
TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY
There is nothing wrong with small. You can do big things with a small team.
-Jason Fried

Program Supervisor
Lesa Leclair, BS
I received a Bachelor's degree from Eastern Washington University in Child Psychology in 1992 with an emphasis in social work. I have worked with children and families professionally since 2004, and extensively with therapeutic foster children using behavioral strategies to make them successful in home and school settings. I have had the privilege to work with children and their families to successfully reunify and strengthen families. I will provide skill-building for parents, behavior modification for children, emotion management skills, and connections to community resources.

Parent Educator
Krys Frank, BA
I have been committed to serving children and families in the Puget Sound area since 2010. I received certification in Early Childhood Education from Renton Technical College in 2009 and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Child Development from The Evergreen State College in 2016. Prior to coming to the Institute For Family Development, I worked as a Positive Behavior Specialist in Head Start. I am most passionate about helping parents overcome challenging behaviors by giving them the tools and skills they need to be successful in becoming the best parent they can be.

Parent Educator
Marilyn Griego Benitez, BA
I received a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Western Washington University. I have been committed to serving children and families in the Puget Sound area. Prior to coming to the Institute for Family Development, I worked with school age students and families in a before and after schools setting as well as preschool aged children in preschool programs. I am committed to my ongoing development as a Parent Educator by frequently taking additional courses and classes to improve my work with families. I am honored and have always enjoyed working with families, and creating a connection with families who may not have English as their first language.