Sternad wants to focus on fundraising
New Interface chief to start next month
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Erik Sternad

Interface has a new face in the executive suite.

The agency that provides Ventura County residents young and old with a variety of social services- from substance abuse and crisis intervention programs to mental health counseling and parenting classes for teenage mothers and fathers- appointed Erik Sternad executive director earlier this month.

Sternad, 43, had served for six years as executive director of Stanford Home for Children, a 100-year-old Sacramento social service agency that focuses on atrisk children. While there, Sternad directed a staff of 130 and managed a budget of $12 million.

"What attracted me to Interface in the first place was their community-centered mission," Sternad said. "My hope is to continue that . . . mission and be a really collaborative partner with various public agencies that service the community as well as private agencies."

He said his training and background are in line with the agency's mission. A licensed marriage and family therapist with a master's degree in counseling and a bachelor's in psychology, Sternad has worked as a private practitioner treating children and families and has held managerial positions at private and nonprofit agencies.

He's scheduled to begin work Mon., Feb. 5.

Simi Valley city manager Mike Sedell, an eightyear member of the Interface board of directors, said Sternad was the perfect fit for Interface.

"Erik really brings a great combination of people skills and administrative capabilities, and that really is the key to success in a position like that," Sedell said.

He said fundraising will be pivotal for ensuring the agency's ongoing success. Sternad agreed, saying that government funds support only a "very basic" level of service, not the level the community needs. He wants all county residents to be wellinformed of the valuable services Interface offers; he's confident they'll step up and support the organization financially.

"I'll definitely be looking for partners in that effort: community leaders, business leaders and general folks in the population who care about Ventura County, who care about their community," Sternad said.

In addition to an array of services at Interface's main office at 1305 Del Norte Road, Ste. 130, Camarillo, mental health services are also available at outreach offices in Thousand Oaks, Ventura and Oxnard.

The Thousand Oaks location also offers a health and dental care program matching physicians, dentists and therapists who donate their services to children of working parents who are unable to afford private health insurance or are not eligible for MediCal. In Simi Valley, Interface services include programs and support groups for victims of domestic violence- and counseling for perpetrators. For a complete list of services and locations, call Interface at 211 or (800) 339-9597.

Interface Children Family Services employs about 170 people, 125 contractors and is supported by more than 1,200 volunteers.