Staff

Paige has been the Chief Executive Officer for Families Together since 2000. Paige is successful in shaping policy and implementing systems change at the state level; and serves as a liaison between families and policy makers. Paige served as the Chair of Timothy’s Law Campaign and the New York State Coordinated Children’s Services Initiative (CCSI) Tier III and is currently a Lead Group Member of the Raise the Age NY Campaign. She is dedicated to several other committees, boards and coalitions. Paige earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Skidmore College in 1987. She is the mother of four children. Her son has social, emotional, behavioral and mental health needs, and received special education services and support in the local public school system.

Email Address: ppierce@ftnys.org Phone: 518.432.0333 ext. 12

Daphnne provides support and technical assistance to families, service providers, advocates and Families Together Chapters in the areas of family support, systems advocacy and parent empowerment. She works closely with the regional Families Together Chapters, and is the Family Engagement Consultant for System of Care and Project Director for the Statewide Family Network. Daphnne is the parent of five children; two of her children are classified and are being served by the local school district with IEPs. Daphnne has experience with different child serving systems and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from SUNY at Brockport.

Email Address: dbrown@ftnys.org     Phone: 585.489.8282 

Susan brings with her 22 years of both personal and professional experience in the field of peer-to-peer support and advocacy. Susan is responsible for the administration and continued development of the Family Peer Advocate Credential. She facilitates the FPA Credential Advisory Committee and it’s three work groups. Susan is committed to developing a strong, credentialed Family Peer Advocate workforce. She provides outreach and assistance to caregivers interested in becoming professional Family Peer Support workers. Additionally, Susan works closely with the Family Support arm of the Community Technical Assistance Center on projects related to the PEP Training, continuing education for Family Peer Advocates and their supervisors, and overall sustainability of Family Peer Support Services. Susan earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn, and New York State Family Development Credential from Cornel University Division of Continuing Education. She also is a credentialed Family Peer Advocate and the parent of children with social, emotional and behavioral challenges.

Email Address: sburger@ftnys.org Phone: 516.314.1143

Nancy worked with Families Together  as a Western Region Parent Advisor for 17 years and now is the Director of Statewide Training. Nancy started as an advocate for her four children as they entered the mental health system.  Nancy’s passion continues to be in empowering and strengthening parent’s lives. Nancy continues to work closely with Family Peer Support Programs and Family Peer Advocates in delivering the FANS (family needs & strengths) outcome measure for FamilyPeer Support Services to use to quantify the excellent work and partnership of Family PeerAdvocates and parents during their journey. Nancy participates on advisory boards and committees, and presents at local, regional and national conferences on Family Peer Support Services outcomes.

Email Address: ncraig@ftnys.org  Phone:716.432.6238

Email Address: ymsauer@ftnys.org  Phone: 518.432.0333 ext. 13

As Public Policy Coordinator, Brad is responsible for tracking New York State budget and legislative activities regarding children and mental health. He works closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Public Policy Committee and Chapter Leaders to help influence the legislature and state agencies in the interest of families. He represents Families Together’s public policy efforts and is a member of policy committees and coalitions, including the Raise the Age NY Campaign. Brad graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

Email Address: bhansen@ftnys.org Phone:518.432.0333 ext.28

 

Email Address: fprince@ftnys.org  Phone:518.432.0333 ext. 16

 

Email Address: joanna@ftnys.org  Phone:518.432.0333 ext. 18

As Communications Coordinator, Cameron coordinates Families Together communications projects and events, including the Annual Conference, website, publications, social marketing,  Chapter projects, creating marketing material and exhibiting statewide. Cameron works closely with the Public Policy Coordinator and the Director of Family Involvement and Outreach to share information with families and networks and market Family Peer Support Services. Cameron is a graduate of Hudson Valley Community College and is a support for his sibling with social and emotional challenges.

Email Address: cmacdonald@ftnys.org  Phone:518.432.0333 ext. 24

Nicole joined the Families Together team in January 2018 where she provides administrative, event and communications support. She joins the team after working with the New York State Rehabilitation Association and NYS Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health. Since earning her BA from The College of Saint Rose in Public Communication and a minor in Social Justice, Nicole has been an active member of the Capital District community. She regularly volunteers with the Albany Institute for History and Art and the Alliance for Positive Health. She has been a National Coalition Building Institute Trainer for ten years and is proud to work for an organization that empowers families.

Email: ndama@ftnys.org   Phone: 518.432.0333 ext. 10

Laurie has been employed with Families Together for over 13 years. In her current position, Laurie manages the Family Peer Advocate Credential and the Parent Empowerment Program, the Information and Referral Line, co-coordinates the Legislative Awareness Day,  Family Peer Support projects as well as supports the Board of Directors as the staff liaison. She brings a wealth of both lived and professional  experience to Families Together and she hopes that every struggling parent has a support person to lean on and empower them to be their own best advocate for their child.  Laurie is the mother of four children.

Email: lrivera@ftnys.org   Phone: 518.432.0333 ext. 18