Cassandra M. Reyes, LCSW, known to colleagues, friends, and the communities she serves simply as ‘Cassie’, serves as President & Chief Executive Officer of CJR; bringing nearly two decades of leadership, clinical expertise, and a lifelong commitment to strengthening children, families, and communities across Connecticut.

Raised in Waterbury in a family deeply rooted in public service, Cassie learned early that leadership begins with service to others. She credits her family’s emphasis on education, community, and compassion for shaping both her personal values and professional purpose. Those lessons continue to guide her belief that lasting change happens when people are given hope, opportunity, and the support to rewrite their stories.

Cassie’s journey at CJR began in 2008 as an intern while completing her bachelor’s degree in social work. Over the years, she has grown alongside the organization, serving in a variety of clinical, programmatic, and leadership roles before becoming President & CEO. Having worked across every level of the organization, she brings a unique understanding of CJR’s mission, its people, and the communities it serves.

As CJR’s first woman and first Latina President & CEO, Cassie is honored to build upon the organization’s legacy while leading its next chapter of growth and innovation. She is passionate about strengthening community partnerships, embracing responsible innovation, and ensuring CJR continues delivering evidence-informed, compassionate services that meet the evolving needs of children and families.

Known for her authentic and collaborative leadership style, Cassie believes accountability and compassion are inseparable. She is committed to fostering a culture where excellence, transparency, continuous learning, and human connection thrive together. She believes the strongest organizations invest in developing exceptional people and that leadership is most effective when it remains connected to those being served.

Her leadership extends beyond daily operations through strategic planning, organizational growth, fundraising, community partnerships, scholarship initiatives, and expanding CJR’s impact throughout Connecticut. She is especially passionate about mentoring future leaders, strengthening behavioral health services, and creating opportunities that allow children, families, and underserved communities to flourish.

For Cassie, CJR is more than an organization—it is a community built on hope, dignity, kindness, and the belief that every person has the capacity to grow and thrive.

Cassie also loves to travel to new and exciting places around the world and spending time with her niece Veda and her nephew Julian.

Katherine (Kathy) Budzyn is the Director of Human Resources for CJR. Her responsibilities include recruiting, retaining, and developing the talent of CJR. She shares a deep commitment to embedding CJR’s mission and values into behaviors that fuel a trusted, transparent, and positive culture. She has been in this role since 2012.

Prior to CJR, she worked with The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital where she was responsible for managing and administering benefits programs for more than 1,000 hospital employees and its retiree population. Kathy has also held positions in human resources administration at The Timken Company (formerly The Torrington Company).

Kathy received her bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and her master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She also holds an SHRM-SCP certification. Kathy resides in Litchfield County, Connecticut, with her husband, Ed, and their Siberian Forest Cat, Pixie, who has them wrapped around her little paw.

Ana M. Flamengo is the Director of Community Programs at CJR and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the community programs designed to support the emotional and behavioral needs of children aged 10 and up and their families so they can succeed in their home, local school, and community. This includes developing and implementing staff training, pursuing public and private funding opportunities to enable CJR to enhance and expand its community-based services, and leading a team of trained professionals to deliver those services.

Ana joined CJR in 2004 and has held a variety of roles, including Lead Therapist for Multisystemic Treatment. As Lead Therapist, she was responsible for providing intensive in-home family therapy to adolescents and their families with the goal of fostering behavioral change in the individual’s natural environment. Ana has been the Director of Community Programs since 2012.

Ana is also involved in multiple statewide initiatives, work groups, and committees that impact juvenile justice and adult policy reform. These include the Partnership for Stronger Communities in Hartford, System Task Force Juvenile Reform, Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, Juvenile Justice Policy Oversight Committee — Diversion Work Group, Disproportionate Minority Contact committee, and CT Inter Group committee (LIST). Additionally, she volunteers for Leadership, Education & Athletics in Partnership (LEAP), an agency that focuses on helping young people develop tools to become leaders and change their lives.

She resides in Watertown, Connecticut, and enjoys being an active member in her children’s PTO meetings and school events.

Keith Furniss is the Director of Residential Services and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Adolescent Male Intermediate Residential (AMIR) program, the CDRC residential program, the Re-Entry, Goal-Oriented, Individual Opportunity to Nurture Success (REGIONS) residential program, and the community-based Re-Entry Support and Transition Services (RESTS) program. AMIR, CDRC and REGIONS utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to develop individualized goals and strategies to improve the lives of the youth we serve. RESTS is a contracted program that works in concert with the Judicial Branch-Court Support Services Division (JB-CSSD) residential programs to provide reintegration and transition services. RESTS supports and teaches DBT concepts and skills to the youth and families.

