- P.L. 1987 C.370 established the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission in the Executive Branch of the State Government to administer the Fund and establish a program by which the public may have access to this financial resource. Though placed under the Department of Human Services the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission is independent of the departments' supervision or control.
- The Commission consists of 12 members, 7 of whom are appointed from the public and are non-salaried. A public member, elected by the Commission is Chairperson. The other 5 members are the Commissioners of Human Services, Health and Senior Services, Banking and Insurance, Children and Families, and the State Treasurer.
- The Commission makes all final decisions on eligibility and the amount of financial assistance. The State Office, led by the Executive Director, administers the Fund on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Commission.
Since 1989, when the first awards were granted, the Fund has assisted more than 10,000 families with more than $200 million in uncovered expenses.
CICRF Commission Members
- Janice Prontnicki, MD, Public Member, Chairperson
- Phyllis Shanley Hansell, Ed.D, R.N., Public Member, Vice-Chairperson
- Carl Underland, Public Member
- Ralph J. Condo, Public Member
- Howard Weinberg, D.O., FACC, Public Member
- Valerie Mielke, Department of Human Services Designee
- Kidanemariam Meshesha, Department of Health and Senior Services Designee
- Jeffery Carrick, Department of Children and Families Designee
- Manuel Paulino, Department of Banking and Insurance Designee
- Anthony Valenzuela, Department of Treasury Designee
CICRF State Office Staff
- Christian Heiss, MPH, CPH, Executive Director
- LorieAnn Wilkerson-Leconte, MPH, Deputy Executive Director
- Carmen I. Santiago, Executive Assistant
- Janet Valentin-Forté, Secretary to the Commission
- Amy Taklif, MSW, LSW, Senior Analyst
- Kristin Groenhoff, MSW; LSW; Analyst
- Renée Davidson, MSW, LSW; Analyst
- Tracy Weber, MSW, LSW; Analyst
- John Fallucca, Fiscal Manager
- Amy Kaelin, MSW; Provider Relations Specialist
- Dominique Goss, Program Specialist