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Prime Contract Leadership

Leadership

  • John Coutts, IT Manager

    John serves as the SWAN IT systems manager for Diakon-SWAN, LLC. Joining Diakon in 2008, John oversees information technology management of the SWAN prime contract. He manages all aspects of technology directly related to the prime contact including development and maintenance of the SWAN portal. John blends technology with practice to create useful, efficient resources. Before joining Diakon, John was associate director for a non-profit environmental organization in Harrisburg.  He holds a master's degree in health informatics from Drexel University and a bachelor's degree in professional studies from Duquesne University. Contact John at 717-231-6421 or jcoutts@diakon-swan.org.

  • Fawn Davies, Communications Director

    Fawn is the communications director for Voce, which she first joined in 2009. She manages and directs internal and external communications and strategy to ensure promotion of and information sharing within the network.  Fawn served previously as a Voce program manager and has held communications positions with the Pennsylvania Medical Society Liability Insurance Company and United Way of Lancaster County. Fawn holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Contact Fawn at 717-558-1246 or fdavies@vocetogether.org.

  • Tinnesha English, MSW, SWAN Technical Assistance Program Director

    Tinnesha serves as the SWAN technical assistance program director. She has worked in various capacities serving children and families involved with the child welfare system within SWAN, including as a SWAN regional technical assistant in the southeast region. She has worked in the field of permanency and adoption for over 15 years, more than half of which was in a supervisory or program management capacity. Inspired by her journey as a kinship and adoptive parent, she has championed resource parent training as a facilitator and curriculum developer. Tinnesha received her B.A. in Sociology from Pennsylvania State University in 2004 and a master’s degree in Social Work from Widener University in 2008. Contact Tinnesha at 717-558-1254 or TEnglish@diakon-swan.org.

  • Tammy Hendrix, DSW, MSW, LCSW, SWAN Program Administrator

    Tammy is the SWAN program administrator providing leadership and overall supervision to practice and programs provided by the SWAN prime contract. She has worked for Voce since 2004 and has worked within the SWAN network since 1994. She was previously a regional technical assistance division manager and was instrumental in facilitating the implementation of Casey Family Permanency Roundtables throughout Pennsylvania. Tammy is a licensed clinical social worker with deep experience in program development, implementation and monitoring. She is a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a doctorate in social work and holds a master’s degree in social work from San Francisco State University. Contact Tammy at 717-231-5368 or thendrix@diakon-swan.org.

  • Stephanie Mannering, Training and Administrative Director

    Stephanie is the training and administrative director for Voce, overseeing training, conferencing and administrative functions for the SWAN prime contract. She joined Voce in 2006 supporting the SWAN prime contract as a paralegal for the Adoption Legal Services Project in Allegheny County. She has held various roles in SWAN LSI, including paralegal, coordinator, division manager and program director. Before joining Voce, she was a family service specialist in the Delaware child welfare system. Stephanie graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in criminal justice and from Duquesne University School of Law’s Paralegal Institute with a master’s certification in paralegal studies. Contact Stephanie at 717-558-7349 or smannering@diakon-swan.org.

  • Peggy McFarland, Fiscal Manager

    Peggy serves as the SWAN fiscal manager for Diakon-SWAN, LLC. Joining the prime contract with Diakon in 2006, Peggy oversees fiscal operations and reporting of the prime contract for SWAN. Before joining the prime contract, she held several positions in finance at Diakon and previously Tressler Lutheran Services since 1992. Contact Peggy at 717-231-5369 or pmcfarland@diakon-swan.org.

  • Rachel Meaker, Chief Legal Officer

    Rachel is the chief legal officer for Voce, which she first joined in 2009 as a legal training specialist. Rachel has oversight of ALSP as well as training and conferencing functions for the SWAN prime contract. Previously, Rachel practiced child welfare law for 11 years, serving as an assistant county solicitor for Berks County Children and Youth Services until 2003 and as a guardian ad litem in Berks County until 2009. Rachel graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and Widener University School of Law. Contact Rachel at 717-558-1241 or rmeaker@diakon-swan.org.

