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. 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
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
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.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
April Key-Lee
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 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.
Cid Van Koersel
Position: Program Manager
As the parent of an adult man with autism, I have dedicated myself to providing support and advocacy to other parents since 2001. I love being part of the FRN team and teaching parents how they can be the best advocates for their children.
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.
Daisy Dominguez
Position: Early Start Program Director
Specialty: Spanish
Bio: I am the mother to a cheerful 6-year-old girl who enjoys the outdoors. My journey with FRN began as a client, when my daughter was turning 3 and about to start pre-school. I found great value in the help I received from my navigator, and I knew that one day I wanted to pay it forward and help other families too. On my free time I enjoy long hikes with a nice view, caring for my plants, or crafting with my Cricut.
Lilian Ansari
Position: Foster Youth Advocacy Program Manager
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.
Tandra DeBose
Position: Community Navigator Program Manager
In addition to working in a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program for youth for a decade, I’m also a parent of a thriving 19 year old who has special needs. My message to you: “To be a good steward by building and cultivating relationships that make a difference in our community.”
DIRECT SERVICE TEAM
Andrea Pablo
Position: Family Navigator
I love having a job where I can help my community. There are so few places that people who speak Mam can get the help and support that they need. I am really happy to help FRN be one of them.
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.
Francis Ha
Position: Early Start Family Navigator
I am a father of two young boys who love to go out and walk. In my free time, I volunteer at the City’s departments and community as an interpreter. My sons and I love eating and swimming.
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.
Malika Shareef
Position: Transition to Equity Coordinator
I love to simplify things in a way that empowers others to try new things. I love hiking, creating art, cooking, eating, and sharing a meal with friends and family. Like nature, I am pleased with simplicity.
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
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.
Simran Sahni
Position: Early Start Family Navigator
Specialty: Hindi
I am a mom of two boys and first came to FRN as a parent. My goal is to provide support and guidance to acquire all the resources available for their children. Besides being a strong advocate for my son, my other passion is teaching. I like spending quality time with my family doing outdoor activities, watching movies, playing board games.
Sonia Waters
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.
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. As a Navigator, I am studying the intricate system to support children with disabilities and learning how to better serve families.
Will Long
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
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
Alex Guerrero
Position: Administrative Assistant
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.
“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
Cheri Hanataka
Position: Treasurer - Parent & Attorney
James Ricks
Position: Secretary - Parent
Michele Liedeker
Position: Emeritus Chair - Parent & Attorney
