Advocacy

Sherene Hess is advocating for the people of Indiana County by:

Overseeing the administration and delivery of crucial human services
Expanding the capacity for mental health and drug and alcohol services
Providing for sufficient and continuous justice system operations
Supporting the full participation of all residents in our community
Ensuring the delivery of free and fair elections.

“I will continue to work tirelessly for our community now and for future generations.”

Sherene Hess has stood up for people - for the issues that impact them - including affordable housing, food access, health care, and quality education. She cares about inclusivity and social justice issues as demonstrated by her involvement in many community organizations.

Learn more about Sherene’s plan for investing in our communities.

Food and Housing Assistance

Assist with emergency food aid and housing aid programs

Member, Indiana County Working Group of the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank
Chair, Nominations Committee, Indiana County Community Action Program (ICCAP)
Member, Redevelopment Authority of Indiana County – Housing repair assistance

Human Services

Deliver critical human services that protect the most vulnerable

Participant, Community Disability Awareness Work Group
Advisory Board, Armstrong-Indiana Behavioral Development and Health Program
Board Member, Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission
Steering Committee, Community Healthcare Needs Assessment, Indiana Regional Medical Center
Program Leader, State of Health Resources for Women in Rural Areas, Panel: Public Health Policy Experts and Practitioners, American Association of University Women

Mental Health

Increase investment in mental health community base funding

Second Vice President, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP)
Platform includes focus on mental health issues
Maintain and rebuild the existing safety net of services
Prioritize funding for county mental health programs
Member, National Association of Counties (NACo) – Organization seeking funding for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Community Mental Health Block Grants
Advisory Board, Armstrong-Indiana Behavioral Development and Health Program
Administrative oversight of mental health services that are community oriented and accessible
Expanding the capacity for mental health services

Incarcerated Citizens

Address health-related issues and promote family connections and education

Chair, Indiana County Prison Board

Youth and Seniors

Develop programs and services for youth and seniors

Youth Development & Scholarship Committee, Tri County Workforce Investment Board
Member, Children’s Advisory Commission of Indiana County
Facilitator, Town Hall Meeting: State of Education in Rural Pennsylvania, AAUW
Citizen Advisory Board, Children and Youth Services
Board Member, Aging Services of Indiana County

Inclusion of Citizenry

Advocate for the full participation of all people in our community

Speaker, First Annual Pride Festival in Indiana Borough; Read proclamation affirming the state’s support of LGBTQ+ people
Chair, Equity Committee: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, League of Women Voters
Member, Equity Committee, United Way of Indiana
Vice President, Indiana County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Organizational Founder, Indiana County Advisory Council, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commissions

Election Integrity

Lead Pennsylvania counties in the delivery of free and fair elections

Co-chair, Elections Reform Committee, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
Board of Elections, Indiana County

“It is our responsibility to work together in the future to promote a smoother election process in support of our democracy.” Counties – as the entities that administer our elections – must be at the table for these conversations to help create language that is clear and easily understood and to identify upfront any potential challenges with implementation.”