Jill Santiago

My name is Jill Santiago, and I have been married for 40 years to my husband Harry (US Navy RET.). We have seven children, both biological and adopted, ages 39-20. Four of my children are CASD graduates and our family bleeds red and black. I am very proud that we are a transracially diverse family which reflects our community. Our family has lived in Chester County for over 26 years. Living in a culturally diverse area such as Coatesville has been a blessing and provided us with amazing opportunities.

As the parent of children with multiple challenges living in a community, where folks understand and embrace the importance of meeting families where they are and where cultural diversity is valued, has provided our children with unique opportunities, experiences, and access to resources that have helped them grow and achieve their goals for success.

In the past my professional roles/jobs include: Family Advocate Lead Coordinator Chester County (Mental Health Partnership), Retail store management (Manager), Substitute teacher (K-12 public school), Communications and Social Marketing Coordinator (PA Care Partnership/System of Care), Evaluator on the Youth and Family Training Institute evaluation team, Training and Education Coordinator (PA Families Inc.), and Director of Summer Camp and Childcare, Family Group Conferencing Facilitator.

Currently, I am the Family Peer Support Specialist Program Coordinator at the Youth and Family Training Institute of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, PA Care Partnership at the PA Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. I am creating a program, building, and leading the training of a unique workforce of Professional Family Peer Support Specialists (FPSS) by teaching them a set of core competencies to use in their work.

CCAP – Why we are better together:  Special education has been hanging on by a thread here in CASD for a while now.  CCAP knows how important it is for our special education program to be working correctly while using all the supports we can possible secure for our children.  We also feel strongly in advocating for those who have no one to advocate for them.  We see this often with special education, especially in districts like ours.  Our hope is to change this.    

Jill is another longtime community member and activist.  As a Family Peer Support Specialist at the PA Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, her wisdom is limitless!  Her vast knowledge in special education, mental health, and family peer support is indispensable to CCAP.