The Center for Family Support is grateful that our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is reflected in the leadership of our organization.
Steven Vernikoff
Chief Executive Officer
Steven Vernikoff has been the Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Family Support since 1993. He has worked in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in senior leadership positions for 40 years. Mr. Vernikoff earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology from The New School for Social Research in 1974. Steven is currently the Board President of two provider collaboratives in New York; Advance of Greater New York and Advance Care Alliance. He is also the past President of the Board of the Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities, a provider association in New Jersey.
Barbara Greenwald
Chief Operating Officer
Barbara Greenwald is the Chief Operating Officer charged with overseeing all program services in New York and New Jersey. She has worked for CFS since 1993. Ms. Greenwald has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. She has over 40 years of experience in working with individuals with Developmental Disabilities.
Ken D. Semple
Chief Financial Officer
Ken D. Semple joined The Center for Family Support, Inc. (CFS), in July 2018. He currently oversees all financial aspects of CFS and its two subsidiaries, fleet management, facility services and finances. Mr. Semple brings well over two decades of financial management experience in both public and nonprofit industries, with a focus on developing policies and procedures to improve performance, productivity and greater collaboration between finance, general administration and program staff.
Jim Noriega
Chief Technology Officer
Jim Noriega is the Chief Technology Officer and HIPAA Security Officer for The Center for Family Support. Upon joining CFS in late 2008, he quickly worked to upgrade and enhance the agency’s IT infrastructure. Jim holds a Master’s Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Jim is a member of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board for the City of Yonkers and volunteers at his local church as lector and youth minister. Jim is a proud Persian Gulf War Veteran of the United States Army.
Linda Schellenberg
Senior Director of Community Services
Linda Schellenberg is the Director of Community Services. She began working for The Center for Family Support in 2000. Linda is an LMSW and has a Master’s in Social Work from Stony Brook University. She began working in this field in 1995 as a Direct Support Professional. Linda is a leader in the field of self-directed and individualized services.
Joanne Cropper
Director of Training and Development
Joanne Cropper is the Director of Staff Development and Quality Improvement. Originally from England she began her career at a summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities. She started working with CFS in the residential department and has worked in several departments during her time with CFS. Joanne is an advocate for DSPs receiving the training they need to provide quality services to the people they support. She also oversees the CQL accreditation, ensure we are delivering on our mission to deliver person-centered support.
Nadine Daley
Director of Innovative Planning and Advocacy Services & Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer
Nadine started at CFS in June 2007 as a residence manager in Staten Island. Today, she is CFS’ first Chief Diversity Officer, as well as the Director of Advocacy and Innovation. As Nadine has encountered more and more of the individuals we work with, she felt that there was an opportunity for her: to touch the world. Nadine is a Board Member of The New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (NY Alliance). She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Business and Leadership from the CUNY Graduate School of Professional Studies.
Gavin Gear
Director of Day Programs, New Jersey
As the Director of Day Programs in New Jersey Gavin directly oversees our Behavior Support team, Supported Employment Team and all Day Service locations in NJ. Gavin has over 30 years of experience in the ID/DD field having been a DSP, a group home manager, job developer, and behavioral consultant; he has also served in multiple administrative roles. For Gavin, everyday is an opportunity to enact positive change and enhance the lives of the people we serve as active members of their community.
Radhina Hernandez
Corporate Compliance Officer and HIPAA Privacy Officer
Radhina Hernandez joined CFS in 2003 as a Residential Habilitation Supervisor. In 2005, Radhina transitioned into the Quality Assurance department and is now the Corporate Compliance Officer and HIPAA Privacy Officer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from MCNY.
Tranet Hymon
Director of New York Residential Services
Tranet Hymon has over 3 decades of experience working with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Tranet Hymon joined CFS in 2003 as a Day Habilitation Supervisor. In 2004, Tranet transitioned into the Residential Department, she has held several roles in the department each with more responsibility. Tranet is passionate about supporting her staff to enhance their strengths and creating a culture where the people supported live a life that is meaningful to them.
