Counseling Options and Parent Education
Family
Support
Center
Our mission is to strengthen family relationships through counseling options and parent education.
We Listen.
We Care.
We Act.
C.O.P.E. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cathy, Executive Director & Founder
Cathy has worked in non-profit and county agencies for the past 20 years. With a degree a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting, she started her career in the corporate world working in IT and Commercial Escrow. After a move from Texas to California, Cathy adopted a baby in 2004, a life changing decision that brought her to the non-profit world where she took a parenting class. This path lead to the idea of creating an environment where parents of all backgrounds would have access to a quality parenting education in a supportive and safe learning environment – Counseling Options and Parent Education, Inc. (C.O.P.E.)
Cathy’s professional and personal experience enabled her to open Counseling Options and Parent Education, Inc. (C.O.P.E.) a non-profit with a mission to prevent child abuse to ensure that all families receive emotional and social support and have an opportunity to develop skills that empower parents by strengthening knowledge and confidence in parenting practices. Cathy will celebrate her 8th year anniversary of C.O.P.E.s opening in September 2019. Funded through County, State, local agencies and community donations, C.O.P.E. is a leader in providing evidence-based parent programming.
Roy, Board Member
Natasha, Board Consultant
Natasha Paddock holds a B.A. degree in Psychology from University of the Pacific and a Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, East Bay. Natasha has over 10 years of social service experience and previously served on the board of directors for the National Association of Social Workers. In 2012, Natasha began working for C.O.P.E. as a facilitator of level 4 Triple P parenting classes supporting parents as they sought self-actualization and an opportunity to become improved individuals for their children. This experience gave her the opportunity to reconnect with families through a direct service approach. Natasha’s desire to give back to C.O.P.E. and to the families in the community drove her to become a member of the Board of Directors in 2016.
Annie, Board Chair
Roy Smart joined the C.O.P.E. Board in 2018 and took on the responsibility of the Treasurer position in 2019. Roy has been an active volunteer in the Contra Costa County parent education and family support community since 2000. He and his wife Susie have been active in the Parent Education community as speakers and facilitators starting in 2000. Prior to joining C.O.P.E., Roy served on the Board of Directors for The Family Stress Center from 2003 to 2010 and S.T.A.N.D. from 2010 to 2013. Roy has been a finance professional for over 20 years and is a Bay Area native.
Annie Barrett Widemann has dedicated her career serving the community and helping families and individuals access the necessary resources to achieve self-sufficiency. She has over 20 years work experience as a leader and educator in the community.
William, Board Member
Cecilia, Board Treasurer
Cecilia A. Angat joined the C.O.P.E. board in 2021 and is a partner at Baker Tilly US, LLP where she works a variety of clients, including not-for-profit organizations. With over 20 years of experience, her work includes financial reporting, audit compliance, endowments, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow projections, and governance best practices. Prior to joining C.O.P.E., Cecilia was a board member of the Marcus Foster Education Institute in Oakland. Cecilia is a long time Contra Costa County resident.
Bill Klein has over 30 years’ experience as a financial executive and a history of non-profit and community leadership. He is a consulting Chief Financial Officer with 2GO Advisory Group where he counsels corporate leaders in development and management of financial controls. He is experienced in board level management of both non-profit and for-profit organizations, including finance and accounting, and the development and implementation of strategic initiatives. He has an MBA and a law degree from Golden Gate University. Bill’s volunteer contributions to the community include Grant Committee Chairman for the Contra Costa Humane Society, and former board member and president of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, where he also served as member of the Executive Committee, Economic Development Committee and Government Relations Committee. Bill joined the C.O.P.E. board in 2021.
Anne
Board Chair
