Advocate. Collaborate. Make a Difference.
“I’m excited to join the Federation and bring my research background to the impactful work being done to advance policies and practices that help Michigan families thrive.”
Federation Welcomes Dr. Joana Tolchinsky, Policy Analyst
The Michigan Federation for Children and Families is pleased to announce the newest addition to our team: Dr. Joana Tolchinsky, Policy Analyst!
In this new role, Joana will support policy analysis, collaborate with member agencies and nonprofit partners, and help translate research and policy developments into actionable insights that advance the Federation’s policy and advocacy priorities.
Joana brings a strong blend of frontline child welfare experience, policy research, and program evaluation. Her professional background includes work as a Child Protection Specialist with the Kansas Department for Children and Families and as an integrated behavioral health care consultant intern at Hunter Health in Wichita, Kansas. In these roles, she supported families navigating complex challenges related to poverty, health needs, and access to services, while also gaining insight into how broader systems and policies shape both service delivery and outcomes.
Motivated by these experiences, Joana pursued her doctorate focused on the intersection of health and child welfare systems. Her research and evaluation work centered on analyzing how federal and state policies influence families’ involvement in the child welfare system. She has extensive experience synthesizing policy developments, analyzing administrative data, and translating complex findings into accessible, actionable insights for practitioners, nonprofit leaders, and system partners.
Throughout her doctoral training, she held a series of research and evaluation roles that strengthened her ability to connect research, policy, and practice to support informed decision-making across child welfare and behavioral health systems. In April, Joana successfully defended her dissertation, “Medicaid expansion as a strategy to prevent deep-end child welfare system involvement.”
Joana is also a familiar collaborator with the Federation. She has conducted evaluations of the statewide Protective Factors trainings, partnered with staff on a leadership turnover project, and presented multiple times at the Senior Management Conference. These experiences have given Joana strong understanding of the Federation’s mission and the priorities facing our member network.
The Federation staff is delighted to welcome Joana to the team, and we are excited for the passion, expertise, and perspective she brings to our collective work!
We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Manager of Finance and Administration (MFA) interested in joining our dynamic team of professionals at the Michigan Federation for Children and Families.
Based in Lansing, Michigan. This role offers a hybrid schedule, with a minimum in-office requirement of one day per week. Some travel is required and may include overnight stays.
Salary range | $70,000-$80,000
Position summary |The Manager of Finance and Administration (MFA) is responsible for overseeing the Federation’s financial, administrative, and human resources operations, and assuring compliance with operational and accounting standards applicable to maintaining the organization’s 501(c)3 status. Additionally, the MFA contributes to Federation team efforts to support member agencies through education, information sharing, data collection and reporting, and training events. The MFA reports to the President/CEO.
Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of nonprofit, community-based organizations.
Familiarity with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services programs, and Michigan legislative, administrative, and judicial processes.
Excellent advocacy, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with staff team and other organizations.
Demonstrated ability to work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum.
Education and experience | Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, human resources, and/or related field preferred. Minimum of five years of experience in financial record keeping, budgeting, reporting, and human resources-related responsibilities is required. Experience with Paylocity or similar human resources information system (HRIS) is required. Nonprofit or human service organization experience desired.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé directly to Jenny Crichton, jenny@michfed.org, by June 30, 2026. Include “Manager of Finance and Administration” in the subject line.
🌟 Become a Corporate Sponsor
The Michigan Federation for Children and Families is proud to partner with corporations and foundations that share our commitment to uplifting children, strengthening families, and building healthier communities across Michigan. As a Corporate Sponsor, your organization will receive valuable recognition and connection opportunities throughout the year:
💼 Corporate Sponsor Benefits
Prominent recognition on our website, featuring your logo, a direct contact link, and a narrative about your services.
A dedicated sponsor spotlight email to Federation members, introducing your organization and sharing key services, resources, and contact information.
Acknowledgment in Federation publications, including our monthly e-bulletins, reports, the Annual Report, and Member Directory.
Discounted sponsorship and marketing opportunities at our Senior Management Conference and other special training events.
A complimentary copy of the Federation Member Directory.
(Note: Contact information is provided for reference only and may not be used for mass marketing or unsolicited outreach.)
💲 Annual Sponsorship Rate: $2,000
📬 Ready to Join Us?
Complete the brief application form to get started:
🔗 Apply to Become a Corporate Sponsor
For questions or additional information, contact:
Jenny Crichton
📧 jenny@michfed.org
📞 (517) 485-8552
Let’s work together to create lasting impact for children and families in Michigan.
Our 2025 Corporate Sponsors
