FAQ - How did PCYA evolve?

FAQ: How did PCYA evolve?

Question

How did PCYA evolve?

Answer

On October 9, 1968 the Erie Regional Directors sent out a request for others to join them in considering the "importance and necessity of forming a State-wide organization of Child Welfare Directors for the purpose of considering services to children, in taking a collective position to enhance effective services, and oppose program trends not in the best interest of children."
24 Counties were represented at a meeting on February 28, 1969 to begin the formation of the Pennsylvania Council of County Child Welfare Administrators (PCCCWA).
On March 28, 1969, PCCCWA adopted By-laws reflecting the "recognition of the need for better communication and joint planning between public County Child Welfare Agencies and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, both of whom are concerned with meeting the needs of children and youth in the Commonwealth."
The first letter to a Secretary of Public Welfare from the PCCCWA was sent on April 11, 1969, requesting a meeting to discuss concerns about "gaps in services".
Volume 1 Number 1 of the "PA. Director’s Current Wisdom" was published on May 27, 1977 as the newsletter for PCCCWA.
On June 13, 1979, the Organizational Meeting of the Incorporators of the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators, Inc. (PCYA) was held at Toftrees Country Club and Lodge in State College, PA. Articles of Incorporation had been filed with the Pa. Department of State on January 11, 1979.
PCYA begins discussions with the Pennsylvania State Association of County Commissioners (PSACC) in an October 27, 1980 letter.
On April 20, 1981, Ron Heinlen became the first Executive Director of PCYA. The offices were at 22 South 3rd. Street in Harrisburg.
First issue of the original PCYA newsletter, "The Exchange", was published on August 4, 1981. This was accomplished through a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. It was designed to be the "vehicle for creating linkages in the delivery system and encouraging two-way communications and feedback with our readers".
PCYA entered into an agreement with the Pennsylvania State Foster Parent Association to provide administrative services for them in September 1981.
On September 8, 1982, the membership was informed that PCYA had received 501(c)3 tax exempt status from the IRS.
On February 15, 1983, an affiliation agreement signed by PCYA and PSACC. This agreement called for "greater cooperative policy development by both organizations in an attempt to strengthen both of our efforts to promote the common interest of counties and to increase the county voice in Harrisburg on behalf of children and youth. The contract also allows for a greater exchange of ideas via a PCYA nonvoting membership on both the PSACC Human Services Committee and the PSACC Executive Committee. The agreement also provided that Ron Heinlen, previously Executive Director of PCYA, would join the PSACC staff as Human Services Specialist for Children and Youth.

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