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College of Education

CFEC Liaisons

Implementation of CFEC’s family engagement initiatives is accomplished primarily by the four CFEC Family Engagement Liaisons/Project Leads (Liaisons) who work in the field directly with schools, families, and communities. Each Liaison coordinates implementation of the CFEC School Partner program at between 3-5 partner schools located in or adjacent to their assigned region. They also serve as the point of contact for requests for training and technical assistance, resources, and special projects for all districts, schools, families, and community organizations within their assigned region.

 

Laurann Gallito Patel, MMFT, Regional Family Engagement Liaison & Project Lead - Midlands

Laurann received a BA in History and Modern Languages and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Converse College. She participated in the AmeriCorps NCCC service program assisting community organizations to address housing, education, disaster relief efforts, and environmental needs. Her experience in refugee resettlement includes positions with LSC and the IRC to assist, educate, and empower refugee youth. Laurann has been a liaison for over 5 years with CFEC. She has worked with dozens of schools and teachers. Laurann's special expertise is working with immigrant families.

Claressa Hinton Thompson, MA, Regional Family Engagement Liaison & Project Lead - Lowcountry

Claressa Hinton Thompson received a Bachelor’s degree at Morris College and received her Master’s degree at Webster University.  Claressa has served as CFEC’s Low Country liaison serving Allendale, Hampton, Jasper, Beaufort, Colleton, Dorchester, Berkeley, since 2020, as well as Lexington Two,  Before joining the CFEC Team, she served as the Parent Family Engagement Specialist in Richland One School District. Claressa's special expertise is in mentoring new family engagement liaisons at the school level and developing practical tools for parents to use, such as the Student Success Toolkit.

Ranina Outing, MHA, MPH, Regional Family Engagement Liaison & Project Lead - Pee Dee 

Ranina Outing  earned a B.S. degree in Business Management with a Master of Business in Healthcare Administration and a Master of Public Health with a focus on improving the life and wellbeing of individuals through a combination of analysis, psychology, social work, and methodologies. She has worked on a variety of research projects at the University of South Carolina. She has many years of experience in administration, providing training, technical assistance and coordinating programs. Ranina began work with CFEC in 2019, working primarily in the Pee Dee Region, particularly with Clarendon County School District. Her expertise is with connecting schools and families with community resources and organizations, through initiatives such as the Community Family Resource Centers.

Lorelei Swanson, PhD, LMFT, LPC, Regional Family Engagement Liaison & Project Lead - Upstate

Lorilei Swanson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselor with a PhD in Educational Leadership. She has a lifelong passion for strengthening families with previous work experience at the National Dropout Prevention Center, International Center for Service-Learning in Teacher Education and School District of Oconee. Her prior leadership experience includes serving as School Improvement Council Chair at Walhalla High School, earning the SIC Advocate of the Year Award. In 2018, the Walhalla High SIC earned the Dick and Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence. Lorelei has been with CFEC since 2019, serving in the Upstate. Her specialties are in the areas of supporting Spanish speaking families, developing community partnerships, and supporting Social-Emotional Learning.

 


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