2008 Elida M. Evans

         Elida M. Evans, State College Area High School class of 1962, received her B.A. degree from Penn State in 1969, and, during the next 35 years, she held various positions at Laurelton Center (Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare), including Vocational Evaluator, Asst. Dir. Vocational-Rehab Services, Psychology Services Associate II, and Training Specialist.  During those same years, she received her M.Ed. degree in Psychology and Counseling from Penn State (1972), served as Counselor Education Intern and later as Director of Group Home with Skills of Central PA in Bellefonte (1972-76).  Following that, she was a Paraprofessional & Secondary School Counselor Intern at State College Area High School (1976-79).

      In 1985, Ms. Evans transferred to the New Castle Youth Development Center (a facility for adjudicated male delinquents), was later promoted to Unit Manager, Director of Operations and Support Services, and then served as Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services.

      Ms. Evans has been a trainer and presenter for: Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education Network; Juvenile Justice Training and Research Program (through Shippensburg State University); Camp Hill Training Academy (for Pa. Dept. of Corrections); Association for the Behavioral Treatment of Sexual Abusers and Northwest Treatment Associates; National Research and Data Conference for the Evaluation and Treatment of Sexual Abusers; and Ohio Peace Officer Training Council. 

            Ms. Evans has served on policy committees for the Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families, and has received its Director’s Award of Merit (1986), along with Youth Development Center/Youth Forestry Camp Student Profile Survey Award (1988).  The Pennsylvania Association of Probation, Parole and Corrections named her Juvenile Corrections Professional of the Year (2004) and the American Correctional Association listed her as one of Pennsylvania’s “Best in the Business” (2004).