Sabrina Blizzard attended CSULB where she received her B.A. in Human Development. She began her career in child welfare working for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, working as a Children’s Social Worker for three years....

Drea Na is a passionate presenter and Program Manager for the COPE Health Scholar Program in Southern California. Prior to this role she worked in the child welfare space in some capacity for nearly 20 years....

Apryl Amerson began working with Riverside County in 2001, she joined Children Services in 2014. Ms. Amerson currently serves as a Regional Manager for Riverside County DPSS, Children Services Division. ...

Anthony Lopez, a proud member of the Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, was born and raised in the beautiful city of Napa, California....

Elaine Brown has over 20+ years of experience in the Social Services’ field.  Currently, she is a Lead Social Service Practitioner (LSSP) with the County of San Bernardino Children and Family Services (CFS).  She is also the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Liasion.  ...

Laura Shotzbarger is an alumni of CSU Northridge, where she received her BA in English and her MS in Counseling Education. She began working for Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services in 1993, where she demonstrated a strong commitment to providing families with respectful......

Dr. Myesha Barton is an Administrator of Cal-AIM and Population Health for Riverside University Health System. She works extensively with the County of Riverside to ensure integration within the system so that our patients receive whole person care. She has been a part of the Academy CCA curriculum ...

Ashley Castro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working within multiple roles. Ashley Castro got both her Bachelor’s in Social Work and Master’s in Social Work with a Child Welfare Emphasis from California State University, San Bernardino. ...

Parker, who uses ze/zir/zirs pronouns. Parker holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and brings over 10 years of experience as a trainer, specializing in a diverse range of subjects including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, extended foster care......

Dedicated and driven Staff Development Officer with a solid educational background and a passion for
nurturing student achievement. Adept in staff development, social services, and teaching, leveraging
empathy, technical proficiency, and sharp problem-solving skills to navigate complex challenges....

Ms. Zabel is a knowledgeable and strategic administrative law attorney and hearing officer. In her years of legal practice, she has developed and demonstrated a commitment to protection of core rights and processes that ensure the equitable administration of justice. ...

Shelley Townley is currently a supervisor in Ventura County Children and Family Services and supervises the Emergency Response program. She has been a Supervisor for almost 9 years in the Training Unit, CFTM, Placement (REPS) and Emergency Response programs. ...

I am a Practice Coach at the Academy for Professional Excellence with the SDSU School of Social Work, where I work in partnership with Riverside County. In my role, I provide coaching and workforce development services to public child welfare staff....

Growing up as a first-generation Latinx in a California Central Valley rural community and being the first college graduate of her family. Anita Sanchez, MPA has 21 years of child welfare experience. ...

life mission is to create global awareness via education, presentations, trainings, and other strategies among the child welfare, social services, healthcare, and other fields largely unaware of the unrecognized and hidden domestic violence - traumatic brain injury. ...

Kimberly Bullard is a Service Provider with Child Welfare Service Development at the Academy of Professional Development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. ...

Juan Solis currently serves as Father Engagement Coordinator, Children’s Network
Chair of the Inland Empire Father Involvement Coalition, trainer/coach/ facilitator for San Diego State University Public Child Welfare Training Academy - Child Welfare Development Services. ...

Deb Silveria Ph.D. is both a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist.  She has trained professionals nationally and internationally (Uganda, Africa) in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy....

Christina Lin received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychobiology at UCLA in June 2000 with an original vision of pursuing a career in the health field. ...

Feledier Thrower is employed in the capacity of Social Services Supervisor for the County of Riverside, Children’s Services Division and brings 27 years of experience in Child Welfare. She received her B.S. in Social Work and M.Ed. from Tuskegee University....

Danna Parrino is a graduate from SDSU with bachelors in Psychology. With 26 years of experience, her areas of expertise are Family Finding, Placement, Community Development, Pilot Projects, Family Team Meetings, Supervision, and Management....

Phillis J. Dumas received a Master’s of Social Work in 2004 from California State University Los Angeles, with a concentration in Children and Families. She received a Bachelor’s of Social Work in 1979 from Jackson State University....

Janine Blackmur works as a Practice Coach for San Bernardino County, specifically the North Desert Region....

Jorge Masdeu is a member of MINT, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and is a RADT, Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician. He also has completed his hours towards becoming a CADC, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor....

Jenna Nevitt serves CWDS as a CDSS Consultant, supporting Ventura County and the CDSS contract. ...

Kristen Roberts is the Practice Coach Supervisor for San Bernardino County at the Academy for Professional Excellence. ...

Mechelle is a license marriage and family therapist. Throughout her clinical career, Mechelle has worked with children, youth, and families to provide effective, evidence-based treatment with an aim towards self-advocacy and self-management....

Specializing in conducting learner-led, strength-based, and solution-focused coaching sessions, Nichole's approach centers on empowering individuals and amplifying their strengths....

Dorothy has over 25 years of experience working with  diverse communities in nonprofit settings with a focus on strengthening child and family wellbeing with program  areas that include child abuse prevention, early intervention, and treatment services....

LaShuana has over 20 years of experience in the field of child welfare services. With a deep understanding of the importance of safety organized practice, LaShuana was an early adopter and seamlessly integrated this approach into her daily work.  ...

With 12 years of experience in Child Welfare, Mark specializes in safety and risk assessment, extended foster care, Safety Organized Practice, Child and Family Team meetings, policy and curriculum development, Houselessness, K-12 school settings, classroom teaching, and training.
...

