Carbon County has named a new administrator to head its Children and Youth Department.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners approved moving Jill M. Geissinger of Lehighton from a county caseworker supervisor I to the administrator in the department, effective Monday. Geissinger fills the position, which opened following the termination of Sallianne Schatz Newton last month. She will be paid $24.09 per hour.

“We feel we made a good decision,” said Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein, who said that the county had two in-house applications who were both strong candidates.

Geissinger, after the meeting on Thursday, said she was honored for the chance to lead the department.

“I have loved meeting and working with the Carbon County community as a caseworker and casework supervisor these past few years,” she said. “My background in criminal justice and psychology will help to maintain our strength based and trauma informed focus.”

Geissinger is an active member in not only her department, but in the county community, serving as a member of the Carbon County Collaborative, which brings various agencies serving everyone from children to senior citizens together.

“I will continue to have conversations with nonprofits and community based services and make use of all the good our community has to offer to help our families in need,” she said. “I plan to continue with our agency’s mission to protect, promote and provide for the safety and well-being of the children in Carbon County and engage and support families with meaningful services that help families stay together.”

Looking forward, Geissinger encourages families who would like to help children in need of care to become foster parents. To learn more about this opportunity, call the Children and Youth office at 570-325-3644 and ask for an application.

In addition, anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect should call the state ChildLine Hotline at 800-932-0313.

“I want to thank the Carbon County Commissioners for their support as we as an agency look to move forward and continue our fight to reduce and prevent child abuse and neglect,” Geissinger said.

Other Children and Youth matters

In addition to naming a new administrator, the commissioners and salary board acted on a number of department items, all effective April 6 unless otherwise noted.

• Change the rate of one county caseworker supervisor I from $20.82 per hour to $17.98 per hour.

• Abolish the position of acting administrator II at $27.12 per hour.

• Establish the position of one county caseworker I at $14.53 per hour, effective April 2.

• Abolish the position of one county caseworker II at $20.30 per hour, effective April 2.

• Establish the position of two county caseworker II at $16.02 per hour, effective May 6.

• Abolish the position of two county caseworker I at $14.53 per hour, effective May 7.

• Approve the change of status for Marianne Grabarits of Walnutport from acting administrator II to county casework supervisor I.