Our team
Meet our team
Mothers, caregivers, educators, and medical professionals who have been working together to empower parents and their children on their mental health journeys.
Select a photo to read about each person.
Gretchen Emond
Director · gemond@wmtcinfo.org
Gretchen first came to The Support Network over twenty years ago as a parent, seeking assistance with her own child. She later began working at The Support Network as a Family Support Specialist, then Senior Family Partner, then Co-Director, and now Director. Prior to working for The Support Network, she worked as a childcare provider and special education paraprofessional. Gretchen has served as a Youth Commissioner in her hometown 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 · mjess@wmtcinfo.org
Margery Jess has worked at The Support Network for over twenty-two years and recently stepped down as co-director to enjoy semi-retirement. Margery has extensive experience working in special education and is a parent of two adult children. 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 complex child and family circumstances. She is the recipient of the Human Service Forum Clara Temple Leonard Award, the Paul Winske Access Award, the PPAL Trailblazers Award and recently received the MA Department of Mental Health Susan Sprung Trauma Informed Leadership 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.
Diosdado Lopez-Martinez
Bilingual Family Support Specialist · DLopez-Martinez@wmtcinfo.org
Diosdado Lopez-Martinez first moved to Holyoke, MA from Puerto Rico when he was a teenager. For over thirty years, he has dedicated himself to working with youth, senior citizens, and the community at large in and around Holyoke. Diosdado became a member of The Support Network team in January 2023 as a Bilingual Family Support Specialist. He has a special interest in helping families with social, emotional, and mental health challenges both in their communities and school systems as he has family members that have similar challenges. Diosdado is a military veteran who also served many years on the Holyoke City Council. In his free time, Diosdado enjoys watching sports and spending time with friends and family.
Jan Lamberg
Bilingual Family Support Specialist · jlamberg@wmtcinfo.org
Jan Lamberg is a mother of three daughters, all of whom are special in their talents, needs, and relationships with 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 systems of care. She is grateful to families who have shared with her their dreams, struggles and plans for fulfilling lives. Jan describes that perhaps the biggest challenge is learning how to juggle responsibilities with a unique, creative expression. Her advocacy for childrens’ and families’ mental health has been a tireless practice, supporting families on their distinctive and collective journeys.
Shawna Osman
Family Support Specialist · sosman@wmtcinfo.org
Shawna has been working as a Family Partner and Senior Family Partner at a local Community Service Agency since 2010. She enjoys working closely with children and families to help them identify their strengths, needs, and goals. Shawna has extensive training in trauma-informed care, special education, and Motivational Interviewing, and is a Certified Community Health Worker. Having lived experience raising a child with distinct social and 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.
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There are no open positions currently. You can see all current openings on The Consortium’s careers page.
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Are you interested in joining The Support Network to support children and families? The Support Network is a program of The Western Massachusetts Training Consortium, and our positions are posted on The Consortium’s careers page. Visit it to see current openings and share your resume and contact information.
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