Michael McCoy, RSW, CCW
Executive Director

The Executive Director of Touchstone Family Association for the past twenty five years, Michael McCoy has spent the last thirty fiveyears in the non-profit sector. Mr. McCoy’s work history includes the design and implementation of a number of community based social services programs for Children and Families. Michael was recently honored with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, recognizing his thirty years of service with children, youth and families.

Judy Valsonis , BA
Director of Operations

The Director of Operations, Judy Valsonis has been a member of the senior management team of Touchstone Family Association for 11 years. She has worked in the social service sector for 25 years and benefits from having experienced the “child in care” system from a number of perspectives. Judy has been a foster parent, child & youth counsellor, supervisor in the community sector and has worked as a child protection Social Worker with the Ministry for Children and Family Development.

Judy is trained as an agency trainer for Non-Violent Crisis Prevention (CPI) as well as being a certified trainer in the CAFAS Assessment tool.

David Cooper, BA
Program Director

The Program Director for the Richmond based services; David Cooper has been on staff at Touchstone Family Association for 16 years and a member of the senior management team for 8 years. David oversees all referral and intake meetings and is a trained mediator. David was instrumental in working cooperatively with MCFD to develop children’s groups in Richmond to assist young people to build social skills and establish friendships. He also worked with the Ministry to develop and implement the crisis intervention model.

David is a certified trainer in the CAFAS Assessment tool and is trained as an agency trainer for Non-Violent Crisis Prevention.

Chris Samulak, BA
Program Director

Chris has been with Touchstone Family Association for 12 years, first as a child and youth care counsellor in the Francis House program and has been the Program Director of the Francis House and Foster Parent Support Programs for the last 8 years. Chris provides a leadership role to the agency during the accreditation process and in maintaining agency compliance to accreditation standards.

Chris is trained in mediation as well as being a certified trainer in the CAFAS assessment tool.

Grant Grobman
Clinical Director

Grant Grobman has been providing clinical direction for Touchstone for the past two years and clinical supervision since 2005. He has been in private practice for 24 years and been supervising counsellors in both profit and non-profit organizations since 1995. Grant began his counselling career at Touchstone and has returned to the roost. One of the most important values Grant appreciates at Touchstone is the focus on being a “learning organization”. Touchstone counsellors use feedback from their clients to continually improve their effectiveness. In turn counsellors are strongly encouraged to provide their feedback to management to ensure they are receiving the support they need to be successful.

Grant has a Masters of Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelors Degree in Science from the University of Alberta. He is a registrant with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia.

Fund Development

Georgina Patko
Director of Fund Development & Community Relations

With more than 20 years in the nonprofit sector Georgina is adept at quickly defining needs and planning and executing strategies for fund development. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and providing ethical, values-based support to agencies seeking growth. She is Past President of the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise and the founder of an agency devoted to mentorship of youth. She is a volunteer with many Richmond organizations and maintains a network of contacts throughout the Lower Mainland who support her passion for community service.

Georgina has training in conflict resolution, marketing, and holds a B.Ed from England where she taught elementary school.

Administration Staff