MCH Team Profiles
This month we want to introduce you to some members of our MCH team who you may not already know. These team members don’t interact directly with local public health agencies and partners as often as some of their colleagues, but all provide support that helps both state and local programs run more smoothly. They also all contribute in some way to the MCH Digest.
Welcome Sam Jarrell
Sam is our new Children, Youth and Families Branch (CYFB) Assistant, A.K.A. Captain of the S.S. Spreadsheet
She provides operational support for the MCH program and the Children, Youth and Families Branch. She also just took over designing and formatting responsibilities for the MCH Digest. This issue is her first one and she did a great job!
More about Sam -
Favorite thing to do when not working: I clear my schedule to make sure I have enough time to give my rescue dog head pats everyday. I try to pencil in some time around that to read and write books.
Favorite book read in the past year: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen is a graphic novel that I absolutely recommend to anyone that will listen. It asks the question: how are you supposed to find the words to tell your parents about who you really are when you don't speak the same language? The art is just as phenomenal as the story!
Laura Zuniga
Laura is a Branch Program Specialist, A.K.A. Webinar Expert (You’ve most likely been on a webinar that she’s organized/helped run.)
She also provides operational support for the MCH program and the Children, Youth and Families Branch. She jumps in and assists with formatting the Digest when needed, including helping train Sam for this month’s issue.
More about Laura -
Favorite aspects of her MCH work: Creating beautiful documents and/or designs and posting them on our CDPHE website for everyone to see!
Favorite thing to do when not working: Watching CoComelon (tv show for kids) and singing along with my two grandchildren.
Joan Sims
Joan is the Branch Operations Supervisor/MCH Operations Specialist
She provides contracting support for LPHAs receiving more than $50,000 and supervises the logistical and administrative details for the Children, Youth and Families Branch. Joan also proofreads the Digest each month.
More about Joan -
Favorite things to do when not working: Cooking, gardening, running, reading, simple entertaining...i.e. snacks and drinks on the patio with family or neighbors. And most importantly, spending time with her husband and three grown kids.
Things missed the most about not working in the CDPHE office every day: Day to day interactions with friends and colleagues. Face to face opportunities are especially missed when welcoming and getting to know new employees or saying goodbye to those who are moving on.
Risa Friedman
Risa is the MCH Program Specialist, A.K.A. the Block Grant Queen
She serves as project manager for the annual MCH block grant application/report. She also coordinates the development of many of the MCH communications products, including serving as the lead editor of the Digest.
More about Risa -
Favorite aspect of her MCH work: Completing projects that help bring more attention to the amazing work of my MCH colleagues - could be a feature in the Digest, a two page info sheet, or a qualitative story shared to a national audience at a conference.
Favorite things to do when not working (at CDPHE): Working as a multidisciplinary artist (photography, collage, street art and installation) and spending time with my family.
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