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Community Corner

The Arc of Somerset County Receives Richard Z. Voorhees Award for Child Advocacy

The Somerset County Commission on Child Abuse & Missing Children (CCAMC) has awarded Jeanne Guarnieri, Director of Parents and Children Together, a program of The Arc of Somerset County, the Richard Z. Voorhees Award for Child Advocacy.

The commission sought nominations for the award to be presented to an individual who lives and works in Somerset County. The nomination criteria were that the recipient be a professional in the public or private sector who demonstrates a history of advocating the needs of Somerset County’s children to ensure they can have a safe, healthy and happy life.

Described as dedicated, creative and resourceful, Jeanne Guarnieri has worked for The Arc of Somerset County for 30 years serving as the Director of Parents and Children Together (PACT) program, one of the very few services offered in the state of New Jersey for families whose head of households have developmental and intellectual disabilities and who live independently in the community.

In addition to her work in the PACT program, Jeanne provides counseling to families in the Early Intervention Program, often helping them work through a tough diagnosis and assisting families in parenting challenging children. Jeanne has been influential in promoting and advocating for the coordination of support and services among, and between, service delivery systems. She is a member of the Somerset County Interagency Coordinating Council (CIACC), has served on the Somerset County Professional Advisory and Co Occurring Disorders Task Force, and is currently on the Advisory Council Priority Population Sub-Committee.

“Jeanne has raised the bar in Somerset County for her commitment to high professional standards and ensuring comprehensive service delivery for all individuals with a disability. She is a well respected teacher, counselor, colleague, mentor, and advocate for the children of Somerset County” states Jennifer Orlick, Director of The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families of The Arc of Somerset County. “I am proud to be her colleague and proud to have nominated her for this well deserved prestigious award by the County.

The award was presented today, Wednesday, April 23, at CCAMC’s Annual Spring Forum.

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