Kristine (Kris) Kuhn, MSE, has 20+ years of experience working with at-risk children and their families in community-based and education settings, and 8 years as a trainer/facilitator for adult learners....

Niesha N. Turner has been in the field of social services for over 20 yrs. She began her role as a Practice Coach in 2021.  She is a former Intake Supervisor from San Bernardino County Child and Family Services....

The majority of my professional career has been in the Child Welfare arena, where I was a supervisor for over 25 years. Working with families that have experienced victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sex trafficking. ...

Frances Berman graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare from California State University, Northridge, in 1986. She began working for Fresno County as a Social Worker in 1989, including around 25 years in Child Welfare in the areas of Emergency Response, Family Reunification, Court Writi...

Carl “Drew” Miller began his career as a helping professional when completing a Bachelor of science degree in Human Services from California State University (CSU) Fullerton in 2004.  ...

Colette Crawford has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University, Riverside. She is a Regional Manager for Riverside County Children’s Services Division and has over 23 years of experience in Child Welfare....

Victor Jimenez is an instructor with Human Services at UC Davis Continuing and Professional education....

Amy Rivas is currently an advisor at Communities in Schools (CIS), where she works in partnership with various school districts across the country in the implementation of integrated student supports....

Andres (they/them) is a Mexican American Non-Binary person born and raised in South Bay San Diego. They graduated with a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2019, and is a proud community college transfer student who went to San Diego City College....

Jesse Greenfield MPH, CHES Jesse Greenfield (they/them/theirs) is a queer improviser, storyteller, and health communicator. They graduated from Tufts University with a B.S. in Biopsychology with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and from Tufts University School of Medicine....

Mr. Ashton Fulcher is an experienced trainer and facilitator, an accomplished entrepreneur alongside his wife, as co-owners of a local bookstore, and a forward-thinking innovator. His professional endeavors have included supporting and improving various aspects of the systems of care....

Mrs. Ballard obtained her Master of Science Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University
of La Verne in May 2000....

Anita P. Barbee, Ph.D., MSSW is an independent consultant as well as a Professor and Distinguished University Scholar at the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science at the University of Louisville....

Amber Kopp- Parent Partner with Riverside County Children’s Services
...

Pam Paulson MA, LMFT, RDT moved to Los Angeles after retiring from a 28-year career in social work from Orange County Social Services. She received her master’s in counseling psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, CA. ...

Donovan Ackley III is a Program Specialist with Improving Health Outcomes Through Technology (IHOTT) in the San Diego State University Department of Psychology, a research lab committed to developing and testing mobile health (mHealth) interventions to improve the sexual health and well-being of sex...

Steve Mabry, LMFT holds a MS Educational Psychology and is joining the academy with 22 years of experience in child welfare, 9 years in the Permanency/Resource Family Approval Programs, and 13 years as a FFA Social worker. His areas of expertise are Resource Family Approval and Adoptions....

A California State University, Sacramento alumna holding a Juris Doctor Degree from Southern California Institute of Law. She is currently working as a permanency planning mediator for a nonprofit agency....

a Los Angeles native and San Diego County transplant as of 2013. He graduated from California Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2007 with a Sociology degree emphasizing in Criminology. Since graduating, Mr. Ashley has worked in the areas of supported living, youth homeless advocacy, Applied Behavior...

With a B.S. in Psychology from Missouri State and is in the process of finishing her Master’s Degree in Social Work from SDSU. Ms. Isiaho started her career in Child Welfare after observing the interaction between clients at a mental health organization in Texas and the child welfare workers....

Dr. Shalon Nienow is Section Chief of Child Abuse Pediatrics at Rady Children’s Hospital, the Medical Director at the Chadwick Center for Children and Families, an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California San Diego, and Clinical Director of Child Abuse Pediatrics at...

Delsa Tapia Wilson, LMFT joins the Academy with 21 years of experience in Child Welfare. Her personal journey in child welfare started as a newborn entering foster care in Los Angeles County. “I believe our journey in life leads us back to our purpose” -states Wilson. ...

Nisha Limbrick Elliott, M.S. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist trained in Clinical Psychology. ...

Rachel Bavis is a certified Intentional Creativity© teacher, trainer and child welfare lawyer working with organizations, individuals, and youth. In her experiential trainings, she uses mindfulness, and creative expression practices to support rejuvenation, self-care and healing from secondary traum...

Diana Shreckengost, a Child Welfare Services manager for the County of San Diego, has worked for the county for 20 years. She has child welfare experience in investigations, court intervention, adoptions, foster home licensing, placement, Team Decision Making (TDM) facilitation, Child and Family Tea...

Lisa Maaca Bartlette, MSSA, is a social service entrepreneur and Founder of Lisa Maaca Inc (www.lisamaaca.com) whose mission is to transform the way people think about and address trauma. ...

Janice Boafo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Consultant, Coach, Trainer and Facilitator. She is also the founder of Evergreen Cypher, Inc. Ms. Boafo’s professional life is informed by her lived experiences and over 25 years of work in human services and behavioral health. Janice is committed t...

"Carmen received her B.A. degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1999 with a major in English Literature and a minor in Africana Studies. In 2009, Carmen received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California with a concentration in Community, Organ...

