employees of the Year. Mark Stahler was awarded The Fay Mosle Generosity Award. We are so proud of these awardees and their dedication to children and families.

By Jeremy Tepper, Allegheny Intermediate Unit

As Troy Brown walks the hallways of Founder’s Hall Middle School, he stops to talk to every student passing by, greeting them and asking them how they’re doing.

For Brown, every interaction — no matter how small— matters quite a bit. As the leader of the McKeesport Area School District’s YESS (Youth Engagement Support Services) team, Brown’s role is malleable, focusing on things such as mediations, de-escalation, monitoring lunches and the hallways during transition, and generally just helping create a more positive school environment.

For Brown to do his job well, though, relationship-building is key. Students might often take some time to trust an adult in school. So Brown tries to always stay present and positive, knowing that every day is an opportunity to strengthen a bond.

“We need to reach out to these kids and make sure we’re being positive and having positive influences on kids at all times,” said Brown. “It’s really needed, especially in McKeesport.”

McKeesport’s YESS team is staffed by Pressley Ridge and funded by Project SEEKS SES, a partnership between the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) and the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) that addresses trauma, behavior and mental health issues in ten school districts. Pressley Ridge partnered with the Penn Hills School District to pilot the YESS team model in the district’s middle school in 2021.

McKeesport’s YESS team is comprised of seven total members, three who spend their time at Founder’s Middle School and three who work at the McKeesport Area Senior High School. Brown heads the group and alternates his time between both schools. The team started in the district this school year.

The need for a YESS team became apparent during asset mapping for Project SEEKS SES, when the district compared suspension data, expulsion data and overall discipline data between its three schools, realizing those numbers increased at the Middle School and High School, where the district has less support staff.

That’s where the YESS team comes in, helping fill the gaps and serve as an extra layer of support. While data is still being parsed, Angela Cale, the district’s Coordinator of Special Education and Alternative Services, said she believes that office referrals have decreased significantly since the YESS team arrived.

Dr. Jamie Lusebrink, the Founder’s Hall Building Principal, concurred with Cale, lauding the impact the team has been able to make.

“The YESS team has definitely helped fill that gap for a lot of students. From K-5, the students have had access to things that they didn’t have access to at the Middle School,” said Dr. Lusebrink.

“I think the YESS team has done a great job of building those relationships, maintaining those relationships, and helping deescalate and prevent situations from occurring that we may have not been able to effectively do in the past.”

Building strong relationships with the district’s students has been an ongoing process for the YESS team. The team is thoughtfully composed of members who are either from McKeesport or from similar communities, which has helped with the process. Before they started in their roles, students were already familiar with some of the YESS team, especially Brown, who is from the community and has been entrenched in the area’s youth sports, having helped coach the McKeesport Little Tigers and the high school football team for the past 15 years.

“I know a lot of the kids, so the relationship building has been an easy transition. They’ll come to us for anything and everything, which makes us feel good that we’re able to help in any type of way,” said Brown.

“We just really get to know the kids and try to see what their wants and needs are. And I think the more that we’re here, the more relaxed they are to come and talk to us about things that they may not talk to other people about.”

For Brown and his staff, every day is a little bit different. There are some core responsibilities that remain the same, like greeting students during arrival and dismissal and monitoring the hallways and lunches. Helping with mediations, conflict resolution, de-escalation and related issues comes on a needed basis, but are crucial interactions when they arise.

“That’s the main thing, making sure we get to the kids. Even if they are wrong, we want to come up with a resolution to the problem, so it doesn’t become a bigger thing,” said Brown.

“We’re definitely trying to get to the root cause, but also the resolution is important to me. They want that. They don’t want to be enemies, they don’t want this friction to be going on.”

In the past, mediations and de-escalation have often fallen on the counselors’ shoulders. Having the YESS team has helped lift the burden, while also being key in helping limit future issues from spiraling.

“As adults we might not see these situations as pressing, but to middle school students, it is the biggest thing that has ever happened to them. That could be the difference between them going into a classroom and learning or going into a classroom and being tense and anxious the entire time,” said Dr. Lusebrink.

“It could be just 10-15 minutes that they need out of class to have a successful day. So 15 minutes sometimes saves us three hours.”

Going forward, the YESS team’s role will continue to evolve. Cale, Brown and Dr. Lusebrink all concurred that their work at Founder’s Hall is crucial, as middle school-aged students are at a foundational stage in their lives, where they begin to further find their identities and behaviors become more ingrained. But as they see it, every day is crucial. Every day is an opportunity to strengthen bonds, and to make an impact on a child.

“When you think back to your days in school, you don’t think about your favorite school experience as being that concept in algebra or that paper that I wrote. It’s the relationships that you build in school,” said Cale. “And I think it’s important to note that in adding the YESS team, we’re hoping to make sure that kids have those positive relationships with adults so that they want to come to school and stay in school.”

KDKA News coverage of the YESS program: New program at McKeesport Area School District focuses on making connections and addressing violence

After months of hard work and dedication, Texas Family Care Network finally moves into Stage 1 of Community-Based Care on November 1. In Stage 1, TXFCN will begin to provide foster care placement services in Region 5 while continuing to develop a service network in the community. The focus in Stage 1 is improving the overall safety and well-being of children in paid foster care while keeping them closer to home and connected to their communities and families.

Congratulations to the entire TXFCN team!

The 6th annual Pressley Ridge Sporting Clays Shoot was held on Monday, October 23rd at Highlands Sporting Clays. The event raised more than $44,000 for our kids and families thanks to our sponsors and supporters, including Saul Ewing LLP, Lamar Advertising of Pittsburgh, MassMutual Pittsburgh, UPMC Health Plan, Partlow Insurance Agency, Tucker Arensberg PC, and Ideal Integrations.
The winning team was from Saul Ewing LLP with J.P. Morgan Private Bank in 2nd place. High Gun went to Dan Bender, followed by Mike Brewster. Debra Gehm was the Top Female Shooter.
Thanks to all who joined us!

Visit our Facebook page for more event photos.

