We tell each other: if you have an emergency at home or with your child, it’s ok to walk out the door.
"Family first" means working more (or less) depending on your financial needs and the needs of your child. Some bring their infant to work for the first year and others work from home when needed. Most of our staff work a hybrid schedule to accomodate the needs of their children. In our multicultural office, we celebrate all our children and all our holidays - from Eid to Xmas. Together, we create an environment where everyone is happy to come to work.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Eileen Crumm
Department: Executive Leadership
I love FRN because it is a community of people who are passionate about families and fierce warriors in advocating for children with disabilities. No place else like it.
Nice to meet you!
Kanakavalli Kannan
Department: Executive Leadership
I think it is so important for parents to get the information and tools that they need to become great advocates for their kids. I originally connected with FRN to do that for my family, and now I am proud to share it with others.
Nice to meet you!
Kausha King
Department: Executive Leadership
I have been working with families of children with disabilities for over 20 years. I am the mother to a son with complex healthcare needs. My story is the story of the families we support at FRN. When families connect with FRN, they are supported by experienced and knowledgeable staff who have navigated the same paths. I am an avid NBA basketball fan.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
April Key-Lee
Department: Management
Specialty: Intermediate ASL
I have been working with FRN families since 2018. I am a parent of two boys who adore complex contraption games and playing Minecraft. During my free time, I enjoy cooking and baking a variety of foods, DIY projects, and sight-seeing natural wonders with my family.
Carol Cohen
Department: Management
I have been working with children with complex medical needs since 2006. One of the best parts of my jobs is bringing families to the annual Family Voices Health Summit to help families connect with their elected representatives.
Corina Samaniego
Department: Management
Specialty: Spanish
I am a program manager but I have a lot of extra jobs at FRN – as staff ask me for help with their computer or phone. In my spare time, I like spending time with my family, doing crafts and baking.
Lilian Ansari
Department: Management
Specialty: Persian (farsi)
In Iran, I spent my summers taking care of my cousin with Muscular Dystrophy. Then in the US, I was the primary caregiver for my brother with a Traumatic Brain Injury. My most profound training comes from parenting two kids with disabilities. I am passionate about providing support to other families so they don’t feel alone.
DIRECT SERVICE TEAM
Alex Guerrero
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Spanish
I love working for an organization that does amazing things for the community. I found out about FRN through my mom because FRN helped her in many ways. I love what we do and am so happy to be a part of this team. In my free time, I enjoy fitness and watching movies.
Ali Hernandez
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Spanish
My son has led me to knock on the doors of FRN years ago after his diagnosis. And today I’m proud to be part of this great team and to be able to support the community, as one day they did with me.
Beheschta Barati
Department: Direct Service Staff
Originally from Afghanistan, I understand the unique challenges faced by families raising children with special needs. With both personal experience and professional expertise, I’m here to assist Farsi/Dari-speaking families in navigating the system. I’m dedicated to supporting families through coaching, so they can advocate for their children and access the support networks they deserve.
Betty Wong
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Cantonese
I was born in Hong Kong. It’s always my pleasure to help the community and Chinese-speaking families. I love purple. You would always see me with purple hair. I love traveling, shopping, trying out new restaurants, learning another culture.
Emilee Leon
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Spanish
I have been with FRN more than 10 years now, and I have 3 children. When not busy helping families, I like playing practical jokes – but only on my co-workers.
Isabel Alvarez
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Spanish
My son Santi, who is 10 years old, has autism. I attended an FRN support group and from day one I felt welcomed, understood, and started to know about resources for my son. My goal is to help families by connecting them with the system to make their journey a little easier.
Mayyadah Zaidani
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Arabic
I studied democracy and human rights and I am an advocate for women. I love helping others and making more people aware of the services and resources they can be provided with, especially Arab people because I come from the same background as them and want to guide them in the right direction by providing them with useful resources.
Rocio Peralta
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Spanish
I joined FRN after being a parent leader. The other staff tease me and say that they always know when I am working because they smell coffee and popcorn – but I like coffee and popcorn.
Sameena Ishaq
Department: Direct Service Staff
I am the warrior mom of two kids and my younger son has a rare disease and has special health care needs. In addition to working at FRN, I co-run the Union City Special Needs Library Playgroups. I have a passion for arts and crafts. I enjoy working with families and helping them advocate for services.
Selina Zhan
Department: Direct Service Staff
I am a mom of two children and first came to FRN as a parent. I am very happy to work in the FRN organization. I have received a lot of training at work and have increased my knowledge of special education, which enables me to better support my children. I also very much hope to help more families who have similar experiences and needs, and to help people in the Alameda County community.
Silvia Gonzalez
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Spanish
I love the work I do for families! When not working, I spend time with my family. I love taking pictures, and taught everyone at FRN how to take good selfies.
Sonia Waters
Department: Direct Service Staff
I have been working with FRN for over 20 years, and I stay because it is so rewarding to work with families. And I get to see lots of babies, and I do love seeing the babies.
Yaneth Maldonado
Department: Direct Service Staff
Specialty: Spanish
I have been working with the Latinix community since 2002, and I am still so excited to come to work every day. Personally, I love to shop, especially for beautiful shoes.
Nice to meet you!OPERATIONS & FINANCE TEAM
Pei He
Department: Operations & Finance
I started working at FRN as an Administrative Assistant in 2014. In my free time, I like hiking and traveling the world to see different places by exploring and understanding other cultures and customs.
“I started as a client at FRN. I was able to preserve critical services that could easily be lost. It was important to me that my child have friends and be in her neighborhood school and grow with the kids in her neighborhood. We would not have been able to figure this out without the help of FRN because there are not many who would take our calls.” -KANAKA
OUR BOARD
Our board is made up of: parents who are great advocates and who want to give back to the community and professionals who dedicate their careers to helping children. All our board members are passionate about our mission and make significant contributions to the families of Alameda County.
LEADERSHIP
Sujatha Ranganathan
Department: Board Chair
Cheri Hatanaka
Department: Leadership
James Ricks
Department: Leadership