Looking Back on a Wonderful Summer, Looking Ahead to Fall

Karen DeSimone, Director of Intellectual Disabilities at Strawberry Fields

As summer draws to a close, we take time to reflect on a busy and successful spring and summer season while looking forward to the opportunities that fall will bring.

This spring, several of the individuals we support participated in Special Olympics events, including Track & Field competitions and the Pennsylvania State Games held at Penn State. We are especially proud to celebrate two individuals who earned first-place honors at the state bowling tournament. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

The summer months were filled with opportunities for recreation, community involvement, and connection. Individuals enjoyed local baseball games, visits to area parks, art class, our annual IDD Picnic, and Strawberry Fields' "Night at the Spikes" event. Others attended Boy Scout Camp and church events/camp, creating lasting memories and meaningful experiences.

In June, the Office of Developmental Programs conducted our annual Chapter 6400 licensing review. This year's process included inspections of all our residential homes, with four full inspections that included comprehensive record reviews, as well as six partial inspections. We are pleased to report that the review was highly successful and reflects our ongoing commitment to quality services and regulatory excellence.

As we continue our work within the Performance-Based Contracting framework, staff development remains a top priority. Through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) credentialing program, we are investing in the growth and professional advancement of our team. Currently, 16 staff members are enrolled in the 2026 cohort and are working toward graduation in December 2026.

We will continue to share valuable updates and resources from The PA Family Network as they become available.

As many of you know, Cindy Pasquinelli retired in July after years of dedicated leadership and service. We are pleased to welcome Fran McDermid as our new Chief Executive Officer. While leadership may change, our commitment to providing high-quality care, support, and opportunities for the individuals we serve remains as strong as ever.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our staff, our mission, and the loved ones who entrust us with their care. We look forward to another successful season together.