EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & LEAD COUNSELOR

Mike is a founding member of Front Line Foundations and serves as our Executive Director. Mike attended Stockton University in Galloway, NJ where he earned a BA in Criminal Justice. After moving to New England in 2008, he began a career in behavioral health working with diverse populations in a variety of settings. This experience in mental health crisis work and inpatient psychiatric settings gives him a unique perspective on many of the challenges faced by first responders. His nearly lifelong study of mindfulness and Eastern thought dovetailed seamlessly with his interest in nature when he began working with veterans and first responders in 2018. Mike considers it a personal mission to share these skills and knowledge with our clients at Front Line Foundations.

mikec@frontlinefoundations.org

(802) 732-2526

CLINICIAN & CLINICAL MANAGER

Jennifer is a founding member of Front Line Foundations. She attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she earned her BA in Psychology. After graduation, she went on to work as a professional firefighter and paramedic for 15 years where she worked with the Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program, the Massachusetts State Hazardous Materials Response Team, and with local police departments as a tactical paramedic. After retiring as a Captain, Jennifer attended Springfield College, earning her Master of Social Work (MSW). She has worked with a variety of adolescent and adult populations, drawing on different modalities to meet the needs of each individual. Jennifer utilizes a trauma informed, strength-based approach in her work with first responders and military personnel as Clinical Manager of FLF. Jennifer received a Certification in Traumatic Stress Studies from JRI’s The Trauma Center and uses a holistic mind-body-spirit approach to the treatment of PTSD and trauma.

jsellknapp@frontlinefoundations.org

(802) 732-2525

STAFF CLINICIAN

Josh received his Master of Social Work degree (MSW) at Tulane University. He grew up in eastern Massachusetts before moving to the western part of the state to attend college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There, he earned his BA in Sociology. After graduating, he worked as a firefighter paramedic in western Massachusetts for 14 years. Josh's unique perspective as a first responder has only strengthened his resolve to serve the uniformed services community. He enjoys the outdoors, running, writing, and spending time with his family and his dogs. He is eager to serve clients and to learn from the team at Front Line Foundations.

jcoates@frontlinefoundations.org

(802) 732-2524

STAFF CLINICIAN

Amy is a former police officer and investigator of 30 years and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western Oregon State University. She holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. Amy also completed the Trauma Response Institute Certification to prepare for mental health crisis work and mass casualties, has specialized training and experience in traumatic grief, and holds the Compassionate Bereavement Care Certification from Arizona State University.

Amy is a strong believer in a therapy process that offers clients the power to know how capable they are of facing incredible challenges in their life, the ability to navigate their suffering in a healthy way, discover their internal resources that assist in the recovery process, and come out of the crisis feeling strong and hopeful. Motivated by her own experience of traumatic experiences, institutional betrayal, and moral injury in law enforcement, Amy works with first responders who have suffered these similar experiences, as well as depression, complex PTSD, and grief with a holistic approach by integrating a spectrum of modalities that involve the client’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Amy is known for creating a safe and trusting environment and aspires to explore the impact of the clients’ significant relationships and the influence of larger social systems on their sense of wholeness and ability to achieve desired growth and healing.

ajaffe@frontlinefoundations.org

OFFICE MANAGER, MEDIA OFFICER

Lila got her MS in Conservation Biology at Antioch University New England. She grew up in southern New Jersey around the salt marshes, the beach, and the Pine Barrens. From an early age her parents instilled in her a love of nature. Her father is a combat veteran who served as an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam. The natural world was always somewhere that he could find solace from the things that he carried back with him. Lila feels honored to be of service to our country's military and first responders.

lilac@frontlinefoundations.org

(802)732-2518

PEER COUNSELOR, ALUMNI COORDINATOR

Joe is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate who brings years of experience and a ton of heart to helping our clients navigate their first steps on the journey to resiliency and wellness. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, NY, Joe comes from a family with generations of civil and military service. He served as a police officer with NYPD from 1984-1987 before entering a 17 year career with FDNY. Joe was medically retired from FDNY in 2004 due to physical illness. While his firefighting career ended earlier than he would have liked, Joe poignantly reflects that he sought treatment for Post Traumatic Stress later than he should have. He has been sharing the lessons learned in life, the fire service, and his recovery journey with vets and first responders since 2019. Joe believes that being true to yourself, practicing consistently, and staying humble are values that can and will lead to success.

joeg@frontlinefoundations.org