Mary Beth Hadaway has worked for Child Welfare Services (CWS) in San Diego County for 19 years. She has a Bachelors of Science in Child and Family Development. She started her career working directly with families both during their initial contact with CWS as well as helping families to navigate the...

"For more than 20 years Dr. Takisha Corbett has worked and volunteered with national child welfare organizations across the country. Prior to earning her PhD in Clinical Psychology, she worked for several years in child welfare organizations throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. While providin...

Sigalit Klein is a Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed both in California and Nevada. She holds a Master of Science in Child Development from the University of London, Institute of Education and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. She currently serve...

Jennifer Whitton received a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies, and her Masters of Social Work both from San Diego State University. She has been working in the field of Child Welfare since 2006, and it currently a Protective Services Supervisor with the County of San Diego. Ms. Whitton has experi...

Elizabeth "Lizz" Gravenberg has over 24 years experience working with children and families within Riverside County. Elizabeth began working with children in 1996 during an internship with Operation Safehouse, a shelter for runaway teens. Her initial plan was to utilize her bachelor's degree in Crim...

Aleida Murcia holds a master’s degree in Social Work with concentration in Child Welfare, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She worked for the Department of Children and Family Services (CFS), San Be...

Amber Jones-Moore, LCSW: Amber has eight years of experience as a CCRC with San Bernardino County and has been licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) through the Board of Behavioral Sciences for the past nine years. Amber currently serves as the Field Instructor for the MSW student int...

Betsy Watson is currently a supervisor in Ventura County and supervises the Hotline/Emergency Response program during after hours. She has been a supervisor for almost 7 years in Emergency Response. She was a social worker in Emergency Response dayshift and after hours for 8 years and did a year of ...

Ms. Alcaraz is a bilingual Senior Protective Services at County of San Diego's Child Welfare Services since 2013, she has experience in Emergency Response Investigations, Standby (afterhours) Investigations, Continuing Services, Hotline Coach, and the Indian Specialty Unit. Currently, she is an inte...

Jacqueline (Jackee) Penhos, was born and raised in Panama, and immigrated to San Diego with her parents in 1992. After experiencing how it felt to learn a new language and culture without any help from school, she made a promise to herself to help as many ESL students as she could. Ms. Penhos state...

Allison Donahoe-Beggs graduated from UC San Diego with a double major in Psychology and Women's Studies in 1994. She graduated from San Diego State with a Masters in Social Work in 1999. ...

Pamela has always enjoyed working with others and she knew early on she wanted to make a difference. Pamela earned a bachelor’s degree in Child Development with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Her first job after college allowed her to exercise her natural talents by running a Pre-school and...

oger De Leon is currently a Parent Partner with the Parent Partner Program for Riverside County’s Children Services Division and has been in this position for six years. He was the first Parent Partner hired for Riverside County, and is one of the originals who was a part of developing and maintaini...

Gina is a lifelong educator with 30 years of experience in K-12, day treatment, residential treatment and ENL (English as a New Language). She is certified in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and conducted a Master’s project on human sexuality education....

Ken Weston began volunteering at a children’s mental health clinic in 1985. He was hired as a social worker and admitted to the newly formed MSW program at CSU, San Bernardino in 1989. ...

Amanda Carlson received her BSW from the University of Portland in 2012. As a part of degree completion, Mrs. Carlson interned with an Investigations Child Protective Social Worker with the Oregon Department of Human Services, where she discovered her interest of pursuing a career in Child Welfare. ...

Barry E. Knight has committed his life to helping leaders massively impact their world. He is the founder and CEO of BEK Impact Company, a leadership coaching, training, and social change company that helps leaders build the right systems and leadership performance to achieve greater social outcomes...

Ms. Swaykos received her BS in Psychology from Virginia Tech in 2005 and her MSW from San Diego State University in 2008. While in school, Ms. Swaykos gained experience with youth in the Child Welfare System working in group homes for youth with high behavioral and developmental needs...

Lucia Weiss, LCSW: Lucia Weiss has over 15 years experience serving children and families and is passionate about developing a family serving system that universally treats everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. ...

Steven M. Walker received a Master of Social Work Degree from the San Francisco State University. A strong advocate for children and families he has over 25 years of experience in Child Welfare....

Wendy Wiegmann is the Project Director for the California Child Welfare Indicators Project (CCWIP), a collaborative venture between the University of California at Berkeley and the California Department of Social Services. The CCWIP provides policymakers, child welfare workers, researchers, and the ...

Carlos McCray is the Co-Founder of The Dojo Cafe, a social enterprise community coffee shop focused on coffee, culture and community. The Dojo is a culmination of Carlos’ various experiences over the years working for different nonprofits empowering those living in underserved communities. ...

Ms. Brown received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Human Services from California State University in Fullerton in 2001. She received her Masters of Social Work Degree from California State University in San Bernardino in 2009. Ms. Brown became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker...

Robert Ortega, MSW, PhD, has served on faculty at the University of Michigan, School of Social Work since 1991 and is co-Director of the Washtenaw County Catholic Social Services Family Assessment Clinic. His research has focused on mental health and child welfare, relationship development, group...

Ms. Velazco received her BA in Human Development from California State University San Marcos in 2000. Her passion is teaching and promoting cultural humility and implementing inclusiveness within the workplace and the community. ...

Luck is a Senior Protective Services Worker, and has worked with Child Welfare Services (CWS), County of San Diego for 16 years. Within CWS, Luck has specialized in Emergency Response (ER), Domestic Violence, Safety-Organized Practice (SOP), and Coaching. Specialty assignments have included: ...

