Shanley will Oversee Legal Affairs Unit, Rochelle Assumes Oversight of CPS

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, the Erie County Department of Social Services announced an overhaul of its management assignments to improve coordination between its Legal Affairs Unit and its other program areas, as well as increase management focus to its Child Protective Services Unit.

First Deputy Commissioner Judith Shanley, Esq., will add oversight over the Department’s Legal Affairs Unit to her management portfolio. Shanley, a University at Buffalo Law School graduate, has more than twenty years of legal and managerial experience. Her current managerial responsibilities also include Children’s Services, Adoption-Home-Finding, Adult Protection Services, Youth Detention, and Youth Bureau Services.

Second Deputy Commissioner Sharon Rochelle will assume oversight responsibility for the Child Protective Services unit from Shanley. Rochelle, who began her career as a child protective services caseworker, recently worked at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services where she monitored Child Protective Service agencies. With the recent Legislature approval of 37 new CPS staff members, Rochelle will be solely focused on integrating the new staff members into the current workforce while reducing caseloads.

First Deputy Commissioner Marie Cannon and Assistant Commissioner Mary Ellen Brockmyre will assume responsibility over the Human Resource Development and Personnel Units.

The changes will go into effect on Monday, June 30, 2014.