Who We Are
Valerie Spiva Collins
Director
Dr. Valerie Spiva Collins is the Director of FRIENDS National Center for Community Based Child Abuse Prevention. Valerie joined FRIENDS in January 2010 as the Training and Technical Assistance Supervisor working with the training and technical assistance team in developing and providing on-site and distance services to CBCAP State Leads. Immediately prior to joining FRIENDS, Valerie was the Branch Head for Injury and Violence Prevention with the North Carolina Division of Public Health. She has worked with children, youth, and families for the last 35 years in substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and injury and violence prevention and intervention. Valerie has a Bachelor’s in Art and a Master’s in Health Science Education, both from James Madison University and a Doctorate in Health Science from Nova Southeastern University’s School of Allied Health and Nursing.
Contact Valerie:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (919) 636-1212
Email: vscollins@friendsnrc.org
Yvette Layden
Associate Director of Administrative Services
Yvette Layden is the Associate Director of Administrative Services for the FRIENDS National Center. As a member of the FRIENDS management team, she is responsible for developing and managing the budget, acting as the liaison between FRIENDS and CHTOP, and managing the day-to-day operations of FRIENDS. In addition, she serves as a Graphic Designer for FRIENDS and other Families and Communities Rising, Inc. (formerly Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project (CHTOP)) programs. Prior to this position, she was the Office Manager for FRIENDS, the Information Specialist for the ARCH and FRIENDS National Centers, and a Media Assistant at CHTOP. Yvette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education.
Contact Yvette:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (984) 259-5867
Email: ylayden@friendsnrc.org
Natalie Towns
Training and Technical Assistance Supervisor
Natalie Towns is the Training and Technical Assistance Supervisor for the FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP. Natalie has almost twenty years of experience working in policy, advocacy, research, training, program development and budgeting and finance within systems serving children, youth and families. Prior to joining FRIENDS, Natalie worked at Prevent Child Abuse America advocating for policies and funding at the national level related to child care, child tax credits, home visiting, child sexual abuse prevention, CAPTA reauthorization and health and human services appropriations. Natalie also comes to FRIENDS with experience as the CBCAP state lead and Children’s Trust Fund Director for the state for Georgia. Natalie has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina Central University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Contact Natalie:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (214) 564-4232
Email: ntowns@friendsnrc.org
Carolyn Abdullah
Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator
Carolyn Abdullah is a Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator for the FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP where she provides technical support and training to CBCAP State Leads. Carolyn has over 25 years of experience working on issues related to children, youth, and families. Prior to joining FRIENDS, she held positions at Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds, and the DC Children’s Trust Fund. She has experience working with parent leaders to expand and advance meaningful roles for parents in family strengthening programs. This includes working in partnership with parents and practitioners to host guided community conversations where participants share their knowledge and experiences as they create strategies to improve the lives of children, families, and communities. Carolyn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design.
Contact Carolyn:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (336) 997-9856
Email: cabdullah@friendsnrc.org
MaryJo Alimena Caruso
Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator
MaryJo Alimena Caruso is a Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator for the FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP. MaryJo has over 25 years’ experience in service delivery and training and technical assistance for child welfare and human service professionals and families. MaryJo has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Education with an emphasis in disability issues. Prior to joining FRIENDS, she developed an evidence-based volunteer respite program which been replicated nationally in faith and community organizations. MaryJo has experience in statewide and national initiatives with program planning and design, curricula and resource development, and working to support parent and practitioner partnerships and parent advisory councils.
Contact MaryJo:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (724) 591-5448
Email: mjcaruso@friendsnrc.org
Magdalena Benitez
Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator
Magdalena Benitez, MSW is excited to join the FRIENDS National Resource Center as a Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Fellow. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California – she has worked both in community-based organizations and as an independent consultant supporting community and education collaborators to strengthen families and communities. She is passionate about creating partnerships with parent and youth leaders, experienced in the development of family resource centers, and providing capacity building to the child abuse prevention and early education fields. Most recently Magdalena has overseen and supported the implementation of Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors (AP/OD) an evidence-based parenting, leadership, and advocacy training program for parents of children 0-5 in over 35 organizations across Los Angeles County as part of a family engagement initiative sponsored by First 5 LA. Magdalena enjoys being a community thought partner especially in facilitating learning conversations in English and Spanish that enhance our openness to cultural understanding and creating improved and equitable outcomes for children and families.
Contact Magdalena:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (626) 818-5485
Email: mbenitez@friendsnrc.org
Samantha Florey
Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator
Samantha Florey is a Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator for the FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP. Samantha has almost 20 years of experience in family support and program development. She has developed & delivered specialized training and provided technical assistance to family strengthening networks and organizations across the country. Prior to joining FRIENDS, Samantha was the Director of Training for the National Family Support Network. Other previous work includes 9 years as a Training Specialist working with the Strategies Program in California and several years as the Director of Education & Learning with the Executive Service Corps of Chicago. Samantha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego.
Contact Samantha:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (224) 676-1230
Email: sflorey@friendsnrc.org
Cynthia Smith
Evaluation Specialist and Program Planning Coordinator
Cynthia Smith is an evaluation specialist and program planning coordinator for the FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP. Cynthia has over 12 years of experience working on issues related to children, youth, and families at the school, community, and state levels. Prior to joining FRIENDS, Cynthia held positions at the Indiana Department of Child Services including as the CBCAP lead. Cynthia has a Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Psychology with a specialization in Developmental Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in local and statewide networking and program development and implementation. Cynthia has experience in working with local, state, and federal governments, university-level teaching, and outcome evaluation.
Contact Cynthia:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (812) 483-1906
Email: csmith@friendsnrc.org
Edi Winkle
Technology Specialist and Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator
Edi Winkle is a Technology Specialist and Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator for the FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP. Edi has a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She has worked in public and private agencies and has 20+ years of experience in providing training and technical assistance to states. Edi has provided workshops and training at the state, regional, and national levels. In addition to her training and technical assistance expertise, Edi has worked in the development of computer databases to monitor program and family outcomes and has knowledge in website management.
Contact Edi:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (918) 486-6687
Email: ewinkle@friendsnrc.org
Emily Turner
Administrative and Web Support Specialist
Emily Turner is the Administrative and Web Support Specialist for the FRIENDS National Center. She supports the Associate Director of Administrative Services with various administrative tasks that contribute to the coordination and implementation of FRIENDS National Center’s activities and goals and assists the Webmaster to keep the FRIENDS National Center website up-to-date. Emily worked as the Office Manager for an Arts Council in Beaufort, South Carolina where she gained much of her non-profit experience prior to joining FRIENDS.
Contact Emily:
FRIENDS National Center
Families & Communities Rising, Inc.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 330
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (336) 343-2065
Email: eturner@friendsnrc.org