We are proud to announce that Pressley Ridge has been named a 2023 Top Workplace by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette! In addition, our President & CEO Susanne Cole was honored with the Leadership Award in the Large Employer category. A big thank you to all of our employees who helped make this happen.

Several Western PA employees attended the awards event on Friday evening. As Susanne was unable to attend the event, Jesse McLean, Executive Director of PA, accepted the award on her behalf. 

Read More Here

Colorado Department of Human Services has adopted our evidence-based Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care pre-service training curriculum as the required curriculum for the certification of all treatment and therapeutic foster care providers in the state.

Recently, four Colorado foster care certification staff became master trainers for the Pressley Ridge training curriculum making Colorado the first state to have master trainers who can train other professionals. Learn more in this article from the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Pressley Ridge is excited to announce the opening of Texas Family Care Network, a division of Pressley Ridge Texas.

Texas Family Care Network was awarded the Single Source Continuum Contract (SSCC) for the Deep East Region 5 area of Texas on April 1, 2023.  As the state of Texas continues its transition to a Community Based Care Model, Texas Family Care Network will be responsible for transforming and managing the child welfare system of care for children and families to help them reach their full potential.  Texas Family Care Network in partnership with DFPS is beginning the transition to a community-based child and family services system and will be working with community partners to meet the needs of children and families in Region 5.  Click here learn more about Community Based Care in Texas. 

Foster care has always been on the heart of Cami Teacoach. When she learned about the often sad condition of the spaces where biological parents meet with their children who are being cared for by a foster parent, she decided to do something about it.

As the founder of VolunTOTs, Cami spends her days coordinating volunteer opportunities for parents and their children. So, she knew there would be an army of helpers ready when the time came. She enlisted the expertise of Kara from Happy Lark Home Organizing and local realtor Melanie Marsh to spearhead the project, which became known as the Bridge to Home initiative.

For their first major project, Bridge to Home partnered with Pressley Ridge Allegheny County Treatment Foster Care to renovate the foster care visitation center on Pittsburgh’s North Side. After months of planning and soliciting thousands of dollars in donations, the team got to work. Dozens of volunteers came together to create an environment where biological parents can bond and have a stress-free visit with their children. Five rooms were completely renovated with fresh paint and new furniture and decor. The beautifully decorated rooms, which are named after one of Pittsburgh’s bridges, are each geared toward a particular age group and feature age-appropriate toys, activities, trauma-sensitive books and more.

For kids in foster care, visiting with their biological parents should be a time to bond and connect, and the space and atmosphere where that happens makes all the difference. Now, Pressley Ridge children and families have the perfect space to spend their time together.

On the morning of February 3, 2023, the Bridge to Home team and volunteers came together with Pressley Ridge staff and friends to cut the ribbon and officially open the renovated Pressley Ridge Bridge to Home visitation center. The space will also be available to families in other Pressley Ridge programs, as well as the community.

Happiest of holidays to you and yours from everyone at Pressley Ridge!

​The Pressley Ridge Organizational Performance Department recently published an article on suicidality among at-risk youth receiving behavioral and mental health services in the community. Using Pressley Ridge data collected from the C-SSRS (suicidality screener) and CATS (trauma screener), the Organizational Performance Department collaborated with a team of international researchers to investigate prevalence and risk factors for suicidality among at-risk youth.

“Correlates for Suicidality Among At-risk Youth Receiving Community-Based Mental Health Services” was published in the Community Mental Health Journal and found that sexual abuse was a significant predictor of suicidality. Impulsivity was a significant predictor of suicide attempt only. Other notable findings include that the prevalence of suicidal ideation is double that of the general adolescent population, and the prevalence of suicide attempt is triple that of the general adolescent population.

Read the full article here.

Pressley Ridge was a proud sponsor of the Family Focused Treatment Association

Conference held in New Orleans last week.  Mike Kaelin and Jen Benner (External Training), and Bri Hancovsky, Kimberly Lohrfink and Amy Strickler (Organizational Performance) shared research and exciting updates on our Treatment Foster Care Pre-Service Training Curriculum.

Pouring rain didn’t stop 1,500 people from coming out to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this past Sunday for the much-anticipated return of Ice Cream Fundae. Under the shelter of umbrellas and hoods, kids and adults alike enjoyed 12 flavors of Graeter’s Ice Cream dished out by our generous sponsors, including Huntington Bank, Henderson Brothers, Highmark

, UPMC Health Plan, Lamar Advertising and many more. Highmark’s Community Campfire S’mores took home the People’s Choice Award for favorite flavor.

We want to thank everyone who volunteered at, purchased tickets for or spread the word about Ice Cream Fundae. You helped us to raise $103,000 for our kids and families!

For more event photos, visit our Facebook page.​

Students at the Pressley Ridge School for Autism and the School for the Deaf are excited to provide the Wake up Pressley Coffee Shop. The concept began as a rolling cart several years ago, and when the new school was built, a dedicated space for the shop was included in the design.

There was a long hiatus due to the pandemic, which started just a few months after the new school opened. Recently, the shop has been able to safely re-open to serve pre-packaged snacks and single-serving beverages.

Students of all educational abilities can participate in the shop. In addition to working on vocational skills, the experience is particularly beneficial to students who use devices and/or use sign language to communicate. Some students are working on social skills and can practice those skills as a greeter or as a customer associate. Others use their strengths to accurately fill orders and keep the stocked shelves in order.

Donations from staff are used to keep the shop well-stocked. While no money is exchanged, purchases are counted by using a punch card marked in increments of twenty-five, which helps students learn real life counting skills.

If you’d like to support the Wake Up Pressley Coffee Shop, donate here. (Donation Designation: Other; Note: Coffee Shop)

On March 15, donors and community stakeholders joined President & CEO Susanne Cole and newly appointed Board Chair Tisha Germany for the Spring 2022 Insider Series. During this 30 minute web conversation, Susanne and Tisha discussed Pressley Ridge’s 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. You can view the event recording above and contact info@pressleyridge.org if you have any questions or would like more information.