  • Belinda Muschar, LSI Program Director

    Belinda has worked for Voce under the SWAN prime contract since 2002 and, in her current position, has oversight of the SWAN Legal Services Initiative. Previously, she held various roles in support of the prime contract, including SWAN LSI division manager, coordinator and paralegal and regional technical assistant. Before joining Voce, Belinda worked at Allegheny County, Office of Children, Youth and Families as a county caseworker in the intake, foster care and adoption departments. She received her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and political science from the University of Pittsburgh. Contact Belinda at 717-231-6422 or bmuschar@diakon-swan.org.

  • Lisa Stum, SWAN Contracts Administrator

    Lisa serves as the SWAN contracts administrator for Diakon-SWAN, LLC, which she joined in 2000. With more than a decade of SWAN experience, she manages mission-critical administration and monitors subcontractor activities of the prime contract. Providing supervision of the data management, fiscal, and information technology development requirements of the prime contract, Lisa also focuses on facilitating Diakon's accomplishment of the SWAN prime contract objectives. Before joining Diakon, Lisa held the position of director of support services for the previous SWAN prime contractor. She is a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.  Contact Lisa at 717-231-5365 or lstum@diakon-swan.org.

 

Legal Services Initiative (LSI)

    • Karee DuVall, LSI Division Manager

      Karee is a SWAN LSI division manager, providing support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, paralegals, and county children and youth agencies. She joined Voce in 2010 as an LSI paralegal in Bedford County. Karee transitioned to LSI coordinator in 2019, and in 2024 she became a division manager. Before joining Voce, Karee was a county caseworker at Bedford County Children and Youth Services for seven years. She graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. She later returned to Shippensburg University to earn a Master’s degree in elementary school counseling and was certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Contact Karee at 717-558-7094 or kduvall@diakon-swan.org.

    • Megan McConahy, LSI Division Manager

      Megan is a SWAN LSI division manager, providing support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, paralegals, and county children and youth agencies. She joined Voce in 2011 as a SWAN LSI paralegal in Lawrence County, transitioning to be an LSI coordinator in Allegheny County and then LSI division manager. Previously, she was a child welfare caseworker serving Lawrence County and a foster care caseworker for Cray Youth and Family Services. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and English/women's studies. Contact Megan at 717-558-7287 or mmcconahy@diakon-swan.org.

    • Brooke Milliron, LSI Division Manager

      Brooke is a SWAN LSI division manager, providing support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, paralegals, and county children and youth agencies. She joined Voce in 2010 as an LSI paralegal in Lawrence County. Brooke was named an LSI coordinator in 2012, and in 2015 she became a division manager. Before joining Voce, Brooke was a foster care specialist with The Bair Foundation for 12 years. She graduated from Grove City College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in sociology. Contact Brooke at 717-558-7072 or bmilliron@diakon-swan.org.

    • Renee Murray, LSI Division Manager

      Renee is a SWAN LSI division manager, providing support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, paralegals, and county children and youth agencies. She joined Voce in 2010 as a SWAN LSI paralegal in Butler County, transitioning to an LSI coordinator position in 2012 and LSI division manager in 2016. Previously, she was a child welfare caseworker serving Allegheny and Venango Counties. Renee received her bachelor’s degree in child development and family relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Contact Renee at 717-558-7071 or rmurray@diakon-swan.org.

    • Suzanne Palmer, LSI Division Manager

      Suzanne is a SWAN LSI division manager, providing support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, paralegals, and county children and youth agencies. She joined Voce in 2002 as the SWAN LSI paralegal in Lycoming County. In 2007, Suzanne became an LSI coordinator before transitioning to her current role. She now provides support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, counties and their paralegals. Suzanne has a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice and a juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law.  Contact Suzanne at 717-231-6445 or spalmer@diakon-swan.org.

