ACADEMY FOR COMPETENT YOUTH WORK - Key Persons
Andrew Young is a native of Bloomington, IN and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Outdoor Rec and Parks Administration. Experiential education and learning through doing has been a lifelong passion. While working in a camp setting for the beginning of his career, Andy has since moved on to Youth Development in a larger sense.
Currently, he is the Associate Director at Foundation For Youth which manages many local and national non-profits under his guidance. He has a role in the strategies and planning for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Boy's and Girl's Club, Columbus Youth Camp, Communities That Care, SAFE Place, and a variety of other community-based initiatives.
He currently lives in Indianapolis, IN with his wife and three daughters, is a cartoonist and game designer, and enjoys a good fireside chat.
Job Titles:
- Personnel Director of Cane River Children 's Services
Angie is currently the Personnel Director of Cane River Children's Services, a residential treatment facility for adolescent females in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she has served as the primary trainer to Direct Care staff for over 12 years. She has had over 25 years experience in the field of Youth Services, and is a member of the Louisiana Association of Child Care Agencies (LACCA) through which she serves as a regional trainer for the CYC: Basic Course.
April Carthorn is the membership manager and a training & technical assistance specialist at National Safe Place Network. April brings over 30 years of education and on-the-ground work experience on behalf of youth, young adults and their families that includes runaway & homeless youth, child welfare and education systems. She is driven by empathy for…
Job Titles:
- CYC - P / Milwaukee, WI, She / Her / Hers
During my time at The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, a spark of passion for child and youth care was ignited when I began volunteering as a mentor for an after school leadership program. After earning my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy I became a Teen Leadership Coordinator and have since held many positions including;…
Christen is a proud Youth Worker who has spent the last 15 years of her career in Out-of-School-Time Programming. Her time in afterschool has been spent in community-based outreach programs, leading international service learning trips, managing traditional center-based afterschool programs, and releasing her inner child during summer camp! She truly believes that the greatest gift…
Cindy has a master's degree in psychology from Duquesne University and is a certified Child and Youth Care practitioner at the professional level through the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB). Cindy is currently the Director of Training at Youth Catalytics and the President of CYCCB's Board of Directors.
Cindy has extensive experience in the human services field as a Youth Worker, mental health therapist, program director, and trainer/facilitator. Before becoming a full-time trainer, Cindy worked as a counselor in an intensive treatment unit, as a mental health therapist, in a temporary shelter crisis nursery and adolescent shelter, and as a program/clinical director for an adolescent shelter and crisis intervention outreach program. Cindy is co-editor of the Families Thrive: Protective and Promotive Factors to Enhance Thriving for All Children, Youth, & Families training and has been centrally involved in its development.
Cindy has facilitated a variety of training on topics including Positive Youth Development, LGBTQ topics, outcome measurement, supervision, and self-care for professional and organizational development and strategic planning. She is a certified trainer for the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development, the Academy for Educational Development, trainer of facilitators for Wyman's Teen Outreach Program® and certified to teach the Youth Thrive™ curriculum. Cindy is a senior trainer for the Child and Youth Care: Foundations Course offered through the Academy for Competent Youth Work.
Cindy is also a certified comprehensively trained Pilates instructor and understands the value of applying a mind-body approach to professional development, health, and wellness.
Cindy has a master's degree in psychology from Duquesne University and is a certified Child and Youth Care practitioner at the professional level through the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB). Cindy is currently the Vice President of CYCCB's Board of Directors and is co-editor of the Families Thrive: Protective and Promotive Factors to Enhance Thriving for All Children, Youth, & Families training.
Michelle Hurley, CSW, CYC-P, has passionately advocated for youth since 2011 and currently serves as the Program Advocate for National Safe Place Network (NSPN), providing training, technical assistance, and program support for youth organizations across the United States. Michelle is deeply committed to striving toward NSPN's vision of a world where all youth are safe and seeks to build meaningful collaborations to support young people.
Michelle received her MSW with Distinction from the University of Kentucky in 2017 and her BS in Psychology from Centre College in 2019. She is eager to create positive change within her community through leadership, empowerment, and solution-focused problem solving. Previously, she utilized these passions in her roles as a therapist, case manager, domestic violence victim's advocate, and researcher on sexual violence prevention.
Since her childhood as a Girl Scout, Michelle learned the value in seeking to build up others with gusto, empathy, and positivity. Michelle's favorite quote is from Fred Rogers, who said "There are three ways to ultimate success: the first way is to be kind; the second ways is to be kind; the third way is to be kind." Her goal is to implement these words into her everyday life with hopes it will spread to others.
