Driven by Values

I decided to pursue a career in social work because I believed in the values that undergird this work: Service, dignity and worth of the individual, social justice, integrity, importance and centrality of human relationships, and competence. A love for children fueled my passion for doing social work in the child welfare arena. I wanted to keep children safe and help families thrive. And once my journey began - many years ago as a child protective services social worker - I was immediately convinced that God wired me uniquely for this work.

Grounded in Experience

My professional experience covers a broad spectrum of child welfare social work in private and public sectors, in schools, hospitals and communities, and in state and federal government. From working as a case manager to directing a state CQI system, I feel strongly that my early years of experience in state child welfare have given me the best foundation to work effectively on the macro level in system reform.

I have an extensive national perspective of child welfare as well, since I’ve spent the last decade of my career in federal service at the Children’s Bureau working to assess state systems across the country through the Child and Family Services Reviews. In that work, I’ve assisted numerous states and courts in analyzing data, comprehensively assessing systems and practices, and identifying strategies that would result in improved outcomes.

My experiences in the field run wide and deep and they have shaped my understanding of what works and what doesn’t.

Personally Invested

I’ve invested in this work in a particularly special way, as a licensed foster parent. For over five years I have had the privilege of caring for several older youth in the system and have joyfully become an “older sister” to one of them. These personal experiences have given me additional vantage points on system reform, particularly regarding how we can best serve older youth and develop meaningful and lasting connections for them.  

Deeply Committed

I know all too well the barriers that exist in our efforts toward child welfare system transformation. This work is challenging and sometimes discouraging, but I remain hopeful. My faith is the anchor for that hopefulness. The values that drew me into this field continue to shape how I view best practice. I know this work can be done well. And it must be done well because children depend on it. I know that children and families can experience positive outcomes. I’ve heard their stories and witnessed their triumphs, professionally and personally. And I am determined to see more.