Mary Jane DeWolf-Smith, RN, PHN, MA, MFT – Executive Director
Mary Jane DeWolf-Smith, is the founding Executive Director of A.P.P.L.E. FamilyWorks. She is an author, speaker, educator, registered nurse, and family therapist. She has developed practical and empowering programs for parents and children for over three decades. She has been a guest on local and national radio and television.
Mary Jane has established dozens of pioneering programs, services and curricula for strengthening relationships and families. Mary Jane has supervised and mentored over 300 pre-licensed intern therapists, peer facilitators and parenting support specialists. She has provided family therapy for families and individuals of all ages for 19 years.
In her work with FamilyWorks staff, board, volunteers and clients, Mary Jane brings together theory and practice from a variety of educational, counseling, family development, holistic health and personal transformation traditions as well as from the practical experience gained from 46 years of marriage, parenting four children, and nurturing five foster children and eight grandchildren.
Patricia Saunders, MA, MFT – Director of Therapeutic Programs
As Director of Programs, Patricia is responsible for managing or supporting FamilyWork’s current programs, including the Supervised Visitation program (S.A.V.E. Kids), the ACTT program (Assessment, Consultation Temperament Training), the Special Needs Services program, W.H.A.T.’s U.P.? (Where Healthy Attitudes Thrive Under Pressure), and the DownTime program. As a Parent Educator, she co-facilitates FamilyWorks’ Positive and Peaceful Parenting and Child-Centered Co-Parenting classes, and as a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Patricia serves as an individual and on-site clinical supervisor for FamilyWorks’ MFT Intern Training Institute. She also provides psychotherapeutic services at FamilyWorks for individual adults, children, teens, couples, and families.
Prior to joining FamilyWorks in 2002, Patricia has almost 20 years of experience at Pacific Bell where she was a Human Resources Senior Consultant. She was a certified professional trainer and quality consultant, and an expert in reward and recognition system development.
Patricia is very involved in the Marin chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist, acting as Co-Chair of their Conference Planning Committee, and also participates on Marin County’s Differential Response committee, an extension of Children and Family Services. Patricia loves spending time with her 3 children and 4 grandchildren, and hiking with her dogs.
Lew Tremaine – Special Needs Associate Coordinator/Editor of FamilyWorks Magazine
Lew has served as editor of FamilyWorks Magazine (formerly Family News) since 2002. Among the many hats he wears at FamilyWorks, he is an Associate Coordinator for the agency’s Special Needs program, providing family assessment services for prospective clients. He is also a parenting, relationship, and life-skills educator, having taught the agency’s “Cooling Teen/Parent Conflict,” at Marin County’s Parent University, “Back to Family,” at San Quentin State Prison and W.H.A.T.’s U.P.? at Venetia Valley School, Davidson Middle School and Miller Creek Middle School. He is the former director of the Campaign for a Healthier Community for Children and Fairfax Youth Center.
Lew is currently the Mayor of Fairfax, CA and President of the Ross Valley Fire Department Board of Directors. He also serves on the Transportation Authority of Marin and Marin Energy Authority Boards. He is Co-Chair of the Green Party of Marin and Regional Representative for Napa, Sonoma and Marin Counties to the Green Party of California Coordinating Committee.
Lew is also the very proud and active father of 2 teenage sons.
Katherine Arnsbarger – Special Needs Program Coordinator
Katherine began working with FamilyWorks in 2006 as a Parenting Support Specialist in the Special Needs Program and was subsequently promoted to the position of Program Coordinator of the Special Needs Program. Prior to working with FamilyWorks, Katherine worked in the Research and Education fields. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology - from San Marcos Major National University in her home country of Peru - and her experience working as a Social Analyst, Katherine brings great understanding of socio-economic and cultural dynamics in working compassionately with the Special Needs population. In her role as Program Coordinator she helps train and manage a team of approximately 20 Parenting Support Specialists, ensuring quality Independent Living Skills and Parenting Support services to the clients of FamilyWorks’ Special Needs Program.
When not working at FamilyWorks, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her new son, and her dog, Rocky.
Diana Wilkins – Operations Manager
Diana has been working at FamilyWorks since 1998. With a background in bookkeeping, her duties include accounts receivable, payroll, audit support and maintaining statistics on the agency’s various programs. She is the agency’s chief researcher on legal and human resources issues and is the resident expert on special education.
Diana has been a Marin County resident since 1979 and is the proud mother of two teenage sons and an adult daughter.
Candy Fraser – Office Manager
Candy has worked at FamilyWorks for 20 years! She is responsible for a number of administrative and clerical duties including secretarial and receptionist work. She handles registration for FamilyWorks’ classes and is also the primary intake person for the agency’s counseling program.
When not working at FamilyWorks, she enjoys spending time with her husband, and her teenage son and daughter.
FamilyWorks - 4 Joseph Court - San Rafael, CA 94903
