THE SUPPORT NETWORK TEAM
Gretchen Emond
Director
📞 413-536-2401 x3032 or 413-530-4689
Our director, Gretchen Emond, has been affiliated with The Support Network for over twenty years, first as a parent seeking assistance with her own child and then as a Family Support Specialist, Senior Family Partner, Co-Director and now Director. Prior to working for The Support Network, she has had experience as a childcare provider and then as a special education paraprofessional. Gretchen has served as a Youth Commissioner in her home town and is a trained CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children) volunteer. She has extensive training in special education advocacy, wraparound care and strengths based, trauma responsive care. She has assisted countless families to become their child’s own best advocate throughout western Massachusetts. She believes strongly that every family has strengths and talents to lean upon when times are tough and that we all create our own unique pathway for healing and recovery. When she is not working, Gretchen enjoys spending time with her family, reading, gardening, and raising chickens and ducks.
Margery Jess
Special Projects Administrator
📞 413-536-2401 x3005 or 413-530-5488
Margery Jess has been employed by the Support Network for over twenty-two years and recently stepped down as co-director so that she could enjoy semi-retirement. She brings her own lived experience raising children with mental health concerns as well a background in Special Education to the program. Margery was part of the Collaborative Assessment Program, the first strength-based program for children in MA. She also was a Senior Family Partner with the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative when the program was first established in 2009. Margery was employed as a Family Consultant with the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services Planning and Review Team working with the most complex child and family circumstances. She is the recipient of the Human Service Forum “Clara Temple Leonard Award”, the “Paul Winske Access Award”, and the PPAL “Trailblazers Award”. During the past twenty years Margery has had the amazing opportunity to partner with hundreds of families to bring the family voice to the table. She spends her free time flower gardening, knitting, exercising, baking, and spending time with families and friends, including her three adored grandchildren.
Janice Lamberg
Bilingual Family Support Specialist
Jan Lamberg, Family Support Specialist, is the mother of three daughters, all of whom are special in their talents, needs and relationship to the world! As a parent, Jan emphasizes supporting her children in their self-advocacy skills as well as nurturing their development of an ‘ear for the concerns of others’. She enjoys helping other parents strengthen their families and effectively navigate the many public systems of care and she is grateful to families who have shared with her their dreams, struggles and plans for a fulfilling life. Jan describes that perhaps the biggest challenge is learning how to juggle responsibilities with a unique, creative expression. Her efforts advocating for children’s and families’ mental health has been a tireless practice for Jan as she supports families on their distinctive and collective journey!
Shawna Osman
Family Support Specialist
Since 2010, Shawna has been working as a Family Partner and Senior Family Partner at a local Community Service Agency. Shawna enjoys working closely with families to help them identify their strengths, needs and goals for their family and child (children). Shawna has extensive training in trauma informed care, special education, Motivational Interviewing and is a Certified Community Health Worker. Having lived experience raising a child with social/emotional needs, Shawna understands the difficulties faced by parents and caregivers who have children with emotional health care needs. Shawna is the mother of three and grandmother to one. When Shawna is not working, she enjoys gardening, sewing, golfing and spending time with family and friends.