Elizabeth has developed and implemented curricula and programs for children, youth, and youth care providers which focus on personal growth, self-discipline, and character development. She emphasizes the use of the arts, athletics, life skills, mentoring, team building, and the service learning. She has taught youth and youth care providers for 32 years. Elizabeth is an approved trainer…
Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Miller is a business and communications professional who has been personally and professionally connected to the youth and family services field for more than 27 years. She is a licensed foster parent and an adoptive parent who is actively engaged in the child welfare community. Smith Miller has lived experience which helps drive her passion for serving youth and those dedicated to keeping youth safe. She has served on and lead youth advisory boards. She also has led the creation of a volunteer support center for an organization with more than 35 distinct programs. Smith Miller has experience in creating policies and procedures for state and national organizations. She has served as a subject matter expert for national trainings and facilitated webinars. She has also worked directly with runaway and homeless youth grantees and other youth service organizations as a professional consultant. She is an effective leader with a strong work ethic. She helps guide teams working under pressure and in difficult situations. Smith Miller's creative vision drives national operational, communication, branding, and marketing efforts for National Safe Place Network (NSPN) and its programs.
Eric Tadatada provides technical assistance via telephone, on-site or on-line to Runaway and Homeless Youth grantees for RHYTTAC. In addition he assists with the preparation of reports for Federal Project Officers as well as presenting and planning Technical Assistance clinics. He has supervised and worked in youth programming for 21 years. This experience includes basic…
Erin Shanayda Erin Shanayda is the Training Director at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. She is a proud Certified Youth Care Practitioner and has been working with youth for 10 years. Erin has served in many capacities in the youth field including Before and After School Site Director, Summer Day Camp Coordinator, and Program Director…
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the National Center for Innovation
- Vice President of the Association for Child
Frank splits his time between his role as Past President of the national Child and Youth Care Certification Board and facilitating growth for the hundreds of CYCs who engage in learning programs offered by the Academy for Competent Youth Work. Frank is the Academy's Executive Director, author of the Child and Youth Care: Foundations Cours e, co-author of the Youth Thrive™: Protective and Promotive Factors for Healthy Development and Well-Being training, and a contributing editor of the Families Thrive: Protective and Promotive Factors to Enhance Thriving for All Children, Youth, & Families training. He is also currently developing sailing and group programs for young people in transition aboard his 42' sailboat Heart-to-Heart as part of the newly formed Ready about… Changing Courses.
Frank is the Vice President of the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice, Past President of the CYC Certification Board (CYCCB) and a current board member. He is involved with CYC certification offered by the CYC Certification Institute, is a frequent speaker at conferences, facilitates challenge course adventure activities, and thoroughly enjoys being in the world as a professional Child and Youth Care Practitioner.
Frank became a Fellow of the National Center for Innovation and Excellence in 2014, is the recipient of the National Staff Development and Training Association's 2013 Career Achievement Award, and in 2009 he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Academy of Child and Youth Care Professionals. In 2006 and again in 2018 he received the President's Award for "special achievement in the field of child and youth care" from the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice.
George Weatherford has been working with youth and families since somewhat reluctantly volunteering at drop-in center for LGBTQ+ youth in the 1990s in Seattle. He has worked since then in school programs, after school programs, camps, spiritually based youth programs and more. He also has a Masters degree from the Peaceable Schools Program at Lesley University. George has evolved from a love of using his gifts to support kids in finding theirs, to a love of using his gifts to support youth workers in using their gifts to support youth in finding theirs.
Hector is a clinical child & youth care practitioner who has provided practical learning opportunities to people of all ages and in various roles and settings. He has an extensive history of cultivating and leading teams to excel under very challenging conditions. Hector is currently in private practice in Maine.
Hector began work as a child care worker in residential treatment centers, then continued onto psychiatric hospital settings. He is able to understand the intensity and demands of working in a therapeutic milieu. As he later moved into supervisory, management, administrative, and now consultative positions, he brought with him the knowledge of the challenges that face practitioners as they discover ways to improve their effectiveness, stamina, and fulfillment.
Hector has worked in other settings including therapeutic recreation, therapeutic foster care for adjudicated youth, community mental health, and national social service corporations. He has consulted in risk management, quality assurance, & new program start-ups. This included designing, implementing, monitoring, and maintaining programs for diverse populations as well as recruiting, training, and retention of competent staff. More recently his experience has extended into early childhood development as a Mental Health Consultant for Head Start Centers.
