Board President
Lori DeShong
Lori DeShong is the Early Head Start and Parents as Teachers Program Manager for the Fulton County Family Partnership. Lori’s qualities are interpersonal skills, integrity, independent mindedness and collaboration. Lori has worked for the Fulton County Partnership for the last 18 years. Lori has concentrated on bringing innovative ideas and best practice to home-based parenting programs in Fulton County. Lori graduated nursing school in 1996. Since then, she has grown professionally by becoming a First Aid and CPR Instructor. She works with the local childcare in Fulton County as a PQAS instructor. Lori is a Professional Development Specialist for the Council of Professional Recognition Child Development Associate. Lori has sat on the Bedford Fulton Head Start Policy Council. Lori also participates in the Fulton Partners group.
Lori devotes time to her family and has passion for rescued animals.
Lori may be reached through the Mental Health Association of Franklin and Fulton Counties.
Vice President
Barbara Johncour
Ms. Johncour has worked in social services since graduating with a degree in Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. Early in her career, Barbara worked for a County Board of Assistance, served on the Board of Directors for one of the early day programs for young children with mental health and intellectual disabilities and for a County Department of Children and Youth Services, was a director of volunteer services at a hospital and long term care facility, served as a case manager for those with developmental disabilities and was a director/manager of a hospice program. As her career and expertise became focused on children and youth with mental health and behavioral challenges, Barbara served as a county Child and Adolescent Service System Coordinator (CASSP) and for many years was a children’s services specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) in the Harrisburg Field Office and the Bureau of Children’s Services.
More recently, Ms. Johncour devotes her time to her family and friends , the MHA Board of Directors and ,as a Grief Recovery Specialist, facilitates Grief Recovery Method group sessions. Barbara may be reached through the Mental Health Association of Franklin and Fulton Counties.
Secretary
Lauren E. Sulcove, Esq.
Lauren Sulcove is a partner at Black and Davison, P.C., a law firm located in Chambersburg. She became a licensed attorney in 2004, after graduating from Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. She began her career as a prosecutor specializing in family violence, domestic assault, and homicide cases. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in Franklin County, and later as the First Assistant District Attorney, from 2007 to 2017. Lauren had the opportunity to practice as a Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General from 2017 to 2019, where she represented Pennsylvania State Police troopers as well as corrections officers employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. In 2019, Lauren accepted a position at Black and Davison, P.C., where she currently practices family law and estate administration. In addition, she serves as guardian ad litem for children involved in custody disputes, and as mental health counsel for inmates at the Franklin County Jail.
Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband Jerrold, who is also a partner at Black and Davison, P.C. In the past, they adopted and raised two greyhounds and are currently “parenting” a black lab mix named Lady Bird (a.k.a. Birdie).
Treasurer
Melissa Masters
At Large Members
Jennifer S. Buffenbarger, Ed. D.
Dr. Buffenbarger primary career has been in nursing. Her nursing career began as a LPN in upstate New York, working on the Medical/Surgical Unit in a local hospital. With her husband being in the military and assigned overseas, her studies continued through military affiliated universities. Whilst overseas, Dr. Buffenbarger volunteered with American Red Cross, and supported various Army clinics to include vaccination of soldiers deploying to combat areas. On return to USA (Arizona), Dr. B. worked in long-term skilled facilities, earning certification in Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. B. transitioned into hospital based medical/surgical nursing as a LPN and then as RN when she passed her nursing boards. Her husband was re-assignment to South Carolina. Dr. B. initially continued with medical/surgical nursing, and with successful completion of critical care course, transferred into critical care. On her husband’s retirement, they both transferred to Shippensburg, PA. Dr. B. career path continued in hospital-based nursing with multiple career experiences: Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Out-patient surgery center, Educator, Director Medical/Surgical/Rehabilitation Units, and Nursing Supervisor over the course of 14 ½ years. During this timeframe, Dr. B. earned her MSN and Ed.D.
Dr. B changed her career path 3 ½ years ago, by joining Wilson College Nursing Department as one of their full-time Assistant Professors. Dr. B. teaches the first year of nursing, mental health nursing course, and functions as a clinical instructor for these sections.
Dr. B. serves on the Franklin County Suicide Coalition, and most recently, accepted to be one of the board members for the Mental Health Association of Franklin and Fulton Counties.
Dr. B. is affiliated with American Holistic Nursing Association and is currently enrolled in their Integrate Healing Arts Program for Holistic Nursing, focusing on the Mind, Body, Spirit, and Emotions.
Dr. B. may be reached through the Mental Health Association of Franklin and Fulton Counties.
Beth Jaczun
Beth Jaczun joined the Mental Health Association Board of Directors in January 2020 and is currently serving as Treasurer. Mrs. Jaczun has an accounting degrees from Penn State University and worked as an auditor with the department of Agriculture’s Diary Division for 10 years. Mrs. Jaczun and her family lived in central Maryland for 28 years during which time she served as the Director of Children’s & Youth ministries at her local church. Mrs. Jaczun and her husband moved to Franklin County in 2016 and she is currently employed by Central Presbyterian Church as their Finance Administrator.
Mrs. Jaczun can be reached through the Mental Health Association of Franklin and Fulton Counties.
Sheri Morgan
Stephanie States
Stephanie States joined the Mental Health Association Board in May 2023. Stephanie is currently the Director of Student Support Services for the Waynesboro Area School District. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Education with a
focus on Special Education both from Shippensburg University. She also possesses an Educational Administration certification (K-12) and a Special Education Supervisory certification, also from Shippensburg University.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time reading, watching football, and taking walks with her Goldendoodle (Stoney).
