Wendi Buzzanco

Wendi Buzzanco

Interviewer

Wendi is an Interviewer for the Youth and Family Training Institute (YFTI) which is a part of the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked with the team since 2012. Wendi is responsible for conducting interviews covering the Erie County and other Northwestern PA areas for the Pennsylvania Care Partnership and the Erie-Luzerne System of Care Initiative. She has gained a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in interview techniques, data collection, and report completion through her numerous years of conducting these interviews. She demonstrates understanding and sensitivity to individuals and families who are dealing with mental health and behavioral issues. She is flexible and accommodating when scheduling interviews for families who are experiencing difficult situations.

Wendi has lived in Erie, PA all of her life and has raised three daughters. She has her own personal experience with the mental health system due to the special needs of her adopted daughter, who is blind and suffers with multiple disabilities. Wendi has a vast amount of experience in working with the educational and service delivery programs. She has been a strong advocate for her daughter and numerous individuals with disabilities who have needed services throughout her career.

Wendi has also worked in Pennsylvania State Government for over 26 years. She worked as a Caseworker for the PA Department of Welfare as well as in the rehabilitation field with the PA Department of Labor and Industry in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) helping individuals with disabilities and major life challenges work towards successful independent lives. She retired as an Administrative Supervisor monitoring numerous programs to provide needed services to individuals. In college, she majored in Mental Health Counseling and recently completed a 12 week training program with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) titled” Family to Family” to expand her knowledge about individuals who are suffering with various mental Illnesses.

Additionally, Wendi works as a Sports Photographer for Action Shots Sports Photography covering numerous events for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association such as wrestling, swimming, golf, tennis, football, baseball, basketball, track & field along with cheerleading and gymnastic competitions and various community events.