MEET THE TEAM
Jennifer Korn, LICSW, CCHP
Jenn is a licensed social worker and certified correctional health professional who joined the COHR unit June 2019. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University in 2000 with a BA in Advertising and Psychology. After graduation, Jenn spent much of her free time volunteering for the Samaritans suicide hotline and the Needle Exchange Program in Cambridge before returning to school to pursue a graduate degree in social work at Salem State University. Jenn’s goal was to work with disenfranchised and marginalized populations with substance use disorders. Her first internship was at the Living and Recovery Community (LARC) located at the Shattuck Hospital. This opportunity reinforced her passion for working with individuals suffering from addiction but her second internship, at MCI-Framingham women’s prison, broadened her interest to working with individuals with co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders within a large and challenging system. Jenn was inspired by the resiliency, courage, and strength that these women displayed despite extreme adversity and felt compelled to stay in this work for more than a decade. Jenn moved from her internship to clinician then was promoted to Mental Health Director before moving on to be a Regional Mental Health Director. Through this experience, Jenn gained essential skills in the areas of diagnosis, crisis intervention, mediation, group facilitation. She was able to expand the Mental Health programming, work with a multidisciplinary Trauma Informed Care Committee, present at conferences, and supervise mental health staff. In addition, there were many opportunities to train and work with corrections professionals.
During the 12 years at MCI-Framingham, Jenn saw that more and more mentally ill women were coming to jail/prison. While the work of the Mental Health department within a correctional facility is to provide care and treatment to everyone who arrives on the doorstep, Jenn felt that there was an opportunity to intervene positively with these mentally ill individuals prior to incarceration. Jenn is excited to be the Co-Director of the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Team and Technical Assistance Center within the COHR unit because this training and its underlying philosophy, along with the work of the COHR unit offer this opportunity. Jenn enjoys and is looking forward to working collaboratively with law enforcement and behavioral health providers with the shared goal of improving outcomes for mentally ill individuals and the community at large. Contact Jenn at: jkorn@police.somerville.ma.us
Cheryl Delafano, LADC
Cheryl is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) who has been with COHR from its inception. She has worked with the Somerville Police Department as the Jail Diversion Coordinator since 2013. In her role as the Coordinator, she often communicates directly with officers and is a vital part of the Somerville Police Department. Cheryl works with clients that are homeless, impacted by mental illness and/or suffering from Substance Use Disorder. Her clients often visit her while in recovery and thank her for her unwavering support.
Like many of us, Cheryl has personally seen and been touched by the negative effects of substance use disorder and mental illness. She started a local support group for anyone who has a loved one on mind altering substances or behavior issues - Families Anonymous. They meet weekly on Tuesday evenings. She has been running FA for over 20 years. Her work with families inspired her to enroll in the University of Massachusetts Boston's LADC program and earn her license.
"I love what I do and can’t imagine being anywhere else." Contact Cheryl at: cdelefano@police.somerville.ma.us
Marissa Cairns, MS
Marissa graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2022 with a BA in both Criminal Justice and Psychology, and holds her MS in Criminology. Prior to joining the Somerville team, Marissa worked with individuals with severe behavioral and intellectual disabilities all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island for over 4 years. Marissa is excited to be a part of COHR as well as work collaboratively with Somerville Police to help individuals as a Jail Diversion Clinician.
Contact Marissa at: mcairns@police.somerville.ma.us
Maria Theresa Queiroz, BS
Maria Theresa graduated in 2023 with a BS in both Criminal Justice and Psychology, and a minor in Human Services. Prior to joining the Somerville team, Maria Theresa worked as a mental health counselor with individuals with severe psychological difficulties in an residential eating disorder program, providing crisis intervention, DBT support groups, meal coaching/skills-based check ins, and risk assessments/safety planning. Maria Theresa also worked as a legal intern, managing her own prison client caseload and providing direct advocacy on their behalf on matters such as conditions of confinement, discrimination, access to medical/mental healthcare, and brutality. Maria Theresa is excited to be a part of the COHR Team, and to work in multidisciplinary teams with Somerville Police to help individuals as a Jail Diversion Clinician. Contact Maria Theresa at: mqueiroz@police.somerville.ma.us
Erin Lydon, BA
Erin graduated cum laude from Merrimack College in 2016 with a BA in Criminology and Sociology. During her time at Merrimack, she was an intern with the Waltham Police Department in the community policing division in the TRIAD program. TRIAD focuses on the reduction of criminal victimization, improving the quality of life, and enhancing the delivery of law enforcement services to senior citizens. In addition to her studies, Erin was a founding member of the women’s swim team. She was named captain for two consecutive seasons and received numerous awards, including the Coach’s Award for outstanding dedication to both athletics and academics.
After graduating from Merrimack, she began working as a Public Safety Dispatcher. She spent a year dispatching at Bentley University before accepting a position with the State Police where she worked for 5+ years taking cellular 911 calls. Being a part of a statewide organization, Erin answered 911 calls for a variety of different incidents and large-scale events in different communities. She also was promoted to shift supervisor and was a Communications Training Officer who trained numerous new hires on the ins and outs of the 911 system.
Between her education, professional and personal experience – Erin has a deep understanding of the importance of community outreach and is passionate about helping and educating others. She is excited to be a part of the COHR team! Contact Erin at: elydon@police.somerville.ma.us
Sabrina Ozit, BS
My name is Sabrina Ozit and I grew up here in Somerville. I help with program evaluation here at COHR. We're always working hard to improve current programs and offer new ones. I'm always fascinated to hear the opinions of everyone. We all come from different backgrounds and have different ideas and I think that's something to be celebrated - so don't be shy. Contact Sabrina at: sozit@police.somerville.ma.us
COHR Interns
Every year, COHR accepts 3-4 Masters Level Social Work interns. In 2018, COHR began working with the community’s local organization, EnRoot and accepted a High School intern. Interns are an invaluable asset and play an active role in the program. With their help, we’re able to provide outreach to even more families and individuals.
Meet our 2024-2025 Interns!
Mary Martin
Boston College
MSW Student
Heather Couture
Lesley University
MSW Student