As a child welfare consultant, I have extensive knowledge and experience working for and training staff at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. I worked at the Department for 7 years, followed by 18 years as a clinician at Casey Family Programs. I have worked intensely with the foster care and adoption population and offer support for families considering or already involved with foster care and/or adoption. I also support current foster/adoptive parents and provide trauma and healing-informed therapy for foster/adoptive youth AND parents/caregivers. I specialize in childhood trauma and neurodevelopment.
During my time with Casey Family Programs, I worked on multiple projects across the country that are aligned with systems improvement in child welfare. I have developed curriculum and supported implementation, training, facilitation, and consultation in multiple states' child welfare systems. I provide consultation services that support improvement of child welfare systems at state and National levels.
TRAINING FOR JURISDICTIONS
Achieving permanency and overcoming barriers to permanency
Trauma and Healing-Informed Care
Pre-service coaching for foster and adoptive parents
Working with families to create inclusive and culturally grounded homes for transracial adoptees
Therapeutic adoption preparation
Family finding and engagement strategies
Communication Skills
Custom designed trainings based on jurisdictional needs
CONSULTATION SERVICES
NEUROSEQUENTIAL MODEL
The Neurosequential Model is a framework that helps us understand children based on how their brains grow and respond to stress or trauma. It was created by Dr. Bruce Perry and isn’t a specific therapy, but more like a guide for choosing the right kind of support. It looks at how brain development and trauma affect behavior, and helps caregivers, therapists, and communities decide what kind of help a child needs—starting with regulating the body, then building relationships, and finally working on thinking and learning.
We offer consultation and recommendations on the principles of the Neurosquential Model, which can be helpful for caregivers, therapists, case workers, mental health providers and clinicians.