NOANK COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES - Key Persons
Amity is an attorney in private practice, representing injured workers. She was born and raised in Groton. Amity was drawn to serve on the board of Noank Community Support Services after having represented children whose families were involved with DCF.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Human Resources
Angel joined Noank Community Support Services in October 2022 after working in various functions of human resources, staffing/recruiting, and learning and development at major corporations in her previous roles.
Angel is passionate about Human Resources because she believes that people are the most important asset of any organization. She loves helping to find the best talent and developing them into top performers.
When she's not working, Angel loves spending time with family, working out, having fun playing and watching sports, reading, and soaking up the sun while relaxing on the beach.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Vice President of the Reardon Law Firm
Attorney Kelly E. Reardon, Vice President of The Reardon Law Firm, P.C. in New London, Connecticut, has been representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases since 2009. She earned her J.D. from Boston College Law School, where she was elected President of the student government for the entire student body. Prior to that, Attorney Reardon worked as a television reporter for five years, in Burlington, Vermont, and Hartford, Connecticut. She also holds a Bachelor's degree cum laude from Princeton University and Master's degrees from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and the London school of Economics and Political Sciences.
Attorney Reardon is admitted to practice both in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, sits on the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and is a State Delegate to the American Association for Justice.
She has been chosen by her peers to be a Connecticut Superlawyers Rising Star since 2012. She has been rated AV Pre-eminent by Martindale-Hubbell, their highest rating. She was selected as a Connecticut New Leader in the Law in 2014.
In 2010 she was appointed to serve on the Connecticut Young Lawyers Section Executive Committed as co-chair of the Litigation Group.
She has been an active member of the Noank Community Support Services, including serving as their Board President, since 2009.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- HR Coordinator
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Clift House QA & PSA Compliance Manager
- Director, Transitional Foster Care Program
Brett has a BA in Public Policy from Eastern Connecticut State University and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University. Previously at NCSS he was the Clinician at Gray Farm House. Prior to coming to the agency he worked with the Functional Family Therapy model collaborating with both Juvenile Probation and the Department of Children and Families. He also has served as the Supervising Therapist for the Outpatient Clinics at Klingberg Family Centers.
Brett says he was drawn to this field because it is important to feel like he make a difference. He wants to be known for improving the lives of others and making the world a better place.
In his free time Brett loves kayaking, paddle boarding, and hiking with my four children and husband.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Clift House Program Director
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Gray Farm Program Director
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Support Services Coordinator
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Coordinator of
- Coordinator of DCF Credentialed Services
Eisha has over 12 years in behavioral and mental health awareness in programs such as Special Education, behavioral modification life coaching, and managing a safe house for expecting young women.
Eisha is the American Red Cross, Learning Inventory of Skills Training (LIST); Risking Connection; and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) trainer for NCSS. Eisha trains our staff in trauma-informed care, as she believes it's the foundation for successful trauma recovery and facilitates healing for ourselves and others.
In her free time, Eisha enjoys crafting, dancing, painting, reading, and singing.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Director of Development and Marketing
Geoff Taylor has ten years of experience helping organizations tell compelling stories through digital and print mediums and raising over $4 MM in operating dollars. These organizations include Connecticut College, Teach for America, and Habitat for Humanity. He also free lances as a graphic designer to help marketing efforts and brand identity for dozens of small local businesses, civic groups, and nonprofits.
Geoff holds a BA in Architecture and Botany from Connecticut College.
In his free time Geoff enjoys spending time with his large family and close friends. He is also a micro-influencer creating food and cocktail content creation for Instagram and TikTok.
Job Titles:
- Director of Churchhill House
Heath Greene has been working in the human service field for 23 years. Heath has had various roles working with both adults and children from being case management, residential program director, recruiter for foster care placements.
He has worked with many different departments including Massachusetts Department of Children and Families; Massachusetts Department of Development Disabilities; Connecticut Judicial Branch Court Support Services; Department of Corrections Parole; and Community Services. Heath has been trained in many cognitive-based curriculums, trauma-informedpPractices as well as various types of assessments
Heath has a Master's of Education (M.Ed) focused on Psychological Studies. Heath joined Noank Community Support Services in January 2023 as the Program Director for the Short Term Assessment and Respite (STAR) Program.
In his spare time, Heath enjoys cooking and spending time with his husband and close friends. He is an avid fan of the UCONN Women's Basketball team.
Irenes joined Noank Community Support Services in April 2022 and enjoys the positive work environment and the staff who are passionate about their work. She worked for many years as a corporate accountant and brings a great deal of knowledge in accounting and finance to the organization.
Irenes holds an MBA in accounting from the University of Phoenix, and a BA in accounting from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico (Inter American University of Puerto Rico).
Irenes describes herself as an islander who loves the beach and feeling of the sun and breeze on her face, who is always looking for her next adventure. Her favorite quote is: "When you can't control what's happening, challenge your self to control the way you respond to what's happening. That's where your power is!" by Anonymous.
Pratt's involvement with Noank Baptist Group Homes, now Noank Community Support Services, began when Robert P. ("Chip") Anderson, Jr. purchased the former "Legion House" in Noank and gave it to the Noank Baptist Church to be a place of refuge for homeless, often senior, adults. Pratt, was, at that time, the Minister of the Noank Church and became immediately involved in the future of the house. When the state would not allow the desired use of the house, it was eventually decided to make it a group home for adolescent girls who had been removed from their families.
