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
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.
At Large Members
Chris Boryan, MPA
Chris is the Grants & Donor Relations Manager for the Fulton County Medical Center Foundation. He started his career in fundraising in the fall of 2014. His past experiences include retail and distribution management, as well as work for a defense supplier. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a BS in Ag Economics and an MPA from Shippensburg University. Growing up in Chambersburg, Chris now enjoys volunteering and spending time with his wife and daughters at their home in western Franklin County.
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.
Krista M. Gordon
Krista Gordon received her undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Messiah University. Soon after, Mrs. Gordon pursued a Master Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She previously served as a Nutrition Educator for Penn State University before transitioning into the Behavioral Services field. Mrs. Gordon was raised in Fulton County and has a genuine love for serving the community. She is also passionate about health, fitness, and the outdoors.
Michelle Leigh Little MS, LPC
Michelle Little is a Licensed Professional Counselor, serving clients in the Chambersburg area for the last decade. For the past four years she has run a private practice, using Biofeedback and Psychotherapy to help individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, attention issues, and trauma. Her education and professional experiences have centered around techniques and modalities that strengthen the mind-body connection. She is a former Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and her Master’s degree is in this field as well. Mrs. Little has used Neurofeedback (a specific type of Biofeedback) since 2003 and was able to use this long-lasting treatment in a public mental health setting, before starting her private practice. She is passionate about education and outreach on the topics of stress physiology and the psycho-bio-behavioral implications of trauma, and regularly volunteers time to speak on these subjects.
Outside of work, Mrs. Little enjoys many interests such as sailing, hiking, walking around town, reading, cooking, and sewing. Because she is a Type 1 Diabetic, Mrs. Little strives to maintain a healthy work/life balance. This being a driving reason to continue running her private practice out of her home. Her experiences as a T1D are an evolving learning curve, from her initial diagnosis at the age of 14. Many of those experiences were less than positive but helped shape her holistic viewpoint. Self-care is something Mrs. Little strives to be a positive example of, for community members and for her family.
Mrs. Little joined the MHAFF Board of Directors in 2018
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).