    • Lauren Peters, Legal Training Division Manager

      Lauren is the SWAN Legal Training Division Manager. She has been with Voce since 2011. Previously, she held various roles in support of the prime contract, including SWAN Legal Training Specialist, LSI coordinator and paralegal. Before joining Voce, Lauren worked at a private litigation firm in Philadelphia. She received her bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and her Juris Doctorate from Temple University. Contact Lauren at 717-558-7384 or lpeters@diakon-swan.org.

      • Marybeth Powers, LSI Division Manager

        Marybeth is a SWAN LSI division manager, providing support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, paralegals, and county children and youth agencies. She joined Voce in 2002 and has been involved with the SWAN LSI program since its inception. She was a SWAN LSI paralegal in Lehigh County before becoming an LSI coordinator in 2005 and a division manager in 2009. Marybeth received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Clarkson University, a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia and a paralegal certificate from Syracuse University.  Contact Marybeth at 717-231-6436 or mpowers@diakon-swan.org.

      • Heather Reigle, LSI Division Manager

        Heather is a SWAN LSI division manager, providing management and oversight of SWAN projects and activities that occur within Philadelphia County. She joined Voce in 2007 and has held a variety of positions, including regional technical assistant, LSI coordinator, and LSI/TA specialist. Previously, Heather worked with children, youth and families in various capacities, most recently as an adoption and foster care caseworker. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Contact Heather at 717-231-6441 or hreigle@diakon-swan.org.

      • Michael Wahlen, ALSP Manager

        Mike is the Adoption Legal Services Program manager for Voce, starting in 2013. In his current role Mike also coordinates the pro bono work on adoption cases of the Pittsburgh-based, multinational law firm Reed Smith. Mike and the staff at ALSP provide mediation to arrange post-adoption contact agreements with families. Mike graduated from Duquesne University in 1999 and later received his juris doctor from University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Previously, he worked at KidsVoice, first as an attorney and advocate, representing dependent children in Allegheny County Juvenile Court, and then as legal training coordinator and staff attorney.  Contact Mike at 717-909-6777 or mwahlen@diakon-swan.org.

      • Natalie Witt-Washine, LSI Division Manager

        Natalie is a division manager for the SWAN LSI program, providing support and collaboration to LSI coordinators, paralegals, and county children and youth agencies. Joining Voce in 2001, she was responsible for the initial development of the SWAN LSI program. Previously, Natalie served as an associate attorney at an insurance defense law firm and worked as a director and program instructor for a paralegal training program in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a graduate of West Virginia University and Widener University School of Law.  Contact Natalie at 717-231-6449 or nwitt@diakon-swan.org.

 

Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE)

        • Robert Brockman, PAE Division Manager

          Robert serves as the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE) division manager, providing leadership and supervision to the PAE program and collaborating with the PAE data management team. Before joining Voce as a PAE coordinator in 2013, Robert was the national director of clinical outcomes for The Bair Foundation. He received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and child development from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Contact Robert at 717-558-7214 or rbrockman@diakon-swan.org.

        • Melissa Geesaman, Child/Family Data Manager

          Melissa serves as the child/family data manager for Diakon-SWAN, LLC. She oversees child and family data management functions for the SWAN prime contract, including data entry, output and analytics. Previously, Melissa was a child/family data analyst II for the prime contract and has been employed with Diakon for over 25 years. Contact Melissa at 717-231-5388 or megeesaman@diakon-swan.org.

 

Regional Technical Assistants (RTA)

        • Jon Douglas, RTA Division Manager

          Jon is a regional technical assistance division manager for Voce, overseeing the technical assistance provided to county children and youth agencies and SWAN affiliate agencies. Previously, Jon held various roles within SWAN, including PAE coordinator, regional technical assistant and post-permanency technical assistant. Before joining Voce in 2008, Jon worked in direct service, including finding permanent resources for older youth while using SWAN units of service. He has also provided youth therapeutic, residential and drug and alcohol services. Jon holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Gannon University. Contact Jon at 717-231-5352 or jdouglas@diakon-swan.org.

