In The News
About our Staff & Board
Barbara Talkov, Executive Director
Barbara is our lead advocate and chief expert on child welfare policy in Massachusetts. Her passion for vulnerable children and the support they and their families need is legendary. As Executive Director, Barbara is responsible for guiding and administering all League functions; including communications, legislative campaigns, public policy development and membership services. Barbara is highly respected on Beacon Hill and often called upon to testify on key child welfare issues. She has headed up the League since 1996.
Previously, Barbara served as Executive Director of the Caucus of Women Legislators and Director of the MA Smoker’s Quitline. She has served as Executive Director of Natick Youth and Human Resources, Community Representative for the Massachusetts Office for Children, and Program Manager for the City of Boston’s Office for Treatment Improvement which coordinated and managed substance abuse treatment programs for urban teens and adults. She is a visual artist and enthusiastic resident of Gloucester where she lives overlooking the harbor.
Kate Williams, Administrative Coordinator
Kate Williams returns as Executive Assistant after a years abscence and will update this section as soon as possible.
Timothy M. Callahan, EdD
Executive Director, Brandon School & Residential Treatment Center, Natick MA
Tim Callahan has been a member of the League since 1995 and currently serves as Board Chairman. He has directed the Brandon School and Residential Treatment Center in Natick serving boys and their families for over 27 years. Tim initiated the Northeast Juvenile Firesetting Conference which is now in its fourth year bringing law enforcement and treatment professionals together to share innovative treatment strategies and the latest research.
Prior to his appointment at Brandon, Tim spent ten years in public education running two special education schools. Tim earned his Ed.D from Boston University, where he has continued to teach. His dissertation "Students in Transition to a Less Restrictive Residential Treatment Setting" is devoted to serving youth in the most community based setting possible. Tim has been appointed to several boards including the Governor's Mental Health Commission and the Massachusetts' "Stuck Kid" Committee, as well as served as the President of the Natick Rotary.