COFCCA Staff and Contact Info
Jim Purcell,Chief Executive Officer
jpurcell@cofcca.org
Jim has enjoyed a long distinguished career with the Division for Youth and the Department of Social Services, which are predecessor state agencies to the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. His work focused in the areas of policy and funding. His intimate knowledge of regulatory guidelines has helped member organizations and the field of child welfare throughout the country.
Dianne Heggie, Associate Executive Director, Downstate
dheggie@cofcca.org
Dianne has more than 30 years of child welfare practice in the areas of residential care, protective services and staff training. Her prior experience includes work at all levels of service delivery, from front-line social work practices to the duties of executive director.
Diane Leske, Chief of Staff
dleske@cofcca.org
Diane has been with COFCCA for over 26 years. During this time, she has served in a variety of positions within the agency. Currently Diane oversees both the New York City and Albany Offices in her role as Chief of Staff and is the contact person for organization operational issues and for COFCCA’s CEO and Board of Directors.
Edith Holzer, Director for Public Information
eholzer@cofcca.org
Edith has been at COFCCA for 25 years, where she has put her experience in media, government, and public relations to good use. Before joining COFCCA, Edith served as editor of a weekly newspaper focused on race and politics on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a deputy speechwriter for Mayors Lindsay and Beame, and a press liaison for several NYS Assembly subcommittees.
Jacques Cadet, Training Director
jcadet@cofcca.org
Prior to joining COFCCA, Jacques worked for 18 years at a large multi-service child welfare agency. During his tenure there, Jacques worked closely with staff to improve cultural competence and staff skills. His trainings outside the agency included Buffalo State College, Denver County Family and Children Services, and NYC Human Resources Administration. During his time with COFCCA he has increased the capacity of the training program.
Mary Jane Dessables, LMSW, Senior Program and Policy Analyst
mjdessables@cofcca.org
Mary Jane brings her education and more than 10 years experience in the areas of child welfare social work, technology, and data systems to COFCCA. During her career prior to coming to COFCCA, Ms. Dessables held the positions of group home caseworker, agency staff trainer, and Management Information Systems Director for a large multi-service agency.
Sophine Charles, Ph.D, Preventive Services Associate, Policy and Practice
scharles@cofcca.org
Sophine has more than 18 years of experience in child welfare including working as a director of preventive services and working in foster care as a therapist, trainer, and consultant. In addition, she has made significant contributions in law enforcement, reentry programs, and youth mentoring. She is an Assistant Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Meredith LaFave, MSW, Associate for Workforce Development/CWWI
mlafave@cofcca.org
Meredith LaFave has been with COFCCA since 2009 and is the project administrator for the Child Welfare Workforce Initiative grant, as well as other COFCCA workforce interests, primarily Social Work and other Mental Health Professional licensing issues. Meredith is a 2007 Center for Women in Government Fellow through the Rockefeller School of Public Policy and graduate of the University at Albany School of Social Welfare.
Agnes Simulinas, Executive Assistant
asimulinas@cofcca.org
Yolanda McLeod, Administrative Assistant, Training
ymcleod@cofcca.org
Alan Stricoff, Fiscal Officer