SMETHPORT — During these times where national and local attention are focused on coping with the impact of Covid-19, McKean County Department of Human Services (DHS) is reaching out to the public to raise awareness of child abuse and foster care and to recognize a 30-year benchmark of service.
“I can’t think of a more appropriate confluence of events than the timing of three very important happenings at McKean County Human Services,” noted DHS Director Dan Wertz. “April was Child Abuse Awareness Month, May is Foster Care Month and today, April 30, 2020, marks the 30-year work anniversary of our one of our most dedicated employees, Resource Care Program Specialist, Lisa Johnston.”
In April, the county promoted awareness of child abuse with blue silhouettes of children placed at the Courthouse and blue pinwheels outside at the Children’s Advocacy Center. The blue pinwheel represents innocence as a national symbol for child abuse prevention. Pinwheels reflect the bright future all children deserve.
Foster Care will be honored and recognized in May as an important part of keeping the needs of children and youth in foster care in the minds of the public. Over half the children placed in foster care have a case plan for a timely, safe and stable reunification with their families. McKean County has an ongoing need for foster families.
“Day in and day out, we see the best and the worst of family situations,” said Marcy Flickinger, foster care and adoption supervisor. “The thing that gets us through those difficult days is the impact we hope we are making on these families. It takes it’s toll on our staff and I can’t express enough how much I admire Lisa Johnston for her years of dedication to this work.”
Johnston began her journey with McKean County Children and Youth Services on April 30, 1990 working with numerous foster parents and foster children. Her current position is instrumental in managing how each department in the agency works together, as well as with the other services in the county that are critical for children in foster care and foster parents.
McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg Shaffer was a foster care coordinator with Johnston during her prior tenure at CYS.
“We would meet with individuals interested in foster parenting and assisting in adoptions. Lisa was a mentor to me and many others,” said Shaffer. “Lisa has a very strong sense of community service and ensuring that the “right” thing is done even if there’s resistance from others or if it’s difficult. I remember her leading the charge on several occasions when she felt that something was wrong, particularly by being a strong advocate for foster parents. And people listened to her because she was so respected.”
Johnston was named 2015 Caseworker of the Year by the Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association. She is a graduate of Smethport Area High School and The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
“Working in child welfare is emotionally challenging since it’s impossible to turn off your thoughts at the end of the day and forget what you’ve seen,” added Shaffer. “Lisa’s longevity at the Agency is a testament to her character and devotion to such an important cause and her deep-rooted sense of family.”
Johnston, formerly Lisa Ohman, is a Smethport native and currently resides with her husband in Port Allegany. They have one daughter, who is a physician’s assistant in New York City.
Johnston’s focus on the value of the foster family mirrors Shaffer’s perspective. “Foster parents have kept our children safe, loved them as their own, provided permanency, and are a valuable resource to our communities,” said Johnston. “I’ve seen the pain and joy that comes with this profession. Our children are our future.”
“May is Foster Parent Month and we are asking our community to help us in promote this program, along with April as Child Abuse Awareness Month, and to reflect on the service that Lisa has provided to our county,” said Wertz. “I do want to be clear, this is a hallmark of service, not a retirement, we intend to keep Lisa actively working for us as long as long as she will have us.”
Johnston summed up the impact and value of foster families, “May is Foster Parent Month, and a time to reflect on how special and valuable these people are to our agency and the children and families they serve. I am truly blessed to have worked with each and everyone one of them and offer thanks from the bottom of my heart.”
According to Wertz, Johnston’s co-workers have planned a remote celebration of her career on Thursday. DHS is asking the community to help raise awareness and to participate in meeting a goal of 30 new eligible foster families in 30 days, to honor Johnston’s 30-year commitment to this program.