Pressley Ridge’s strategic plan ensures that our organizational priorities meet the diverse needs of our ever-evolving clients. The urgency of this plan matches the dynamic environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and its cascading effects on the communities served by Pressley Ridge.

Three themes emerged which helped shape the plan: prioritization, consistency of approach to services, and centralized direction. The end product is a strategic plan that is data-informed, future-focused, and actionable.

The following strategic priorities will be the focus of Pressley Ridge (FY2022 – 2024):

Racial Equity

Racial equity is just one part of racial justice, and thus we will work to address the root causes of inequities, not just their manifestation. This includes the elimination of policies, practices, attitudes, and cultural messages that reinforce differential outcomes by race or fail to eliminate them. We will continue to advance data-driven strategies, employ racial equity principles, and hold true to our commitment to continual evaluation, assessment, and transformation throughout our organization.

Workforce & Leadership Development

We must ensure that our organization can continue to meet our present workforce needs, as well as grow to meet future demands, with a highly skilled, diverse and culturally competent workforce to handle the complexity of clients we serve. We must also create an internal pipeline of job-ready candidates to assume supervisory and leadership roles within Pressley Ridge as opportunities present.

Clinical Mastery

We will ensure our services and practitioners can meet the increasing complexity exhibited by the children and families we serve with the most effective and consistent clinical interventions. We will also ensure that we have the highest quality of clinical supervision for the continued advancement of skill and knowledge, while being responsive to the ever-evolving community and programmatic needs.

Financial Health

Pressley Ridge will meet our obligations, withstand temporary financial challenges, and plan for our growth and future needs by maintaining a strong cash position, generating consistent surpluses from operations, maintaining acceptable debt ratios, deriving revenue from a diverse pool of sources, and providing for capital project funding.

Business Development

We will strategically position ourselves for growth by evaluating mission-aligned expansion and acquisition opportunities which return the highest margins, while most efficiently delivering impactful outcomes where there may be gaps in services in communities. We will also actively seek opportunities for coordinating care model expansion in states looking for managed care solutions, and mergers and acquisitions with complementary organizations or in desirable geographic locations.

If you are interested in learning more, you can view the full Strategic Plan here.

Pressley Ridge has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Pressley Ridge was first accredited in 2001 and has since achieved reaccreditation every cycle (4 years) since that time. This designation demonstrates the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. In a process that took nearly a year of preparation and the input of many staff members across the organization, COA evaluated all aspects of Pressley Ridge’s programs, services, management, and administration.

COA accreditation is an objective, independent, and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.

To achieve COA accreditation, Pressley Ridge first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA standards. Thereafter, a group of specially trained volunteer Peer Reviewers confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site interviews with the board of directors, staff and clients.

Based on their findings, COA’s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that Pressley Ridge had successfully met the criteria for accreditation.

Pressley Ridge President and CEO Susanne Cole said, “Pressley Ridge is proud to once again receive COA accreditation. This achievement proves that our programs and services meet the highest standards in human services, and our kids and families can rest assured that they are being cared for in the best possible way.”

An endorsement of COA and the value of its accreditation process is reflected in it being named by the U.S. State Department as the sole national independent accrediting body under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to accredit intercountry adoption service providers. In addition, COA is the only national accreditor designated by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop accreditation standards and processes for human service programs provided to military personnel and their families.

About Council on Accreditation

Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations — voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. Presently, COA has a total of 47 service standards that are applicable to over 125 different types of programs. To learn more about COA, please visit www.coanet.org.

Pandemic, Social Distancing, New Normal, Masks, Zoom – words that became all too familiar in our vocabulary this past year. Yes, this past year… I don’t believe any of us thought or could have predicted we would have a year like we just did. We will all remember the day we “temporarily” went to remote work or work-from-home status. The two-week mandate of business closures, no school, no traffic on the roads, when our favorite restaurants and places of business closed. That uncomfortable feeling of the unknown but hope that it would only be 2-3 weeks, then a couple of months, then 6 months, 9 months and now a year…

Many things changed over the past year, yet some stayed the same or even surprised us in a good way.  I know what you are thinking: what stayed the same and what was good about this past year? Well – here is your answer:

Pressley Ridge’s commitment to those we serve stayed the same and even grew if that is possible. Our mission to do whatever it takes for kids and families was accomplished and then some.

While everyone was dealing in their own ways with the pandemic, many people who were already facing challenges in their lives encountered even more strife. Loneliness, anxiety, job loss, and isolation impacted those who already struggled with mental health, discord, conflict, substance abuse, lack of support and more. We could feel the stress increasing at alarming levels, but in true Pressley Ridge fashion, our staff stepped up and found creative ways to continue reaching those we serve. As they dealt with their own uncertainty and family situations, they remained committed to our kids and families. No one would be left behind.

We immediately shifted our services to telehealth. Therapists stayed connected virtually to ensure continuity of care. In-person visits for our most vulnerable populations continued while following safety protocols. Teachers and school staff connected with students virtually for educational purposes, as well as for story time, and organized drive-by graduation and birthday celebrations. Food was delivered to families who needed additional support, and foster parents continued to reassure the children in their care that everything would be ok. Residential staff became teachers and counselors in the purest forms of these words providing encouragement and consistency in a time of turmoil.

We also learned a lot. We learned about flexibility, patience, grace, and creativity. We have a saying that in crisis there is opportunity. Well, there were and still are many opportunities ahead. We realized that we can reach more people who need assistance through technology. We learned that the opportunity to serve others is a gift. We recognize now that we are stronger than we think. We understand the importance of taking the time to stop and be thankful for things we perhaps take for granted like human connection, hugs, handshakes, family, friends and, of course, our community of health care providers, social workers, teachers and businesses. We have learned not to take things for granted and to celebrate life’s blessings no matter how big or small. So, even though this year has been extremely challenging, it teaches us the lesson that there is always an opportunity to grow, to learn, to find a bright spot, and to hope.