Jennifer Collins graduated from Western Michigan University in 2000 with a Bachelors degree in Family Studies.
In April 2001, she began her career with the County of San Diego, Child Welfare Services and has worked in an array of different programs during her career with Child Welfare....

Jerelyn received her BA in Sociology from University of California San Diego in 1999 and her Masters Degree in Social Work specializing in Children, Youth, and Families from San Diego State University in 2004. In 2013, Jerelyn became licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in California. ...

Ms. Bailor has been engaged in working with young people and their families in crisis situations for over 20 years, including local community outreach, juvenile probation, and Child Protective Services, and currently provides individual, family and group counseling in a partial hospitalization...

Dora Saenz-Belden received her BS in psychology from University of La Verne in 1997 and her MSW from the University of Long Beach in 2000....

Sarah Glass graduated from San Diego State University in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Child and Family Development and in 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She is currently a supervisor with San Diego County Child Welfare Services....

Ms. Leveque graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UC Irvine in 1990 and earned a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from UCLA in 1992. Ms. Leveque has worked for the Los Angeles Department Children and Family Services (DCFS) since 1994....

Ms. Macis received her BA in Psychology from San Diego State University in 1997 and her MSW from San Diego State University in 2010. Ms. Macis has worked for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency- Child Welfare Services since 1992. ...

Kendrick Dial is a native of Dallas, Texas but after 9 years of service in the United States Navy, he decided to make San Diego his home. He attended SDSU where he received his BA in Africana Studies/Psychology in 2010....

Ms. Butler received her BA in Child and Adolescent Development with a concentration in Youth and Family from San Francisco State University in 2003. She obtained her MS in Child Development from the University of La Verne in 2007....

Kim McDowell is currently working as a social services manager in Solano County (between San Francisco and Sacramento). She has worked in the field of social services since 1994, and in Child Welfare since 1997. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of California, River...

Ms. Brissette-Watson received her Bachelor’s of Social Work Degree in 1982 from Arizona State University and her Master's Degree in Social Work in 1995 from California State University Long Beach. Ms. Brissette-Watson graduated from the Martin Gang Institute for intergroup relations in 2008 and the ...

Lisa Tamres, MSW, has 25 years of experience at the County of Orange Social Services Agency including 23 years of service in child welfare as line worker, supervisor, trainer and manager. Her assignments included various aspects of the child welfare process ranging from emergency response, ...

Jennifer Behen-Givens has 21 years experience working with Children and Family Services in Los Angeles County and Orange County. Jennifer Behen-Givens started working with children and families in 1993....

Linda D. Ketterer was born to teach! In 2005, she received a BA in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on education, from San Diego State University, as well as a Pre-K through Adult multiple subject teaching credential, and dedicates her life to reaching the unreachable (or so they think). ...

Latanya West is passionate about utilizing her background in the arts and K-12 education to help change agents fulfill their mission to uplift at-risk youth. A graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Social Science, Ms. West served urban youth for thirteen years as an elementary and middle school...

Ms. Kadas has been employed in the social work field for 13 years as both a caseworker and supervisor. She has experience working with children in residential treatment, assisting transition-aged foster youth with independent living skills, facilitating therapeutic groups for women in...

Ben Slagter graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI with a BA in Criminal Justice in 1998 and from Michigan State University with a MS in Criminal Justice in 2000. He is currently employed as a Regional Manager with the Department of Public Social Services, Children’s Services Division...

In 2012, Mrs. Fleshman promoted to Child Welfare Services Manager with CFS SBCO managing an operational region conducting ER, Permanency and Adoption. In 2014, She managed Juvenile Dependency Court, overseeing court process and the Central Training Unit overseeing the training of new social workers....

Ms. Dawn Vetro graduated from California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) in 2006 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Bachelors Degree in Human Development with a Child Development emphasis. In 2012, she graduated from CSUSB with a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) with...

Mark Otto is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Strengths Consulting LLC, helping companies drive and achieve measurable results by improving relationships. He has worked with 19 different companies ...

Sexual health author, trainer and psychotherapist Douglas Braun-Harvey bridges sexual and mental health and facilitates organizational change. In 2013 Doug Braun-Harvey and Al Killen-Harvey co-founded The Harvey Institute, an international education, training, consulting and supervision service for ...

Monica Oliver McCurdy, MSW: Ms. McCurdy received her BS degree in Sociology from Rutgers University in 1988 and her MSW from Howard University in 1992, which sparked her interest and commitment to Public Child Welfare for the last twenty-five years....

Jeffrey received his MA in Clinical Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Chatsworth, CA with an emphasis in co-occurring disorders. He is a certified Anderson & Anderson Anger Management facilitator and is trained in EMDR therapy. He has worked as a therapist for several probation camps, ...

Joanne Willis Newton established her own legal practice in 2005, after seven years with California Indian Legal Services. Before joining California Indian Legal Services, she worked for several years as a consultant ...

Amanda Wyatt graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 1995 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and in 1997 with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. In 1998, she joined the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Child Welfare Services and has spent...

Shaunna Murtha, LCSW, is a trainer and consultant in the Bay Area, California. Ms. Murtha provides trainings to child welfare professionals, probation staff, school district personnel, foster care providers, foster youth (current and former) and local community based organizations. ...

