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With more than two decades of leadership experience in child welfare and healthcare business, Dr. Ryan Cargando is recognized as a "Social Impact Leader".   His  style of  Leadership  was used  as one of the case studies in the book published under Kendall Hunt, 2021,  "From Small to Large: Growing Social Impact Organizations." by Zoot Velasco,MBA  professor and Director of Gianneschi Center School of Management in California State University, Fullerton.

 

Ryan's entrepreneurial and principle centered approach in business and organization has earned Creative Solutions For Kids and Families, the agency he founded in 2005, a solid reputation for  quality standard services  from stakeholders and partner agencies. 

 

The Accrediting Agency, CARF, International described Creative Solutions as  a "mission driven organization".  With sound business strategies Creative Solutions was named   as  a "recession star"  among 27  out of 6,450 non-profit organizations in an article published from California State University, Fullerton Non-profit and Business and Management Research.

 

Ryan's engagement  to his team revolved  within the context of purpose and meaningful contributions.  He believes  that  seeking and finding our "why"  drives our inner sense of  passion and happiness.  Ryan received his MS and  PhD in Philosophy from La Salle University in United States and  was a Thomas Merton Scholar.  His graduate studies research include, "The Meaning of the Human Person" and  "The Political Meaning of Christianity."

 

Prior to his immigration to the United States, Ryan received his Bachelors Degree in Philosophy from St. Pius X Seminary and pursued his Masteral  Study in Philosophy and  Theology at University of Sto. Tomas in the Philippines.  Early in his career, Ryan taught Philosophy at De La Salle University  and also  served  as  Dean of  Colegio De La Purisima Concepcion,  Graduate School in the Philippines, the youngest Dean at age 29 years old.

 

His work  experience in child welfare includes social work, supervision and  Foster Care Treatment Administration.  This breadth of experience has instilled his passion to develop his therapeutic program  which eventually incorporated a specialty mental health services for children and families.

Creative Solutions has embarked on other programs under his leadership to include, Intensive Services Foster Care, Medically Fragile Services and recently serving the unaccompanied immigrant children.

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Ryan M. Cargando, PhD
CEO/President
Barbra Castillo

Chief Financial Officer

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Barbra has more than 20 years of accounting experience and specializes in non-profit, corporate, fiduciary and public accounting.  She also held several managerial positions in various industries.  As Chief Financial Officer, Barbra is responsible for managing the organization’s financial operations on a day to day basis.

Jennifer Cargando, BSN, RN

Assistant Executive Director

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Jennifer has worked in different  industries that include  sales  and management prior to her  nursing  career. She has  a bachelors degree in nursing  and is  licensed registered nurse in California and New Jersey of which she  has  a combined 17 years of experience in acute, surgical and recovery nursing. Jennifer is passionate in helping children and families.  As the Asst. Executive Director, she assist the CEO in overseeing the different departments  including personnel management.

Arleen Cabrera, MBA

Corporate Compliance Officer

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As a former Board of Director  of  Creative Solutions for Kids and  Families, Inc. , Arleen is  very committed  to  the organizational mission and  vision.  She relinquished  her  board  duties  to  manage  the  quality assurance  department   in  2007 and  was promoted  as the organization's corporate compliance officer.  Arleen applies her  wealth of  experience  in quality  assurance  and  development  in working  with  various organizations in diffrent countries  that include  Japan,  Philippines and the United States. Arleen completed  her MBA in California Coast University.

Executive Team

Key Staff

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Linda Montoya, MS

Administrator

Linda has worked with Creative Solutions for Kids & Families for over 15 years. Linda has had a unique journey with CSKF, and her career continues to develop as the agency expands. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of La Verne in 2007 with honors, and began working for CSKF shortly thereafter, as a Social Work Assistant. Linda continued her education and received a Master of Science degree in Psychology from California Coast University. Throughout her tenure with Creative Solutions, Linda has held various positions, such as Agency Social Worker, Supervising Social Worker, and Administrator. As the Project and Supervising Director, Linda oversees the overall operations of the agency and its various programs. Linda oversees the overall operations of the agency and its various programs. Linda values faith, family, and the power of teamwork. Through genuine collaboration with staff, caregivers, and other stakeholders, Linda embraces CSKF's mission and vision to support the success of its youth and families.

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Pamela Tarango

Resource Family Manager

Pamela Tarango has a vibrant account of experience with almost 20 years in the child welfare field. Her passion is to work with children and families. Pam believes in healing children and families through interventions that promote connection, trust, redirection, and relationship. Pam's Christian faith has influenced her commitment and desire to see more families step up in the frontlines and extend their love and support to vulnerable children.  Her notable experiences with Creative Solutions includes staff and foster parent training and business  development. As the RFA manager,  Pam  ensures  that our foster families  are  equipped  to  meet  the  needs  of  persons served

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Maria Flores, MFT

Supervising Social Worker

For Creative Solutions and its families served, Maria Flores spreads compassion, receptivity, and professionalism in a myriad of circumstances. She has been working with at-risk youth for almost 10 years and often facilitates staff and foster parent trainings with her knowledge and bi-lingual accuracy. She received her Bachelors degree in Human Services and Masters of Science degree in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. She has been a valuable member of the Creative Solutions team since 2008, holding experiences as Support Staff, Assistant Social Worker, Agency Social Worker, and now as a Supervising Social Worker.

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Michelle Crain, MS

Supervising Social Worker

Michelle earned her Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Guidance and Counseling at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She has practiced social work for over 20 years in California and in Tennessee. She has worked in many different settings such as group homes, FFA’s and juvenile shelters. Some of her experiences include agency social worker, child counselor, lead social worker, and supervisor. Michelle has been an Agency Social Worker and Supervising Social Worker for Creative Solutions for over 10 years. Michelle is welcoming, supportive, always smiles, and makes others smile with her positive attitude.  Michelle conducts various staff and foster parent trainings for Creative Solutions, and is very much involved in foster youth activities, including various teen social outings, support trainings, mentoring and facilitating Back-to-School Night.

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Claudia Beltran, MS

Supervising Social Worker

Claudia has always dreamed of becoming a Social Worker. Her passion towards helping children and At-Risk youth and families is a testament of her vocation to serve. Claudia joined CSKF on June 1, 2016. Prior to her working with CSKF, Claudia was a Pre-School teacher in Washington State. She completed her bachelor's and master's degree in Psychology at the University of Phoenix and worked as a preschool teacher for 4 years at Beachwood Child development center in Tacoma, WA 

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