David Melillo
Director Human Services
David has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University and a Bachelor’s Degree, (Psychology Major), from the University of Connecticut. He is a licensed professional counselor with over 25 years' experience. He is also a father, foster parent, and a husband.
Taffy Bowes
Assistant Director
Taffy received her B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, an M.A. in Education from Goddard College, and a M.A. in Religion from Yale University Divinity School. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 16 years experience.
Taffy is responsible for the Prevention work of Madison Youth and Family Services. “The best part of working with this age group is that they are searching for connection and meaning in their lives. They want the world to be better." I believe in the power of the human spirit and the reality of resilience. The work I do is based in the belief that young people have the intelligence and the soul to be powerful actors in this world. Teenagers help me stretch and grow – and they are entertaining.”
Before working at MYS, Taffy taught in Both Madison and New Haven. She also has been a potter and a painter, run a woman’s center, written for a newspaper, done clothing alterations, and cut hair. Taffy and her husband have lived in Madison for 30 years. They are the parents to three adult children whom they like a lot and admire greatly, and with whom they spend as much time as possible.
Scott Cochran, LCSW
Assistant Director of Clinical Services
Scott oversees the MYFS Clinical Department, which includes the Outpatient Clinic, Student Assistance Counseling and Parent Support Counseling programs. His responsibilities include managing the day-to-day operations of the clinical department including receiving referrals and service inquiries, supervising clinical staff, and working as a clinician. Scott can help people who are just beginning to consider the need for counseling and further can inform callers as to the resources available through the Youth Services as well as the larger community, including names and contact information for other mental health professionals and programs. All calls to the clinic are confidential and phone consultation is free.
Scott grew up in Madison and graduated from DHHS in 1986. Scott has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work Degree from Southern Connecticut State University. He started with Madison Youth Services as a part-time Clinical Coordinator in 2003 and assumed a full-time role in March 2004. He has worked with a wide range of ages and issues in his career, and has worked primarily with children and adolescents since 1999. Scott has knowledge and experience in working with schools as well as the various child-adolescent systems and values collaboration and creation of support networks around kids and families where they are needed.
Wendy Larson
Social Services Coordinator
Wendy attended Pace University in New York. Prior to becoming the Social Services Coordinator, Wendy was the Administrative Assistant to David Melillo. She lives in Clinton with her husband and children. Her life’s experiences have provided her with a valuable sensitivity and understanding to people who are experiencing a variety of difficulties that have affected their lives.
Marj Adler
Parent Support Counselor
Marj received her B.S. from Suffolk University and then her Masters Degree in family counseling from Central Connecticut State University. She is a parent of two grown sons; she has always stood on her belief that “Parenting does not come with a manual”. This belief has inspired her to form support groups to conduct education forums to give parents hands-on information for raising children today.
Angela Ahern, LMFT
Student Assistance Counselor
I am excited to join the Madison Youth and Family Services staff as a Student Assistance Counselor at Polson Middle School. I earned a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Sociology from Syracuse University and a Master of Family Therapy from Southern CT State University. Most of my counseling experience has been in educational settings, ranging from middle schools to colleges. I have worked in the Milford and North Haven school districts, providing individual, group, and family therapy. I am glad to be working with my favorite population again-middle school students. I admire their willingness to tell it as they see it!
I am also a proud parent of an incredible eight year old boy, an avid runner, and a volunteer docent at the Cheshire Historical Society.
Melissa Balletto
Youth Development Coordinator
Melissa graduated from Gateway Community College with an Associates Degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. She received her BS in Psychology from Charter Oak State College. Melissa and her husband live in Madison with their growing family. Melissa enjoys working closely with children and their families.
Marcy Beatty
Youth Development Coordinator
Marcy received her B.A. in Government and completed coursework for teaching certification at St. Lawrence University. After a varied career in education, publishing, advertising and fundraising, she became an at-home mom for her two children and an active volunteer for community and school organizations. She now teaches the MY&FS “Who’s Got The Power?” program in sixth grade classes at Brown Middle School.
Erik Becker
Peer Advocate Group Leader
I run one Peer Advocate Training Group and the Woodsy Club for Madison Youth and Family Services. My favorite parts of my job are connecting with people and sharing things that bring me joy. I have a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts in a self designed major called Earth Living Education and Therapy. I have also taken numerous classes in tracking, nature, and primitive technology with Tom Brown, Everett Callahan, B.O.S.S., Earth Walk, and Hawks Circle. I am also the director of the wonderful Bushy Hill Nature Center in Ivoryton, and coach Football at Daniel Hand. I am a 1996 Daniel Hand High School graduate and a former Peer Advocate.
Peggy Butler
Youth Development Coordinator
Peggy received her BS in Speech and Language Pathology from James Madison University and a MA in Special Education from Adelphi University. After a career in education, she became an at-home mom for her three children and an active volunteer for community and school organizations. She now facilitates the MY&FS Peer Helper Program at Polson and Brown Middle Schools.
Erin Corbett, L.C.S.W
Student Assistance Counselor, DHHS
Erin, who grew up in Madison, received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Wheelock College and her Master of Social Work from UCONN. Erin gained her experience working with a variety of youth populations through prior jobs and volunteer experiences including assisting to manage a residential treatment facility for adolescent boys in Portland, Oregon.
Erin loves her job and working with teenagers, and is sometimes amazed that she gets paid for it.
Cristina Cantu
Family Therapist
Cristina Cantu is a licensed clinical social worker. She received an undergraduate degree from Hampshire College and a Master’s of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in 2000, with a specialty in children and families. Cristina worked in New York City as part of a multi-disciplinary team at pediatric medical settings, and later at Yale Child Study Center’s In-Home services program. Cristina has recently joined the team at Madison Youth and Family Services. She provides child, adolescent and family therapy, comes from a strengths-based perspective and is bilingual in Spanish.
Christy Modine, LCSW
Student Assistance Counselor
at R.H. Brown Middle School
Christy is a licensed clinical social worker. She is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, with graduate and undergraduate degrees in social work, and also holds an associate degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales University.
Christy provides individual and group counseling to students of Brown Middle School and their families, outreach and case management services. She is originally from Madison, having gone through the Madison Public School system and graduated from Daniel Hand High School. Christy has said she feels so lucky to have the best of both worlds; a wonderful, healthy family at home and a challenging and rewarding career. She truly loves working with children and their families.
