National Fireside Chat: Child Support and Systems Engaging Families and Fathers

The Fathers and Families Coalition of America continues a series of public policy. We invite you to join us and share with your friends, parents, professionals, and leaders concerned about the wellness of children and families. How can we increase the effectiveness of services to fathers engaged by child support and other government programs? We host a wonderful group of experts on Wednesday, October 7th, at 12:55 p.m. Eastern Standard, 11:55 a.m. Central Standard, 9:55 a.m. Pacific Standard Time zones. 

Have you joined in virtual meetings and wanted to ask a question? FFCA is using our forum to give a fireside chat based on questions from our community partnerships. Please use the quick sign-up enrollment form and consider an item you want to ask of the guests to give you the best outcome from this time together. We will send a confirmation email to join the Webex via Cisco. Sign-up here today to join us for this powerful event (enrollment form)

GUEST INVITED FACILITATOR
Mr. James Murray, M.P.A., Senior Advisor, Office of Child Support Enforcement
Washington, D.C.

INVITED FIRESIDE SPEAKERS

Ms. Kelley Cote, Director, Lassen County Department of Child Support Services
Susanville, California

Mr. Brandon Guitierez, Lassen County Department of Child Support Services
Susanville, California

Ms. Anne Stone, M.P.A., Washington State Interagency Fatherhood Council Director
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
Olympia, Washington

Ms. Tina Robinson, Community Engagement Coordinator,
County of Los Angeles Department of Child Support Services
Commerce, California

Mr. Scott Leach, Director of DYCD Fatherhood Initiative Department of Youth & Community Development
New York City, New York

MEET OUR GUEST SPEAKERS

Kelley Cote has served the people of Lassen County as DCSS Director since 2014 and has worked at the County for over twenty years. Her department has received many awards, including multiple years for County Top Ten Performance, as well as from the National Association of Counties and the California State Association of Counties for a successful and ongoing prison outreach initiative. As a member of the California Child Support Directors’ Association and part of its legislative committee, she ensures that rural families are represented in statewide and national discussions. A fourth-generation resident of the Lassen area, she lives with her husband in Lake Almanor, enjoys being active in her church, and spending time with her son and grandson.

Brandon Guitierez has worked as a Case Manager with Lassen County Child Support Services since 2017, where he is a Qualified Expert Witness. Prior to his time with the County, he served in the Infantry Marines and the Navy across the Middle East, where he was recognized with numerous decorations for his service. He is a former elected Tribal Chairman of the Susanville Indian Rancheria, and currently, he is pursuing Mediator qualification through Pepperdine Law School. Brandon lives with his family on the Susanville Indian Rancheria, where he was born and raised and enjoys bow hunting mule deer and black bears.

Anne Stone, MA., MPA., is a long-time child advocate with a 30-year career in Oregon and Washington in a variety of roles from the community consulting, program developer, funder, lobbyist, and state policy perspective. Eight years in adolescent crisis counseling and juvenile court work early in her career, made the need for effective investments in early childhood poignantly clear. The last 15 years have been spent immersed in social services and health reform efforts focused upon finding families as early as possible who are experiencing high levels of stress, triaging that need, and creating a community response. She has done local and national consulting around a more family-centric pediatric medical home. Anne is currently staffing the new Washington State Interagency Fatherhood Council with a goal to improve fatherhood inclusion and bringing lived experience to the policy and practice table. Fatherhood is essential to the best outcomes for our children.

Tina Robinson, MBA has been employed with Los Angeles County Child Support Department for 35 years. Tina is currently serving as the Community Engagement Coordinator and Child Support Specialist. She is very passionate when it comes to helping children and families.

Scott Leach was born and raised in Westchester County. Scott currently serves as the Director for the City of New York's Department of Youth & Community Development Fatherhood Initiative. Mr. Leach received a BS degree in Recreation from Ohio State University and was drafted into the NFL by the New Orleans Saints. After several injuries, he decided to retire from football and dedicate his time to working with at-risk youth and families. Scott held at Greenburgh Community Center, Consortium for Youth, Graham-Windham Services for Families and Children, Police Athletic League, and the Administrative Director of the Forestdale Father’s Initiative, a program that works with non-custodial fathers, in the borough of Queens New York.