Meet the Connections/Tapestry

Diagnostic Assessment/Intake Staff

Diane Lilly, MSW, LISW

Diagnostic Assessment and Intake Manager

Diane joined the Connections’ staff in 1993 as a case manager and community support provider. She moved to her current position in 1997 and is responsible for overseeing all intake activities. Diane frequently consults with families, mental health and social service professionals regarding the mental health services available to assist children and their families in keeping a child at home or in the community. She brings to her position thirty years of experience in the social work field having been both a hospital and school social worker in Detroit and Chicago prior to her return to her hometown of Cleveland. Diane is a graduate of Hiram College and Howard University School of Social Work. What Diane finds most satisfying in her current position is the opportunity to see families, agencies and systems cooperate to support a child who had been recommended for residential treatment to succeed in the community.

Annett James

Tapestry/Connections Referral Assistant

Sol joined the Tapestry Program right after her graduation from Tiffin University, where she received a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. Sol worked as a care manager on the west side during her first year with the Tapestry program. Sol moved into the Referral Assistant position on May 22, 2006. She is responsible for coordinating the intake process for families and children, and networking with Cuyahoga County Clusters and other community agencies regarding referrals and education about the system of care approach. She also serves as a liaison to the Kent State University Research and Evaluation team by helping them gather all of the needed information to evaluate the effectiveness of this new program. Sol brings to this position the clinical and networking experience to work with these families in crisis from her time as a Tapestry care manager. What Sol finds most rewarding in her position is helping families have a smooth transition into the Cuyahoga County System of Care.

Sandy Hopwood, M.Ed, LSW

Mental Health Assessor

Sandy has been with Connections almost since their inception, having arrived in 1990 and remaining in her position of community support provider/case manager until 2004. She now assists Intake Manager, Diane Lilly, in consulting with families, mental health and social service professionals to both evaluate referrals for eligibility and to complete a diagnostic assessment. Sandy brings to her position over twenty years of experience in working with children including her former role as a child care worker at a children’s psychiatric hospital, a probation officer at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, and as a crisis stabilization worker for the Mobile Crisis Team. She received her undergraduate degree at Kent State University and her master’s degree in Community Agency Counseling at Cleveland State University . What Sandy finds most rewarding in her current position is being able to offer hope to children and families who would otherwise have been recommended for an out of home placement in their communities.