He is an adjunct faculty with the University of Maine and conducts extensive community-based training that includes the Youth Thrive Framework and the Child and Youth Care: Foundations Course. He has consulted with local organizations on team development where he provided an organic strategic approach to improve results-oriented performance. Hector is the Treasurer of the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice.
Henrietta is the Training and Organizational Specialist at Aviva Family and Children's Center in Los Angeles, California. She bring 20+ years of experience as a consultant and learning facilitator. She has extensive experience in designing and facilitating soft skills training programs in: leadership and management skills, communication, coaching, conflict management, and performance appraisal.
James Freeman, MA, CYC-P is the director of training at Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families in southern California. He has over two decades of direct experience in out-of-school, education, family camping, residential, and community based programs and has served as an international child and youth care consultant with a background in organizational development and support to marginalized children and families. He holds a masters degree in organizational leadership and is pursuing a docorate in education with an emphasis on organizational development.
James has authored or co-authored dozens of chapters or articles on relational child and youth care. He is co-editor of CYC-Net (www.cyc-net.org) and on the editorial board for the journal of Relational Chilld and Youth Care Practice (www.rcycp.org). He is the current president of the Child and Youth Care Certification Board, executive committee member for the Association of Children's Residential Centers, and on the board of governors for the International Child and Youth Care Network.
Most importantly he is the father of three wonderful children with his partner Julie and lives in southern California. As a trainer for the Academy for Competent Youth Work he has trained child and youth care workers across the United States, Canada, South Africa, Scotland, and beyond. He can be reached at jfreeman@casapacifica.org or james@cyc.net.org.
Jaimie serves as the Youth Program Coordinator of a local non-profit in Indianapolis, Indiana. She started her career in youth work at just 17 years old. She likes to joke that, "Jamie didn't find youth work. Youth Work found Jamie."
Jamie has a passion for providing opportunity and new experiences to students, as well as working with families to connect them to local resources. Because of her experience in the field, she is now pursuing a degree in Human Services. Jamie is dedicated to giving youth a voice and in her role as a CYC Foundations Trainer, aid new youth workers in gaining the knowledge they need to be great professionals.
Jeananne is a CYC Practitioner at the Professional Level and has a passion for professional development. With over 20 years in the field, her background includes work in residential facilities, substance abuse centers, and various after school settings. She has direct service and administrative experience. She is an instructor for the American Heart Association, Safe…
Jennifer began her career in afterschool as an Americorps member with the I Have a Dream Foundation in 1998. Following her year of service, she joined Sarah Heinz House, a Boys & Girls Club, as the Girls' Program Director and was responsible for girls' programming, resident camp, and the Keystone Club, a leadership development group…
Jennifer began her career in afterschool as an Americorps member with the I Have a Dream Foundation in 1998. Following her year of service, she joined Sarah Heinz House, a Boys & Girls Club, as the Girls' Program Director and was responsible for girls' programming, resident camp, and the Keystone Club, a leadership development group for teens. Jennifer served in that capacity for 11 years, developing and growing programs for the children and youth of Pittsburgh.Jennifer is currently the Director of Outcomes and Performance Management for Sarah Heinz House. She is developing an Outcome Measurement Strategy and a Performance Management System for over 150 programs and close to 200 full and part-time staff.
As a part of her current position, Jennifer piloted and implemented the Sarah Heinz House Center of Excellence, a training and technical assistance program for afterschool programs in Southwestern Pennsylvania. As a part of that initiative, Jennifer also developed, in partnership with other community organizations and support from the United Way, trainings on the PSAYDN (Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network) Statement of Quality Elements. She also serves as a national trainer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and has conducted local training for camp and afterschool staff for the last 8 years.
Jerriann Chandler-Ochoa is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and graduate from the School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary. She has worked in mental health for over 19 years in various settings ranging from schools to group homes to community mental health. At Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services in Los Angeles, California, she has…
Job Titles:
- Director of Research, Education, and Public Policy at National Safe Place Network
Katie Carter is the Director of Research, Education, and Public Policy at National Safe Place Network, where she coordinates training opportunities and services for member agencies. She holds a Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs and spent five years at a state-level youth advocacy organization, leading efforts on improving child health and family economic security issues. She is happy to now be working with youth and family service agencies across the country, connecting them to the resources they need to serve the young people in their care
My name is Keetha M. Colson and I am a CYC practitioner. I have worked in the field of social services for 16 years. I always had the desire to listen to others and try to help them figure out the best way to solve their problems. I decided to go to school and obtain…
My name is Keetha M. Colson and I am a CYC practitioner. I have worked in the field of social services for 16 years. I always had the desire to listen to others and try to help them figure out the best way to solve their problems. I decided to go to school and obtain a B.A. in Psychology at California State University Northridge.