This year highlights the best of what Pressley Ridge does day in and day out every day of the year:

We do whatever it takes to help others get through life’s challenges and bring hope in desperate situations – no matter the circumstances. Our staff aren’t essential workers, they are miracle workers.

Susanne Cole
President & CEO

Rachel and Dave Meredith and Hannah and Jesús Origel have been foster parents with Pressley Ridge for several years, and on November 21st, National Adoption Day, they each welcomed a new child into their family.

While all adoptions are special, these adoptions are extra special because Rachel and Hannah are biological sisters! Not only did they each adopt a child, they also gained a niece and nephew and made their already big extended family even bigger.

Helping at-risk youth and giving back to the community is something that was instilled in these sisters from very early on. More than 20 years ago, Rachel and Hannah’s parents founded Pine Valley Camp, a nonprofit camp that serves 120 at-risk youth each week throughout the summer. The camp is located on the family’s property in Ellwood City, PA, and Rachel, Hannah and their three siblings volunteered at the camp and were a big part of the daily operations. Nearly all of the siblings are involved in foster care and adoption. 

Hannah’s desire to help others came at a very young age, but her foster care journey began six years ago. In 2014, during the border crisis, she and her husband knew they wanted to help. Hannah’s husband, Jesús, is bilingual. When they became certified foster parents, they wanted to serve all children in need, especially unaccompanied immigrant minors who needed a bilingual family. The Origel family went on to foster a Hispanic youth from Guatemala and more than 15 other children over the last six years. 

After fostering Shania for a time, the Origels officially welcomed her to the family on November 21st. Shania joins the seven other children in their home – three biological, one adopted, and three foster youth, including Shania’s infant brother whom the Origels took in without hesitation upon his birth. 

Rachel also knew from a very young age that she wanted to help others, especially children in need. She and Dave have fostered several children over the past three years and currently have one biological child and two foster youth. Amontae, their newly adopted son, was the Meredith’s first foster placement at just two months old. Just like the Origels, they value the importance of keeping siblings together and readily agreed to foster his sister when she was born one year ago. 

While their adoption days didn’t include the typical courtroom ceremony, the Origel’s and Meredith’s extended families were able to join in both of the virtual adoption proceedings, and it was a happy occasion for all.

These families are an inspiration and have played a significant role in referring other families to Pressley Ridge, creating more homes for kids in need. The sisters feel faith, family and the support of Pressley Ridge has guided them through the process of fostering and has allowed them to help so many children. 

You can read more about the Origels, as well as the Reicharts, another sibling of Hannah and Rachel’s, in this article from 2017.

Join us for virtual conversation with other parents and meet Jessica Lampert, Education Liaison for the Hearing Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, to learn more about her role and the services she offers to families.

Monday, December 7th

6:00–7:00 p.m.

Zoom

To join the Zoom meeting at the time of the event, visit: https://zoom.us/j/97974275353?pwd=cS9IbkxrSjQ1d0krLzhLUk9NYVdEZz09.

In 2018, Sara and Joshua Glover became foster parents to a 13-day-old medically fragile infant. Special medical needs, doctor’s appointments and specialized care became part of their routine. Thankfully, the Glovers are trained foster parents through the Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care Program.  The program helps to provide a stable family life for infants and children up to age 21 who have been affected by trauma, and as a result, may have behavioral or emotional needs. Treatment foster parents are specially trained to support a child’s emotional and developmental needs and are continually supported by Pressley Ridge professionals who provide a caring network of support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As with any foster care situation, the ultimate goal of Treatment Foster Care is to eventually place the child back with their biological family.  The Glovers nurtured and cared for the baby while staying in touch with his family through Pressley Ridge. Early on, it was undetermined whether he would eventually return to his biological family, but Sara and Joshua conveyed that the baby could stay with them as long as he wanted.  Forever, if need be. After two years of living with the Glovers, the decision was made for the child to become a permanent part of the Glover family through adoption.

The adoption was to take place in early 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic closed everything down. Though there was a slight delay in the timing to adopt their precious little boy, the process moved on as planned with some interesting restrictions.  The adoption proceedings would be virtual, with all meetings and hearings taking place via video conferencing.  In the end, the Glover family was thrilled for their son to officially join their family.

Now, the Glovers are a beautiful family with three children – two are biological, a boy and a girl, and their newest addition.  “We knew we wanted to have him as part of our family, but we also knew that the first goal was to try to help him go home,” said Sara.  “The Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care training helped prepare us for both, and kept us informed through the process. We are a multicultural family living in a wonderful Pittsburgh neighborhood reflecting our diversity, and we feel very blessed”, said Sara Glover.

We’re excited to announce that we now have VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES! We are so grateful to all our dedicated volunteers and  wanted to make sure that they could continue their efforts from a distance. From recordings to social media challenges, there are ways for everyone to get involved.

Online/Social Media Opportunities

Digital Advocate

Help Pressley Ridge increase our reach by being a digital advocate. Simply share our message across your social media platforms!

Market Research 

Complete online surveys to help us better understand our audience base. Topics from volunteer interests to social media audits and can all be completed online.

12 Days of Living Re-Education 

All Pressley Ridge services are guided by a common treatment philosophy called Re-Education (Re-ED), which focuses on the entire ecology of the child and family with the goal of building on existing strengths to bring about positive change. Give back to yourself, your community, and those you love through the Re-ED challenge. Each day focuses on a different Re-ED principle that you can apply in your daily life.

Digital Fundraiser

Host a digital fundraiser on your social media platform(s) to help raise funds for essential programs while also increasing Pressley
Ridge’s online reach. Set up a Facebook fundraiser or contact Kaitlyn Wolfe for more information.

Read to Students

Share your favorite books and stories from the comfort of your own home. Simply record yourself reading aloud for students to enjoy in class or at home. Contact Kaitlyn Wolfe for more information.

Career Development

Do you have a career that you love? Share your enthusiasm with our students through pre-recorded career presentations and/or
demonstrations. You can also help our students by providing resume feedback or answering career specific questions.