Keith started in the human service field in 1994 and has worked at multiple agencies serving adolescents in a variety of settings. He first joined CJR in 1997 at our Waterbury campus, then left to join JB-CSSD in 1999. Keith worked for JB-CSSD for more than 26 years as a Family Relations Counselor, Probation Officer, Chief Probation Officer, and Regional Manager. As a Regional Manager, Keith was responsible for the supervision of four probation offices and the probation responsibilities for four Superior Courts. During his time at JB-CSSD, Keith assisted with the development, implementation and training of Motivational Interviewing, Risk-Based Supervision, Courtroom Testimony, and Comprehensive Case Management. In addition, he assisted with training new staff and supervisors; coached, trained, and supported the development of supervisors; and implemented statewide initiatives. Keth left JB-CSSD in 2026 to rejoin CJR to further its mission.

Keith graduated from UCONN with a BA in Psychology, and Northeastern University with an MS in Counseling Psychology. He lives in Hartford County with his wife, three kids, and a puppy, and enjoys fishing, hiking, spending time outdoors, and traveling.

Jennifer Grant is the Director of the CJR Wellness Center for Children and Families, which is based in the Michael P. Mortara Family Center on CJR’s Litchfield Campus. Additionally, she oversees outpatient psychiatric services in four other locations across Connecticut  (Danbury, New Britain, Torrington, and Waterbury) and in more than a dozen school-based locations. She leads a multidisciplinary team of clinicians trained in evidence-based treatment models, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC), and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). Jennifer has been in this role since 2015.

Jennifer began in the Litchfield residential program in 2002 as a Family Services Worker. In 2004, Jennifer took on a role in the Multisystemic Therapy Program as the supervisor for the Torrington and Danbury locations. In addition to her role at CJR, Jennifer serves as an adjunct faculty member at various universities, including Simmons University and Post University.  

Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University and her Master of Social Work from Fordham University. Jennifer resides in Barkhamsted, Connecticut, with her husband and two daughters. For fun, Jennifer and her family are avid Walt Disney World travelers, as well as skiers.

Christine Jaffer is the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for overseeing the organization’s program operations, as well as partnering with senior leaders to analyze internal operations and identify areas for improvement. Chris collaborates with the CEO in setting and driving organizational vision and operations strategy including short- and long-term goal attainment.

Chris joined CJR in 1986 and has held a variety of roles, including as a Childcare Worker, Social Worker, Program Director, Multisystemic Therapy Program Supervisor and, most recently, Director of Residential Services. Chris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and her extensive hands-on experience allows her to design, implement, and manage programs that deliver meaningful and positive outcomes for individuals and their families.

Chris has contributed to numerous collaborative projects with the State of Connecticut, including the design and development of the CARE Program, the TRI-Model, and the Residential Safe Touch Policy. Chris has also worked closely with the state to coordinate the successful operation of several residential program models that have been replicated by other providers.

Prior to CJR, Chris provided counseling and job development to clients who were recently released from incarceration.

Chris earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and her Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She also holds a postgraduate certificate in clinical supervision from University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work. She resides in Thomaston, Connecticut, and enjoys traveling and working out.

James Obst is the Director of Education & Student Services at CJR and is responsible for providing students with a supportive educational environment that nurtures their ability to maximize their individual potential and strengthen their social and academic experiences, now and throughout their lifetimes. Committed to delivering the mission of CJR through education, James adheres to processes, curricula, and programs that support and maintain an equitable and positive learning culture. Under his tenure, CJR’s education program transitioned from a residential program to a day education school, student admissions and enrollment have increased by nearly 60%, and tuition rates and operating costs have decreased by 18%.  

James has been with CJR since 1997 and has held a variety of roles, starting as a Youth Counselor for the organization’s residential program and moving onto education roles, including teaching regular and special education. He has also served as an adjunct professor with the Connecticut State University system.  

James received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Sixth-Year Diploma in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. He is a certified superintendent. James resides in Torrington, Connecticut, and enjoys trail riding, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.  

George “Monty” Sabolcik, LCSW, is CJR’s Director of Re-Entry and Support Programs which includes oversight of CJR’s Winchester Therapeutic Group home; Waterbury Credible Messengers Program; state-wide Multi-Systemic Therapy Family Integrated Therapy (MST-FIT) Program; Training, Maintenance and Nursing Departments; and Food Services. Monty has been with CJR since 1999 when he joined the Maintenance Department as summer help; Monty then made the jump into residential care as an undergraduate intern from UConn in CJR’s 84-bed DCF Residential Program. Monty held a variety of residential positions on the Litchfield Campus until transferring to the Waterbury Outreach and Tracking Program in 2005 while attending the UConn School of Social work for his MSW. Following his graduation in 2007, he took a job in CJR’s Waterbury FACTS Adolescent Substance Abuse Program, and then worked as a MST in both the Waterbury and later the Torrington/Danbury court regions.

