 | Columnists
The Washington Beat
By Nicole Dobbins
Nicole Dobbins is the executive director of Voice for Adoption in Washington, D.C., a national advocacy organization with a mission to speak in a single voice with policy-makers, representing the interest of foster children awaiting adoption and the families who adopte them. Previously, she served as director of events for FosterClub, the national network for young people in foster care, where she was responsible for engaging young leaders from foster care to train 2,500 foster youth annually across the country. As an alumnus of Oregon's foster care system, Dobbins leverages her experience and passion to advocate on behalf of young people she considers her "brothers and sisters in foster care."
Voices From Foster Care
By Adam Robe, MSW Adam Robe, MSW, is the interim chief executive officer of Foster Care Alumni of America. He is a former foster child who was adopted at age 9. Now, with more than a dozen years in the social work field, he's helped hundreds of foster children and their families adjust to tough life changes. His professional experiences have included working as a family-centered service worker in the Children's Division, supervising CASA volunteers, directing foster care programs, serving as a regional director of an adoption and child welfare agency, and as the executive director of a nonprofit in southwest Missouri. Adam jumped at the chance to help be part of the team working on a book about life after foster care, a project of Foster Care Alumni of America. "Young people today need hope. They need inspiration...and they need direction. I'm excited about this book because I believe firmly it will be invaluable for young people aging out of the foster care system." Adam believes the William Bridges framework used throughout FLUX really puts the concepts of change and transition into a pattern that makes sense. Working with the team members and FCAA on this project was a powerful experience for Adam.
Fostering Attachment By Lark Eshelman, Ph.D.
Lark Eshleman, Ph.D., is the author of "Becoming a Family: Promoting Health Attachments with Your Adopted Child" and other works. She developed and teaches the STAT (Synergistic Trauma and Attachment Model) of therapeutic treatment. For more information, visit http://larkeshleman.com.
Family Talk
Drs. James and Mary Kenny James Kenny, Ph.D., is a founder of Adoption in Child Time, a child psychologist, adoption and foster care advocate, and member of the Fostering Families TODAY advisory board. Mary Kenny, CPA, is the author of books and articles on parenting. She is a retired foster mom and editor for ACT ONE, the newsletter for Adoption in Child Time.They are parents and grandparents to a large family of young adults who joined the family through birth, foster care and adoption. They can be reached at (877) ACT-4Kids, (219) 866-8694 or marykenny@nwiis.com. The Early Years
Noelle Hause, Ed.D., LPCNoelle Hause, Ed.D., LPC, is an early mental health specialist for North Range Behavioral Health, director of Community Health Resources for the Northern Colorado Medical Center Foundation and adjunct faculty at the University of Northern Colorado. Fostering Families
Mark Anthony GarrettMark Anthony Garrett is a former foster and adopted child. He speaks for and trains various child welfare professionals both nationally and internationally. He also conducts motivational empowerment and educational seminars for youth in care. For information, call (614) 732-3568 or visit www.FosterCareExpert.com. |
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Nicole Dobbins
Mark Anthony Garrett
Noelle Hause, Ed.D., LPC
Drs. James and Mary Kenny
Lark Eshelman, Ph.d. Adam Robe, MSW
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