Caren Fairweather - Executive Director

Caren Fairweather’s professional life has been devoted to health promotion, education and family literacy. She earned a BS Educational Psychology,with an emphasis on the intersection of learning and health behaviors from Empire State College,  and MPS Humanistic Education from SUNY New Paltz with masters research on commonalities among wellness practitioners of differing modalities. She has held leadership positions in healthcare, education and the arts in the Hudson Valley. Early in her career, Caren was certified as a Positive Pregnancy Fitness Instructor, teaching pre- and postnatal yoga classes. She went on to design programs for parenting teens and parenting education for rural families that were designated model programs by the New York State Education Department. A program in family literacy she designed was selected as a national model by the US Department of Education. Caren led the Community Heart Health Coalition of Ulster County, promoting physical activity, healthy eating choices and smoking cessation. She serves on the Advocacy Committee of the New York State Association of Perinatal Networks, and is the Hudson Valley representative for the New York State Perinatal Association.

PERINATAL PROGRAMS

Stephanie Sosnowski - Deputy Director, Perinatal Health Programs Manager

Stephanie Sosnowski is a Certified Childbirth Educator and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and serves as the Perinatal Program Manager for the Comprehensive Prenatal-Perinatal Services Network (CPPSN) grant (through the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Women's Health), and has been with MISN since 1992. She coordinates MISN's Perinatal Consortia in Ulster, Sullivan and Orange Counties. Additionally, she is the regional coordinator for the Mid-Hudson Lactation Consortium, a coalition dedicated to the promotion and support of breastfeeding in the region, chaired the Hudson Valley Regional Perinatal Forum's Breastfeeding Committee, and is also the Chair of the New York Statewide Breastfeeding Coalition. The Orange County WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program is coordinated by her, and Stephanie is also a Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and has her BS in Organizational Leadership and Communication from Marist College.

Elizabeth Pickett - Ulster County Perinatal Health Educator

Elizabeth Pickett is a Certified Labor Support and Postpartum doula through DONA International.  She has been working with women and families as a doula for the past eight years, the last four in and around the Hudson Valley.  She is a Lactation Educator and partner of Gentle Care Doula Service.  She is a staff writer for www.nursingmommy.com and has articles featured in other breastfeeding related publications.  Elizabeth has a BA in Women’s Studies from Empire State College. Liz coordinates the Ulster County Perinatal Consortium, and faciliates MISN prepared childbirth class series.

Janna Comando, RN - Sullivan County Perinatal Health Educator

Rachel Durland, ICCE, CD - Orange County Perinatal Health Educator

Anankhka Roger, CLC - WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Nicole Tapia, CLC - WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Jaimee Hutson, CLC   - WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

YOUTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS

Jennifer Howard - Program Manager Youth Health and Wellness Programs

Jennifer Howard joined MISN as the Program Coordinator for Newburgh APPS in May 2006. In July 2007 she also assumed the role as Health Educator in Orange County. Jennifer has a BA in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz and a MA in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. For the past five years, Jennifer has worked with at-risk youth and families in Orange County in both residential and community based settings as a case manager. Through this experience, Jennifer has become very familiar with the strengths and needs of the at-risk youth in the community, which facilitates planning for youth programming. Jennifer is dedicated to providing quality services to pregnant, parenting and at-risk youth and ensuring that all youth in need are able to access available services in Orange and Sullivan Counties.

Tharicia McZorn - Education and Outreach Speciaist, Orange County

Tharicia joined MISN in May 2009 as the Education and Outreach Specialist for youth and families in Newburgh. Since this time, she has provided educational workshops and facilitated positive youth development programs to hundreds of youth in Orange County. Tharicia is committed to assisting youth in the development of successful life skills and connecting them to the services that will support their future goals.

Jasmin Tejera - Education and Outreach Speciaist, Sullivan County

Jasmin Tejera joined MISN as the CBAPP Program Manager for TEEN LINK TO COMMUNITY "TLC" in our Monticello, NY location. Jasmin has a  BA in Spanish and Education. For the past 3 years, Jasmin has worked with at-risk youth and families within the Sullivan County Communities as a Program Coordinator. Above and beyond this experience, Jasmin has gained insight to what is appreciated and desperately needed within the Sullivan County School Districts. In a team effort to decrease Teen Pregnancy and educate the youth, Jasmin is dedicated to the promotion and support of After-school programs and ensures that no youth is left unaccounted for.

Rich Logan - Youth Facilitator, Orange County

HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM

Lynda Brady, Program Manager

Lynda has worked for MISN since 1999. She is the Program Manager for the Child and Family Health Plus Programs. MISN covers Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Putnam Counties for these programs. Lynda works closely with New York State Dept. of Health, local Departments of Social Services, and health plans that participate in the state-funded insurance programs. She supervises the Quality Assurance Reviewer, as well as facilitated enrollers in the field.

Vivian Perez, Quality Assurance Reviewer

Vivian has worked for MISN since 2002. She is the QA Reviewer for all applications submitted by enrollers to MISN for processing. Vivian works closely with Lynda Brady, and has an excellent rapport with New York State Dept of Health, local Departments of Social Services and health plans. She works closely with the enrollers in the field. She is bi-lingual.

Wanda Ramirez , Facilitated Enroller

Wanda Ramirez has been an enroller in the Child Health Plus Program since 2001.  Prior to joining the staff of MISN, she was employed by Dutchess County Community Action Agency for over 4 years.  Wanda received a Family Development Credential through Cornell University at Dutchess County Community College. This has helped Wanda recognize the needs of the community and the diversity of the families she meets ith.  Wanda was also an Energy Program coordinator along with other programs serving low-income families.  Wanda joined MISN’s staff in January 2007.  Her primary areas are Orange and Putnam Counties.  She brings a lot of experience and knowledge to better serve our families.  Wanda is bilingual.

Margarita Santana, Facilitated Enroller

Margarita Santana’s professional life has been devoted to community service, education and family empowerment.  She earned a BA in sociology.  Prior to joining MISN, Margarita worked for the Alcoholism Drug Abuse Council of Orange County servicing the Enlarged School City District of Middletown by providing elementary students with the Life Skills® Training which is a school-based substance abuse prevention program developed by Gilbert J. Botvin, PhD.  The Life Skills® Training program is designed to prevent tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, and it addresses a wide-range of risk and protective factors by teaching personal and social skills in combination with drug resistance skills and normative education.  She also worked in the New York City Department of Education as a Family Assistant, Parent Coordinator and Community Outreach. She is bilingual.

Madeline Henriquez - Community Health Advocate

SUPPORT STAFF

Yvonne Van Tassel - Fiscal Manager

Violet Cleary - Program Assistant

Cassandra Eberhard - Social Marketing Specialist

For More Information on FREE or LOW COST Health Insurance, Prenatal Care or Breastfeeding Support Call 1-800-453-4666.