New Directions Youth and Family Services recently hired Julie Tomasi as Chief Operations Officer for Child Welfare programs, promoted Sarah Taylor to Chief Operations Officer for Community Programs, and promoted Alicia Wieczorek to Chief Clinical Officer.
“Significant changes are occurring in the provision of services to the children and families that we serve,” said Jim Coder, New Directions Chief Executive Officer. “The newly created positions allow us to refocus our resources to meet these challenges and explore new opportunities.”
Ms. Tomasi most recently served as Deputy Commissioner for Allegany County Department of Social Services, April 2011-October 2019, and has been in the child welfare field for more than 28 years, which includes working at New Directions from 1998 – 2011, directly serving youth and families as a social worker before advancing to clinical director and leadership roles including Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) Director.
Ms. Tomasi is a New York State licensed clinical social worker, obtaining a Master of social work degree from Syracuse University School of Social Work. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Academy of Clinical Social Workers (ACSW).
Ms. Taylor has been with New Directions since December 2004. Her experience with New Directions includes case manager, supervisor, and director positions. Ms. Taylor has demonstrated a proven ability to implement new, community-based programs in Erie and Niagara counties, including Preventive, Wrapround, Family Assessment Response, and Health Home Care Management, using data to inform decisions and supervision.
Ms. Taylor is New Directions’ lead in overseeing the Children’s Medicaid redesign. Ms. Taylor holds a Master of Education in School Counseling from University at Buffalo.
Ms. Wieczorek joined New Directions in September 2018 and has been in the human service field for 20 years providing direct services and clinical leadership. Her experience includes supervising clinic operations and providing clinical supervision to licensed social workers, medical and support staff.
Ms. Wieczorek is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-R), and a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. She maintains a private practice as a Solution-Focused therapist with the Ken-Ton Family Support Center and is a Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher.
“We are privileged to appoint Julie, Sarah, and Alicia to chief operations roles,” said Coder. “Each is highly skilled, with their knowledge and expertise surpassed only by their compassion and commitment to effective services for children and families”.