Featured Staff Member
Meet Nicole Iole
Nicole is the helping hand that some people may
need but may not know how to ask for. As the Program Director of
Guardianship Services at Jewish Family & Children's Service,
Nicole advocates for those who have been deemed mentally
incapacitated by the court system, ensuring their quality of life
and safety and keeping connected them to the community.
Nicole is responsible for developing and supervising all aspects of the guardianship program, including maintaining county and state compliance; and maintaining relationships with other mental health/mental retardation (MH/MR) providers and other community organizations. JF&CS may serve as guardianship of person, guardianship of estate or both.
Nicole and her staff strive to make sure all of their clients receive the utmost quality care and services in the least restrictive way for the highest quality of life possible. As guardian, they are legally responsible for all decisions regarding the health and welfare of their client (guardian of person) and for the prudent use and protection of the client’s assets (guardianship of estate). Most frequently, this involves
- Ensuring a safe and suitable environment
- Coordinating and monitoring appropriate services, including personal care
- Making medical decisions, including consent to treatment and end-of-life decisions
- Payment of bills
- Management of assets and property (guardianship of estate)
“Without the guardianship program,” says Nicole, “our clients would have no one overseeing their health and well-being in the community. We get to know every one of our clients and manage every aspect of their daily living needs. We’re on-call 24/7 in case of emergency and make regular visits to ensure clients’ needs are being met. We’ve helping our clients overall with a better life.”
Nicole acquired her bachelor's in psychology and child development from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her master's of science in education in school counseling from Duquesne University. Nicole is certified as a registered Guardian through the National Guardianship Association and certified through the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Prior to her position at JF&CS, Nicole was employed by Family Links, Inc. as an Independent Supports Coordinator for dually diagnosed individuals, both children and adults. At Family Links, she supervised more than 90 MH/MR clients ensuring all physical and mental health needs were provided for along with developing and implementing Support Plans for the County and State Office of Mental Retardation. Nicole also helped in providing IEP plans through the education system for her clients that were under 21. During her tenure, Nicole also worked with the county (through their partnership with Children's Hospital) to develop and implement treatment plans for children who had been physically, mentally or sexually abused.
Nicole also worked closely with the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network to establish an adoption department at Family Links that specialized in the needs of abused children.