Stefanie Nieto Johnson, MSW, is an independent bilingual certified coach, trainer, and consultant working with organizations to improve Child Welfare practice at all levels....

Ms. Candice Kimbell, LCSW earned her B.A. in Anthropology from California State University, Northridge and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California in 2008. Ms. Kimbell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and specializes in children’s mental health....

Harkmore Lee, MSW is the Director of Simulation, Research, and Training Program at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA). In 2013, Harkmore designed and built the first Residential Simulation Lab in California that specifically supports the training of new child welfare social work...

Ms. Bedwell received her B.A. in Sociology from Hanover College in 1993 and her MSW from San Diego State University in 2003. Ms. Bedwell has over 18 years experience working within the field of Social Services....

Beverly has been a Public Speaker and Educator for more than 35 years with specialties in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; the Trauma Impact on Brain Development, behavior and Learning in Children, Youth and adults, and Compassion Fatigue, AKA Secondary or Vicarious Trauma....

Daniel McKinnis graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2010 with a Bachelors Degree majoring in Psychology/Human Services and in 2012 with a Masters Degree in Social Work....

Ms. Lanier received her BA in Sociology from the University of California at San Diego in 1997 and her MSW from San Diego State University in 2001. ...

Aydin Olson-Kennedy, MSW, ACSW is a well-known human rights activist and has spoken around the country for the past two decades about the importance of rights for transgender individuals, with emphasis on identifying and acknowledging domains of privilege. ...

Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD is an Adolescent Medicine physician specializing in the care of gender non-conforming children and transgender youth. Board certified in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Dr. Olson-Kennedy has been an Assistant Professor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles......

Sophia M. Williams received her BA in Psychology at the University of California, Riverside in 1993.

Mrs. Williams began her social work career in 1999 with Child Protective Service for the Department of Social Services in Riverside County. Since that time, Mrs. Williams has worked as a Social Work...

Michelle Wohl has worked in the child welfare field for more than fifteen years. She has held various positions from Social Worker to Regional Manager in Riverside County. She also worked in County Human Resources supporting the Social Services team and representing the County in arbitration hearing...

Steven Wells currently works as a Protective Services Supervisor (PSS) with the County of San Diego – Child Welfare Services and has over 12 years of experience working in Child Welfare as a line social worker and a senior social worker, and has supervised social workers for the past three years...

Ms. Wieand received her BA in psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara in 1997, and her MSW from San Diego State University in 2010.

Ms. Wieand has over 17 years working with at-risk youth and their families. Ms. Wieand began her career 1997 working with Autistic Youth at Devereux...

Daniel Webster, M.S.W., Ph.D., is a senior research specialist and project director at the Center for Social Services Research at the University of California, Berkeley. A consultant for the Annie E. Casey Foundation for the past eight years, he has worked with county and state child welfare staff...

Peter Watson has more than 20 years of experience in human services research, capacity building, systems change initiatives and child welfare administration. Most recently, he directed the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (NRCOI) from 2004-2014. Much of his work...

Lisa Gilbert received her BS degree from National University in 2001, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Addictive Disorders....

Ms. van Lingen has worked for the County of San Diego's Child Welfare Services since 2000. Prior to that, she worked for 4 years in a residential treatment facility for severely emotionally disturbed (SED) foster children. She led a team of care providers and also taught the recreational therapy...

Ms. Trotter attended the University of California at Irvine and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences in 1989. She attended the University of La Verne and earned a Masters Degree in Leadership and Management in 2006...

Ms. Torre-Bueno attended San Diego State University and received her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies. In 1985, she earned her Master's Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Health.

Ms. Torre-Bueno has maintained a full-time psychotherapy private practice since 1986. She is also a...

Traci Tippett, LCSW works as a private practitioner, in East Tennessee, after a seven year stay in the southwest. Traci graduated in psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and received a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of TN, Knoxville. Traci is licensed in TN and in NM. During her...

Rachel Thomas, M. Ed., is the Director of Sowers Education Group where she and a team of educators sow seeds of sex trafficking awareness and survivor empowerment.

A graduate of UCLA with a Master’s in Education and a personal survivor of human trafficking, Rachel has over 10 years’ experience in...

Mr. Tetley is a graduate of Western State University of Law in Fullerton, California. He has been a lawyer for 26 years, and has particular expertise in the areas of the Juvenile, Dependency and Family Law, and malpractice. He was Juvenile Court Commissioner with the San Bernardino Superior Court...

Dr. Premi Suresh grew up in northeastern Ohio. She obtained her B.S. degree from Kent State University and her M.D. degree at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in 2003. She moved to California after medical school and completed her residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital an...

Nicol Stolar-Peterson, LCSW, has worked in the area of social services for over 15 years. She has over 11 years of employment with Child Protective Services; where she has spent her time investigating child abuse, completing forensic interviews with law enforcement, and testified in criminal...

Heidi Stern-Ellis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has focused her practice in the arena of child maltreatment. For the past 20 years, she has been employed at San Diego’s Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center, Chadwick Center for Children and Families. She has functioned as a trauma...

Heidi Staples, MSW is currently the Director of the UCLA Center of Child Welfare at the Luskin School of Public Affairs Department of Social Welfare, where she oversees training of DCFS staff as well as MSW interns who plan to work in public child welfare. The six graduate schools of social work in...

