Staff

The Child Advocate and Director of the OCA: Gail Garinger
Gail Garinger served as a Juvenile Court judge for 13 years before her appointment as The Child Advocate.  After receiving her J.D. from Harvard Law School, she specialized in children's health and welfare law at Children's Hospital Boston as well as in private practice.  She has extensive legal as well as clinical and research experience in the area of child abuse and neglect and children's welfare.  Read more biographical information.

Deputy Director: Elizabeth Armstrong
Elizabeth Armstrong was a registered nurse before becoming an attorney (B.S.N., University of Iowa; J.D. with Honors, University of N.C. at Chapel Hill). She brings her experience as a prosecutor in child maltreatment, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases to this position, including working with child fatality review and child protection teams.  Before joining the OCA, she represented children and families in both the Juvenile and Probate and Family Courts in Massachusetts.

Clinical Specialist: Susan Cummings
Susan Cummings, MSW, LCSW, gained extensive knowledge of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems during her eight-year tenure at the Department of Social Services (now DCF). While there, she investigated, assessed and managed cases, worked with adolescents, and acted as the Court Liaison between the Department and the juvenile courts.

Program Assistant: Jenna Pettinicchi
Jenna Pettinicchi received her BA from Providence College and joined Teach For America as the Master Teacher at a Chicago Headstart child care center. She received her Masters of Science in Education with an Early Childhood Education certification from Dominican University. As a member of Teach For America, a national service corps, she committed to teaching in under-resourced communities and becoming a lifelong leader to expand opportunities for all children. She comes to the OCA with her knowledge of child development and experience working with at-risk families and children.