Catholic Guardian Services Celebrates Three COFCCA Child Welfare Leadership Graduates in New York City
June 30, 2026
Catholic Guardian Services is proud to recognize staff members Yolima Valbuena, Jada Seeram and Josabet Amin, who graduated from the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies’ (COFCCA) Growing Together Supervisor Training. Their achievement reflects the importance of developing strong child welfare leadership to support children and families throughout New York City.
The three colleagues were celebrated at a graduation ceremony alongside leaders from Catholic Guardian Services, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and COFCCA, recognizing their commitment to professional development and the agency's mission of providing help, creating hope and preserving dignity.
What Is COFCCA's Growing Together Supervisor Training?
Growing Together is a professional development program designed to support supervisors of frontline workers in child welfare and related human services. COFCCA describes the program as a learning community that provides opportunities for professional connections, peer support and shared learning among supervisors.
The training reflects the broader mission of COFCCA's Center for Excellence in Child Welfare, which works to strengthen the quality of services provided to children and families throughout New York State. The Center supports learning and collaboration among child welfare professionals, promotes effective practices and helps develop the next generation of leaders.
For organizations like Catholic Guardian Services, these opportunities are an important part of building a knowledgeable, collaborative and compassionate workforce.
Investing in the People Who Support Children and Families
Supervisors play an essential role in child welfare. They guide frontline professionals, help staff navigate complex situations and support the thoughtful, informed decisions that affect children and families every day.
Their work also creates an environment in which staff can learn from one another, strengthen their professional skills and approach challenges with confidence and compassion.
At Catholic Guardian Services, this commitment to leadership development supports a broader mission that includes foster care and family permanency services in New York City. The agency works alongside children, parents and caregivers to strengthen families, promote safe reunification whenever possible and help children achieve stable, permanent homes.
Supporting the professionals who carry out this work is an important part of providing consistent, person-centered care. Opportunities such as Growing Together reinforce the value of collaboration, continuing education and learning from colleagues across the child welfare community.
Celebrating Our Colleagues
Catholic Guardian Services congratulates Yolima, Jada and Josabet on completing the Growing Together program and recognizes the time, dedication and commitment reflected in their achievement.
The agency also extends its appreciation to COFCCA and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services for their continued commitment to strengthening the child welfare workforce and supporting the professionals who serve New York's children and families.
We are grateful to our three colleagues for their continued dedication to Catholic Guardian Services and the people we serve. Their achievement is a reminder that investing in our staff is an investment in the children, families and communities who depend on us.
About Catholic Guardian Services
Catholic Guardian Services is a nonprofit social service agency serving children and families across the five boroughs of New York City. The agency provides foster care and adoption services, children's mental health care, family support programs, and services for people with developmental disabilities, and serves all who need help regardless of faith, race, or background. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, its roots reach back to 1887, and its legal incorporation dates to 1913. Catholic Guardian Services is headquartered at 488 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Phone: (212) 371-1000. Donate or learn more at catholicguardian.org.