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2025 PAPRS Committees

Executive Committee

Chair: President Sara Dobson

Committee Members: President-Elect - Vacant; Immediate Past President - Kim MacDonald-Wilson; Treasurer - Vacant; Secretary - Karan Yob; Executive Director - Denise Astaneh

The Executive Committee comprises the officers of the Board of Directors and others appointed by the President and ratified by the Board. The function of the Executive Committee is to conduct the Business of the Chapter between meetings of the Board of Directors. All actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported promptly to the Board of Directors at their next meeting. 

Education & Consultation Committee

Chair: - Kim MacDonald-Wilson

Co-Chair - Lu Mauro

Committee Members: Denise Astaneh,  Ginni Dikeman, Patrinia Wilkerson, Rochelle Reimert, Karen Yob, Wendy Zaccone, Sara Dobson

The purpose of the Education & Consultation Committee is reflected in the overall goal of developing “learning opportunities for increasing the statewide capacity to provide best practice psychiatric rehabilitation services." This purpose is accomplished through the efforts of the committee as a whole in collaboration with the Education Manager.  PAPRS provides training opportunities for PAPRS member organizations and individuals, including a frequently offered CPRP test preparation course. Also, PAPRS is approved by the OMHSAS to provide the 12-hour required Orientation to Psychiatric Rehabilitation course.  In addition, training is developed for our Annual Conference Institutes and Workshops, and other training activities emerge through consultation activities.  Consultation is offered to organizations seeking to enhance their capacity to deliver psychiatric rehabilitation services.

Conference Committee

Chair: Vacant

​Co-Chair: Jen McLaughlin

Co-Chair: Maureen Walsh

Committee Members:  Denise Astaneh, Aaron Burkhardt, Sara Dobson, Rochelle Reimert, Philip Debrasky, Rita Scouten, Hazel Smith-Guild,  Giovanna Nunez

The Conference Committee is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing the Annual PAPRS Conference.  Typical committee projects/tasks related to the Annual Conference:

  • Sponsors
  • Scholarships
  • Basket Raffle
  • Award Ceremony
  • Networking events
  • Obtaining/Selecting potential workshop proposals
  • Hotel Arrangements

Budget/Finance Committee

Chair: Vacant

Co-Chair: Vacant

Committee Members: Denise Astaneh, Jennifer McLaughlin, Susan Poznar, Maureen Walsh, Sara Dobson, Hazel Smith-Guild

The Budget/Finance Committee is responsible for planning and developing the organization's annual budget, as well as developing, implementing, and revising the PAPRS business plan. Typical committee projects/tasks related to the budget/business plan:

  • Develop an organizational business plan for review by the board.
  • Present the board with the information needed for financial management.
  • Develop an annual budget to support PAPRS work. 
  • Collaborate with PAPRS committees to support their work.
  • Identify revenue streams for the organization.
  • Review the PAPRS marketing plan.

Communications Committee

Chair: Rita Scouten

​Co-Chair: Debi Weisgerber

Committee Members:  Denise Astaneh, Sara Dobson, Jocelyn Giancola, Amanda Hershock

The Communications Committee is responsible for developing ways to share information related to the work of PAPRS.  The Committee evaluates and recommends vehicles for effective communication. The functions of the committee include the following:

  • Determine organizational communication goals.
  • Develop and maintain the PAPRS Website.
  • Maximize the use of technology for communication needs.
  • Ensure that the PAPRS mission and values are incorporated into communication vehicles and efforts.
  • Evaluate written materials related to outreach and publicity.
  • Recommend plans and means for effective communication.

Policy Committee

Co-Chair: Holly Knoll

Co-Chair:  Vacant

Committee Members: Denise Astaneh, Laura Gardner, Jennifer McLaughlin, Robert Hammond, Corrine Schnee, Ginni Dikeman, Kim Wilson-Roberson, Sara Dobson

As its primary function, this committee conducts research and consultation on public policy matters, advising the Board of Directors on opportunities to advance the PAPRS mission through advocacy.  As a secondary function, the committee provides a framework for developing a PAPRS Policy Manual, a systematic review of PAPRS internal policies and procedures, and support to PAPRS committees regarding the application of policies. Typical committee projects/tasks related to policy include:

  • Advocacy calls and letters with partners in state government
  • Letter writing campaigns with members and consumers.
  • Development and maintenance of a policy and procedure manual for PAPRS
  • Assisting other committees with the development and application of committee policy and procedure

Membership Committee

Chair: Vacant

Co-Chair:  Vacant

Committee Members:  Denise Astaneh, Katelyn Ivanac, Holly Knoll, Catilin Needham, Debi Weisgerber, Rochelle Reimert, Sara Dobson, Philip Debrasky, Donna Duffy-Bell, Laura Gardner  

The purpose of the PAPRS Membership Committee is to attract and retain individual and organizational members through the following:

  • Outreach to all new members and telephonic outreach to new organizational members
  • Outreach to current organizational members as their memberships come due for renewal.
  • Solicitation of feedback/evaluation of current and potential value-added member benefits
  • Hosting of membership events
  • Support and encouragement of current members to increase their role within PAPRS by sharing individual and collective strengths and resources.
  • Partnership with PRA to ensure that PAPRS can maximally address/meet the needs of its members. 

Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee

Chair: Sara Dobson

Co-Chair:  Vacant

Committee Members: Amy DeMay, Donna Duffy Bell, Eileen Joseph, Rita Kraus, Lu Mauro, Jennifer McLaughlin, Susan Poznar, Maureen Walsh, Denise Astaneh

The purpose of the PAPRS Advisory Committee is to review and develop the role and membership of the PAPRS Advisory Board.  This committee comprises all current Advisory Board members and PAPRS Board of Directors members interested in reviewing guidelines for the Advisory Board.