Teresa Solomon-Billings is currently a Curriculum Coordinator and Trainer with the Public Child Welfare Training Academy. She retired as a Regional Manager in Riverside County in 2014. She was a line worker in emergency response, a court officer, and supervised the court dependency unit. As a manage...

Kenneth "Budd" Snell is a former CWS/CMS System Administrator and Trainer for Sacramento Child Protective Services. He has provided training and support to other System Administrators, New Users, Unit Supervisors, Executive level users and Juvenile Probation departments throughout California since ...

Rhoda Smith received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. After a short hiatus from school she worked for Orange County General Services Agency, CAST and then Juvenile Probation. She returned to school to pursue the MSW at the University of Southern California...

Trainer Bio Lisa Smith has over 19 years experience in working with children and families and at-risk youth in a variety of settings.

Lisa began her social work career in 1990 as a group home counselor serving at-risk teens, placed in long-term care, and completed her undergraduate work at the...

Kali Scolnick guides organizations and institutions in building competency and skills to address intercultural communication, diversity, and multicultural competence. Kali earned her undergraduate degree in International Studies with an emphasis in Latin American and Black Studies and earned her...

Ms. Sheralyn (Sherry) Shockey-Pope received her BS in Social Sciences from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1988 and her MA in Psychology with emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling in 1992. She has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2000 and she maintains...

Mr. Shaverdian is an IT consultant specializing in Business Intelligence and database reporting. His project scopes vary from complete reporting infrastructure design and implementation to creation of statistical, compliance, utilization reports, dashboards and user training...

Crystal attended the University of California at Riverside for her Bachelor of Arts degree in the cooperative major of Sociology and Law & Society and California State University, San Bernardino, where she earned her MSW as a Title IVE recipient. ...

Dawn Schoonhoven Scott is the Director of the Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS) program at the Academy for Professional Excellence. Ms. Schoonhoven Scott has 17 years of experience in the field of child welfare and 7 years of experience in the field of workforce development. She also has cli...

Valerie Ryan is an Instructional Design Manager for the Academy for Professional Excellence. Prior to joining the Academy in May, 2009, Val worked for IVID Communications and assisted them with implementing eLearning courses for many large organizations and the Academy's BHETA program...

Wayne Rutledge received his Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in 1991. He began his career as an Intake Worker with San Bernardino Department of Children and Family Services in 1992 and was responsible for referral investigations, filing Juvenile Court...

Judith Rutan, MPA, currently serves as the Transfer of Learning & Leadership Specialist with the Central California Training Academy. In her role she provides oversight for the Field Based Trainer / Coaching program as well as the implementation of an advanced leadership program for county...

Tanya N. Rollins, MSW: Ms. Rollins received her BS in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 1990 and her MSW from Texas State University-San Marcos in 2007...

Ms. Richter received her MSW from San Diego State University in 1982. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 1988 and a Qualified Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Social Work Diplomate in 1994...

Robert Quintana is a graduate of Hunter College School of Social Work, City University of New York.

During his career he has provided direct services to children in residential settings, assessed and evaluated developmentally delayed persons in state detention centers, and worked in medical...

Michael Perry has over 25 years experience working with troubled and at-risk youth in a variety of settings. Mr. Perry began his social work career in 1973 as a group home counselor serving at-risk teens, placed for long-term care, and in 1979 completed his graduate work at the University of Washing...

Donna Pence was selected to be the first female Special Agent with the Tennessee Bureau in 1976 after two years as a patrol officer with the Metropolitan Nashville Park Police. During her 25 years with the Bureau she worked undercover, special crimes, and field investigations. She organized the...

Tricia Pegues is currently a full-time Practice Consultant for the Public Child Welfare Training Academy assigned to Riverside County. Tricia has a Master's of Science in Human Services/Social and Community Services and she is currently a PhD Candidate in the dissertation phase of her Doctorate in...

Shelly Paule graduated with her BA in Psychology and Masters in Social Work from San Diego State University. Shelly obtained her LCSW in 2004 and enjoys using her clinical skills and knowledge to support others working towards their degrees as well as licensure in their field....

Ms. Palmer has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Redlands. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Loma Linda University in 1998. She became licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in California in 2012...

Tonya Octave currently holds a Master’s Degree in the field of social work from California State University, Long Beach. In Los Angeles County she oversees mental health services for children under the supervision of Children Services and Probation. Additionally, she provides consultation services...

Ms. Newmyer has been working with foster youth since 1996 and received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from San Diego State University in 1997.

Ms. Newmyer worked for YMCA Youth and Family Services as a Case Manager teaching Independent Living Skills and developing plans for foster youth...

Rita Esmeralda Naranjo is a dedicated and determined mother and community member who has passionately pursued her personal and professional goals by striving to be an active learner and life participant. From the time she was a young girl growing up in foster care she experienced years of...

DeAnna Avey Motikeit has 32 years of diverse and rich professional experience, working within a wide variety of health and human services organizations and programs that served people of all ages in need of a wide range of services and interventions. DeAnna has held high level leadership positions...

Mark Miller has worked in public child welfare since 1983 as a line worker, supervisor & manager. He recently retired from the County of Los Angeles, Department of Children and Family Services where he worked for 32 years. ...

Lilli Miles has been a trainer for the Public Child Welfare Training Academy since 1999. Lilli received her BS in Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She obtained her MA in Marriage & Family Therapy from Sierra University in Costa...