Personal/Skill Development

Help create a digital catalogue of things students can learn at home by recording your favorite hobbies. Whether it’s your favorite sport or best cooking tips, you can always inspire something new in a student.

Career Forum Answerer

Help Pressley Ridge students prepare to enter the workforce by providing honest feedback and answers to students’ most pressing questions.

To apply for these opportunities, please complete the Volunteer Application Form or contact Kaitlyn Wolfe for more information.

More Resources and Videos

What Does Deaf Mean?

Nyle Dimarco, Disability Advocate, on International Day of Sign Languages

World Federation of the Deaf: International Week of the Deaf

National Association of the Deaf: International Week of the Deaf

United Nations: International Day of Sign Languages 

September 20-26^th

• Understand the difference between deaf and Deaf 
  • “deaf” is used to denote anyone with a hearing loss or someone with a hearing loss who does not identify as culturally Deaf
  • “Deaf” denotes a specific group of individuals who define themselves as culturally Deaf, typically people with a hearing loss who use American Sign Language
  • d/Deaf is used to refer to anyone in either group
• Get up to date with acceptable terminology 
  • Because of the negative connotations it can carry, “hearing impaired” is a term that is no longer accepted to describe this community. Instead, try using “Deaf or d/Deaf”, “hard of hearing”, or “hearing loss”!
• Learn American Sign Language (ASL) 
  • With many resources taking a virtual turn this year, it is now easier than ever to find ASL learning tools. One great resources is Gallaudet University, the first and only university specifically for d/Deaf and hard of hearing students. They offer videos and lessons for free here! If you’d like to learn about other ASL resources, let us know!
• Tune into our webinar TODAY (9/23) at 1pm to learn all about Deaf Sensitivity!
  • Click here to register! If you’re unable to catch it today, it’ll be up on MyODP.org under Trainings>Special Populations>Deaf Services in just a few days!

Content provided by Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Parents are struggling to make the best decisions for their families right now.

Between school, activities, services and everything else, it’s hard to know what to do.

Adoptive parents may be feeling particularly isolated without the support systems you once relied on. During a time when it’s needed the most, Pressley Ridge continues to offer Post-Adoption/Permanency Services to help you and your children grow stronger, including:

• Case Assessment

• Case Management/Advocacy

• Respite Support

• Family Support Groups

Telehealth services are convenient and safe, and virtual support groups and discussions allow you to stay connected. Post-Adoption/Permanency services are available for any family with a legally adopted child under the age of 18, including kinship placement.

For more information on post-adoption/permanency services in Central PA, download the CPA Post-Adoption Flyer or contact Nicole Commero at (717) 947-3713 or ncommero@pressleyridge.org.

In response to the increasing need for support for families affected by opioid and other substance abuse, Pressley Ridge implemented the HOMEBUILDERS® model to provide intensive, in-home crisis intervention, counseling and life-skills education for families who have children at imminent risk of placement in state-funded care. In 2017, the program launched in Western Maryland through a grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC).

Building upon the successful outcomes demonstrated over the past three years, Pressley Ridge recently expanded the program to serve families in Central Maryland. This expansion is made possible through a grant of $420,000 from MCHRC and another grant of $110,000 from UnitedHealthcare as part of their Empowering Health Grant initiative, which is aimed at expanding access to care in Maryland and addressing the social determinants of health for uninsured individuals and underserved communities.

“This unprecedented environment has compounded challenges faced by Maryland’s most vulnerable residents and created further barriers to accessing the health care and services they need,” said Kathlyn Wee, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Maryland. “Our support of these organizations in Maryland through this UnitedHealthcare Empowering Health commitment will help provide critical aid and resources to the communities in Maryland that need it the most.”

Now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a significant need for this type of in-home treatment. Families eligible for services are those whose children are at an imminent risk of placement or those who are in placement and cannot return home without these vital in-home services. Risks for placement include children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and those who have been exposed to risk factors such as substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health and/or other disabling conditions of the parents.

“The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission is thrilled to support the HOMEBUILDERS® program and Pressley Ridge,” commented Mark Luckner, CHRC Executive Director. “This program provides critical services for at-risk families impacted by the opioid crisis, and these services are more important now as our state navigates the impact of COVID.”

“Quarantine, job loss, distance learning and other pandemic-related factors have compounded the struggles of high-risk families. The HOMEBUILDERS® program allows us to go directly into the home to help families learn new skills and make better choices,” said Coni Grant, Pressley Ridge Executive Director of Maryland and Delaware. “I have seen first-hand the evidence-based results this program has garnered over the past three years in Western Maryland, and we are grateful for the support of our community partners to extend our reach to Central Maryland to meet a crucial need.”

The goal is to prevent children from being unnecessarily placed out of their homes by providing intensive, on-site intervention, in addition to teaching families new problem-solving skills to prevent future crises. The HOMEBUILDERS^® program removes the risk of harm to the child instead of removing the child from their home environment. The HOMEBUILDERS^® model will bring services directly into the home of identified families, making services accessible and consistent and outcomes more achievable.

I wanted to send this message sooner, but I sat at my computer for many days staring at a blank screen trying to think of the words I wanted to convey in light of the George Floyd tragedy. I am heartbroken, frustrated and angry to name only a few. I look at the screen, get up, leave the computer, come back and try again. And then I finally realize I truly have no words. But that is not acceptable. For us to combat racism, we all need to have words, to speak up, to act and to listen –  really listen –  to our African American colleagues, community members, kids and families. We have to do better than we have – it is not an option to stay silent.

Sending this message, there are lots of things I could repeat that others have said that are extremely meaningful and also comforting. I could write those words, acknowledge whoever said them and we could just move on… But, the fact of the matter is we can’t move on until there is tremendous change in our systems and communities. The fact of the matter is it’s not just George Floyd. Its Ahmaud Arbery. Its Trayvon Martin, Alton Sterling, and the list goes on…

We all want to ignore painful things in our life. It’s easier to turn our heads or to avoid things that make us extremely uncomfortable. We work with uncomfortable situations every day at Pressley Ridge, and what makes us a great organization is that we don’t run away from them, we run to them. It will be no different in this situation. We are not going to run away from racism or pretend it doesn’t exist—that is not who we are. We have to do more. We must take action, be part of the change and move our communities forward to stop racism.

