
Staff
Offering a premium program to teach at risk teens
to advocate for themselves and take control of their futures requires
a team approach that values creativity, inclusion, and concrete
outcomes.

Betsy Krebs, Esq.– Co-Founder & Executive
Director
BKrebs@youthadvocacycenter.org
Collaborating with teens, child welfare professionals, advocates,
lawyers, and professionals in the private sector, Betsy has led
the development of YAC’s program to help teens succeed through self-advocacy
education for over ten years. In 2000 the Open Society Institute,
George Soros’ foundation, awarded Betsy an Individual Project Fellowship
to write about the impact of foster care on teenagers and the development
of alternatives for teens in care. Before starting Youth Advocacy
Center, she worked as an attorney representing foster care children.
Betsy has authored columns, articles and publications for and about
teenagers in foster care and about self-advocacy. Ms. Krebs received
her JD from Harvard Law School.
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Paul Pitcoff, Esq.– Co-Founder & Director
of Education
PPitcoff@youthadvocacycenter.org
Working with teens and a range of professionals at YAC, Paul developed
and oversees the implementation of the Getting Beyond the System
self-advocacy education model. Paul has thirty years of experience
working with young people, as a college professor, filmmaker and
attorney. Paul is founding chair of the Department of Communications
at Adelphi University, where he held a tenured position for 20 years
and produced dozens of award-winning documentary films. Paul’s interest
in self-advocacy and teens developed after he graduated from Cardozo
Law School and briefly worked as an attorney representing foster
care children.
Susan Ross – Program Coordinator
SRoss@youthadvocacycenter.org
Ms. Ross is actively involved in helping organizations around the
country understand how to use the Getting Beyond the System®
Self-Advocacy Seminar to empower teens to prepare for the transition
to adulthood. She has five years experience working with youth.
Prior to joining Youth Advocacy Center, Susan worked as an educator
at both nonprofit organizations and public schools.
Kendall Franklin - Youth Outreach Coordinator
KFranklin@youthadvocacycenter.org
Mr. Franklin graduated from the GBS Self-Advocacy Seminar in the
spring of 2005 and then became an intern at Youth Advocacy Center.
Kendall has been a staff member for more than a year and has been
an integral part of Youth Advocacy Center’s outreach efforts.
His efforts are geared towards helping Youth Advocacy Center reach
and benefit even more of America’s youth. Kendall is currently
a Senior accounting major at Hunter College and would like to pursue
a career in business or working with youth.
Rachel Silagyi – Program Assistant
RSilagyi@youthadvocacycenter.org
Ms. Silagyi brings to Youth Advocacy Center her energy and enthusiasm
for helping foster youth, and a background in health and human services.
Rachel has previous experience working directly with youth in therapeutic
foster care at Child and Family Services in Virginia. She supports
Youth Advocacy Center’s program, communications and development
work.