From the Director's Desk
by Joanne Cook

What an exciting year it has been for NWHC. We have met so many wonderful people and provider agencies as we developed our role in serving as the Health Care Quality Unit for northwestern Pennsylvania. We have traveled many miles and provided trainings, technical assistance, and support over our nine county area, to staff who are committed to making the lives of those with mental retardation and developmental disabilities as fulfilling and complete as possible. The office opened here on May 1, 2002 and became fully staffed in August 2002. We remain committed to improving the physical and behavioral health care delivery systems to better meet the needs ot individuals with mental retardation. If we can help you in any way or if there is a training topic you would like us to develop, please call us at 814-728-9400. We are thankful for your support and encouragement. We also appreciate Allegheny East and staff who work with us and provide guidance. Most of all, we appreciate Stephanie Geidel and her staff from Community Health Connections (our sister HCQU) for setting up our office, networking, and answering our many questions as we began operation. Please continue to provide feedback regarding our trainings or services we provide for your agency. Our desire is to continue building on our strengths and improving on our weaker areas. If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me, or the staff that act as liaisons to your program, by email, phone, mail, or an onsite visit. We look forward to providing new trainings and the opportunity to build relationships with your agency and staff.