Upon completing my degree I worked in a group home setting for 2 years. I then went on to work in a Psychiatric Hospital and Juvenile Hall for a year. I started Praying about what direction to go in next and teaching was the answer GOD gave me.
Kim Frierson earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Kentucky, her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville, and a Doctor of Social Work from Tulane University and is a certified Child and Youth Care practitioner with over 15 years of experience in youth services. In addition to her experience working in runaway and homeless youth services on the local, state, and national level, Dr. Frierson has provided training, facilitation and education to students, practitioners and administrators across the country. Her passion lies in "helping helpers", a role she filled at National Safe Place Network for eight years. Additionally, Dr. Frierson's recent work seeks to address white supremacy in social work education and nonprofit organizations. Kim's primary areas of interest include macro practice in social work education, critical race theory, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, reproductive health, training and implementation, and runaway and homeless youth.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Executive Director of One Accord Global Inc. and House Mother of the Sanctuary Centre
Latoya Bernice is the founder and Executive Director of One Accord Global Inc. and House Mother of the Sanctuary Centre, a therapeutic group home in Charlotte, NC. Gilbert took special interest in studies in which exposure to the outdoors could decrease behavioral, social, and relational problems in youth. Upon completion of an intensive master's program in Environmental Education, she founded CampCousins, a residential camp community program which aims to provide an outdoor space for exploration and self-discovery. Gilbert is a camp enthusiast, international educational speaker, wife, and mother. Gilbert is the author of "Salt of the Earth" a curriculum for schools and inner-city youth programs which promotes respect for the earth and youth's respective communities.
Maddie attended Ursinus College, where she majored in Peace and Social Justice Studies and participated in Bonner Leaders (a leadership and civic engagement program that focused on community service). She has had years of volunteer experience working at summer camps and after-school programs with younger children throughout college and high school, but she found her passion at YouthBuild Philadelphia in working with young adults. Maddie is an AmeriCorps Member and Community Projects Coordinator at YouthBuild. She wants to help students feel seen, supported and empowered to graduate from high school and follow their dreams. She is excited to work with Child and Youth Development Students at YouthBuild to build their skills and become the empowering and attentive youth workers the community needs.
Mallory has been in youth work for over 15 years. Before receiving her Master's of Art in Teaching, she had always been drawn to opportunities to interact with children and youth. Her path has led her to working in daycares and summer camps, designing curriculum and events as a program manager with the Girl Scouts…
Mark Wolf served as the Training Director for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) from 2012 - 2018 when RHYTTAC was a program of the National Safe Place Network. Prior to his work at RHYTTAC, Mark served as the Director of the K-Town Youth Empowerment Network for Tennessee Voices for Children, a SAMHSA System of Care grantee focused on homeless transition-age youth with a mental health diagnosis. The program, which began in 2010, has been recognized by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The majority of Mark's career has been with Child and Family Tennessee where he managed and directed the runaway and homeless youth programs for 25 years.
Mark received his MSW Degree from West Virginia University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and Sociology from Utah State University. Mark has an extensive history in training, including certification through the Child Welfare League of America in Effective Supervisory Practice. He has provided leadership in youth services at the local, state, regional, and national levels and has presented at multiple national conferences. Mark has been recognized for excellence by National Safe Place, the Child Welfare League of America, and the National Network for Youth.
Mark Wolf Mark Wolf served as the Training Director for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) from 2012 - 2018 when RHYTTAC was a program of the National Safe Place Network. Prior to his work at RHYTTAC, Mark served as the Director of the K-Town Youth Empowerment Network for Tennessee…
Mistie Timmons has proudly been a youth worker for more than 25 years in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Her passion for seeing youth and youth workers experience an "aha" moment is still the highlight of her career.
She is currently the Associate Executive Director of the Youth Development Center at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, with her primary responsibilities being program quality, compliance and funding for Before and After School and Summer Day Camp.
