Meet The Members
Meet The Members
Roxanne Hoke-Chandler, MS
Agency
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Favorite Stage
Toddler
Why ECMH Matters
I believe in appropriate mental health supports and services for all, especially our youngest Massachusetts residents. Equitable supports should be available to all Massachusetts residents regardless of age, status, race/ethnicity, language spoken, income and geographical location.
Wise Words
"We must remember this is our job but their lives." -Roxanne Hoke-Chandler
Fun Fact
Iced coffee is a must!
Kate Roper, IFS-E®
(Former) Director of Early Childhood Services
Please Standby: Retirement in Progress
Agency
Retirement
Favorite Stage
Peek-A-Boo Stage
Why ECMH Matters
We must support little people becoming good people to make the world a better place.
Wise Words
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto others.”
- Jeree Pawl
Fun Fact
I am happiest when I’m in or on the ocean.
Aditi Subramaniam, LMHC, R-DMT, IECMH-E®
Agency
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Favorite Stage
Newborn Stage
Why ECMH Matters
As a practitioner, my joy is to witness families discover their newborn baby's capacities and personhood and have opportunities to fall deeply in love with their baby.
Wise Words
Every young child must feel and know "I am loved", "I am safe" and "I can be me and explore the world!"
– Aditi Subramaniam
Fun Fact
Dancing in community makes my heart happy! I am an Indian classical dancer and have been for the past 31 years.
Sade L. Douglas, MSW, LCSW
Agency
Boston Public Health Commission
Favorite Stage
Toddler Stage
Why ECMH Matters
Addressing Early Childhood Mental Health is a calling that I proudly answer. I am committed to spreading the importance of mental health and healthy child development.
Wise Words
“If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”
– African Proverb
Fun Fact
I am madly in love with mash potatoes, my favorite number is 4, and I absolutely love all that is Caribbean!
Tarsha Bradshaw, MBA, MMHC, IMH-E®
Agency
Boston Public Health Commission
Favorite Stage
Infant Stage (the 1st year)
Why ECMH Matters
Lifting up early childhood mental health is so important because our children matter; they are the future. This work is imperative because supporting families at the beginning of their child's life provides an opportunity to reduce adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which promotes a better life outcome. I truly believe that it takes a village to raise a child and ensuring that every child has “a village” that is fully prepared to support and raise them is a goal that I am fully committed to.
Wise Words
“It always seems impossible until it's done.”
- Nelson Mandela
Fun Fact
I love live entertainment: concerts, comedy shows, musicals and plays. I love to sing but can’t clap on beat, lol. I am obsessed with home decorating shows and consider myself a DIYer.
Andrea Goncalves Oliveira, MA, ECMH-E®
IECMH Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Infant early childhood mental health is synonymous with healthy social and emotional development. It is developing the capacity of the child from birth to ag… Statewide Policy and Initiatives Lead
Agency
Department of Mental Health
Favorite Stage
Infant Stage (the 1st year)
Why ECMH Matters
It brings such an opportunity for full family support and impacting generational change. It's a time of hope and with that hope a unique window of opportunity for support and change.
Wise Words
"One generation full of deeply loving parents would change the brain of the next generation, and with that, the world."
- Dr. Charles Raison.
Fun Fact
I have lived my life between two countries - USA and Portugal. And I love Sandra Boynton’s books; my favorite is Snuggle Puppy.
Larisa Méndez-Peñate
Assistant Director, Division of Pregnancy, Infancy and Early Childhood
Agency
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Favorite Stage
Toddler Stage ("terrible twos" are the best!)
Why ECMH Matters
It's a unique window of opportunity for providing support to affect generational and social change.
Wise Words
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou
Fun Fact
I'm half Cuban and half Swedish and Swedish was my first language. I've lived in 4 different countries and 4 U.S. states but feel most at home in Massachusetts.
Agency
Family Care Partnership & Healthcare Without Walls
Favorite Stage
Toddler Stage
Why ECMH Matters
I started my career working with teens. Over time I realized how much their struggle began in their early years. I believe giving caregivers the support and knowledge they need can save the family and the entire system from years of challenge and struggle.
Wise Words
Take time to enjoy your young child. You never get the time back and the beautiful connection you build will last a lifetime.
-Malika Arty
Fun Fact
I love all things sparkly or chocolate.
Agency
The Home for Little Wanderers
Favorite Stage
Infant Stage (the 1st year)
Why ECMH Matters
Every child deserves to have a happy, healthy childhood.
Wise Words
“If you don't use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem.”
- Coretta Scott King
Fun Fact
I am a middle child, from the middle of the country (Missouri), and I like the middle of the brownie best.
Agency
Boston Public Health Commission
Favorite Stage
Infant Stage (the 1st year)
Why ECMH Matters
Every child deserves to have a happy, healthy childhood.
Wise Words
“If you don't use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem.” -- Coretta Scott King
Fun Fact
I am a middle child, from the middle of the country (Missouri), and I like the middle of the brownie best.
