Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 10 )uly '85 15

Young Administrator Likes Helping People

By JACK SMYTH CAPE MAY — Patricia Devaney does not like labels or people who use them to characterize others. And in point of fact it is difficult to label her. She is a young, professional public administrator who is completely dedicated to her job. "My life is my work," she said recently in an interview. Her choice of a career in social work was motivated by altruism. Yet she has no problems at all working under Republican administrators despite the fact that at least on the national level. Republicans have slashed social programs. LIKE MANY people in government positions, she lapses into the deadening lingo of bureaucrats when talking about what she does. But her taste in reading, entertainment and cultural diversion indicates an acute and sophisticated intelligence. At 33, Devaney as Human Services administrator is one of the youngest persons to head a division of Cape May County government. She oversees the spending of about $1 million annually in funds for mental health, alcoholism, and social service programs. If The Sandal Fits.,. TRENTON - The state Public Advocate is looking into instances where resorts charge exhorbitant beach fees or restrict parking access to beaches. Cooperation from the Department of Environmental Protection is anticipated to cut off funds for beach restoration in resorts restricting access. Independence Day TRENTON — A 70-year-old Marmora man became the state's 200th millionaire lottery winner on the 4th of July. Retired widower John Jacklyn, who won $2.2 million over 20 years, said he planned to buy a new Chevy and invest in an annuity to give financial security to his only child, a 30-year-old Philadelphia businessman. Jacklyn bought the ticket at Family Video Center in Marmora. Lightning Strikes 3 WILDWOOD CREST - One man died and a woman was critically injured Monday night when they were struck by lightning in the ocean off Orchid Road. Lawrence Ball, 19, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Rebecca Hughes, 18, of Pennsylvania, were struck around 9:30 p.m. Ball was pronounced dead at 10:10 p.m. at Burdette Tomlin Hospital. Earlier that evening, James Howell of New York was struck as he stood outside the Wildwood transportation center. Hughes and Howell remained in critical condition yesterday morning. Judicial Changes ATLANTIC CITY — Chief Justice Robert Wilentz announced Monday that Judge Philip A. Gruccio, Superior Court, assignment judge for Atlantic and Cape May counties, will be elevated to the Appellate Division on Sept. 1. He will be replaced by Judge Richard J. Williams, presently presiding judge of the family division of Superior Court in Cape May and Atlantic counties. Jet Skier Injured WILDWOOD CREST - A 21-vear-old Wildwood resident was reported in stable condition yesterday morning at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital after a fall while jet skiing in Sunset Lake Monday. Elizabeth Eszlari reportedly was skiing with a friend from Philadelphia. Lisa Handel, who held Eszlari's head above water until help arrived.