Donna Messina
Director of Program Services in New Jersey
Donna has worked for CFS since 1999. Ms. Messina has a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Donna is the Director of both Residential and Day programs services in New Jersey. She describes her work at CFS as “a tremendously rewarding experience, assuring the provision of the highest quality person centered services”.
Ted Traver
Director of Development
Ted joined the Center for Family Support in 2021. He has supported the fundraising and communications efforts of non-profits since 2009, including working at human services organizations since 2014. Throughout his time in the field, Ted has raised millions in support of vulnerable individuals and helped advance causes including environmental protect and college affordability. Ted received his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) accreditation in 2019.
Annise Valdez-Godek, SHRM-CP
Human Resources Director
Annise Valdez-Godek joined The Center for Family Support in May of 2019 as the Director of Human Resources. She has over two decades of HR management experience, working in both the Non-Profit and For-Profit sectors. She oversees all areas of HR including employee relations, benefits, performance management, recruiting, information systems, compensation, compliance and policy design. Annise has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Villanova University, as well as a Bachelor’s in Communications and holds a SHRM-CP certification.
Sharon Albright
Assistant Director, Residential Services
Sharon Albright has been with The Center for Family Support since 2009. She has dedicated over 20 years assisting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Sharon is committed to seeing the Individuals thrive and achieve their greatest potential.
Yiranny Almonte
Program Director, Respite and Home Care and FSS Programs
Yiranny works on an array of different community programs, with what she describes as a “wonderful team of supervisors”. She oversees: Parent Training for Queens and Bronx; In Home Training for Queens; Service Coordination for Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island; and Family Reimbursement. She and her team provide exceptional services to all families with a developmentally disabled loved one.
Valerie Bowen-Townes
Assistant Director of New Jersey Residential Services
Valerie began working with CFS in 1998, starting as a group home manager. Over the years, Valerie has been a Crisis Intervention Trainer, Self-Advocacy Facilitator, and New Orientation Instructor. She has been Assistant Director of Residential Services since 2015. She loves providing quality service to people with intellectual disabilities and is grateful CFS and to the people that we serve for the opportunity.
Marilyn Bristol Mentore
Assistant Director of New Jersey Residential Services
Marilyn began her career with CFS in 2004 as a Direct Support Professional at our Elmwood Park residence. She was quickly promoted to residence manager at Lincoln Park, and became Assistant Director in 2010.
Diana Collins
Assistant Director of Community Services, NY
Diana Collins is the Assistant Director of Community Services overseeing Community Habilitation, Day Habilitation, Supported Employment and Housing Subsidy programs. Diana began her career with The Center for Family Support as a DSP in 1995. During her tenure at CFS, Diana has worked in number of capacities, including supporting individuals in the MSC department for 18 years. Diana’s focus is to always provide support to the individuals from a person first perspective, prioritizing empathy and care at forefront of all that she does.
Karene Griffith
Assistant Director of Residential Services
Karene began working with CFS in 2009, starting as a Direct Support Professional who was new to the field. Over the years, Karene has held several positions within the residential department of CFS. She has been an Assistant Director of Residential Services since 2014 and is also an integral support in the nursing department. Karene feels she has learned as much as she as taught while providing service and support to the individuals under her care. She believes through her efforts each individual has a more meaningful life, evidenced by their growth and accomplishments while they strive toward their futures.
Jennipher Solis-Paniagua
Program Director, Self-Directed Services
Jennipher has been working in various roles at CFS since 2009. First, she worked with the Traumatic Brain Injury community, then shifted to a Clinical Supervisor role in both community and residential services. These early, hands-on roles brought her immense fulfillment professionally and personally. In her role within Self-Directed Services, Jennipher is grateful for the amazing individuals and professionals she has had the chance to work with. And though she “lives and breathes CFS” as she says, she is blessed with a supportive husband and three beautiful children.
