Meet the Team
Marianna Finamore - Director
Marianna Finamore has specialized in Child Care Services for over two decades. She brings extensive knowledge of Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) programs and system delivery, case management and social work from the County Welfare Agency perspective. Her tenure at the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development provided Ms. Finamore greater opportunities to develop and enhance skills in policy development, program administration and compliance. After acquiring her Bachelors degree at Rutgers University, Ms. Finamore started her career in Monmouth County where she assisted diverse groups of families to access state programs to address child protective services, kin relatives, grandparents and adoptive families. Ms. Finamore transitioned to Monmouth County Division of Social Services and worked intensive case management with TANF/WFNJ participants. Not long after, she managed the administration of child care assistance programs to eligible families at Child Care Resources of Monmouth County. Most recently, Ms. Finamore joins RSRCCR&R from the Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development (DHS/DFD) where she provided technical assistance, training, policy and program supervision to county CCR&Rs in the administration and delivery of child care programs. While at the DFD, Ms. Finamore participated in key projects such as working with a team to draft, review and revise child care regulations, new policies and DFD Instructions. Ms. Finamore utilizes these diverse experiences to support the RSRCCR&R staff, diverse ECE professionals, and the regional families and their children to enhance healthy outcomes.
Marianna Finamore has specialized in Child Care Services for over two decades. She brings extensive knowledge of Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) programs and system delivery, case management and social work from the County Welfare Agency perspective. Her tenure at the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development provided Ms. Finamore greater opportunities to develop and enhance skills in policy development, program administration and compliance. After acquiring her Bachelors degree at Rutgers University, Ms. Finamore started her career in Monmouth County where she assisted diverse groups of families to access state programs to address child protective services, kin relatives, grandparents and adoptive families. Ms. Finamore transitioned to Monmouth County Division of Social Services and worked intensive case management with TANF/WFNJ participants. Not long after, she managed the administration of child care assistance programs to eligible families at Child Care Resources of Monmouth County. Most recently, Ms. Finamore joins RSRCCR&R from the Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development (DHS/DFD) where she provided technical assistance, training, policy and program supervision to county CCR&Rs in the administration and delivery of child care programs. While at the DFD, Ms. Finamore participated in key projects such as working with a team to draft, review and revise child care regulations, new policies and DFD Instructions. Ms. Finamore utilizes these diverse experiences to support the RSRCCR&R staff, diverse ECE professionals, and the regional families and their children to enhance healthy outcomes.
Kelly Iacono - Associate Director
Ms. Iacono has been working with the early childhood population and their families for over 25 years. As an undergraduate at Ursinus College, Ms. Iacono completed several independent research projects focusing on parenting style, maternal employment and parent education programs. Ms. Iacono started her professional career as a Lead Teacher in a NAEYC Accredited child care center where she continued her interest in working closely with the families of young children. Ms. Iacono transitioned to working in a local CCR&R where she served as an Early Childhood Specialist for 7 years. She spent her time in numerous roles at the R&R. In addition to continuing to offer resources to families, Ms. Iacono offered Pre-K planning support to local school districts of all socio-economic levels, and served as principal liaison between the State of New Jersey and local early childhood entities. Ms. Iacono joined the Rutgers Center for Children and Childhood Studies in 2003 as a Core Group Member developing and implementing programs under the Professional Development Pathways Initiative (PDPI). She has served in many capacities with Rutgers including CDA Technical Advisor, grant proposal author and has utilized her skills in budget preparation. Ms. Iacono’s focus is assuring RSRCCR&R’s five regional programs are meeting the needs of children and families in New Jersey's southern region.
Ms. Iacono has been working with the early childhood population and their families for over 25 years. As an undergraduate at Ursinus College, Ms. Iacono completed several independent research projects focusing on parenting style, maternal employment and parent education programs. Ms. Iacono started her professional career as a Lead Teacher in a NAEYC Accredited child care center where she continued her interest in working closely with the families of young children. Ms. Iacono transitioned to working in a local CCR&R where she served as an Early Childhood Specialist for 7 years. She spent her time in numerous roles at the R&R. In addition to continuing to offer resources to families, Ms. Iacono offered Pre-K planning support to local school districts of all socio-economic levels, and served as principal liaison between the State of New Jersey and local early childhood entities. Ms. Iacono joined the Rutgers Center for Children and Childhood Studies in 2003 as a Core Group Member developing and implementing programs under the Professional Development Pathways Initiative (PDPI). She has served in many capacities with Rutgers including CDA Technical Advisor, grant proposal author and has utilized her skills in budget preparation. Ms. Iacono’s focus is assuring RSRCCR&R’s five regional programs are meeting the needs of children and families in New Jersey's southern region.