As part of our current strategic plan, Pressley Ridge is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and, ultimately, impacting systems change. We are focused on institutional and structural racism, as well as unconscious bias, and how these affect our service delivery, program design, policies and hiring practices. Within the past year, hundreds of our employees—including everyone from executive and senior-level management to direct care staff—have participated in racial equity workshops with Dr. Joyce James helping us to lay the groundwork for a multi-year process. It is our hope that, in the end, the work we are doing will leave a lasting impact on those we serve, each other and our communities, as well as the social service systems of which we are a part.

We cannot move forward until all of us work to bring about the necessary changes needed to address racism, and we aren’t going to sit back and just think about it. We have a responsibility to the kids and families we serve, as well as with our foster parents, staff and communities, to let them know we stand with them against racism and we are doing our part to take action.

Susanne Cole
President & CEO, Pressley Ridge

Pressley Ridge, a leading social impact organization serving children and families with complex needs, announced today that its Treatment Foster Care Pre-Service Training Curriculum recently received designation as evidence-based through the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. With more than 150 foster care agencies trained in this competency-based curriculum built on decades of research and experience, Pressley Ridge now has formal affirmation on the transformative impact that this treatment parent training has on the youth within their care.

“We are extremely proud that our training curriculum is now recognized by the California Clearinghouse as evidence-based,” said Susanne Cole, Pressley Ridge President and CEO. “Pressley Ridge has always taken its role seriously as a partner in the community, with a responsibility to make improvements in the field when necessary and share our knowledge to better support children and families through best practices. Our expertise in Treatment Foster Care, combined with the knowledge of what it takes to be a foster parent to support children who have experienced trauma, as well as other challenges, is what led us to develop this curriculum and share it with others.”

Pressley Ridge’s Treatment Parent Training is rooted in an understanding of how to change behavior, the importance of a strong relationship between the treatment parents and youth in their home (“working alliance”), and trauma-informed care. Treatment Foster Parents with Pressley Ridge serve as change agents for youth in their homes. Utilizing these competencies, Treatment Foster Parents are taught that youth’s behavior can change and the youth can learn skills necessary for effective living. The Pressley Ridge Parent Pre-Service training is now the only evidence-based Pre-Service developed specifically for treatment parents.

The goals of the Pre-Service Curriculum are to:
• Increase knowledge, empathy, and insight regarding treatment foster care, child development, trauma-informed care, and effective behavior management techniques
• Improve parenting skills for working with youth with behavioral and emotional issues
• Improve ability and commitment to succeed in their professional role as a treatment foster care parent

In 2010, Pressley Ridge began a collaborative research project with Easter Seals, collecting impact data on training effectiveness. A few years later, a similar study was completed with organizations in Michigan. Based on these and additional internal research projects, Pressley Ridge published numerous research articles, journals and studies that were submitted to the California Clearinghouse for review.

The mission of the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse is to advance the effective implementation of evidenced-based practices for children and families involved with the child welfare system. Due to increasing pressure from states and funding entities to use evidenced-based practices for treatment foster care – where few actually exist, this designation affirms Pressley Ridge’s commitment, capability, and depth of sound research to deliver services that produce positive outcomes for youth and families.

“We are thrilled to offer other organizations access to a quality, evidenced-based training that best prepares people to take this journey of becoming foster parents, while giving them the tools to improve the lives of children until they can return home or become adopted,” said Cole.

Visit these links for more information on Pressley Ridge’s Treatment Foster Care Pre-Service Curriculum or the California Clearinghouse rating.

Pressley Ridge Delaware recently received a generous donation from the Redd Heart Foundation. The staff were able to deliver boxes of food to all 47 treatment foster families as a small gesture of gratitude for their dedication to our children during this challenging time.

Teachers and staff from Pressley Ridge School for Autism celebrated student Tony’s birthday with a drive-by parade. Seeing so many familiar faces brought joy to Tony and his family and to the staff members, as well. PRSA is looking forward to creatively celebrating more birthdays, graduation and the last day of school throughout the next month.

We are proud of the many employee heroes going above and beyond their regular duties to take care of the needs of our kids and families. In addition to virtually delivering the vital services families count on, staff are personally delivering food (generously donated by Bayer) to families in need. School staff are not only ensuring students get the individualized education they rely on, they’re also doing live book readings, hosting virtual game and movie nights and delivering care packages to families.

Join us in celebrating all of the heroes making a difference every day.

By Jeanni-Marie Williams
This article appears in the May 2020 issue of Child Guide Magazine.

An unplanned pregnancy would throw life off track for anyone, but a teenage mother would be even more vulnerable, especially those without a strong support network.  Pressley Ridge, a non-profit who has provided foster care services in the mid-Atlantic for almost two centuries, offers a program to help young moms and their children up to age four.  The Pressley Ridge Parent Child Foster Care (PCFC) program matches pregnant teenagers and young parents between the ages of 12-21 with nurturing and supportive foster parents who have received specialized training.  The foster parents equip the young mothers with skills to learn how to be great parents and ultimately transition successfully to independent living with their children.  Pressley Ridge oversees the program and provides assessments, clinical services, in-home support, and crisis intervention, as well as training and resources for the foster parents.  Parenting lessons are conducted within the foster home, and fathers are welcome to participate in the training.

I recently had the honor of speaking with Jewel Clark who has served passionately as a dedicated foster mom with Pressley Ridge for over 20 years.  While Jewel originally began her service fostering teenagers, she has switched to participating in the PCFC program.  Not one to shy away from teenagers, Jewel was quick to say how she feels the young moms are the easiest group to foster, and she would like to dispel the myth that teenagers are difficult to assist.  Jewel says when they are approached with love and sincerity and realize they are in a safe environment with consistent rules, the young mothers open up with trust and become family.  In Jewel’s case, she mentions that it also helps that she has a strong, supportive family of her own.  Jewel’s daughter and grandchildren have welcomed the young mothers into the family and even enjoy their company on large family annual vacations.

