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

Position: Executive Director

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

Position: Assistant Executive Director for Technology

Specialty: Hindi, Tamil

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

Position: Assistant Executive Director for Operations

I love NBA basketball. My family and friends often have to remind me that I am neither a player nor a coach, but this doesn’t stop me from sharing my strategic plays anyway.

Valeria Gonzalez

Specialty: Spanish

Before joining FRN, I served as grant-maker, program director and senior consultant for organizations such as the Kellogg Foundation and the Global Fund for Women. When my son got sick, our FRN navigators were a light in the dark.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

April Key-Lee

Position: Family Empowerment Center Program Director

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

Position: CCS & Early Start Senior Program Director

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

Position: Help Me Grow Program Director

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

Position: Leadership, Service Access & Equity Program Director

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

Position: Warmline 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.

Betty Wong

Position: Family Navigator

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

Position: Family Navigator

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

Position: Family Navigator

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

Position: Family Navigator

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

Position: Warmline Coordinator

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

Position: CCS Family Navigator

Specialty: Hindi, Urdu

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.

Silvia Gonzalez

Position: Family Navigator

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

Position: Family Navigator, Mentor Navigator

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.

Will Long

Position: Family Empowerment Center Family Navigator

Specialty: ASL

I am a Hard of Hearing family advocate with training and experience with IEPs. FRN is host to some of the most passionate and helpful team members I’ve ever seen in the disability world. I also rely on them for support! I’m honored to be part of this team. Family empowerment is my goal for you. Disability is normality!

Yaneth Maldonado

Position: Family Navigator, Mentor Navigator

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

Position: Bookeeper

Specialty: Cantonese, Mandarin

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.

Image of mother and daughter with sunglasses

“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.