Ingrid Campbell - Quality Manager
Dr. Campbell supports the Agency's training and quality initiatives that include the training division, Grow NJ Kids Quality Improvement Specialists (QIS), the Infant Toddler Specialists (ITS), and all initiatives funded by the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development. Dr. Campbell is an experienced infant/toddler to adult learning specialist with over 40 years in early childhood center-based and family childcare, Title I, special education, and higher education settings. She worked for NJ First Steps and Rutgers-Camden Institute for Effective Education to assess and mentor over 200 early childhood programs to promote standards-based best practices as outlined in state and national early education standards for center and family care. Dr. Campbell will use these skills to ensure the Agency's training/quality initiatives staff promote the goals of Grow NJ Kids and the DFD. The training unit will use data from training attendees, center/home-based surveys to develop professional development and family supports to best meet the diverse needs of the EC community in our five counties. Furthermore, center and home-based programs can access the QIS to engage in Grow NJ Kids, as well as the Infant Toddler Specialist to advance quality infant/toddler programs in the five southern counties of service through direct coaching or training opportunities. Our Agency's subsidy and intake staff can further seek support from the quality team to provide information and support for programs and families as needed. Dr. Campbell looks forward to the amazing partnership opportunities these DHS/DFD initiatives will bring to our regional early care workforce/leadership, families and children.
Dr. Campbell supports the Agency's training and quality initiatives that include the training division, Grow NJ Kids Quality Improvement Specialists (QIS), the Infant Toddler Specialists (ITS), and all initiatives funded by the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development. Dr. Campbell is an experienced infant/toddler to adult learning specialist with over 40 years in early childhood center-based and family childcare, Title I, special education, and higher education settings. She worked for NJ First Steps and Rutgers-Camden Institute for Effective Education to assess and mentor over 200 early childhood programs to promote standards-based best practices as outlined in state and national early education standards for center and family care. Dr. Campbell will use these skills to ensure the Agency's training/quality initiatives staff promote the goals of Grow NJ Kids and the DFD. The training unit will use data from training attendees, center/home-based surveys to develop professional development and family supports to best meet the diverse needs of the EC community in our five counties. Furthermore, center and home-based programs can access the QIS to engage in Grow NJ Kids, as well as the Infant Toddler Specialist to advance quality infant/toddler programs in the five southern counties of service through direct coaching or training opportunities. Our Agency's subsidy and intake staff can further seek support from the quality team to provide information and support for programs and families as needed. Dr. Campbell looks forward to the amazing partnership opportunities these DHS/DFD initiatives will bring to our regional early care workforce/leadership, families and children.
Cheryl Chavis - Trainer
Dr. Cheryl R. Chavis comes to the agency with over 30 years' experience in early childhood center-based and family childcare, Abbott and higher education settings. Dr. Chavis served as the Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS) and Family Engagement Specialist (FES)Manager for the Agency. She currently is part of the training team to review training needs data, and will connect programs to specific training requirements and child development supports using the national guidelines embedded in Strengthening Families Initiatives (SFI). Dr. Chavis brings extensive knowledge of supporting and working with diverse families and served as the Community & Parent Specialist (CPIS) for Camden City School District (CCSD) Office of Early Childhood as well as serving as President/CEO of Camden Day Nursery. She continues to mentor and coach early childhood staff, leadership, higher education students, community and families in promoting and demonstrating standards-based best practices using NAEYC Standards, NJ Infant and Toddler and Preschool Standards, Head Start Standards, Core Curriculum Content Standards, and the Strengthening Families Protective Factors. Dr. Chavis served as an adjunct professor for Rutgers University-Camden in Early Childhood Education, infant/toddler social/emotional development, as well as 28 years at Camden County College. She believes in creating a community of life-long learners and a host of advocates for all children and families.
