Child and Family Research and Training Institute Founders and Staff

Co-Founder and Guiding Angel
Josetta Walsh
1928 - 2006

Co-Founder
Kris Goodrich

Kris has been working with young children and their families for over 36 yrs.  She has a BS in Elementary Education and a MS in Child Development/Family Life. Kris co-founded the Child and Family Institute in 1986  and is presently its Director. Her passion is working with families and young children. 

Books co-authored with Josetta Walsh:
Playways to God – A Preschool Religion Program
Mother/Child Storybook Teas Manual 
Faith-Full Families  Cycles A thru E  

STAFF

• Debbie Anderson

  Office Manager

  Debbie began at CFI in 1989 as a part-time secretary. She is presently the person responsible for bookkeeping and overall management of the office. Her business background has been very beneficial. She has one daughter, Anna, who attended our programs as a child and is now helping to lead some of them.
  
  

• Betsy Bowden
  
  Mother/Child Tea Hostess for 10 years
  
  

  Betsy began as a Meadow Mom with her daughter in 1986.  As her children grew up, Betsy joined our Staff as a member of the Toddler Staff.   In 1999 she began hosting the Mother/Child Teas in her home in Palo Alto.   She continues today at our new facility.
  She has two children:  Elizabeth now 23 and Peter now 25. 

  It’s a joy to witness the wonderment in both mother and child, knowing first hand that these will be happy memories that will forever stay in their hearts.

  

• Diane Croce
  
  Secretary
  
  

  Diane retired as Program Director of Vallombrosa and joined our Staff in 2006. She has two children and four grandchildren. Diane assists Debbie one afternoon a week and keeps all our emails up to date. She does volunteer work at a facility for people in recovery.
  
  

• Sue Davison

  Outreach Coordinator
  Editor of the Meadow Lark
  Mother/Child Tea Hostess
  

  Sue began as a Meadow Mom in 1987. All three of her children (Kristin, Melissa and Matt) attended our Programs. Then in 2002, Sue joined our Staff. Our Outreach program has grown under her guidance. Her yearly Family Outreach booklet has been requested by other organizations. As editor of the Meadow Lark she chooses the focus for the articles and works on its production. All requests for the World Peace Village go through Sue. Her outstanding organizational abilities help all these areas run smoothly and efficiently. Sue is a member of our Associates.
  
  

• Rhoda Franck

  Faith-Full Families Leader

  Rhoda began as a Meadow Mom in 1986 with her daughter Roxanne.  She continued on to teach in many of our programs (PlayWays, Morning in the Meadow, Meadow Camp and Faith-Full Families)   She presently teaches kindergarten at Garfield School.  Her classroom experience and musical abilities are great strengths in leading our Faith-Full Families Program.
  
  

• Melissa Frank

  Lead Teacher in Mornings and Afternoons in the Meadow
  Leads Dads Events
  Meadow Camp Teacher

  Melissa first came to the Meadow with her daughter Karina in 1990.   We were thrilled to have her join our Staff in  ____.    She has a BA in English, Early Childhood Education Certificate and an Adult Education Credential.   She has worked with young children and their parents for 27 years.   The parents and children have benefited over the years from her insightful wisdom.  Melissa has two children ages 21ys and 18yrs old.
  
  Each year I look forward to sharing stories and creating a deeper understanding of the challenges and blessings of parenting.
  
  

• Mariana Leberknight

  Co Leader, Mornings and Afternoon in the Meadow
  Mother/Child Teas Hostess
  Co Leader Dads Events
  Meadow Camp Teacher
  
  Marianna joined our staff in 2005.   She has a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Masters in Education.    She has taught for many years including home schooling her four children Matthew 21, Michelle 18, Mark 16 and Megan 10.    All this background and experience play a part in the wonderful way she guides both parents and children in the meadow.

  I treasure time spent in the Meadow playing with Toddlers and sharing with their Mothers and Dads.
  
  

• Tanya Mangum
  
  Secretary
  
  

  Tanya returned to the Bay Area in 2006 after living in Montana for the last 17 years. With her husband James, they have two grown sons named Travis and Cory and a daughter named Ariel. Ariel had a great time working as an aide in the Summer in the Meadow camp. She is a senior at Aragon high school this year and is busy applying to colleges this fall. In addition to working in the CFI office Tanya is also a volunteer for Assistant League. Her hobbies include sewing, hiking, boating.
  
  

• Njeri McGillicuddy

  Mother/Child Teas – Storyteller

  Njeri is Director/ Teacher of the Morning Glory Waldorf School. We are fortunate enough to share in her many talents through our Mother/Child Tea Program since 2005. Her crafts have delighted both Moms and children through the years. Njeri’s magical storytelling keeps the group coming back for more.   Njeri also offers evening craft experiences for the Staff. Her quiet, enchanting ways are a great addition to our Staff.
  
  

• Nancy Martin
  
  Photographer
  
  Nancy has been with CFI since the day it opened. She has been involved as a teacher in many of the programs over the years. Presently, we are fortunate to have her as our photographer. Nancy has an outstanding talent of capturing the spirit of anyone she photographs. The history of our Institute is well documented thanks to Nancy.
  
  
• Margaret More
  
  Mother-Child Teas
  Storyteller
  Star Retreat
  Music Outreach
  
  

  Margaret has truly been with us since the beginning.  She lead the blessing for the opening of  CFI in September, 1986.   In the following years, she has spread her magic in many areas:  Star Retreats, Dads/Kids Events, Music Outreach in the community and as Storyteller for the Mother/Child Teas.  Margaret has two daughters Elizabeth and Felicity and two grandsons.

  I love the underlying support of the spirit of faith in the families.
  
  

  
  
• Anna Moorman
  
  Mornings in the Meadow
  Faith-Full Families
  
  Anna is our first student to come back as an Instructor. Anna began at age four in our Meadow Camp in 1990. Today, Anna co-leads Faith-Full Families and assists in our Friday Morning in the Meadow.  Her energy and love for children shines through everything she does.
  
  
  
• Joan St. Amand
  
  Secretary
  
  Joan joined our Staff in 2000 after retiring as Staff Assistant from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.   She is the friendly face behind the registration counter and greeter on the phone.   Joan keeps all our class lists updated and inputs them into the database. Joan's two grandchildren Claire and Quinn attend our programs.
  
  
  
• Mary Ruth Quinn
  
  Heart Voices
  Retreats
  
  Mary Ruth Quinn first came to CFI with her son, Noah, to be a part of our Mornings in the Meadow Program. Over the years she has help to develop our Heart Voice Programs and offer retreats. She has a special gift for helping women to stop and listen to their own heart voice. Her spiritual leadership has blessed all of us. She has two sons Jacob and Noah.
• Ruth Schooler
  
  Mother/Child Teas – Storyteller
  
  

  Ruth has been a part of CFI from day one as a Board member and instructor.  Presently she leads three of our Tea Groups. Ruth brings to these a wealth of experience from teaching kindergarten for many years.  Her stories and crafts delight both Moms and children. The Moms appreciate her wisdom gleaned from raising two boys (Chris and Garth) and her years in the classroom.
  
  

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