        • Lindsey Snow, RTA Division Manager

          Lindsey Snow is a regional technical assistance division manager for Voce, overseeing the technical assistance provided to county children and youth agencies and SWAN affiliate agencies. Lindsey joined Voce in 2017 as a regional technical assistant in the western region. Lindsey has worked with all types of resource families and children in foster care. Previously, she spent ten years with an affiliate agency where she  was a coordinator of the permanency department and supervised SWAN services while also approving and matching for adoptive families.  Lindsey has bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology.  Contact Lindsey at 717-901-0843 or lsnow@diakon-swan.org.

        • Penny Stiles, RTA Division Manager

          Penny is a regional technical assistance division manager for Voce, overseeing the technical assistance provided to county children and youth agencies and SWAN affiliate agencies.  Previously, Penny was a regional technical assistant. Before joining Voce in 2017, Penny was a supervisor with an affiliate for ten years and was responsible for “all things SWAN.” In total, she has worked with children and families for over 25 years in various positions, including as a children’s therapist, residential treatment staff, foster care worker, and child protective services worker. Penny graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Criminology. Contact Penny at 717-909-6924 or pstiles@diakon-swan.org.

        • Cris Swank, RTA Division Manager

          Cris is a regional technical assistance division manager for Voce, overseeing the technical assistance provided to county children and youth agencies and SWAN affiliate agencies. Previously, Cris was a SWAN regional technical assistant. Before joining Voce in 2004, she held several positions with Columbia County Children and Youth Services, including caseworker, supervisor and administrator. Cris received her bachelor's degree in sociology and criminal justice from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Contact Cris at 717-231-6423 or cswank@diakon-swag.org.

        • Kelly Weston, RTA Division Manager

          Kelly is a regional technical assistance division manager for Voce overseeing the technical assistance provided to County Children and Youth agencies and SWAN affiliate agencies. Kelly joined Voce in 2011 as a regional technical assistant in the central region. Previously, Kelly spent 15 years with Berks County Children and Youth where she worked in several capacities, including as protective services supervisor and adoption supervisor. While at Voce, Kelly has served on many committees including Adoption Coalitions, the Logic Model Education Sub-Committee, and the PA Authorized Representative Meetings supporting Adoption Search and Reunion. Kelly is a graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Criminal Justice. Contact Kelly at 717-580-5241 or kweston@diakon-swan.org.

 

Program Technical Assistance

        • Pamela Wagner, Practice Standards Manager

          Pam is the practice standards manager overseeing best practice initiatives. Previously, she was a SWAN regional technical assistant and child preparation technical assistant. Prior to joining Voce in 2000, she was a caseworker for Tressler Lutheran Services in the north central region, providing pre- and post-adoption services. Pam also presents workshops and training sessions at state and national events. She attended Geneva College and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Contact Pam at 717-231-6439 or pwagner@diakon-swan.org.

 

Research/Quality Assurance

        • Mike Kovacevic, Research/Quality Assurance Division Manager

          Mike has been involved in the research and evaluation of SWAN programs and services since 2000, becoming research and quality assurance manager for Voce in 2010.  He oversees contracts with the SWAN Helpline and the Pennsylvania Resource Family Association.  Before working with SWAN, Mike worked at the Center for Juvenile Justice Training and Research at Shippensburg University and administered the Family Preservation Program and Communities That Care.  Mike received a bachelor’s degree in government from Lehigh University and a master’s in criminal justice administration from Shippensburg University.  Contact Mike at 717-968-0955 or mkovacevic@diakon-swan.org.

 

Training/Conferencing

        • Beth Duzey, Conferencing Manager

          Beth is a conferencing manager, managing conference and training events for the SWAN prime contract, including building relationships with and negotiating services with vendors and venues. Previously, Beth supported the network as a conference planner and conference coordinator. Before joining Voce in 2005, Beth was involved in training and event planning at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and claims analysis at Highmark. She received a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.  Contact Beth at 717-558-1227 or bduzey@diakon-swan.org.