Hackensack, NJ, March 2009 -The Foster Family-based Treatment Association (FFTA) has announced that David Newell has been elected to the FFTA Board of Directors.  Effective January 2009, Mr. Newell will serve the Association in an effort to improve Treatment Foster Care throughout North America.

For the last three years, Mr. Newell has been employed as Vice President of Foster Care & Adoption Services for EMQ FamiliesFirst.  EMQ FamiliesFirst is recognized for innovative mental health treatment, foster care, and social services that help families recover from trauma, abuse, addiction and poverty, and to rebuild their lives.  FamiliesFirst fights for sustainable change and advocates for improvements in the local, state, and federal systems that serve children in need.

Previously, Mr. Newell served as Executive Director for Denali Family Services for seven years.   In addition to serving as a member of several community-based organizations, Mr. Newell has served as Vice President, President, and member of the Board of Directors for Alternatives Community Mental Health Center, Inc.  He is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).  Mr. Newell has a Masters of Science degree in Social Work and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Alaska in Anchorage.

“My goal as a FFTA board member is to promote and develop family-based care across the United States so that children can stay in their home communities.  Members of FFTA know that family-based care works for children, and I am honored to join the leadership of this dynamic association.”

Established in 1988, the nonprofit Foster family-based Treatment Association (FFTA) is the leader in Treatment Foster Care (TFC) with over 400 member agencies throughout North America.  Agency professionals work with trained TFC parents to assimilate therapeutic treatment within the foster family for foster children diagnosed with serious emotional, behavioral, and/or medical difficulties.  For more information, visit www.ffta.org or call (800) 414-3382.

Editorial Contacts:
Melissa Webb, Publications Coordinator
(800) 414-3382, Ext. 118 mwebb@ffta.org, www.ffta.org
cell (201) 669-6990

Melissa Cole, FFTA Administrator
(800) 414-3382, Ext. 113 mcole@ffta.org, www.ffta.org