The National Office was created in 2000 for the purpose of refining, evaluating and replicating the Friends of the Children model. Led by the Executive Director Judith Stavisky, MPH, M.ED. and the Deputy Director Dwayne Wharton, M.ED., the National Office provides technical assistance and support to the six chapters across the United States.

Judith was formerly a Senior Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, managing a large portfolio of grants to vulnerable children and families. Both Judith and her husband have been mentors for 18 years. Dwayne Wharton was awarded the 2007 Community Leader Award from the Urban League of Philadelphia and has held senior positions at Project H.O.M.E. and the American Red Cross.

The National Office has three main functions:

• Monitors the children’s progress and their developmental milestones, establishing consistent standards and updating best practices.
• Guides fundraising efforts and coordinates marketing and communications strategies.
• Raises the visibility of the model in order to serve more children.

The National Office helped secure a $2.9 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The Eugene based non-profit Oregon Social Learning Center was selected to manage this prestigious national study of the Friends of the Children model over the next five years.

National Office Staff

Judith Stavisky, MPH, M.ED.
Executive Director

Dwayne Wharton, M.ED.
Deputy Director

Carolyn Manke, M.S.
Manager of Program and Evaluation

Allison Budschalow
Program and Development Associate