Each member of our staff has different areas of expertise, most of which we each have learned ‘on the job’ in relationship to our own child’s growth, development, unique challenges and successes. We know about the systems because we have learned how they work and what they are supposed to do not only from laws and policies but because we, and our children receive services from the very same agencies.

Eileen Crumm recently joined FRN as the Director. She is a long time community advocate with extensive experience in special education, conflict resolution, regional center and transition from school to adult services. Eileen is the proud parent of two children, one with a physical disability and special health care needs. prior to joining FRN, Eileen was the co-director of a private firm that offered family coaching and advocacy, Finding Solutions, in Special Education. She worked on private contacts with college program vendors, foster youth and school districts. As a former political science professor with a degree in public policy analysis, Eileen has a strong interest in and publications on negotiation and meditation. She is currently working on a book length manuscript on negotiation strategies in Special education for parents. Eileen has designed and taught a wide variety of courses (IEP process, IDEA, Post high School Transition, Crafting Powerful Assessments and Alternative Dispute Resolution) for parents and professionals.

(510) 547-7322 x 16   •   eileenc@frnoakland.org

has been a Resource Counselor with FRN since 1993. She has a young adult son who has developmental disabilities. In addition to assisting individual parents, Sonia provides support and outreach specifically to the African American Community as Coordinator for Harambee. Sonia is also involved in interagency activities with Head Start in the cities of Oakland and Berkeley. She represents FRN on the Oakland Unified School District Special Education Community Advisory Comittee (CAC). She has been particularly effective in promoting parent involvement in educational services and in helping parents with medically fragile newborns going from hospital to home.

(510) 547-7322 x 15   •   soniaw@frnoakland.org

has been a Resource Counselor with FRN since 1994. She is the mother of daughter, who has complex health care needs and a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Deanna also brings her background as a speech and language therapist and credentialed teacher to her work with families and professionals. In addition to assisting individual families, Deanna helps to compile resources and publications for dissemination throughout the community. Deanna is often invited as a guest speaker on disability awareness and information to doctors, child care providers, Head Start and other community agencies. Deanna is also the in-house point person on assistive technology, the teen group and recreation programs. Deanna facilitates the support group in Castro Valley and serves on the Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Council.

510-547-7322 x 12   •   deannap@frnoakland.org

is the mother of a teenage son who has a diagnosis of Becker Muscular Dystrophy and Asperger’s Syndrome. In addition to providing parent support to families she is responsible for coordinating family centered care activities focusing on the health care delivery system for children with special health care needs. Carol is the FRN Parent Health Liaison. Carol also represents FRN in statewide advocacy through a partnership with Family Voices of California.

(510) 547-7322 x 17  •   carolc@frnoakland.org

is a Bilingual Resource Counselor and has been with FRN since 2000. She provides direct services to parents, does home visits as needed and assists with support groups, training and focus groups for Latino families. Her son has Cerebral Palsy, Cortical Vision Impairment and a Seizure Disorder. Yaneth serves the growing number of monolingual Spanish speaking families throughout the county. Yaneth often accompanies parents to visit school sites to help parents in placement decisions in Special Education class. Yaneth also provides support to families in the community in her scheduled visits to the CCS Medical Therapy Units.

510-547-7322 x 13   •   yanethm@frnoakland.org

Each of the following individuals donate their time to facilitate support groups sponsored by the Family Resource Network to meet the needs of specific communities and parents.

James Ricks is in his ninth year as the facilitator of our Fathers Support Group. James is the father of a young man with developmental disabilities. James accepts referrals from FRN to provide individual support to fathers and also writes for our quarterly newsletter, The Source. His wife Wendy donates her talents to assist with designing outreach materials for the Fathers Group. James also serves as a panelist/guest speaker at a number of community workshops and conferences to assist professionals and the larger community understand the experiences of fathers of children with disabilities. James is often a guest on Childhood Matters, a Bay Area Radio Talk Show for Parents.

Valesca Santos is a Community Resource Parent for Spanish-speaking families. She facilitates Grupo de Madres com Niños con Autismo and co-facilitates our Spanish Speaking Mothers’ Support Group in Hayward. She is a parent leader with Congreso Familiár. She has volunteered with the Family Resource Network since 2004. Valesca is the mother of a son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Valesca coordinates follow-up support in partnership with Yaneth. Together they help to ensure increased access and support to monolingual Spanish speaking parents in Alameda County.

Mizpah Rich is a Community Resource Parent for South County parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She facilitates the monthly Autism Support Group in Fremont. Mizpah is the mother of a son with autism and the newest parent leader to join FRN.