SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) is pleased to announce that member Jessica Oswald, CFLE, CCLS, has joined NCFR staff as the new education manager. Jessica will manage NCFR’s Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential, along with associated projects such as the CFLE Academic Program Review, Family Life Education Assessment exam, CFLE Conversations, and support other NCFR education programs.

Jessica will take on the management of these responsibilities from Dawn Cassidy, M.Ed., CFLE, director of Family Life Education, as she transitions to full retirement, later in 2023. Jennifer Crosswhite, Ph.D., CFLE, senior director of research, family, and policy education, will guide the transition and oversee all aspects of NCFR’s education programming, including Family Life Education.  

Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Bowling Green State University, is a Certified Child Life Specialist, and has been a CFLE since 2016. She has a thorough understanding of Family Life Education, its content areas, and the pathways to becoming certified through NCFR. Jessica has experience working as a CFLE in the community, where she worked directly with families and developed a child life program. She previously worked at the Association of Child Life Professionals as a manager of program operations, in a role similar to her new NCFR position.

Jessica’s background experience as a practicing CFLE and in association work makes her ideal for this position. She comes with an understanding of association work, including the database and software that NCFR uses. As a practicing CFLE, she understands the needs of those who work as CFLEs immediately after achieving their college degree.

We are excited to leverage Jessica’s expertise to bolster CFLE benefits, especially for those working in the community. We hope to further increase the number of CFLEs practicing in the community. Please join us in welcoming Jessica to NCFR. She will be at the 2023 NCFR Annual Conference where you can meet her in person.