To make this possible, a corporation called "Noank Baptist Group Homes" was founded and the "Legion House" became "Main Street House." Pratt served on the board of Noank Baptist Group Homes for the next 30 years until his retirement and move to London in 2001. In 2017, after returning to reside in Noank, Pratt became a board member of NCSS with particular concern for the future of "Main Street House." Pratt fully supported the effort to retain the house (when its use as a group home for adolescent girls was no longer possible), and strongly advocated its use as a shelter for homeless young adults. That dream has now been fulfilled at the house.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Director of Residential Services
- Chairman of the Southeastern Mental Health System of Care
Jean has been in the children's mental health field for 39 years. The best care we can give our children are well-informed and trained staff. She is a trainer for Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Risking Connections, and Mental Health First Aid trainer as well as a facilitator for various trauma informed groups for adolescent girls.
For the past four years, Jean has been the Chair for the Southeastern Mental Health System of Care. Jean enjoys spending her free time with her family at the beach, and participating in outdoor activities.
Her favorite quote: "All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and someone to believe in them." - Magic Johnson
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Director of Performance
- Director of Performance & Quality Assurance
Jillian is responsible for the oversight of the agency's quality assurance program.
Her responsibilities include Quality Assurance and Improvement Plan Development and Evaluation including ensuring compliance with all State and Federal regulations. She also oversees Regulatory Compliance including ensuring credentialing is up to date for all programs, and works with management and staff in achieving targeted outcomes.
Jillian has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Franklin Pierce University.
Jillian lives in a small town just outside of Jacksonville, North Carolina with her husband Max, who is a Sargent in the U.S. Marine Corps. They have two sons, Braden who is 13 and Cooper who is 12 as well as two dogs; King and Kiwi, both Pitbull rescues. When she is not working, Jillian enjoys reading, photography and scrapbooking. The whole family are avid sports fans who love to play and watch sports as much as possible.
Jillian's personal mantra: "Everything is figureoutable." -Marie Forleo
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Coordinator of
- Coordinator of Community - Based Services
- Learning Inventory of Skills Trainer
In 2006, Kara moved on within the agency to become a CHAP case manager working with young adults in the community. Presently, Kara is working as the coordinator of all community-based services at NCSS, implementing standards of practice and procedures complying with agency and State policies.
Kara is a Learning Inventory of Skills trainer. Mental Health First Aid and American Red Cross CPR and first aid trained.
When she isn't working, Kara enjoys gardening, relaxing at the beach and spending time with her husband and two children.
Mari Kodama works as part of JTK Management Restaurant group, and is the General Manager of their BREAKWATER location, which is located in Stonington Borough.
Born, and raised, in North Stonington, Mari graduated from Norwich Free Academy and went on to pursue a degree in Business Economics and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She returned to the area in 2010 and since then, has been actively engaged in the local community.
Mari joined the board of Noank Community Support Services in 2011 and is currently the Vice President and an active member of the development committee. She is also the Treasurer of the Regional Multicultural Magnet School Foundation - her elementary school alma mater; and on the board of directors for the Mystic Museum of Art.
Marina studied at California State University of San Bernardino, and holds a BA in Liberal Arts with a Human Development concentration. Marina has worked in the humanities related field for 15 years. Marina dedicated her first years of her career in early intervention services, working with birth to three programs that assisted children with special needs. She participated in community service outside of the country, dedicating her time to assist orphanages that housed young children and adolescents.
In her time with Noank Community Support Services since 2017, Marina has successfully taken on various roles as a per-diem, youth care worker, case manager, and now Director. Marina hopes to be an example that hard work and dedication to your profession pays off.
Marina enjoys spending time with her family. She considers herself a foodie, and enjoys experiencing new foods. She misses the California sunshine, but is getting used the beautiful seasons of Connecticut. As a true Disney fanatic one of her favorite quotes is, "All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them"-Walt Disney
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- President of Acme Wire Products
Mary is the President of Acme Wire Products, a second-generation fabricator of custom industrial metal components. She is active in several manufacturing and business organizations and boards, including Connecticut Business & Industry Association, Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, Precision Metalforming Association, Women in Manufacturing, and the Wire Fabricators Association. Mary created and runs a video competition for high school students. She was a Girl Scout leader for nine years and participates in her local church as a catechist, teen group leader, and Eucharistic minister. Mary and her husband Tom are the parents of four children.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- Executive Director
Regina has over twenty years of experience in the behavioral health field, with special interests and training in emergency mental health services, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring disorders.
Regina is a graduate of The University of Massachusetts Medical School, in Worcester, MA. She served as Chief Resident in Emergency Psychiatric Services. She was involved in the development, from conception to completion, of an extensive emergency room psychiatric clinic. She is also a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and certified clinical supervisor. She has run training and provided supervision for the emergency psychiatric services of a national crisis hotline, has directed a residential treatment program for adolescents with co-occurring disorders and has served as risk manager for a large multi-state behavioral healthcare organization. She serves on several state and provider committees for behavioral health issues.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Financial Advisor With Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Seth is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Mystic, CT, where he manages the investments and financial affairs for families across the country. After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 2009, he moved back to Mystic, CT where he lives with his wife, Amy. Seth became a member of the Noank Community Support Services Board of Directors in 2016. He enjoys being a part of the local community, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Mystic Lions Club.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
- STAR Program Director