Jo-Anne Ochalla is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with over 16 years of experience in family and children's services. She has worked with families and children in a variety of capacities, including clinician, supervisor, group worker, and advocate. She has worked on behalf of families, developing and administering strength-based family support programs in a community setting, and facilitating partnerships and collaborations between parents and providers.

As Executive Director of Dorchester CARES, Jo-Anne oversaw the development of pilot initiatives such as Healthy Families, a newborn home visiting program, and Patch, a partnership with the Department of Social Services to create a community-based system of care for families and children. As part of a federal demonstration project, Family TIES, Jo-Anne worked with substance-abusing parents and developed a psycho-educational program for their school-aged children.

Trained in Facilitative Leadership, Jo-Anne uses her skills to assist human service organizations and community groups in organizing around a stated mission or service goal. In addition, she has trained both parents and professionals in practice approaches such as teamwork and collaboration, family support principles, family-centered practice, and nurturing parenting skills.