Four staff members from the elder law firm of Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak earned or renewed professional certification as as a Certified Dementia Practitioner® (CDP®) through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) at an all day training held in State College on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. This brings the total of SGY team members that have earned the CDP® designation to 18. A full list of those staff members that earned it yesterday and already have it is below. 

Attorney Jenna Franks, a partner of the firm, and Long-Term Planner Kristin Daugherty led the training, which was also attended by other area professionals that work in the long-term care field. Both Jenna and Kristin are Certified Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Trainers®, which allows them to train others to become CDPs®. 

The CDP® designation represents individuals that have received comprehensive knowledge in the area of dementia care and achievement in completing the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care course/seminar. The CDP® also commits to ongoing professional development through NCCDP Staff Education Week or other educational opportunities and re-certification every two years. The NCCDP remarks that the "CDP® certification reflects a deep personal commitment on the part of the front line staff, health care professional and the organization’s sense of accountability by abiding by the NCCDP ethics statement, inspiring confidence and dedication in an individual's professional knowledge through quality of life and quality of care provided by the CDP® to the dementia patient." The goal of the NCCDP is to develop and encourage comprehensive standards of excellence in direct-care skills, education, and sensitivity in the area of dementia care.

The following SGY staff members and attorney partners are CDPs®. Their position and primary office location(s) are also included. 

*Haley Carpenter, Elder Care Navigator (State College)
Kristin Daugherty, Long-Term Care Planner (State College)
Attorney Jenna Franks, Partner (State College)
Attorney Landon Hodges, Partner (Williamsport/Wyalusing/Wysox)
Attorney Megan Ingram (Williamsport/State College)
Haley Jenny, Legal Assistant (State College)
*Megan McGhee, Elder Care Navigator (State College)
Heather Mendler, Long-Term Care Planner (Wyalusing/Wysox)
Kathy Morrison, Care Coordinator (Wyalusing/Wysox)
Kiley Myers, Paralegal (Williamsport)
Jessica Oakley, Long-Term Care Planner (Wyalusing/Wysox)
Attorney Julie Steinbacher, Partner (Williamsport)
Samantha Tompkins, Elder Care Navigator (Williamsport)
*Samantha Tressler, Legal Assistant (Williamsport)
Briella Walk, Legal Assistant (State College)
*Alexis Wetzler, Long-Term Care Planner (State College)
Angel Yost, Administrative Assistant (Williamsport)
Tammy Zilske, Long-Term Care Planner (Williamsport)

* Indicates they earned or renewed CDP® credential at Jan. 31 training

Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak serves clients that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Dementia, and assists those clients and their families with long-term care plans, asset protection, care coordination and more. More information is available on caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's and Dementia. To schedule a consultation, call 1-800-351-8334.