Christopher Waiters began his career at NET Centers over 13 years ago. He has demonstrated natural leadership skills from the beginning which afforded him opportunities for professional growth and development in a relatively short period of time. After working in several direct service roles with youth and only 2 years after starting his tenure at NET he was promoted to a management position as the In-Home Detention (IHD) Supervisor (Juvenile Justice Services). He helped to transform the IHD program into one of the lead programs of its kind in the city. Within two years he was again promoted to Interim Director of the Consultation and Education (C and E ) program and tasked with both closing the program , which was being phased out by the city, and supporting NETs proposal to provide School Based Social Services (SBSS), a new service funded to replace C and E services. When NET was awarded the contract, Chris seamlessly moved into the role of SBSS Director. In this role he further developed his skills of engaging schools and communities. He created a diverse portfolio of in school services and supports for youth, largely by utilizing and strengthening community partnerships. After serving as SBSS Director, he was asked to help stabilize a newly acquired NET affiliate agency, Best Nest Inc., and served as the Director of In-Home Protective Services (IHPS). He led the agency to acquire the highest IHPS evaluation score in the agency’s history.

As IHPS was being phased out by the city when they moved to a new model under Improving Outcomes for Children (IOC) and Community Umbrella Agencies (CUA’s). Chris assisted in developing and presenting both of NETs IOC/ CUA proposals. He has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the IOC model from the beginning, initially serving as one of the first Case-Management Directors for the newly formed NET Community Care. When NET was awarded the CUA for the Strawberry Mansion section of the city, Chris moved into that region which is also the region where Chris was born and raised. Chris was eventually named CUA Director in August of 2017 and more recently promoted to the newly created position of Executive Director of NET Community Care, in which he leads and oversees both CUA regions. Chris, has a Bachelors in Social Relations and a Master of Public Administration from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Master of Special Education from Saint Joseph’s University.

Gina Williams, began her career in child welfare in 2001, as a direct services worker in the Services to Children in their own Homes (SCOH) program. From there in 2002, Gina, transitioned to the Department of Human Services (DHS) where she would remain for the following 16 years. During her 16-year tenure at DHS Gina, held several roles. Gina, starting as an investigative worker in Intake and eventually transitioned to hotline, Ongoing Services, Adoptions, and at the JJSC as a Community Based Detention Liaison. In 2013, Gina, was selected to support the DHS’ efforts in reducing congregate care through Expediated Meeting Facilitation. Through that work Gina, gained an appreciation for DHS’ planned shift to a single case management model through the implementation of the Improving Outcomes for Children (IOC) initiative and development of the CUAs.

After earning a Master of Social Work degree in 2018, Gina, joined NET Community Care (NCC), Inc., as a Case Management Supervisor (CMS). As a CMS Gina, demonstrated natural leadership skills and a knack for strategic planning. In 2019, Gina, was again promoted to Case Management Director at NCC CUA-1. Under her leadership, CUA 1 saw a significant increase in the safety domains of annual evaluation (the DHS Scorecard), which heavily impacted CUA 1’s rating of 5 bells in FY 2020 and 2021. Additionally, Gina supported NCC in the implementation of the Family Engagement Initiative (FEI) and served as the FEI lead for NCC CUA-1. In December 2021, Gina, was promoted to CUA Director of NCC Region -1.

After graduating from Fayetteville State University in 2000, Emily Lyons, moved to Philadelphia to begin her child welfare career at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and has been involved and committed to servicing children and families ever since. Emily’s, career at DHS started as an intake worker. From there Emily, would eventually enroll and graduate from Widener University with a Master of Social Work degree which enabled Emily, to exercise her talents on a supervisory level at DHS. For over 10 years, Emily supervised in the ongoing services region, staff development (DHSU), and the Education Support Center.

After 16 years of working at DHS Emily, became a trainer at the Child Welfare Resource Center (CWRC) where she would use her knowledge and experience to train others just entering the field of child welfare or to build capacity in peers as they seek to enhance their skills as social workers. In 2017, Emily, joined Net Community Care (NCC), Inc., as a Case Management Director (CMD) for CUA region 7. Emily’s, knowledge, and skills had an immediate impact on the entire agency and help CUA 7, become a consistent 4 and 5 bell agency. Prior to child welfare,

Emily worked as a GED/ABE instructor for persons on Probation and Pre-Trial Release. In December 2021, Emily, was promoted to CUA Director of NCC Region -7.