Meet Dan Sylvester-PAPSRS Executive Director

Dan Sylvester has served as Executive Director of PAPSRS (The Pennsylvania Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services) since April, 2007. The hiring of an Executive Director was an important goal of PAPSRS and supported by recent Strategic planning done by the organization. The new Executive Director has been charged with the responsibility to implement the various other strategic goals of PAPSRS.
Dan recently retired as the Executive Director of Hedwig House, Inc., a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Agency in Montgomery County, PA. Dan has an undergraduate degree from Villanova University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), member of the Association of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP).

Dan began his career in the Pennsylvania State Hospital system in the mid-sixties as a caseworker. He has subsequently worked in New Jersey where he was an Outpatient Therapist and also established psychosocial aftercare programs. He returned to Pennsylvania, and has served as Executive Director of Base Service Units in Delaware County (Community Life Services) and Bucks County (Lenape Valley Foundation), before assuming his position at Hedwig House from 1992 to 2007.

Dan has served as Board member and Officer for the Pennsylvania Community Providers Association (PCPA); the Montgomery County Providers Association (MAX); and the Montgomery County Consumer Satisfaction Team. He also served as President of the PAPSRS and had served on the PAPSRS Board for many years.
Considering his more than 35 years of Human Services experience which has included Inpatient, Outpatient, Nursing Home, MR, and D&A, Dan feels that his time spent in Psychiatric Rehabilitation has been the most pleasant, satisfying, and rewarding.

PAPSRS congratulates the almost 700 individuals, who have completed training as Certified Peer Specialists. The PAPSRS Board of Directors wishes to invite and encourage these new and potential practitioners to become members of PAPSRS. The Board has unanimously agreed to subsidize first year membership dues.

Psychiatric Rehabilitation services have a tradition of peer support, and PAPSRS has participated in, and strongly supports the state’s efforts to provide initial training and to encourage employment of Peer Specialists. In addition, PAPSRS recognizes that these new workers will want and need the opportunity for continued training, skills and certification to continue their career development. We believe that membership in PAPSRS, and our national affiliate USPRA (United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association) will afford CPS’s this opportunity through discounted conference attendance, training, publications and preparation for certification as CPRP (Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner). Members also receive important public policy alerts and have access to networking with colleagues and potential employers.

If a CPS is not yet employed, they are eligible to be an Associate Member of PAPSRS/USPRA, the usual annual membership dues for an Associate Member is $30, HOWEVER, we will pay the first year dues for an Associate member.

If a CPS is employed, but their employer is not an Organizational member of PAPSRS/USPRA, the CPS is eligible to apply as an Individual Member, which would usually be $90 per year. HOWEVER, if a CPS wishes to join as an Individual Member, PAPSRS will pay half of your first year’s dues. You will pay $45, and PAPSRS will match your $45.

Here is what a CPS needs to do:
Get a USPRA/PAPSRS Membership Application form:
- print it from www.USPRA.org ………..or
- email PAPSRS at papsrs@comcast.net…or
- call PAPSRS at 1-888-490-0404
Complete the Membership Application and send it to PAPSRS :
- Mail your Application to: PAPSRS, P.O. Box 8071, Philadelphia, PA 19101
- In order to be eligible for financial help from PAPSRS, do not complete your application on-line, or send it directly to USPRA
- If you are applying for an Individual Membership, your application must include your payment of $45.

PAPSRS will process your application promptly and you will receive notification of your membership in BOTH your state association (PAPSRS) and your national association (USPRA).

We think PAPSRS is a natural fit for Certified Peer Specialists and can provide excellent opportunities for future professional growth.