Favorite Quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
Mona Abrams is currently employed with Aviva Family and Children's Services as a residential counselor for the last 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from University of Southern California. Mona enjoys boxing and working out in her free time. She is passionate in regards to working with adolescent females at risk and is excited about the opportunity to take part in the CYC program.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of the Global Support for Kids Initiative
Opeyemi is the Executive Director of the Global Support for Kids Initiative (GSK Initiative), a community-based non-profit and non-governmental organization with headquarter in Nigeria. He is a current Board member and International Advisor to the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice (ACYCP), also the Principal Partner/CEO of Hope Diamond Int'l Resources Ltd, a professional package and consulting firm for non-profit organizations and public service generally. ‘Yemi has an academic background in Child Psychology and Social Work. He has professional experience as a social change philanthropist, social entrepreneur, fundraiser, trainer, and organizational development specialist.
Robert is a Regional Program Manager with AYS Inc. overseeing before and after care programs in 9 charter and parochial schools. Robert has worked in youth care and education settings for 16+ years, working with youth of all levels. As an out of school time specialist, Robert has dedicated his career to the professionalization of…
Sharon Schweninger has been working and playing with children for over 40 years in a variety of settings including public school classrooms, after school programs, child development centers, Scout troops, parent support groups, and church groups. Being a lifelong learner, Sharon has earned a M Ed with many post graduate credits in child and youth-related…
Job Titles:
- MSSW, CYC - P / Knoxville, TN
Shauna Brooks found her rightful place as a social worker after fifteen years of project management experience in the information technology field. She started her first job as a youth care worker with the Florence Crittenton Agency (FCA) in 2010 while enrolled in the College of Social Work bachelor's program at the University of Tennessee…
Simone has had the pleasure of training and developing people for the past 15 years in various types of youth-serving arenas. It brings her great delight to watch people grow and succeed in their chosen careers, and for teams to succeed and accomplish the goals and mission set by their company.
Job Titles:
- National and International Trainer and Consultant
Sister Madeleine is a national and international trainer and consultant. She has a BS degree in Education from Duquesne University and an MA in Child Development and Child Care from the University of Pittsburgh where she received the Special Department Alumni Award in 2008. Sister is a member of the religious congregation of the Sisters…
Job Titles:
- Certified Social Worker in the State of Kentucky
Stacy Meadows is a Certified Social Worker in the state of Kentucky. She has an MSSW from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Spalding University. She completed the Public Child Welfare Certification Program and then worked for the local Department for Community Based Service conducting intake and…
Steve Bewsey is a Certified Child & Youth Care Practitioner who has completed 45 years of service with foster and homeless youth in residential treatment, street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional living, and supportive housing programs. Steve has provided consultation and training to over a hundred youth serving agencies and has trained thousands of Youth Care Workers through the National Network for Youth, Texas Network for Youth Services, and Texas Homeless Network. Steve also served as a peer reviewer for the Department of Health and Human Services Runaway and Homeless Youth programs.
Steve is past president of the Texas Youth and Child Care Workers Association. He has twice received the June Bucy award for Program Excellence from the Texas Network for Youth Services. In 2012, Steve was honored as a "White House Champion of Change" by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony.
Steve is semi-retired living on Padre Island in Texas and is serving on the board of CASA of the Coastal Bend. Steve is the President of the Academy for Competent Youth Work. He is available for Competency - Based / Strength - Based trainings and consultation.
Steve Bewsey Steve Bewsey is a Certified Child & Youth Care Practitioner who has completed 45 years of service with foster and homeless youth in residential treatment, street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional living, and supportive housing programs. Steve has provided consultation and training to over a hundred youth serving agencies and has trained thousands of…
Tamela ‘Tammi' Aidt is currently the Manager of Social Services at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. From 2007-2010 Tammi served as the Vice-President of the Therapeutic Foster Care division for the Louisiana Association of Child Care Agencies.
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer for the National Safe Place Network
Tammy Hopper currently serves as the Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer for the National Safe Place Network. She has almost 30 years of experience working with and on behalf of youth via direct care, supervisory and clinical roles. As a youth care professional dedicated to positive systems change, Tammy has served as a lead advocate and coalition member of efforts at local, regional and national levels.
Tanner has been developing and managing programs for children, adolescents and families for over 15 years. He received his B.S. in Education from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. Throughout his time working with youth and family services, Tanner has developed a passion for breaking down barriers that hinder learning and success. As the…
Job Titles:
- Training Specialist at Casa Pacifica Centers for Children
Tone Reyes is a Training Specialist at Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families. He holds an associate degree in criminal justice and is a licensed group home administrator by the California Department of Social Services. He is a co-author of the Safe Environments for Learning and GrowthTM curriculum and chief designer of Seaville, Casa Pacifica's multi-sensory de-escalation room.…