History of PAPRS

The Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PAPRS) has been intricately involved in the development of the field of psychiatric rehabilitation nationally and within Pennsylvania. Our organization was established in 1988 as the Pennsylvania Association of PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Services (PAPSRS), a chapter of the International Association of PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Services (IAPSRS).  Many leaders in PA helped to establish IAPSRS in the mid-1970s.  Read more at PRA History. The national organization is now called the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, or PRA. These organizations emphasized improving and promoting the practice and outcomes of psychiatric rehabilitation.

 During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the deinstitutionalization movement focused on supporting people with serious psychiatric conditions to live in the community instead of in hospitals and psychiatric institutions. Psychiatric rehabilitation services in the community emphasized helping people with psychiatric conditions to develop skills and supports to live, learn, work, and socialize in the community. In 1979, the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University was funded by a federal grant as the first Rehabilitation Research and Training Center in Mental Health directed by Dr. William Anthony. Over the past 40 years, the Center has developed the psychiatric rehabilitation approach also known as the Choose-Get-Keep approach or the BU Model of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. This approach is one of the models of psychiatric rehabilitation services written into PA Chapter 5230 state regulations approved in 2013. Included in Chapter 5230 regulations are requirements for psychiatric rehabilitation staff to have the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner credential promoted by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. In 2021, Pennsylvania is recognized as the state with the largest number of CPRPs.

 The mission of PAPRS today is to advance the practice of psychiatric rehabilitation to assist people with behavioral health experiences in achieving success and satisfaction in meaningful life roles.  Our vision is that PAPRS, as a national leader in psychiatric rehabilitation, inspires, develops, and promotes the ability of all individuals to achieve their life goals. We are the premier resource for recovery and resiliency-based learning through education, advocacy, and networking.  For more information on our conference history, please see the conference menu tab for a list of recent PAPRS conferences and Keynotes, and a list of past PAPRS Distinguished Service Award winners. 

PAPRS Board Officers - Historical List

Year(s)

President

President-Elect

Treasurer

Secretary

Executive Director

2023

Kim MacDonald Wilson

TBA

Elwyn Andres (Acting)

Brittani Smerkar

Denise Astaneh  (As of July 2023)

2022

Ellwyn Andres

Kim MacDonald-Wilson

Susan Poznar

Rochelle Reimert

N/A

2021

Ellwyn Andres

Kim MacDonald-Wilson

Susan Poznar

Rochelle Reimert

N/A

2020

Rita Kraus

Ellwyn Andres

Philip Braun

Kim MacDonald-Wilson

N/A

2019

Rita Kraus

Ellwyn Andres

Philip Braun

Kim MacDonald-Wilson

N/A

2018

David Young (Jan-Jun), Rita Kraus (July-Dec)

None

Susan Poznar

Allyson Simpson

N/A

2017

David Young

Rita Kraus

Susan Poznar

None

N/A

2016

David Young

Rita Kraus

Susan Poznar

Emily Raymond

Scott Heller (resigned Aug 2016)

2015

Darla Dodds

David Young

Keith Fuller (part of year)

Emily Raymond

Scott Heller

2014

Jennifer McLaughlin

Darla Dodds

Angelo Stamoolis

Kim Maldonado

Scott Heller

2013

Jennifer McLaughlin

Darla Dodds

Angelo Stamoolis

Kim Maldonado

Scott Heller

2012

Rebecca Clark

Jennifer McLaughlin

Angelo Stamoolis

Lisa Pettinati

Scott Heller

2011

Rebecca Clark

Jennifer McLaughlin

 

 

Dan Sylvester

2010

Lew Manges

Rebecca Clark

Angelo Stamoolis

Scott Heller

Dan Sylvester

2009

Lew Manges

Rebecca Clark

Angelo Stamoolis

Scott Heller

Dan Sylvester

2008

Philip Braun

Lew Manges

 

 

Dan Sylvester

2007

Philip Braun

Lew Manges

 

 

Dan Sylvester

2006

Dan Sylvester

Philip Braun

Scott Heller

Neva Pryor – Admin Support

Troy Boyd

 

2005

Dan Sylvester

Philip Braun

Scott Heller

Neva Pryor – Admin Support

Troy Boyd

 

2004

Leanna Plonka

Dan Sylvester

William McCarthy

Linda Groff

Neva Pryor – Admin Support

 

 

2003

Leanna Plonka

Dan Sylvester

William McCarthy

Linda Groff

 

2002

John Farmer

Leanna Plonka

Angelo Stamoolis

Susan Timika

 

2001

John Farmer

Leanna Plonka

Angelo Stamoolis

Susan Timika

 

2000

Eileen Joseph

 

Norman Council

Susan Timcik

 

1999

 

 

 

Susan Timcik

 

1998

 

 

 

 

 

1997

 

 

 

 

 

1996

 

 

 

 

 

1995

 

 

 

 

 

1994

 

 

 

 

 

1993

 

 

 

 

 

1992

 

 

 

 

 

1991

 

 

 

 

 

1990

Daniel Raudenbush

 

 

 

 

1989

 

 

Barbara Braxton

Gemma Lundberg

 

1988

Daniel Raudenbush

 

Rebecca Clark ?

Francis Ulrich?

Gemma Lundberg