Jumping through hoops to keep our kids safe

Family Extension Foster Care & Adoption Agency

Board of Directors​

* Howard Courney-CEO

* Wambui Wainaina-Secretary

* Deborah Pavao-Treasurer

* Liane Mysouk-BM

* Ramona Valdez​​​-BM

* Gloria Solaro-BM

* Rocio Ramirez-BM

​Leadership

* Howard Courney, President
* Wambui Wainaina, Exe/Adm 

* Marcia Polina, SW Supervisor

Program Staff

* Rene Price, Office Manager

* Marcia Polina, MSW SW

* Brittany Bragg, BS SW
* Marlene Albert, AMFT SW* 

FEFC & AA President and CEO grew up in a family of 11 siblings. Born to poor parents in the suburbs of Detroit, he is all too familiar with the problems and issues that face the at-risk children in our society. It took the help and intervention of good neighbors and committed community members to keep our CEO and his siblings out of the “system”. He is forever grateful to those who sacrificed their time and resources to steer him in the right direction. Working with foster children is his way of paying back a great debt owed to society. Our CEO has a Bachelors Degree in social work from the University of Michigan and a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from National University. 

FEFC & AA Executive Director and Administrator brings with her a wealth of cultural knowledge and experience. Herself, a member of a minority class, she knows first-hand about the stigma and social injustice faced by foster children Our Administrator knows the pain and gain of withstanding all odds to accomplish set goals. In her work with foster children, she encourages them to aim high and never give up. She has a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Communication and a Masters Degree in Social Work, both from California State University, Stanislaus. Additionally, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #64880).

Our case managing social workers have Masters Degrees in behavioral sciences, including Master in Social work and Master in Marriage and Family Therapy. Their commitment to foster children come from their personal journeys and calling to this line of work. Many of them are parents of young children themselves. They know very well that all children need love and a sense of belonging. They are great advocates and support to the foster children. They intervene in the court systems, in the schools and elsewhere as needed. They work along side resource parents and ensure that the needs of the children and the resource families are met in a timely manner. In pursuit of excellence, many of our social workers are registered associate clinical social workers and/or MFTI.

Our office manager is a godsend. She has an educational background in accounting and is a certified Bookkeeper and Office Specialist from OSC. She took business courses at Delta College and obtained a certificate in Accounting. For 34 years before joining FEFC & AA, our office manager worked at Sears Holdings Corporation as a Human Resource and Office Manager.  She loves her new career working with children and our resource families. She is key in driving our fund raising efforts and putting on great Christmas parties and other events that enhance the life of the children with whom we are privileged to work. Indeed, a godsend.

Our Staff