From someone who has walked in the shoes of a single-parent herself, Jewel has a lot of empathy for the young mothers and recognizes their struggles.  Jewel prepares them to have skills in all areas of life.  She has helped some finish high school and graduate, while others she has taught how to drive.  Basic parenting skills are key to the program, but independent life skills are also critical.  Jewel mentioned that sometimes it feels like cramming for a test because there are numerous teachable moments while the teens are in her care.  Teenagers with no experience budgeting, grocery shopping, laundry, housekeeping, and meal preparation are taught all of these skills within Jewel’s home.  Once they have learned the skills, she assigns them regular chores, and she mentions that even though she helps them, they are helping her too.  In addition to coaching and supporting the young moms, Jewel also fills in with babysitting so the young moms can attend classes to finish their educations.  Lastly, Jewel sets a great example as an adult the teenagers can look up to.  She is honest and shares life experiences with them to help shape them into strong adults with good reasoning and decision-making skills.  Jewel mentions she never sets a rule or tells the young moms “no” about something without having a discussion about why and the consequences of bad life choices.

For Jewel, the biggest indicator of success, as well as the biggest blessing, is to see the young moms stop living in fear and learn how to be great, independent parents.  When they arrive at her home, the young moms worry and cry a lot.  They are wary and uncertain.  But Jewel establishes ground rules and respect up front, and then she just keeps offering love until they feel safe and at home.

There is a need for foster homes for the PCFC program in Western Maryland.  Jewel said she would encourage anyone considering fostering to not hesitate and just go for it.  She finds the work incredibly rewarding, and as a bonus, she said she has even more grandkids than her biological ones.  Becoming like a second mom to the young mothers, Jewel has created long-term family ties with moms who have transitioned out of the program.  Even living independently, they still come to Jewel for love and advice, and she affectionately reminds them, “I will always be your mama.”  The rewards of seeing the young mothers have success in life is greater than anything else Jewel could imagine.  She mentioned there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing her hard work with them turn into their building and maintaining strong families.  The young moms are also very appreciative of the work Jewel has done.  They leave her house grateful for her nurturing and the accomplishments she has helped them achieve.  Jewel recommends putting yourself in the shoes of a scared teenager who has a weak support system.  If you can maintain that empathy, as well as compassion and patience, the fostering of young mothers is incredibly successful.  As Jewel said at the end of our interview, “I love what I do.  Life is better when you love what you do.”

In the autism world, we always say that there are no two cases of autism that are alike, and recently I’ve come to find that there are no two days of social distancing that are alike either.

Several days each week, students from the Pressley Ridge School for Autism spend time volunteering at local businesses. Our wonderful community partners help the students learn valuable life and vocational skills. At Alioto’s Restaurant & Sportsbar, they help to clean menus, pre-portion foods and even make meatballs and the occasional pizza.

25+ companies and numerous individuals in our communities helped to make the holidays a little brighter for more than 1,200 children. Our sincerest thanks to the following companies for granting the wishes for our children this year.

Henderson Brothers Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Amcom Office Systems Michael Baker International American_Eagle Saints John & Paul Parish Treesdale Golf & Country Club MetLife Eat’n Park Cloud Adoption Solutions The Waters of Wexford Mike‘s Carwash ProLink Staffing Target Willow Med Spa and Salon Book Mark’et & Antique Mezzanine Fox’s Pizza Den in Oakland, MD St. Mary’s Orthodox Church Morgantown, WV Stevens Engineers & Constructors Gamma Mu Nu Chapter Lion’s Pride Restaurant Red Lion Controls OWL Chiropractic C.S. Davidson, Inc. Syncreon MKT Duct GGS, Inc. Stonybrook Family Restaurant Kiwanis Club of Greater York

We are grateful for those who have trusted us to help build stable, healthy families and for the communities who have invested in our mission. We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!

Dion Inge, Treatment Coordinator in Delaware, has been selected as the 2019 Fay Mosle Generosity Award honoree. After having spent 13 years in foster care, Dion became a social worker to make a difference in the lives of kids in similar situations. In the past year as a Treatment Coordinator, he has made a tremendous impact on the youth, families and staff with whom he works.

Dion was chosen as the honoree of this inaugural award for his natural ability to relate to the youth he serves and the generosity he demonstrates. In addition, Dion is the co-founder of OurBoys,OurMen, a nonprofit mentoring organization to support young minority males from 10-24 years of age with the goal of defeating stigma and stereotypes through educational and social skill groups and experiences.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently awarded grant funding to Pressley Ridge to conduct a study examining how to build trust and mutual respect to meet vulnerable patients’ health care needs. The funded study, Relationships Matter: Leveraging Healthy Alliances to Improve Services across the Continuum of Care

, is among five others supported as part of RWJF’s Building Trust and Mutual Respect to Improve Health Careprogram, managed by AcademyHealth. Read more about the project and the grantees’ research on the AcademyHealth website.​

The Pressley Ridge Social Research & Innovation Center is excited to announce the publication of a new article that discusses the results of a study examining alliances between families and residential treatment family workers. Published in the Children and Youth Services Review Journal, this article demonstrates that sharing working alliance feedback with residential treatment staff can be effective in improving working alliances with families. This study adds to our knowledge about the working alliance and helped to build the foundation for our Alliance Building: Learning to Engage (ABLE) model.

The article can be downloaded for free before March 11th, 2018 using this link.

All across our regions and programs, Pressley Ridge children, families, and staff have so much to celebrate this holiday season. Thank you for your dedication and for continuing to do whatever it take for those who depend on our services.

We wish all of you a holiday season filled with warmth, happiness, and joy.