Being in a position to help people pleases her. "You can see the results." she said last week. "You feel you're not just a bureaucrat pushing papers. You can get something done." HUMAN SERVICES can be explained as simply as government doing things to help people who need it. "But I don't think there are 10 people who know what it means." she said. "It's so hard to define, and the bottom line is so nebulous. You can never prove that a program stopped a kid from being an alcoholic, and that's why human services has such a bad name." One of the challenges Devaney and her co-workers face is devising programs for and successfully treating what she calls "the young adult chronic chemical abuser." They are usually from 18 to 35 years of age, with a history of drug abuse, not much family support, transient, and perhaps most important of all. very resistant to traditional treatment programs, Devaney said. "IN THE PAST, the system was geared to people who were submissive, dominated by programs, not totally motivated, and they did well in programs, and did what the programs offered," she said. One of the problems that have to be overcome with drug abusers, Devaney said, is that "they don't see themselves as mentally ill people." As much time is spent trying to find innovative ways of reaching this type of person. attracting them to treatment, and keeping them until they get well as in actual treatment, Devaney said. ANOTHER NEW and relatively little known aspect of human services is providing what is called respite care. "It is giving a break to the care giver — the parent who is taking care of a mentally ill relative. And it means allowing them to go to the store, or just get away for the weekend," said Devaney. One of the things that Devaney is proudest of since taking charge of her division of county government in March has been the release into the community of mental health patients at Ancora State Psychiatric Hospital. "These were generally manic depressives or schizophrenics, and I saw a perspective of what it's like not to be free," she said. Despite the menacing sound of their illnesses, Devaney said that as long as they are on medication, they are no threat to the community. "Certainly they are not scary people." she safd. "It's only the community perception they are scary that makes them what they are." DEVANEY INSISTS that at both the state and county level there have been no cutbacks in funding for human services "I know there is more state money in human services than ever before, and local money, too." she said. "This year human services got the highest increase ever in state history. About $40 million was given to the Division of Youth and Family Services to combat child abuse and neglect." Devaney said. At the county level. Devaney said there recently has been a "significant increase in services. "Especially mental health and alcoholism which have been expanded from nothing." she said. "There are still t other areas that need mere programs. " Long-term community based care for the aging population and adolescent and family services "are areas that still need refinement," she said. PLANNING AT the county level for local needs has become a priority of state government, Devaney said. And as a consequence she spends a lot of time in Trenton "to bring our county's perspective to bear on the development of state policy " In Trenton. Cape May County is known for innovative and coordinated human service programs. Devaney said. "People at the state level tell me I must have a very easy job because local agencies are so responsive to the needs of the people," she said. v Instead of problems or interference from politicians, Devaney said she receives only support. "I guess most people assume that Republicans and human services are contradictory," she said. "But in our county they are not." Devaney is willing to bet "that you can't find many county freeholders like Gerry Thornton who are willing to make home visits themselves and actually sit there and talk to a client about what they need. "

RAISED IN Mt. Ephraim. Devaney got her first county job in 1977 after graduating from a masters program in public administration at the University of Maryland. She worked first as an assistant to Fred Coldren in the Department of Grants and Insurance. When Coldren left in 1980 to become Cape May city manager, she took over as director of the department, and moved into mental health in 1982. "I'd say I was influenced by the 60s," she said. "That's why I picked human services. I think they made me want to help people who weren't as fortunate as I was." A slight woman with unmistakable traces of her Irish heritage in her facial features. Devaney doesn't have a TV. spends a lot of time reading and listening to music, and works out on Nautilus equipment five days a week. "I think it is a good stress reliever, and it's what everybody is doing these days." she said of her exercise regimen. She rejects the notion that it classifies her as a conformist. "If everybody is doing it. and it makes sense, you're not a conformist." she said. IN ADDITION to reading a lot of the literature in her career field, Devaney reads the Atlantic Monthly. New York magazine, and the East Village Eye. Her preference in music includes Philip Glass, Bryan Eno, "and British artists like The Smiths and New Order." Her parents immigrated to the U.S. from County Mayo, Republic of Ireland, about 1945. "Because everybody leaves Ireland," she said, explaining her parents' action. "My Dad tossed a coin between Australia and the United States, and the United States won," she said. Her father, who is currently building an addition to the family house, worked as an erector checking blueprints for large boilers used to generate electricity for Combustion Engineering Inc "We always had Irish music around the house as we were growing up." Devaney said. "My parents were the kind of people who thought there was nothing wrong with being Irish." SHE HAS A BROTHER. Michael. 31.

who is an electrical engineer and lives in New York City. "He provides me with a wonderful resource when I get cabin fever in the winter in Cape May. I go to see all the shows," she said Her sister. Mary, 35. is an operating room nurse with Copper Medical Center in Camden. \ „ Devaney came tooBe May initially to see if she could stand the winters She found she could, and she learned to love the place "THERE ARE so many people with alternative perspectives on life here." slje said. "It offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge beyond what your job is if you just connect with them." she added. "Do Gooder." is a term that she knows has been applied to people in her line of work, and she doesn't reject it. But she also believes in accountability. "That means that you make sure that government is one of the last stops (for service), instead of the first," she said.. / jik t3W sit PATRICIA DEVANEY She Can See Results

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