Brown

Candidate Statement

Nadine Blaschack-Brown

Vallejo, California

During your 2+ years of membership in SVN, describe how you have utilized your member benefits. (Networking, training, credential, etc.)

I have utilized my SVN membership in various ways over the years. In the early years of the organization, it was imperative to network with members especially in discussing policies, procedures and case review during the early evolution of services in family law matters. I served in a variety of capacities on the Board of Directors between 1992 and 2007, most notably on the development of the standards and as faculty at conferences. During the past 1.5 years, I served as chair of Governance and Nominations where we revised the SVN Bylaws. I have also attended various virtual trainings.

Describe your experience in the field of supervised visitation or relevant experience that intersects with the field of supervised visitation.

From 1991 to 2007, I was the founding director of Rally Family Visitation Services in San Francisco, CA. I built strong collaborations with the San Francisco Superior Court and various justice partners, including domestic violence shelters, law enforcement, child support enforcement, and child abduction services. Since that time, I have worked for the Judicial Council of CA Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) where I oversee training and technical assistance for family court professionals, providing educational programs that include information about supervised visitation and the CA Access to Visitation Grant Program. The family court professionals I work with and for include judicial officers, court leadership (Family Court services directors, managers, supervisors, and court administrators), court connected mediators, child custody recommending counselors, evaluators, family law facilitators and Self Help center staff.

SVN’s vision statement is: “The Supervised Visitation Network champions a world in which all vulnerable families have access to safe and quality visitation services.” Discuss your commitment to better outcomes for families in consideration of racial, cultural, socio-economic, gender equity and ability/disability.

My entire career has been committed to working with and for vulnerable populations in a strengths-based way. Working with families in high conflict has been one of the most challenging and rewarding of careers, most especially when creating the right balance between the development and implementation of policies and procedures that are safety focused, legally binding, and relevant to diverse families served in the community. I find that conducting research, attending ongoing training programs, consulting with peers, and listening to those receiving services are the most important methods to maintain my commitment to serving the needs of those who most need the services.

What do you envision as the primary function of the position you are seeking and what skills, talent and experiences do you have that would most benefit SVN (and ultimately the membership) if elected to the position?

My background in supervised visitation helps to inform the field and provides me with empathy and compassion for those who continue to directly serve families. In the past 14 years, my work at the Judicial Council of CA can be of assistance in service to the SVN Board of Directors when it comes to capacity building, governance, and development of policies and procedures. I am interested in continuing the work of the Governance and Nominating Committee which I see as an ongoing work in progress. I am also interested in participating in revising the SVN Standards and training programs. Finally, I want to explore the possibilities of providing training to other professional organizations about supervised visitation and expanding the audience to include justice partners and how this can be accomplished through the offering of continuing education credits to those professionals whose work intersects with supervised visitation.

Regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, what strategy(s) would you utilize to effectively engage in dialogue with the membership?

I believe board members should lead by example and should continue to participate in training programs that inform the SVN how it can best become more diverse and inclusive, serve a diverse membership who serve diverse families. Holding in person and virtual forums or round tables with membership on various topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion would be a way to further engage them in these challenging concepts. Programs will need to be thoughtful, organized, and with set agendas that are marketed in advance of implementation.

In what local, national, state, or provincial organizations (coalitions, groups, or task forces) outside of SVN or your current employer are you involved that would enhance the Networks goals?

Aside from the SVN and my work at the Judicial Council with various tasks forces commissioned by the chief justice, I participate in a number of programs of the CA Chapter of the Association of Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and am currently working with the chapter president and incoming president on enhancing public/private collaboration, National Center for State Courts (NCSC), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Justice Clearinghouse, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.