Welcome to the KCIT CONNECTION Quarterly Update- Happy Spring!

January- March 2025



A way to connect and share updates about the work we do across PA

Jennifer Lutsey

Jennifer joins KCIT from Luzerne County, and is currently the Director of Employee Development at The Children's Service Center of Wyoming Valley, Inc., where she has worked since 2004. She has worked as Residential Program Worker, Clinical Program Supervisor, and Outpatient Therapist while with her current employer. Jennifer has an MSW, and continues to seek out trainings and certifications, and dedicates her time to various committees and volunteer efforts.

Heather Arias

Heather currently serves as the Deputy Director for the City of Philadelphia Office of the Victim Advocate under the Office of Public Safety. She works closely with the community, community-based agencies, and law enforcement partners to assess the need for advocacy and policies, as well as develop programs and training across the city to address those needs. Heather began her career in victim advocacy in 2017 as the Homicide Preliminary Hearing Coordinator with the Families of Murder Victims (FMV) program housed in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit. 

Bob Carpenter joined the KCIT Advisory Committee this quarter, and we are very excited to have him with us. Bob joined the KCIT team in 2023 as a volunteer but has now shifted his involvement to the committee.

Bob is the Regional EMS Education Coordinator at Emergency Medical Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., and resides in Wyoming County, PA.

Bob has been active in EMS services since 2003, and has experience as an educator, paramedic, peer support provider, and an ambulance agency administrator.

He is trained in CISM, Emergency Behavioral Health, and Trauma Informed Care. His focus on community health, trauma care, and emergency response makes him a valuable addition to our Committee.

KCIT conducted outreach to 31 forensic nurses, connected with all 31 and no nurses needed support.

KCIT conducted outreach and coordinated 3 companioning events in April, comprised of 4 teams of volunteers spanning 4 days.

We onboarded 2 new volunteers with more in the pipeline.

KCIT coordinated, hosted and provided hybrid GCI training in March with great feedback from participants.

KCIT conducted marketing outreach and presentations on KCIT’s services to Emergency Planners state-wide, SANE support outreach to several counties, and was accepted to the next 2025 PAR Expo in May.

Planning is underway for our volunteer meeting in July, with our venue and trainer secured.

KCIT OUTREACH

Click the flyer to sign up for our June GCI training! Please note, this training is hybrid, with the final session in person, in Harrisburg.

To sign up for the mailing list for our September training, click here!