Inter Agency Council

• Salem County Inter Agency Council began as an informal, voluntary gathering of parents who were frustrated with challenges securing disability services for their children. At the time, the state of New Jersey passed legislation that required all counties to form and operate Human Services Advisory Councils to ensure local communication and accountability for services and programs provided by the NJ Department of Human Services and NJ Department of Children and Families. At the time, Salem County only had a small health department and so it approached the working group of parents along with local service professionals and asked them to officially form as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to serve as the HSAC. Today, IAC embraces the fundamental role as an intermediary strengthening the communications channel between residents, communities, service provider networks, and government partners on the county, regional, state, and federal level. 

• Being present through in person engagements and building authentic relationships
• Listening 
• Stewarding resources wisely by advocating for and investing in interventions that further sustainable transformations and true local resiliency
• Supporting locally driven and collaborative solutions
• Amplifying appreciation for the diversity across Salem County’s unique geographical landscape and communities 
• Data informed decision making 

Cristina Chillem, Executive Director

• In her eighth year of professional service in Salem County, with a Masters in English from Rutgers University, and a record of securing and managing over $# in grants since the start of her nonprofit career in 2016. 

Teshana Thomlinson, Administrative Coordinator

Heather McManus, Board President

• Township Administrator for the Township of Pennsville and Chief of the Pennsville volunteer ambulance squad 

• Deputy Director for the Salem County Board of Social Services with a Masters in Criminal Justice 

• Former Executive Director of the Salem Health and Wellness Foundation 

• Former Director of the Salem County Board of Social Services with #+ years of professional accounting experience

• Community Organizer for underserved culture sand communities for over 25 years; Director of Community Engagement for Southern NJ Family Medical Center

• Professional in the education sector for 28 years; Dean’s Secretary, Camden County Community College; Chair of the Environmental and Social Justice committee of the NJ Sierra Club; and Co-chair of the Environmental Justice committee of the Tri-County Sustainability Coalition

• 501 c 3 status
• By laws
• Audits
• 990s
• Certificate of good standing