web1_Monster4WEB.jpg

Arrests made in $140K Monster Energy theft that originated in Hazle Township, ended in Bronx, NY

web1_cusat-election-2015_toned.jpg

Hazleton City Council, mayor discuss possible shortfall in funds before year’s end

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The Luzerne County Courthouse was filled with opportunity Thursday as several county social service agencies gathered to both provide information on open positions and to honor those who have filled those positions for an extended period.</p><p>Children &amp; Youth Services is now offering the bulk of available jobs with nine positions available.</p><p>Joanne Van Saun, Children &amp; Youth director, said both aspects of the event, the recruitment and the honoring of longtime employees, underscore the importance of doing a job that is sometimes thankless, often difficult and always necessary.</p><p>As Van Saun sat amidst those she supervises, she said it is important to honor those who have worked for the agency for 20, 30 and even 40 years.</p><p>&#8220;These people have a commitment to children and to keeping them safe,&#8221; she said. &#8220;That is what brings them to work day after day.&#8221;</p><p>Caseworker Corinne Carper, a five-year veteran of the agency, agrees.</p><p>Carper said most of the time families are cooperative and pleasant, sharing a concern for their children in the long term.</p><p>She said the last thing the agency wants to do is take a child away from his or her family and only does so when necessary.</p><p>Even if a child enters foster care, the agency, whenever possible, keeps the child close to home with a friend or family member and within the same school district.</p><p>Sometimes, she said, case workers are called on to put themselves in harm&#8217;s way in order to keep children safe.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s true that sometimes we don&#8217;t know what challenges lie beyond the front door of a family home,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But we do know that there is a child inside who may need our help, who needs us to be their voice.&#8221;</p><p>Acting county Manager David Pedri said available positions pay well and provide opportunities for qualified applicants, including recent college graduates, to serve others.</p><p>Pedri said the recruitment event reflected the county&#8217;s commitment to its youth.</p><p>&#8220;It takes a village to raise a child,&#8221; he said, addressing about 50 people gathered for the event&#8217;s kickoff at 10 a.m.</p><p>Pedri lauded state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, who also spoke at the event, for her commitment to her constituents, especially children.</p><p>Toohil, whose parents were foster parents, credited case workers of the agency with a willingness to serve, thus making a difference in the lives of youngsters.</p><p>Ray Whalen, who serves on the agency&#8217;s advisory board, acknowledged the agency has had a challenging year, having had its license downgraded last October following the death of a child.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re moving in a new direction,&#8221; said Whalen. &#8220;We&#8217;re re-evaluating and improving.&#8221;</p><p>Whalen said, with Van Saun&#8217;s oversight, the agency is moving toward full licensure.</p><p>Pedri said available positions require civil service testing with more information available on the Luzerne County and Career Link websites.</p><p>County social service agencies were on site at the courthouse throughout the day, fielding questions from potential candidates, ranging from what degrees are needed to apply for the available jobs to skills required for specific positions.</p><p>Representatives from the county said Children &amp; Youth Services is hoping not only to hire new employees, but to retain them in the long run.</p><p>&#8220;These are hard jobs,&#8221; said a spokesperson. &#8220;People need to know what to expect and to be supported in doing them.&#8221;</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_1-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">State Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, offers remarks during a social work employment event at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday morning. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_1-4.jpg</photo0><caption0>State Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, offers remarks during a social work employment event at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday morning. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_2-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_2-4.jpg</photo1><caption1></caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_3-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">James Haddock, right, of Pittston Township, inquires about job opportunities for a family member with Jenn Calore of Pennsylvania CareerLink during a social work employment event at the Luzerne County Courthouse. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_3-4.jpg</photo2><caption2>James Haddock, right, of Pittston Township, inquires about job opportunities for a family member with Jenn Calore of Pennsylvania CareerLink during a social work employment event at the Luzerne County Courthouse. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_4-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Some of the approximately 50 people in attendance during a social work employment event at the Luzerne County Courthouse. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042216SocialWork_4-4.jpg</photo3><caption3>Some of the approximately 50 people in attendance during a social work employment event at the Luzerne County Courthouse. </caption3><photoCredit3></photoCredit3></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

web1_TTL042216SocialWork_4.jpg

web1_TTL042216SocialWork_1.jpg

web1_TTL042216SocialWork_2.jpg

web1_TTL042216SocialWork_3.jpg

web1_TTL042216SocialWorkCMYK_1.jpg

web1_TTL042216SocialWorkCMYK_2.jpg

web1_TTL042216SocialWorkCMYK_3.jpg

web1_TTL042216SocialWorkCMYK_4.jpg

County social services recruit new hires, honor longtime employees at courthouse event