Sara’s Career Journey
In the past, Sara has worked as a case and program manager at a state operated juvenile facility (1993-2009) and as a unit supervisor for the Regional Office for Child Welfare and Community Services (2009-2013).
Working with the Youth
Today, Sara works for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. She is the Syracuse Regional Director-Division of Child Welfare and Community Services. Her work involves overseeing, licensing, and monitoring child welfare programs in New York area including: the County Department of Social Services, voluntary agency foster care, adoption and runaway programs, and domestic violence programs. Sara works to promote and support regulatory compliance and good practice standards according to the federal and state legislation. Sara emphasized that she must rely on God’s strength and protection while managing very traumatic case circumstances. She said, “my faith interfaces in my work by assisting me to walk in God’s grace and trusting that He will give me wisdom while faced with very difficult decisions.”
How has Family Services (now known as HDFS) prepared you?
Sara said that the Family Services program, now known as Human Development and Family Science (HDFS), exposed her to a variety of careers related to human services. She found courses regarding human relations, communications, and human theories to be particularly helpful.
Sara’s Advice?
Sara believes that there is a great need currently for empathic and caring people to enter into the child welfare and human services field. She stated that, “one can find a variety of job opportunities and create a successful career path while serving those that need an example of God’s love and grace.”