Parenting in the modern age comes with its unique set of challenges, and navigating the adolescent years can be particularly demanding. Join our upcoming virtual conversation where our experts will provide insight into strategies to connect with your adolescent, foster healthy communication, and address the evolving needs of your child.
Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is a leader in providing social services to our community and is proud to host this virtual conversation with:
Jeannie House
Director, Specialized Foster Care
Family & Children’s Agency
Jeannie has been part of FCA’s Foster Care department for 11 years. She is currently leading the team through the implementation of Functional Family Therapy in Foster Care. She works closely with the Department of Children and Families as well as other non-profit organizations to serve foster children across the state.
Jeannie has been working in the non-profit field of child welfare since 2008 after obtaining her Master of Social Work from Fordham University.
She began her career providing intensive in-home clinical services to vulnerable children and adolescents at risk of psychiatric hospitalizations.
Jeannie is passionate about mental health services for youth in foster care, while also focusing on strengthening their permanent parents to prepare them for reunification.
Gail Melanson
Executive Director
Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center
As Executive Director, Gail is responsible for Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center’s operations and programs. She provides managerial supervision to all program directors and clinical supervision to various staff. She is responsible for program development/implementation, operational/clinical reporting, and evaluation of all policies/procedures.
Gail joined Mid-Fairfield in 1996 after earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and master’s and doctorate degrees respectively in Applied Developmental Psychology from Fordham University.
Prior to her current role, Gail served as Clinical Director of Mid-Fairfield’s Outpatient Clinic and various roles in other departments including the Extended Day Treatment Program, Early Childhood Consultation Partnership, and Child First.
Margaret Watt
Director of Prevention
Positive Directions – The Center for Prevention & Counseling
Margaret leads communities in efforts to promote mental health and prevent substance misuse and suicide by conducting surveys, building capacity, providing education and advocacy, and developing support programs and environmental initiatives. She also directs the online youth mental health project known as TurningPointCT.org and chairs the NAMI CT Public Policy Committee.
Previously, Margaret served as Executive Director of the Southwest Regional Mental Health Board and Co-Director of The Hub.
Her prior background includes 12 years in global health and eight years as an educator.
Moderated by
Robert F. Cashel, LCSW
President & CEO
Family & Children’s Agency
For more than 15 years, Rob Cashel has been President & CEO of FCA, where he is responsible for the multi-service human service organization with more than 200 staff. Rob has developed key partnerships in the community while also establishing formal relationships with numerous private and corporate foundations.
Rob, a licensed clinical social worker, is currently on the Board and Executive Committee of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) and is also on the Board and Executive Committee of Norwalk ACTS. Rob has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. He is also a certified marriage and family therapist and a certified alcoholism counselor.