Dr. Cheryl R. Chavis comes to the agency with over 30 years' experience in early childhood center-based and family childcare, Abbott and higher education settings. Dr. Chavis served as the Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS) and Family Engagement Specialist (FES)Manager for the Agency. She currently is part of the training team to review training needs data, and will connect programs to specific training requirements and child development supports using the national guidelines embedded in Strengthening Families Initiatives (SFI). Dr. Chavis brings extensive knowledge of supporting and working with diverse families and served as the Community & Parent Specialist (CPIS) for Camden City School District (CCSD) Office of Early Childhood as well as serving as President/CEO of Camden Day Nursery. She continues to mentor and coach early childhood staff, leadership, higher education students, community and families in promoting and demonstrating standards-based best practices using NAEYC Standards, NJ Infant and Toddler and Preschool Standards, Head Start Standards, Core Curriculum Content Standards, and the Strengthening Families Protective Factors. Dr. Chavis served as an adjunct professor for Rutgers University-Camden in Early Childhood Education, infant/toddler social/emotional development, as well as 28 years at Camden County College. She believes in creating a community of life-long learners and a host of advocates for all children and families.
Beverly Ramos - Trainer
Beverly Ramos is an advocate of children and families with over 30 years experience in early childhood education. She has served the early childhood profession as a preschool teacher assistant, preschool teacher, family child care provider, center based educational coordinator, preschool director, CDA instructor, child care licensing inspector, and education manager for the Head Start program in Camden County. Ms. Ramos conducts professional development workshops for teachers and family childcare providers and has served as a member of the New Jersey Child Care Advisory Council. Ms. Ramos led the Family Child Care Unit of RSRCCR&R to mentor and promote best practices for the southern region’s family child care providers. Throughout the years, Ms. Ramos has mentored numerous early childhood education staff, and ensured that developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) was always a priority. She is fully bilingual and is a great asset to the Hispanic community. Ms. Ramos attained her degree from Springfield College in Wilmington, Delaware. and alt P-3 credits from Montclair State University. Ms. Ramos, along with Dr. Chavis and Cristine Dell-Priscoli, will continue to support DFD/DHS's professional development goals for the five southern counties' early childhood workforce professionals and families.
Beverly Ramos is an advocate of children and families with over 30 years experience in early childhood education. She has served the early childhood profession as a preschool teacher assistant, preschool teacher, family child care provider, center based educational coordinator, preschool director, CDA instructor, child care licensing inspector, and education manager for the Head Start program in Camden County. Ms. Ramos conducts professional development workshops for teachers and family childcare providers and has served as a member of the New Jersey Child Care Advisory Council. Ms. Ramos led the Family Child Care Unit of RSRCCR&R to mentor and promote best practices for the southern region’s family child care providers. Throughout the years, Ms. Ramos has mentored numerous early childhood education staff, and ensured that developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) was always a priority. She is fully bilingual and is a great asset to the Hispanic community. Ms. Ramos attained her degree from Springfield College in Wilmington, Delaware. and alt P-3 credits from Montclair State University. Ms. Ramos, along with Dr. Chavis and Cristine Dell-Priscoli, will continue to support DFD/DHS's professional development goals for the five southern counties' early childhood workforce professionals and families.
Leslie Addison - Chief Fiscal Officer
Leslie Addison, who started her career with Rutgers Southern Regional CCR&R in July 2015 comes to the agency with 10 years finance and accounting experience. She was named Chief Fiscal Officer in September 2016. Ms. Addison is responsible for the fiscal integrity of the agency. She provides daily oversight of the financial and accounting operations of the Child Care Resource & Referral contract totaling over $5 million annually. She also implements and maintain policies, internal controls and safeguards for revenue, expenditures, and budgets. Prior to this, Ms. Addison worked with multiple non-profit organizations where she was responsible for overseeing various federal, state, and locally funded programs. She worked on programs such as Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Abbott Preschool Program, Family Success Centers (FSC), Child-Based Centers (CBC), Ryan White Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Foreclosure Prevention. Ms. Addison obtained her undergraduate degree in Accounting at Stockton University (formerly, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) and has attained her MBA at Rutgers University.
Leslie Addison, who started her career with Rutgers Southern Regional CCR&R in July 2015 comes to the agency with 10 years finance and accounting experience. She was named Chief Fiscal Officer in September 2016. Ms. Addison is responsible for the fiscal integrity of the agency. She provides daily oversight of the financial and accounting operations of the Child Care Resource & Referral contract totaling over $5 million annually. She also implements and maintain policies, internal controls and safeguards for revenue, expenditures, and budgets. Prior to this, Ms. Addison worked with multiple non-profit organizations where she was responsible for overseeing various federal, state, and locally funded programs. She worked on programs such as Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Abbott Preschool Program, Family Success Centers (FSC), Child-Based Centers (CBC), Ryan White Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Foreclosure Prevention. Ms. Addison obtained her undergraduate degree in Accounting at Stockton University (formerly, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) and has attained her MBA at Rutgers University.