Meet our 2023 Advocates of the Year
Constance “Connie” Iannetta is a 3rd generation former foster youth, foster/kinship/adoptive parent, and national changemaker. After aging out of foster care at eighteen, Connie found community with those who shared similar lived experiences and found her purpose in advocacy. Connie is described as a lifelong advocate for educational success and those impacted by foster care. Advocating for educational opportunities for youth in foster care has been a special passion for Connie, who herself attended fifteen schools from 1st-12th, and struggled with unstable housing. She believes that access to education is a critical avenue to success and empowerment for youth in foster care, who are often marginalized in educational systems. From legislative testimonies to state/national board affiliations, Connie has used her voice and lived expertise to speak on issues such as aging-out supports, higher education, housing, and mental health.
Her leadership roles have been many – including as founder of FosterStrong, an organization whose mission is to create, develop and maintain the nation’s greatest online and connecting resources serving the US foster care community; an inclusive educational platform and resource hub. In all her roles, Connie has focused on ensuring that the voices of foster care youth and alumni are heard.
Lorna Concepcion serves as a School Social Worker, McKinney-Vento Liaison and Foster Care POC at Pan American Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. Her colleagues describe her as dependable, efficient, and unfailingly willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of her students. Her attention to detail and her warm, cheerful attitude with both colleagues and students is invaluable to her school, colleagues and students.
In her school community, she is not only a social work expert, but she also goes out of her way to help people in need by organizing charity drives and tackling additional projects, such as the Build Your Best School Year Virtual Summer Camp. She is described by her colleagues as a hard worker, and as someone who always prioritizes inclusivity and lifts the spirits of those around her. Her focus on inclusivity and equity is seen through her co-facilitation of school trainings in which she offers verbal and written translations of learning materials for multilingual staff Spanish so that everyone had the ability to fully understand and embrace the work. These characteristics that Lorna possesses, “represent all that is good in our region.”
Anne Fisher serves as the Director of Student Services in Reading School District in Berks County. Anne is described as the “Reading School District’s advocacy rock star.” As the Director of Student Services, Anne oversees school Health Services, Counseling and Social Work. Through her work, Anne ensures that students’ physical and mental health needs are met by the school and that students feel safe and have access to necessary health and wellness resources. As an advocate for foster and homeless students in the Reading School District, she has gone above and beyond to ensure that students receive every service to which they are entitled, including transportation, social services, and graduation considerations.
Anne has advocated for and established multiple school-based care offerings, including the Knight’s Closets, where students are able to procure clothing, food, and personal care items at no charge. She also established a student “apartment” where displaced youth can take showers and wash their clothes in a discreet and confidential environment. She is a community leader and purposefully partners with other community organizations to ensure that students have access to equitable learning spaces and that students’ most basic and vital needs are met.
Alicia Ryberg is the Community Resource Liaison at the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School in Chester County. Through her work, Alicia has demonstrated remarkable effort to ensure that all students experiencing homelessness receive the support they need to succeed in school. Among her many accolades, Alicia created a district-wide resource website that has been shared within her district and across Pennsylvania, implemented a successful tracking tool which has been used as a model for other districts, and runs numerous programs and supports for students, such as a community closet for students, holiday-related assistance, and monthly check-ins between MKV students and their counselors.
Alicia’s collaboration with schools and community partners is admirable. Through her engagement with libraries, school liaisons, and community service groups, Alicia has been able to successfully build her program’s capacity. Alicia excels at navigating the challenges that come with not only supporting students experiencing homelessness, but also the challenges of engaging with students remotely through their cyber school platform. She is always willing to help other liaisons and broaden her knowledge of McKinney-Vento.
Shannon Murphy serves as the Assistant Director of Student Services and Homeless Liaison at West Shore School District in Cumberland County. Along with her colleagues, Shannon implemented the West Shore H.E.A.R.T. initiative that provides homeless education, awareness, resources, and training to staff so they can better support students and families currently experiencing homelessness in their district. In her district, she is playing a major role in coordinating activities and services to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ECYEH Awareness Week. Shannon is described by her colleagues as a priceless member of their team that makes their Region shine! She is always eager and willing to mentor, collaborate, and educate her fellow staff and community.
