MHAAC 
Staff Biographies


 Mental Health Association in Atlantic County

Victoria L. Phillips, Executive Director
Vicki began her career with MHA in 1982, when she accepted the position as Community Companion Director.  While working in this position, Vicki was instrumental in the creation and support of the ICE Self Help Group and the Family Voice Support Group 

In 1986, she was promoted to Executive Director serving on various local, county and state boards.  In 1987, she assisted  Atlantic County consumers in the creation of Peer Outreach Support Team (POST). POST was the first consumer driven support service providing outreach to consumers in their own homes and in boarding homes.  This project is now being replicated throughout NJ.  

In 1992, working with the staff of mental health agencies in Atlantic county, Vicki developed a five week training curriculum from which the nationally recognized Consumer Connections Program became a reality.  This training initiative was utilized for staff hired for the Consumer Case Management team.  This all consumer team was the first in NJ to provide case management services to people affected by mental illness.

She has facilitated workshops for local, state and national audiences and in 1991, she developed a simulated exercise that allows mental health workers to experience first hand, auditory hallucinations.  

Vicki has a BS in Health Care Administration and received certification in training from Creative Training Techniques International, Inc.
vphillips@mhanj.org

 

Anne Groh, Office Manager 
Anne joined the Mental Health Association in 1999.  Anne works as the Office Manager keeping the day to day administrative operations of the organization on track.  Her attention to detail has made her an integral part of the operations in Atlantic.

Anne's prior employment includes Playboy Hotel & Casino where she was employed as a Manager, Collective Federal Bank where she was a mortgage processor and a claims adjuster for the JUA carrier in the Automobile Insurance Field.

Anne received her BS in Business from Richard Stockton College.
agroh@mhanj.org

 


Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS)

Christine Gromadzyn, MSW, Coordinator 
Christine Gromadzyn,  serves as the Coordinator for the Intensive Family Support Service. Christine has been with the Mental Health Association since 1995.  During her time at MHA she has had a multitude of experience with the following programs: DYFS Family Companions, Case Management and most recently she has served as Director of Community Advocates, our community-based program that provides individualized support, education and advocacy services to adults with mental illness.   

Prior to joining MHA, she attended Richard Stockton College where she received her BSW and she was awarded her Master's in Social Work from Monmouth University where she concentrated in International and Community Development.  While working on her Master's, she worked in Latvia developing programming for homeless and street children.  In addition, she is a certified training for Mary Ellen Copeland’s Wellness Action Recovery Plan. 

As Coordinator, she is responsible for the oversight and management of the IFSS program that provides support, education and advocacy for families of people affected by mental illness.   For more information contact cgromadzyn@mhanj.org

 

Portia E. Trader, CSW
Portia E. Trader has been with the Mental Health Association sine 1980.  She began her career with MHA as the Administrative Assistant to the Community Companion Director.  She then was promoted to Office Manager where she worked until 1998, when she accepted the position as Family Advocate for Intensive Family Support Services.  

Before her employment with MHA, Portia's work experience included sales, as well as owning her own restaurant business. 

Prior to joining the agency, Portia attended South Eastern Business College of Virginia and then the New Jersey Civil Service Training School. In 1985, she graduated from Atlantic Community College with an A.A.S. in Hospitality and Management.  
ptrader@mhanj.org

 

Elaine Joray BA, CSW, CPRP
Elaine joined the Intensive Family Support Program in 2004 and works as a family advocate with the team.  She was been with the Mental Health Association in July 1997.   Prior to working with IFSS  she was employed as a member of the Consumer Case Management Team, responsible for providing a range of case management services to persons affected by mental illness who live in the community.  

Prior to joining MHA, she was employed in Massachusetts providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities.  Elaine graduated from the University of Massachusetts, College of Public and Community Services located in Boston. 
ejoray@mhanj.org

 

     
    Acute Care Family Support
Catherine Chiola, Acute Care Family Specialist
Catherine “Cathy” has been part of the MHA team since October 2007.  Prior to joining MHA, Cathy was employed by UMDNJ as a EMT in Camden and Atlantic City.  Cathy left her EMT position to care for her children and grandchildren.

Cathy brings personal experience to the Acute Care Family program, as she has a history of assisting family members with mental illness.  Cathy has a adult daughter that suffers with mental illness and has faced experiences that many of our families are confronting.  In addition to her daughter, Cathy grew up with her mother suffering from mental illness.   She also is acutely of the feelings associated with loss, having lost her brother to the attacks of 9/11.

Cathy was a client of the IFSS program and now finds strength in helping other families navigate the mental health system and finding hope for the future.
 

Consumer Services

Community Advocates 

Jaime Angelini, MA, Coordinator
Jaime Angelini serves as the  Community Advocates Coordinator. Her focus as Coordinator is the oversight and management of a community-based program that provides individualized support, education and advocacy services to adults with mental illness. 

Jaime began working with the Mental Health Association in October of 2001.  She has worked with consumers in our case management program and most recently has spent the last several years working as a Family Advocate whose primary responsibility is to provide support, education and advocacy for families of people affected by mental illness.

In addition to her duties with Community Advocates, Jaime supervises staff working in the Peer Outreach Support Team, the Boarding Home Outreach Program and the ICE Self Help Center.

Jaime received her BA in Psychology from Richard Stockton College and has her Masters Degree in Organizational Management.  She is working toward the completion of her CADC certification. 
jangelini@mhanj.org
 

Boarding Home Outreach

Jaime Angelini, MA, Coordinator
See above bio under Community Advocates   In addition to her duties with Community Advocates, Jaime supervises staff working in the Peer Outreach Support Team, the Boarding Home Outreach Program and the ICE Self Help Center.  
j
angelini@mhanj.org

 

 

Wellness Center of Atlantic County- Individuals Concerted in Effort (ICE)

Frank Lepore, ICE Wellness Center Manager

Frank Lepore joined MHA in 2010 as the ICE Wellness Center Manager.  Frank’s focus as the Wellness Center Manager is to coordinate and oversee all activities that are provided by the center to adults living in the community, who have mental illness.

Frank began his work with the Mental Health Association as a volunteer as a group facilitator in October 2009.  Frank continues to facilitate groups within the community for mental health consumers.  This is in addition to his oversight of the center and its activities.

Frank is actively pursuing his BA in psychology from Richard Stockton College and hopes to then receive his license as a professional counselor (LPC).

flepore@mhanj.org

 

 



Parenting Education

Anne Groh, Parent Education Coordinator
Anne joined the Mental Health Association in December 1998.  Anne works as the Coordinator of the Parenting Education Program.  As Coordinator, she is responsible for the oversight and management of the program.  Anne collaborates with organizations such as Division of Youth and Family Services, The Atlantic County Justice Facility, The Atlantic City Rescue Mission,  The Institute for Human Development, Family Court, Probation as well as area schools and hospitals.  

Anne is a graduate of Richard Stockton College where she earned her BS degree in Business and finance.

Anne's prior employment includes Playboy Hotel & Casino where she was employed as a Manager, Collective Federal Bank where she was a mortgage processor and a claims adjuster for the JUA carrier in the Automobile Insurance Field.
agroh@mhanj.org


     


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