I have worked with adults, children & families for over 30 years. I have a Master’s of Arts from Lesley College. At Lesley, my concentration was in Family Therapy and Holistic Studies.  I worked both directly with families and children in various settings. I worked with the Child Welfare and Court Sytems. I coordinated a Shelter for Adolescents and managed home-based services for children and their families. In all these positions, families and children were referred by other agencies. I took on this job as I found that much of the challenges families faced were hampered by the system not working together on the family's behalf. It was my role to assure that families and their children were at the center of the delivery system and decisions regarding their services were delivered in a way that worked for and with them. It became clear to me that the way services were delivered for families were often ineffective at least partially due to children and families believing they have “choice”. I believe that at least a conversation for choice is key such that in the process family’s voices are heard and respected.