In 2010, Monty became the Program Director of the Litchfield Community Residential Program (LCRP), which, at the time, was the first Residential Program in America to combine residential treatment with a full Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) team in the milieu to underpin both clinical and programmatic treatment. This program was extraordinarily successful, and continues today in its third iteration as the CJR Adolescent Male Intermediate Residential (AMIR) program.

In 2019, Monty left residential programming, returning to community work to oversee the launch and successful implementation of the MST-FIT Program, serving clients coming home from the state detention centers and contracted residential programs using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Monty was able to lead the program through COVID to a successful rebid of the contract in 2024. Monty was promoted to Associate Director of Programs and Services in 2022; Monty’s success in this position led to his being given oversight of the Maintenance Department and a promotion to his current position in 2024.

Monty’s primary motivation is developing and administering high quality programming rooted in best practices, and identifying and cultivating emerging leaders. Monty has a strong background in compliance with the entire spectrum of both DCF and CSSD programs from outpatient, to in-home therapy, to residential treatment. He has sought to impart a combination of problem solving and logistical decision-making skills with a compassionate, trauma-focused clinical mindset in the programs he oversees. Monty is always looking to increase his skillset, holding certifications throughout the course of his career in MST, MDFT, and DBT, amongst others. He holds an Initial Educator License in Connecticut in addition to his LCSW, is a managing partner in an outpatient private practice, and holds a GAIN substance abuse trainer certification. He resides in Litchfield with his wife and two teenage sons, and enjoys golfing, gardening, and breeding and growing a variety of orchids.

Trish Shishkov is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is responsible for leading the oversight of CJR’s financial affairs and for managing the organization’s business, IT, and maintenance functions. In her role as CFO, Trish has the primary responsibility for developing CJR’s long-term financial vision and operating plan, developing CJR’s budgets, financial reports, and fiscal compliance to drive the business forward. Trish has been in this role since 2011.

Prior to becoming CFO, Trish was Director of Finance and Operations at the Warner Theatre. After leaving that position, Trish joined the Warner Theatre Board of Directors as an Officer and served as Treasurer from 2014 to 2018.

She received her Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University and her Master of Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. Trish resides in Northwest Connecticut with her husband, two daughters, and a houseful of pets. For fun, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time at the beach.

Julianne Torrence, the Director of Performance and Quality Improvement at CJR, is responsible for ensuring clinical fidelity to evidence-based and outcomes-influenced treatment modalities through program assessment and evaluation. Since 2009, she has overseen a team dedicated to exploring and applying for new programs, as well as initiating and maintaining licenses and accreditations for the organization using data-driven strategies to inform program decisions.

Julianne has been with CJR since 2007 and has held a variety of roles, including Clinical Program Director for CJR’s Therapeutic Group Home, where she developed and implemented a new therapeutic, trauma-informed model for a group home for teenage boys. Prior to CJR, she was a Clinical Social Worker with McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. She is also a published author, having co-authored a chapter in Sociocultural Issues in Psychiatry: A Casebook and Curriculum.

Julianne received her Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College and her Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She resides in Thomaston, Connecticut, and in her free time, she and her partner are working on renovating a bus into a tiny home.

Miguel Vázquez Jr. serves as Chief Development Officer at CJR, where he leads the organization’s fundraising, development, and communications strategy, including philanthropic partnerships, institutional and individual giving, donor engagement, and long-term revenue growth. He brings nearly a decade of nonprofit fundraising experience and over 15 years of experience in mission-driven organizations serving young people, families, and communities.

Prior to joining CJR, Miguel held several development leadership roles with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), most recently serving as Director of Institutional Giving while also taking on interim advancement leadership responsibilities. His experience includes fundraising strategy, corporate and foundation partnerships, grant development, board engagement, donor stewardship, strategic planning, communications, and leading teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Earlier in his career, Miguel worked with Catholic Charities in Hartford, providing case management services to young people, including juvenile justice populations, and coordinating with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.

Miguel earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, cum laude, from Babson College. He serves on the Board of Directors of Prospanica Connecticut and as a trustee at House of Restoration Church in Hartford, where he also leads the church’s Bible School ministry. He was recognized as a Hartford Business Journal 40 Under Forty honoree.

Outside of work, Miguel enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and caring for the family’s backyard chickens.