Meet Our Staff
Guardianship
- Nicole Iole MS.Ed. , Director of Guardianship Service
- Therese Bissonnette, Guardianship Caseworker
- Patty McKeown, BSW, Guardianship Caseworker
- Rosalyn K. Rabinowitz, Fiscal Assistant
- Rebecca Schmezer, Guardianship Caseworker
Nicole Iole MS.Ed.
Director of Guardianship Service
Nicole Iole is the Program Director of Guardianship Services at Jewish Family & Children's Service. In this role, Nicole is responsible for developing and supervising all aspects of the program along with maintaining county and state compliance for her clients who have been deemed mentally incapacitated by the court system. Nicole also maintains relationships with other mental health/mental retardation (MH/MR) providers and other community organizations in order to maintain an awareness of community resources available for our clients.
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 over 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.
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 along with being certified through the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Therese Bissonnette
Guardianship Caseworker
Therese Bissonnette is a caseworker in the Guardianship department. She is responsible for ensuring that guardianship clients are receiving the services needed to meet their health, comfort and safety; and are provided with opportunities to meet their highest potential. As a guardianship caseworker, Therese is also responsible for making health care, residential and other decisions for individuals.
Before taking this position, Therese worked as a resource coordinator for the Personal Assistance Service (PAS) Program at JF&CS, a program that provides in-home geriatric care to eligible seniors. Prior to coming to JF&CS, Therese worked with homeless women with mental illness, providing case management, housing development and systems advocacy. Therese's professional background is a blend of social service and business experience, having held administrative director positions in both sectors.
Therese is completing her bachelor's degree in Social Work at Carlow University.
Patty McKeown, BSW
Guardianship Caseworker
Patty McKeown is a caseworker in the Guardianship department. She is responsible for ensuring that guardianship client's are receiving the services needed to meet their health, comfort and safety; and are provided with opportunities to meet their highest potential. As a guardianship caseworker, Patty is also responsible for making health care, residential and other decisions for individuals.
Patty's experience in providing services for individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities dates back 26 years. Patty has worked in a residential placement, sheltered workshop, day program and outpatient services for individuals with dual diagnoses (MH/DD). Patty also worked for Allegheny County Office of Behavioral Health to assist with the Mayview State Hospital closure and placing individuals back in the community.
Patty received her bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh.
Rosalyn K. Rabinowitz
Fiscal Assistant
Rosalyn Rabinowitz is the fiscal assistant for the Guardianship program of Jewish Family and Children's Service. In this capacity she is responsible for all fiscal operations dealing with the clients. She ensures that all bills are paid for the clients. She balances all statements, works with the financial institutions and legal representation to ensure that all requirements of the county and the Court are in compliance.
Rosalyn has worked as a manager for Western Union. Additionally, she and her husband have owned many corporations in which Rosalyn was the chief executive officer in charge of all accounts payable/receivable as well as managing a staff of over 25 employees.
Rebecca Schmezer
Guardianship Caseworker
Rebecca is a caseworker in the Guardianship department. In this capacity, she ensures through visits and phone conversations that all the clients' needs are being met. She visits clients, monitors their care, advocates on client’s behalf, reviews medical records and has ongoing communications with medical professionals. Rebecca along with other staff form a team that makes medical decisions and financial decisions on behalf of the clients.
Previously, Rebecca worked at Family Links and Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh providing care management to persons with disabilities, advocating for clients and ensuring that all services were provided in a safe, client-centered environment within regulatory standards and guidelines.
Rebecca acquired her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State University.