Amie McKeel is the Quality Assurance and ESSA Point of Contact at Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau in Westmoreland County. Amie has jumped into her role as ESSA point of contact with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a new perspective — bringing her previous experience as a Caseworker, Independent Living Social Worker, and now a Program Specialist. Amie has been proactive in immersing herself in trainings to educate herself to ensure that she has the most knowledge and the connections to go above and beyond in putting students first. Amy is a staunch advocate for children and youth who is known to go above and beyond. She is described by her colleagues as dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Westmoreland County is extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated and compassionate team member in Amie McKeel.
Stacey Dell serves as the Director of Curriculum and Special Programs at Union City School District in Erie. Stacey’s colleagues describe her in three words: above and beyond! Stacey is known as someone who is always willing to support students and staff. She is described as compassionate, dedicated, and determined. Above all, Stacey’s colleagues say that her care for students is evident in every action—from organizing student art contests or ensuring students facing homelessness can attend prom and have access to dresses and suits, Stacey is a testament to dedication to this work. Her colleagues hope that she knows that they deeply appreciate her and all that she does for staff and students.
Kirby Deater is a School Counselor at Greater Johnstown High School in Cambria County. Kirby is described as going above and beyond to help his students and their families that are experiencing homelessness. Kirby is known to be a genuine and dedicated advocate for students and families. He shows this through his actions – often using his own time and money to purchase resources for students and delivering those resources to students and families. He frequently advocates for them and encourages others to help and support those in greatest need. Kirby’s district serves a large percentage of families living in poverty and the number of students experiencing homelessness continues to grow. Despite this reality, Kirby continues to work harder and to think of new and creative ways to support as many students as possible.
Daniel Park serves as the Principal of Bellefonte Area School District in Centre County. Since taking on the role of liaison, Daniel has proven to be dedicated to his role. He has gone out of his way to arrange transportation, provide supplies, and used creativity to get his students to school. Additionally, he aims to attend all learning opportunities to enhance his knowledge for serving the students experiencing homelessness in his district. Daniel has also built an excellent rapport with the county children and youth agency to enhance collaboration to support children and youth experiencing foster care. It is clear to his colleagues that the program has become near and dear to his heart and that he is dedicated to making sure that students and their families have access to all available services in his community and beyond.
Melissa Richardson serves as the District Liaison for the Hanover Area School District in Luzerne County. Melissa is described by her colleagues as being extraordinarily dedicated to helping homeless and foster children since taking over the liaison role. Since she became the district liaison, more children have been identified and received services than ever before in the Hanover Area School District. Melissa’s office is constantly crowded with items and resources she gives out to youth experiencing homelessness and foster care. She has made countless connections with the community and has proven to be a dedicated advocate for foster children and students experiencing homelessness.
Melissa is known to be in constant communication with the regional office, homeless families, and community agencies/shelters that help homeless children. She has built a reputation as a leader in her district and makes sure that all individual school buildings are providing services to homeless children.
Hope Sabbagh serves as the Homeless Liaison in the Allentown School District in Lehigh County. In her tenure as Homeless Liaison, Hope is known to be a dedicated, passionate, driven, resourceful, and kind advocate for youth and families experiencing homelessness. Hope goes above and beyond her duties to help the homeless in her community. In addition to supporting the 26 schools in her district, Hope serves on the homeless commission in Allentown, chairs the education subcommittee for regional homeless board (RHAB), and advocates for access to equitable education and for federal funding.
Hope is described as a relentless advocate for people experiencing homelessness. Hope’s colleagues say that she serves students and families experiencing homelessness with love and advocates fiercely for students in her district.
Tanya Shea is the Education Manager at the Montgomery County Health and Human Services in the Office of Children and Youth in Montgomery County. Tanya has brought 20 years of child welfare experience, a passion for bettering the lives of vulnerable children and families, and a tireless capacity to see things through, regardless of obstacles. Tanya’s colleagues describe her as highly skilled in effective communication and collaboration. She is known to have built strong relationships with the LEA liaisons in Montgomery County and beyond.
In the 2022-23 school year, Tanya coordinated 102 BID meetings for foster children. She is described as always available to answer questions, make connections, offer expertise, and advocate for the educational success of not only foster children, but for all children who are involved with Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth. Tanya continues to capitalize on educational resources in order to build a wealth of knowledge, sharpen her expertise, and create a network of professionals on hand to assist and contribute to mutual growth and learning. She is described as an asset to the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth and a valuable partner to the educational community.