Mr. Meyers received his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University in 1990 and his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute in 1996. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology from Northcentral University, having completed the coursework and...

David Meyers is an attorney who serves as Chief Operating Officer of Dependency Legal Services, a non-profit that holds contracts to represent parents and children in four Northern California Counties. In addition, David serves as part time staff to the UC Davis Northern Training Academy, and runs...

Heather Meitner is a senior program specialist with NCCD. In her role she works nationally with child welfare organizations as a trainer and consultant on their implementation of strength and safety-organized practice skills and their integration of those skills with the Structured Decision Making...

Lisa McCulloch earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia in 1985. She took a break from school and moved to San Diego where she worked with children, adolescents, and adults in an acute care psychiatric facility. Ms. McCulloch went on to earn her MSW from San Diego State Universi...

Ms. McCarrell received her BA in Social Work from Chapman University in 1981 and her MSW from the University of Houston, Texas in 1984. She then spent the next 7 years as a Senior Social Worker for Orange County Social Services Agency working in Emergency Response, Dependency Intake, Dependency In...

Ms. Mahoney received her Bachelors of Science Degree from California State University in Fullerton in 1991. Ms. Mahoney received her Masters of Social Work Degree from California State University in Long Beach in 1995. Ms. Mahoney became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in November of 2003....

Dr. Magaña has worked with children and families exposed to violence for close to thirty years. She obtained her doctorate degree from the University of California Irvine and completed additional post graduate work in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University and the United States International...

Francesca LeRúe received her MSW from California State University, Long Beach in 1994 and her MPA from California State University, Northridge in 2010. Ms. LeRúe is also a certified mediator. She has specialized in child welfare since 1987, beginning her career as a counselor in a residential grou...

Judith Lefler received her BS in Nursing from the University of California San Francisco in 1972. She completed her 5th year post-graduate study in Public Health Nursing and has a certification in School Nursing. In addition, Ms. Lefler was certified as a Pediatric Intensive Care Specialist in 1982...

Pastor Barry E. Knight has committed his life to helping people reach their maximum potential! He is a man of faith and family, and maintains a high degree of integrity and commitment to his personal development...

Sarah Kneeland has worked for Child Welfare Services in the County of San Diego since 2009. She played an active role in the development, training, coaching, and implementation of Safety-Organized Practice in San Diego. She worked as a Protective Services Worker in Continuing Services, ...

Mark’s first exposure to child welfare began when he and his wife became foster parents to teenage boys in the early 1980’s, in Alaska, prior to moving to California. He received his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University. For several years Mark...

Kahalifa King has a wide range of life experiences which he believes has helped to prepare him for the career he now enjoys in helping others. He has over 18 years of experience in Sales/Marketing. He has served on the San Diego Superior Court Mediation Panel. Kahalifa is a Mediation Trainer...

Ms. Kennedy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Agency Management from Missouri Valley College and a Master’s Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from the University of San Diego.

Ms. Kennedy has worked as a child welfare professional since 1990 when she became a Protective...

Alice Kennedy began her career as a social worker with the County of San Diego Child Welfare Services in 1992, and possesses a Masters Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Administration. Alice was initially assigned to the Sexual Abuse Adjunct Unit and continued to expand her skills by...

Nicole Kelsay graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2001 from Columbia University in New York, NY. Currently she is a Policy Analyst for San Diego County’s, Child Welfare Service...

Marilyn Kaufhold, M.D. is a child abuse pediatrician who has been associated with the Child Protection Team at Children's Hospital, San Diego since 1978. She retired as Assistant Medical Director, responsible for the Forensic and Medical Unit of the Chadwick Center for Children and Families in...

Maxine Jones-Robinson has over 30 years of experience working with vulnerable children, youth, families and the elderly in a variety of positions.

Ms. Jones-Robinson began her social work career in 1981 as a social worker serving the elderly and disabled residents in a nursing facility; and in...

Scott Johnson is a Licensed Addiction Counselor. He provides therapy, consultation and seminars on an international basis.

Mr. Johnson recently established the Certified Addiction Counselor’s Association of Japan, which is the first program of its kind in that nation. Mr. Johnson is a trainer for...

Ms. Jeter started her career as a Los Angeles County Probation Officer where she worked as a Deputy Probation Officer in Juvenile Hall, in a Probation Camp for violent female offenders and in several field offices with both juveniles and adults...

Lerone Jenkins graduated from East Carolina University in 1996 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. In 2005, he graduated from San Diego State University with a Masters Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Child Welfare in 2005...

Bill James started working with teens in residential treatment in 1989. He graduated from Baylor University with a BA in Psychology in 1984 and from San Diego State University with a Master’s in Social Work in 1993...

Amy Jaffe joined the Academy in 2014. She is the County Consultant for CWDS for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. She began her career in Human Resources in the private sector. Moved to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations she changed careers and became a Social Worker in 2003. She...

Ms Horton received her MSW from San Diego State University in 1992. In 1994 She became a licensed as a Clinical Social Worker. Ms Horton specializes in Child Abuse and Prevention. She began her career as a volunteer on call crisis counselor and then became a residential care worker in shelters for...

Jennifer Haight, M.A. is a senior researcher at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. She has worked extensively with staff from public and private child welfare agencies to help them use their data more effectively to understand the functioning of their child welfare systems and strategize...

Ms. Golly received her BA in Psychology and Sociology from University Guelph, Canada, and her MA and PhD in Psychology from United States International University, San Diego Campus, in 1998.

