For good. For all.

Staff

Our Leadership Team

Deb Rosen

President/CEO
585-461-0110 ext. 1120

As President and CEO, Deb oversees agency strategy and performance, ensuring that all activities are aligned with the agency’s mission and vision. Deb received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and has practiced as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Wisconsin and New York State. Deb has extensive experience as a human services leader, having held numerous leadership positions in governmental and nonprofit organizations. Deb has focused significantly on the needs of children and families involved in the child welfare and mental health systems and brings a family systems perspective to the agency’s work across the lifespan. Deb has also been deeply engaged in the marketing, fundraising, governance, and public policy components of agency leadership. 

Betsy Bringewatt, PhD

Chief Program Officer of Child and Family Services
585-506-3069

Betsy oversees a wide range of programs that serve children and families in our community. Betsy came to JFS with years of experience providing consultation and evaluation for programs that support children and families, primarily around early childhood, children’s mental health, child welfare, and parenting.  She has a Master’s in Social Work and a Ph.D. in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan. Her dissertation involved a qualitative analysis of how children diagnosed with mental health disorders learn about and experience their diagnoses, and how parents can be supported in this process.

Barbara Connor

Chief Administrative Officer
585-506-3056

After volunteering at several local non-profits, Barbara knew her calling was to work for a non-profit agency. Fast forward 25 years, Barbara is so very thankful to continue being part of the JFS Family. She is responsible for overseeing the administrative operations within the organization including human resources, marketing and policy oversite.

Kristen Lang

Chief Financial Officer
585-506-3066

Kristen earned her Masters of Science in Accounting at the University of Buffalo in 2005. She was an auditor at Lumsden CPA of Buffalo, NY from 2005 until 2013 when she joined the JFS Family. Kristen lives with her husband and two boys on their micro farm with chickens, sheep, dogs and a couple of goldfish. She loves running, hiking and being outside with her boys. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my community in my daily work and I love finding ways to stretch the greatest amount of good out of each dollar.”

Carly Layton

Vice President, Marketing & Communications
JFS Media Contact
585-645-2825

Carly has managed PR, communication, and marketing programs for local and national clients at agencies in New York City and Rochester and has led marketing teams for some of Rochester’s largest child and family-serving organizations. She is an experienced PMP certified project manager with 20+ years leading successful programs in the non-profit, CPG, consumer tech, B2B, higher education, and health sectors

Dee Schwartz, LMSW, C-ASWCM

Chief Program Officer of Aging, Essential and Inclusion Services
585-506-3072

Dee is a licensed Master of Social Work as well as a certified advanced social work case manager. Dee has over 10 years of experience working at Jewish Family Service, previously as a care manager and then as a director. Dee believes that all individuals and families of all abilities should have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. This is accomplished by developing and overseeing programs that promote compassion, inclusivity, trust, responsiveness, accessibility, and in partnerships with the community. Dee is a member of the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly Program (GRAPE), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Heather Starks, LCSW

Clinical Director
585-562-9771

Heather has spent her career as a social worker in the child and family serving systems across the Greater Rochester area, providing supervision and direct clinical services to a diverse population of youth, adults, parents, and families.  Heather utilizes a holistic, collaborative, person-centered approach focusing on individual strengths and needs coupled with developing skills and resilience Heather is highly skilled in areas of mediation, conflict resolution and life transitions. Heather draws upon a trauma-informed approach and training that includes Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Functional Behavioral Approach. As a trained yoga teacher, she incorporates mindfulness and overall mental wellness with individuals. At JFS Heather provides leadership to the counseling center, clinical consultation to staff and community partners and sees individuals for counseling.

Staff Directory

The JFS Helpline is available for anyone in the Rochester area who has a need, connecting them to resources such as food, basic needs, mental health & wellness, support for parents & families, and aging services. 

Call 585-461-0114 Mon-Fri; 8:30 am-5 pm, email helpline@jfsrochester.org, or fill out our online form. Our team will respond within 24 hours.

NameTitlePhone
Lauren BaerJFS Aging Care Management Supervisor585-506-3068
Danielle BanachJFS Aging Care Manager585-506-3077
Danielle BettsAdministrative Assistant585-506-3075
Talya BreaNORC Director585-288-3442
Betsy BringewattChief Program Officer of Child & Family Services585-506-3069
Brittney ColfMental Health Counselor585-504-1475
Oni ColonProgram Director, Pencils & Paper585-736-4610
Barbara ConnorChief Administrative Officer585-506-3056
Hannah DworskyAdministrative Coordinator585-506-3064
Leslie FriedmanClinical Social Worker585-504-1473
Rachel GlazerLicensed Social Worker585-504-1660
Linda HaddadAdministrative Assistant585-506-3063
Mandy HartmanDirector of Housing & Literacy Services585-216-1887, Ext 2
Kristen LangChief Financial Officer585-506-3066
Carly LaytonVP of Marketing & Communications585-645-2825
Cathy LittleBaby Safe Sleep Coordinator585-506-3057
Shannon MegnaVolunteer Coordinator585-371-6759
Shawna PetersonNurture Coordinator585-380-6082
Marcie ReddingPlay Therapist585-504-1472
Deb RosenCEO585-506-3076
Mary RotanWarehouse Coordinator585-736-4610
Dee SchwartzChief Program Officer of Aging, Essential & Inclusion Services585-506-3072
Ruthie SeablomProgram Coordinator, Pencils & Paper585-736-4610
Marisa SeverinoSocial Coordinator585-216-1887, Ext 4
Sharon ShafrirAccessibility & Inclusion Director585-506-3062
Chele SmithEISEP Aging Care Manager585-506-3073
Lauren SolomonJFS Aging Care Manager585-506-3065
Heather StarksClinical Director585-562-9771
Valentyna TabachukRegistered Nurse Specialist – NORC585-562-9500
Daniella VatchBFC Director, Care Manager585-736-4526

Locations

Jewish Family Services
255 East Avenue Suite 201,
Rochester, NY 14604 (Map)
Phone:  (585) 461-0110

Pencils & Paper
1099 Jay Street
Water Tower Park; Bldg. N, Dock 9
Rochester, NY 14611 (Map)

The NORC
31B Bobrich Drive
Rochester, NY 14610 (Map)

Brighton Food Cupboard & Brighton Your Wardrobe
220 Idlewood Road, Door #16
Rochester, NY 14618 (Map)

Affordable Housing at the Rochester Highlands
47 Green Knolls
Rochester, NY 14620 (Map)

The Counseling Center at JFS
920 S Winton Road STE 101
Rochester, NY 14618 (Map)