Penn Stater honored for helping Pennsylvania’s child support workers

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For more than three decades, Penn State’s Diane Sinkus has helped Pennsylvania’s child support professionals navigate complex cases, learn new systems and build the skills they need to better serve families.

Sinkus, a training specialist with the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Training Institute (PACSETI) in the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute (JASI), was recognized for her longstanding contributions to the professional development of Pennsylvania’s child support workforce with the Patrick W. Quinn Intergovernmental Excellence Award from the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania (DRAP).

Through its partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Enforcement and DRAP, PACSETI provides training and resources designed to help child support professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed to serve Pennsylvania families.

“On behalf of DRAP, I know how much the Domestic Relations Section Offices appreciate Diane for going above and beyond in sharing her knowledge and support with all of us. Diane has been a valued resource for training us on intergovernmental topics,” said Robin Kelly, director of Chester County Domestic Relations and DRAP president. “This award is another reflection on how the partnership we have with PACSETI contributes to the successful outcomes we can provide to families in Pennsylvania.”

The award honors the legacy of the late Patrick W. Quinn, a longtime Pennsylvania public-sector leader who spent much of his career working in family court administration and child support, and as a PACSETI instructor.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Sinkus said. “I knew Patrick Quinn and worked alongside him on some of our training products. So, for me, it is incredibly special.”

John Sankey, PACSETI program director, said Sinkus’ dedication to her work mirrors that of the award’s namesake.

“Diane and Pat shared a passion and an unwavering focus on ensuring children and families receive the support they need through consistent, efficient, effective and professional services,” Sankey said. “They also shared a belief in the importance of a knowledgeable workforce, consistent practice and strong relationships across jurisdictions.”

Sinkus began her career in child support in 1991 as a conference officer with the Centre County Domestic Relations Section. She joined JASI in August 2002 and has spent more than two decades helping develop the knowledge and skills of Pennsylvania’s child support professionals through PACSETI.

Her work includes developing and reviewing curriculum, delivering training and Train-the-Trainer programs and collaborating with instructional designers, multimedia specialists, technology teams, commonwealth partners and other organizations. She also has represented PACSETI at state, regional and national child support conferences.

Sankey said that her combination of experience and expertise has made her an important resource for child support professionals working through complicated cases.

“Whether she's in a training or helping someone work through a real case, Diane's focus is ultimately the same: making sure people have the knowledge and skills they need to better serve children and families,” Sankey said.

Sinkus said much of her work involves helping professionals find answers when they encounter challenges.

“I know that I do my very best to answer questions I receive about the challenges a domestic relations worker may be having with an intergovernmental case,” she said. “I take the time to research all available resources before responding, then provide that information to them so they have it for future reference.”

That can include legal references, policy information and federal guidance.

“I try to make a complicated topic easier to understand while ensuring we follow the rules and processes as required,” Sinkus said.

Her approach reflects PACSETI’s broader mission of supporting the professional development of Pennsylvania’s child support workforce. For Sinkus, the award also recognizes the collaborative nature of that work.

“I think this honor reflects PACSETI’s commitment to recognizing the importance of supporting our learners’ development and helping them to better serve Pennsylvania’s child support program and the families they support,” she said. “None of us does this work alone.”

Learn more about the work Sinkus and the rest of the team do to make an impact for Pennsylvania families on the PACSETI website.