Dec. 31 will mark one year since a Putnam County couple’s foster child was declared drug-free for the first time in his entire life.
“It’s just been a roller coaster ride,” said Chris Crytzer, a nurse and resident of Hurricane.
“We’ve got a child who we can really make a difference in his life and I think we just cling to that.”
Crytzer and his wife, Mary, a mathematics instructor at Marshall University, will find out in the coming months if they’ll be able to adopt the boy they first met at age 10 months.
Now two years old, the boy is free of the drugs he was addicted to at birth.
“He had been in the hospital for life and never got to leave until he finally came to our house,” said Crytzer.

Listen to the news story and read the full WVMetroNews article here.

We are excited to announce the publication of a new article that demonstrates how Pressley Ridge’s treatment foster care pre-service training significantly changes parenting attitudes and licensing rates compared to a basic pre-service training (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting [MAPP]).  This publication brings us one step closer in the process of becoming evidence-based.
Stay tuned for updates on our evidence-based status for our pre-service training.  Click here to read the full-text article.

Maryland Community Health Resources Commission providing funds for HOMEBUILDERS® method

Allegany County, MARYLAND (August 1, 2017) – In response to the increasing need for support of families affected by opioid and other substance abuse in Allegany County, Pressley Ridge of Western Maryland has been awarded a grant in the amount of $350,000 from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) to provide intensive in-home services. Families eligible for services are those whose children are at an imminent risk of placement or those who are in placement and cannot return home without intensive in-home services. Risks for placement include children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and those who have been exposed to risk factors such as substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health and/or other disabling conditions of the parents. Referrals will come from the Allegany County Department of Social Services.

Pressley Ridge will be utilizing the HOMEBUILDERS® model to deliver these services. HOMEBUILDERS® provides intensive, in-home crisis intervention, counseling and life-skills education for families who have children at imminent risk of placement in state-funded care. It is the oldest and best-documented Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) program in the United States.

“The Commission is thrilled to support Pressley Ridge and the implementation of the HOMEBUILDERS® model in western Maryland,” said Mark Luckner, Executive Director, MCHRC. “This evidence-based program will help assist families experiencing substance use issues and will promote family preservation.” The grant to Pressley Ridge is one of 21 grant awards made by the MCHRC this year.

The goal is to prevent children from being unnecessarily placed out of their homes by providing intensive, on-site intervention in addition to teaching families new problem-solving skills to prevent future crises. The HOMEBUILDERS® program removes the risk of harm to the child instead of removing the child from their home environment. The HOMEBUILDERS® model will bring services directly into the home of identified families, making services accessible and consistent and outcomes more achievable.

“Pressley Ridge is thrilled to be able to work with our community partners to tackle the ever increasing problem of opioid addiction and the devastating impact this has on children and families,” said Mary Beth DeMartino, Director of Pressley Ridge of Western Maryland.

The United Way of Allegany County is also providing monetary and collaborative support. “We need the help of community partners, like Pressley Ridge, to address the unmet needs of individuals so that families have the necessary tools for a better path to success,” said Mary Beth Pirolozzi, Executive Director of County United Way, Inc. “We hope and expect that our partnership will result in a stronger, healthier community.”

ABOUT PRESSLEY RIDGE
For the past 185 years, Pressley Ridge has done whatever it takes to create success for children and families. Pressley Ridge’s innovative programming provides the foundation for building stronger families while constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. From helping families in the community, to providing foster care services and educating children with special needs, including autism and deafness, Pressley Ridge empowers kids and families with the ability and confidence to succeed. Pressley Ridge serves communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. For more information visit www.pressleyridge.org.

ABOUT MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES COMMISSION
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2005 to expand access in underserved communities.  Since its inception, the Commission has awarded 190 grants totaling $60.3 million, supporting programs in every jurisdiction of the state.  CHRC-supported programs have collectively served more than 330,000 Marylanders, most of whom are low-income and have complex health and social service needs.  For more information, visit www.health.maryland.gov/mchrc.

As most of you are aware based on recent events in Charlottesville, VA, our country is embroiled in a discussion about race and racism. There is a great deal of divisiveness occurring within our communities that impacts those we serve but also all of us as individuals.

At Pressley Ridge, we believe our differences are our strengths. The combined experiences and talents of our staff, volunteers and the children, adolescents, adults and families we serve strengthen and enrich us as individuals, teams, partners and communities. Grounded in our mission to do whatever it takes to create success for our clients, we foster a culture that values all people, in all our rich and myriad differences, with acceptance and respect. Just as the clients we serve change and grow, so too does our organization and our society. Pressley Ridge is committed to doing more to promote diversity and to address disparities within our organization and our communities.

To this end, Pressley Ridge will not tolerate hate or racism in any form, nor discrimination against any person based on their color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age, national origin, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other classification protected by law with respect to any term or condition of employment.

Pressley Ridge values all of our employees, and it takes us all working together each and every day to achieve our mission. We stand strong because we stand together in our efforts to help ALL people.   It is my hope that our compassion and kindness sets the example for others.

Susanne Cole
President/CEO

Congratulations to Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf Program Director Steve Kozak, who was recently honored with the Cyril Wecht Humanitarian Award from Achieving Greatness Inc.

As part of our Family Engagement Initiative, more than 60 families attended a Thanksgiving celebration at the Day School Johnstown. They enjoyed a delicious family-style dinner, student art show, face painting and crafts.

Students in the Day School Johnstown’s Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Club used chalk art to promote positivity through pictures and kind words drawn on the sidewalks as you enter the school.

This new club teaches students about selflessness and giving back.

Throughout the month of November, we will be highlighting just a few of the people and things we are grateful for at Pressley Ridge.
​Today, we are thankful for Humana. Employees in their Pittsburgh office recently held a food drive for our Backpack Giveback program, which provides food to our children and families in need. 

Each month, the students of Pressley Ridge Day School Johnstown give back to their community through a volunteer project.

They recently volunteered 

with Produce to People—one of the region’s largest food bank distribution programs that provides fresh produce to over 800 people in the Johnstown area. The students worked hard filling boxes and helping the recipients each pack 30 to 50 pounds of fresh food into their cars, and then cleaning up after all of the food was distributed.