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Kim Giardina has been in the field of child welfare for fourteen years. She is currently a Child Welfare Manager in San Diego County, working in the Policy and Program Support Division. Kim currently has responsibility for special projects, data, Continuous Quality Improvement, and Training. She has...

Lorraine holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and a doctoral certificate in Organizational Development, and is a Certified Child Care Worker. She has been working for forty eight years in child and youth care work in the human services field. Lorraine has been a direct service worker...

Laurie Fortin, LCSW, has been a trainer for Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS) since 1999. She began her social work career as a Protective Services Worker with San Diego Child Welfare Services in 1989. Due to her caseload of sexually abused adolescents and volunteer work with a...

Virginia Flores has 30 years of experience in the field of Social Work. Ms. Flores has worked for Child Protective Services in the State of Texas for 23 years and has experienced working and supervising staff in all stages of service.

Ms. Flores has also served as a Child Protective Permanency...

Deborah Fitch comes to PCWTA after working for the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services for 27 years. In her 27 years with Children Services she worked as both a social worker and supervisor in nearly all of the various programs including a 4 year stint working as a program assistant to...

Anne-Michelle Ellis was hired in December of 2010 as the first Coordinator for the San Bernardino County Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation which had been active for nearly two years at the time. She previously worked for Operation SafeHouse, a shelter for runaway and homeless teenagers in Rivers...

Deborah Donnelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York State University at Buffalo. She has been employed as a clinical therapist with San Bernardino County, Department of Behavioral Health for the past nine years. During this time, Ms. Donnelly...

Penny has been a parenting educator, teacher trainer and consultant for over 30 years. She has held a number of professional positions in non-profit agencies, schools and colleges working directly with parents, teachers, children and early childhood staff, as well as foster/adoptive caregivers......

Peter Dahlin is a private consultant, based out of Northern California, providing organizational development, training, and curriculum development services to a variety of organizations throughout the country. He is passionate about integrating creativity and fun in solving organizational challenge...

Catherine Chase has over 25 years of experience working with Children and Families. She began her career in 1988 as a counselor at Charter Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital in San Diego, specializing in adolescent in-patient treatment. In 1990 Ms. Chase began her work in Child Welfare for Washington St...

Kristie Campbell has over 28 years of experience working with Children and Families. She began her career in 1987 as a primary counselor at New Alternatives, Diversion Program in San Diego. From 1987 through 2007 she continued her work as a Facility Manager and Facility Administrator with various...

Raymond Cameron is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist currently in Private Practice in Southern California. Raymond received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy (Cum laude) from the University of California, San Diego and his Master of Arts degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from the...

Jennifer Burton, LMFT, CEAT is a licensed marriage family therapist, certified EMDR therapist, and expressive arts therapist in Los Angeles. Jennifer has worked with the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI) since 2006....

Scott Burdick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and he is currently a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. ...

Ms. Brown received her Bachelor Degree in Social Work from San Diego State University of in 2001. In 1995, Ms. Brown certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor from San Diego State University SPAN Program....

Dr. Laurel Brown has over 20 years of experience in the child welfare field. Dr. Brown obtained her MSW from the State University of New York, and completed a doctorate degree in Social Policy and Social Research at Loma Linda University....

Heidi Blue, MSW, is currently a Protective Services Program Manager at the Polinsky Children’s Center in San Diego, CA. As a PSPM at “PCC”, Heidi oversees cottage operations for 7 cottages at the nationally known Emergency Shelter for children who need temporary care that are known to CWS and Law...

Irene Becker is currently a Curriculum Coordinator with the Public Child Welfare Training Academy. Irene specializes in child welfare, social policy and organizational issues and has trained child welfare staff on child development, risk assessment, child maltreatment indicators and family dynamics...

Rachel Bavis is a certified Intentional Creativity teacher, trainer, and child welfare lawyer working with organizations, individuals, and youth. She designs experiential trainings for human services professionals to support self-care and healing from secondary traumatic stress so they can best ...

Joel Baum, MS, Senior Director of Professional Development and Family Services, is responsible for all programmatic aspects at Gender Spectrum. He facilitates trainings, conducts workshops, develops curriculum, consults with parents/ professionals, and provides resources in service of a more compass...

Ms. Barrantes received her BA in Political Science from Whittier College in 1998 and her MSW from San Diego State University in 2006. Ms. Barrantes is waiting to get approval from the Board of Behavioral Sciences to take her final test so that she may become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker....

Dr. Banton received her BA in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino. She received a MS in counseling psychology in 2004 from California Baptist University, and received another MS in Psychology, Public Administration and Social Change from Walden University in 2013....

Jennifer Andrews-Burke, LCSW, ACSW, BCD received her Bachelor of Social Work from Pacific Union College in 1996 and her MSW from Sacramento State University in 1996. In 2003 she became licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in California...

Nola is known in the US and beyond for her dynamic and inspirational speaking and her fierce and unwavering commitment to truth and justice...but what combination of experiences helped to shape the leader we see before us today?...

Jennifer AhSing (Jenni) is the new Workforce Management and Development Manager with Child Welfare Development Services at the Academy for Professional Excellence. Prior to stepping into this role Jenni had been the Practice Coach Manager. ...

Bob has two Master Degrees, a MA in Religion from Vanguard University and a MA in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University....