Message from Ted Wachtel, President, IIRP Graduate School

I and three colleagues who formerly served in leadership roles in Pennsylvania's children and youth, juvenile probation, educational and mental health systems, have watched with dismay the growing dissonance between government and the private agencies who are responsible for providing services to Pennsylvania's troubled children and youth and their families. Relationships that were once collaborative have become increasingly toxic. We are also concerned with the growing cost and number of those who require services.

We want to do something to help improve the situation. The four of us are:

• Ted Wachtel, former president of the Community Service Foundation and Buxmont Academy, currently president of the IIRP Graduate School, Bethlehem
• Sandra Bloom, former medical director of hospital psychiatric programs and founder of the Sanctuary Institute, currently an associate professor at the School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia
• Anne Shenberger, former southeastern regional director of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, recently president of Philadelphia Safe and Sound
• Paul Werrell, former chief juvenile probation officer in Lehigh County, currently adjunct professor at Cedar Crest College, Allentown

We are initiating the Pennsylvania Restorative Practices Project to:

1. bring together a wide range of concerned Pennsylvania professionals
2. restore a cooperative spirit among those serving young people in the state
3. develop a comprehensive statewide strategy to reduce the number of troubled children and youth in Pennsylvania

The International Institute for Restorative Practices Graduate School will provide the infrastructure and support for this project, although we are hopeful that many others will join the IIRP's efforts.

The first step is for interested Pennsylvanians to register their email address to receive notifications and news about the project. Please register below.