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Families in Action Instructors Biographies


Deborah Ross: Teaches Love & Logic, Strong Willed, Teens Choosing Success, Cooperative Parenting, and 1,2,3,4 Parents!

Parenting classes have been truly helpful to me raising my own children, and I believe everyone can benefit from parent education.  I’ve had many years of training and experience in family advocacy and have a passion for helping parents raise great kids.  I’ve received specialized training in Strong-Willed/Out of Control Children and Becoming a Love and Logic Parent.  With a 32-year-old son, 11-year-old daughter and granddaughter, I’ve had plenty of parenting experience myself.  My professional experience includes several years with The Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley and instructing Community Education classes at Antelope Valley College.
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Chris Camacho: Teaches Teaches Strong Willed, Choosing Success, Love and Logic, Cooperative Parenting, Jovenes de Caracter Fuerte and Los Ninos Bien Educados.

Chris received her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from California State University of Los Angeles (CSULA) in December of 1982 and received her teaching credential from CSULA in June of 1984. She received her Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from CSULA in September of 1986. From 1984 to 1993, Chris was an elementary school teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She currently teaches in Palmdale. Chris has worked the City of Palmdale since June of 2001. She has been married to her current husband since 1990 and they have two wonderful children
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Jose E. Carrillo: Teaches Los Niños Bien Educados, Jovenes Fuera De Control.

Jose Carrillo was born in El Salvador and came to the United States when he was 19 years old. He had big dreams and goals that were cut short due to his addiction to alcohol and drugs. Jose gave up alcohol and drugs at age 28 and started to rebuild his life. Today, He has over 20 years of working with the Antelope Valley Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency for 20 and has had the privilege of instructing for Families in Action for 15 years. Jose is married with two children.
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JoLyn Shreves: Family Development Coordinator.

JoLyn Shreves has worked with "at risk youth" and their families for almost 20 years and she has had the pleasure of teaching classes with Families In Action since 2002. Last October JoLyn became the City of Palmdale's Family Development Coordinator and now she coordinates and teaches classes, develops new programs and enrolls parents. Prior to this move, she worked as a Community Attendance Worker (truancy officer) for the Antelope Valley Union High School District where she learned valuable skills that will stay with her forever. Shreves is also the proud mom of three fantastic and somewhat strong willed children. She enjoys using the skills taught in class at home and is still amazed at the results. JoLyn feels it is incredibly rewarding to share information with families (young and old) and to watch them strive for success in their relationships both within and outside their family unit.
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Sandy Towell: Teaches Strong-Willed, Love and Logic, 1,2,3,4 Parents, Strengthening Stepfamilies and Choosing Success.

Sandy Towell has been with Families in Action since 1997.She is the surviving parent of three strong-willed children. Her biological daughter is 30 years old while her stepsons are 25 & 27. Sandy enjoys seeing parents go from tears and frustration to being confident and empowered. She truly believes in this program and practices what she preaches!
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JoElla Wilson: Teaches Love and Logic and 1, 2, 3, 4, Parents!

JoElla Wilson has taught for 25 years in the cities of Houston, Seattle and Lancaster, California. A recipient of the Lancaster School District Teacher of the Year Award in 1982, she completed her professional career as a guidance counselor with the Antelope Valley High School District after 14 years of service. Although she is retired JoElla has found ways to stay connected with students and adults. She is involved in various community organizations hoping to make a difference in our community and feels most rewarded by being an instructor for the City of Palmdale's parenting classes for 13 years. JoElla enjoys preparing parents along with the curriculum that they use to understand the importance of self-esteem, self-confidence, having a good character, being responsible and being a great role model. JoElla and her husband Earl two children whom they are very proud of.
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Kari Robertson: Family Development Supervisor

Kari Robertson has been with Families in Action since the program was first developed in September 1990. In that time, the Families in Action program has grown from one curriculum offered a couple times over the course of a year, to offering close to 40 sessions of seven different curriculums. There may be only a week or two during the entire year that a class is not meeting! Robertson is certified to instruct all of the programs offered by the City, and does teach classes throughout the year. Kari primarily facilitates the "Cooperative Parenting and Divorce" classes, but often manages a "Love and Logic:" or "Strong Willed "course throughout the year. Kari is also certified from the University of California, Irvine in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Arbitration. She handles private mediation and enjoys the process of finding ways to come to agreement, even in difficult situations. Kari's love of parenting allows her to give all of herself to these programs, hoping to allow other parents the full enjoyment she has felt in raising children. Kari has two children, Doug 26 and Summer 24 and two step-children Chris 27 and Stephanie 25. These children are the greatest joy and proudest parts of her life. Robertson has lived in Palmdale since 1986 and continues to make her home here with her husband and her empty nest dog, Giggy.
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Carol Lowe: Teaches Strong-Willed and Choosing Success.

Carol has been teaching with Families in Action since 2006. She loves working with teenagers and parents, with a goal of making a difference in their lives. Currently employed by the Antelope Valley Union High School District, Carol has worked as a volunteer with youth for eight years and as a sponsor for a self-help program for two years. She is married, has two grown children and enjoys her two grandchildren.
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Alma Arvizu: Teaches Cooperative Parenting and 1,2,3,4 Parents!

I currently am employed by the AVUHSD as a Community Attendance Worker. I have worked with at risk families for 10 years in different capacities. I have a small family with high demands, and enjoy working with all age groups and cultures.
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Susan Hernandez: Teaches Strong Willed, Choosing Success and Working Out Conflicts.

Susan Hernandez is currently employed by the Antelope Valley Union High School District as a Community Outreach Coordinator. She has 10 years experience working with at risk youth and families. Susan has two daughters and 2 grandchildren and absolutely enjoys working with youth and their families.
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Gail D. Ostman: Teaches Love and Logic.

Parenting children has been Gail Ostman's life's work and a passionate desire of hers since she was a young teen. She believe that parents, including her, need all the help they can get. Gail is very excited to be a part of an organization which offers numerous resources to assist parents along the difficult path to raising respectful and responsible children. As a "Parenting with Love and Logic" facilitator she will be able to give parents the words and actions necessary to bring out the best in their children and their family life. Gail's degree in Psychology and six years' experience a Special Education teacher have given her the credentials and experience necessary to understand and guide others to desired behaviors. She hopes to use all of this acquired knowledge to instruct and motivate parents to do the best they can do, at one of the most difficult tasks they will ever encounter, raising their children. Gail is the proud parent of seven children and seven grandchildren.
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Keisha Cole: Teaches: Strong Willed and Working Out Conflicts.

A resident of the Antelope Valley since 1997, Keisha is married and has four children. She previously was employed in social work for 13 years and now works as the truancy officer at Antelope Valley High School. Keisha has facilitated many teen support groups and in home parenting and life skills courses. After being certified in the Parent Project program, she began teaching for the City of Palmdale. Keisha is excited to help families create better relationships and happier homes.
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Ron Columbo: Teaches Love & Logic, Strengthening Stepfamilies.

Ron Columbo holds a master's degree in clinical social work and a bachelor's degree in philosophy. With over 20 years of counseling experience, he retired as a psychotherapist. Ron has worked with diverse populations in a wide variety of settings including residential, outpatient and in-home. Columbo's clinical expertise includes children, families, couples, parenting and addictions. top of page
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Savina Frisk: Senior Office Assistant

Savina Frisk is the Senior Office Assistant for Families in Action and has worked for the City of Palmdale for two and half years. As a parent and a participant, she believes these classes are incredibly fun and highly informative. Savina wishes she had known about Families in Action sooner, but is quickly spreading the word and hope you will too!
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