EDUCATION REACH FOR TEXANS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Executive Director, Campus Alliance for Resource Education ( CARE )
• Executive Director, Campus Alliance for Resource Education ( CARE ) Texas Women 's University

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Manager, Strategic Workforce Initiatives and Federal Grants

Ben Holquist has worked for the Texas Workforce Commission for 3 years, and has worked to increase the commission's presence and activity in the foster care space. He is currently the manager of the Strategic Workforce Initiatives and Federal Grants department, which includes overseeing the TWC Foster Care Liaison, as position he formerly held. He led the redevelopment of the TWC Foster Care Conference, and annual conference designed to support greater connection between workforce initiatives including the Foster Youth Transition Centers and workforce boards and the rest of the foster care eco-system. He has worked with youth his entire career, from camp counselor, emergency medical technician in a pediatric emergency room, and program manager for summer camps and youth after school activities. ​

Job Titles:

• Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Field / University of North Texas
• Director of Field Education Program at the University of North Texas ( UNT ) Department of Social Work

Brenda Sweeten is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Field Education program at the University of North Texas (UNT) Department of Social Work. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Baylor University and a Master's of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has spent the majority of her career working as an advocate in the child welfare system and serving children and families involved in the judicial system. She continues to practice as a social study evaluator for step-parent and independent adoptions. Prior to joining academia, Professor Sweeten was the Program Director for CASA of Denton County, Inc. for twelve years before accepting a position as the Title IV-E Child Welfare Coordinator at the University of North Texas, a role she held for three years. Professor Sweeten participates on a number of boards and advisory councils including Court Appointed Special Advocates of Denton County, Denton County Child Protective Services Citizens Review Team, and Education Reach for Texans. Professor Sweeten has conducted numerous presentations at both state and national conferences focusing on supporting former foster youth succeed in post-secondary education as well as training university student affairs personnel, child welfare advocates and professionals about the experiences of youth in foster care and access to higher education. In 2012 Professor Sweeten co-founded a student organization at UNT called PUSH (Persevere UNTil Success Happens), for which she serves as the faculty advisor. This grassroots effort has evolved into the PUSH Initiative program that is specifically geared toward improving the successful educational outcomes of foster care alumni attending the University of North Texas. She now directs this program and has been appointed as the Foster Care Liaison Officer for the university.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Research Committee
• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Associate Professor of Social Work / Founder, FACES
• Chairman / Texas State University

Christine Lynn Norton, Ph.D., LCSW, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Texas State University. Dr. Norton helped found the FACES (Foster Care Alumni Creating Educational Success) initiative at Texas State University. She is the Foster Care Advisory Council Chair, the Faculty Advisor for the FACES Student Organization and was recently named the Foster Care Liaison Officer to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Along with developing and co-leading the FACES initiative, Dr. Norton has conducted peer reviewed research on foster care alumni in higher education and is also a lead researcher in adolescent and young adult mental health, with a focus on outdoor behavioral healthcare. She has presented nationally and internationally on her research in this area, and is a proponent of making therapeutic outdoor adventure experiences accessible to youth in foster care and foster care alumni in higher education. Dr. Norton utilizes a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach in both direct practice and program development with former foster youth. Dr. Norton has been on the Education Reach for Texans Advisory Board since its inception, and has presented on her work with FACES at numerous Reach Convenings. Dr. Norton earned a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas, an M.S. in Experiential Education from Minnesota State-Mankato, an M.A. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, and a PhD in Clinical Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships / Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Cindy joined the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute in October 2020 to serve as a liaison between the Meadows Institute and the philanthropic community in Texas. Before joining MMHPI, Cindy served as a Senior Program Officer for the Meadows Foundation for over 21 years. She analyzed grant proposals from nonprofits and public entities throughout Texas, primarily in the areas of mental health, substance use, criminal justice and abuse prevention. Cindy was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Meadows Foundation's mental health strategic plan that created and supports the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. She either led or co-led statewide philanthropic groups interested in supporting effective behavioral health and child welfare programming. Cindy began her career in the nonprofit sector as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic. After receiving an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin, she served as a field director for an international child welfare organization in Guatemala, Central America. Returning to Texas, Cindy was the executive director of a nonprofit health clinic in Bryan/College Station and a child abuse prevention program in Austin. Cindy lives in Dallas with her daughter and a small zoo of animals.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director
• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Appointed Council Member

Cortney Jones elevates the voice of youth in foster care. She is a tireless advocate for change within the system and change within the youth themselves. Cortney has worked in policy development, advocacy, public education, and individual case management for more than 18 years. Cortney finds joy in helping others find their true potential, while inspiring youth and adults to never let their past situations determine their future. She has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Texas A&M-Commerce and Master's degree in Social Work emphasizing on Administrative Leadership from Texas State University-San Marcos. Cortney serves as an appointed Council Member on the Family and Protective Services Council. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Change 1, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth in foster care.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Research Committee

Job Titles:

• President of the BOARD of DIRECTORS

Job Titles:

• Attorney
• General Counsel
• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS

David Halpern practices in the areas of Student Affairs and Litigation. Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, David served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas for nineteen years with a focus on personal injury and employment law. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. David is on extended faculty at the University of Texas School of Law, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and he has served as teaching faculty for the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Supreme Court's Permanent Commission for Children, Youth, and Families, and the National Association of Attorneys General. His writings have been published in the Texas Bar Journal, Voir Dire quarterly, the Juror Connection, and he is a contributing author to the book, Practicing Medicine in the 21st Century.

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Angelo State University

Dr. Javier Flores currently serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Angelo State University. During his tenure Angelo State University has increased enrollment by 37%. Additionally, Flores has led initiatives leading to increase enrollment and graduation rates of first generation college students, students formerly placed in foster care, students from low socioeconomic families, and students from other under-represented populations. Prior to joining ASU, Flores spent 13 years at Howard College in Big Spring, where he served as dean of student services, vice president of student services and then provost. He also served 16 months as interim provost for Howard College's SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf. Dr. Flores, a native of Sonora, Texas, earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Texas Tech University, his Master of Arts in educational management and development from New Mexico State University and his Doctor of Education in administration of higher education from Texas Tech.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Research Committee

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Supervisor
• Supervisor at Dallas CASA

​Jackie entered foster care at eighteen months old. His parents struggled with drug and alcohol addictions. While in foster care he rotated through several homes, shelters, and experienced a failed adoption at the age of five. He experienced traumatic transitions and abuse from a system that was supposed to protect him but failed. Although his experiences seemed hopeless, he had a successful adoption at the age of thirteen. Jackie now speaks publicly about his experiences in foster care, adoption, and abuse. He has used public speaking as a platform to advocate and create awareness in various communities about the needs of youth in foster care. Jackie states, "He was able to surpass the initial prospects that were set before him- failure or imprisonment, by using hope as a lodestar." Jackie recently graduated from the University of North Texas (UNT), receiving a Bachelor's in Social Work. While attending UNT, Jackie was one of the co-founders of an award winning organization called Persevere Until Success Happen (PUSH). He served as President and Vice President of the student organization that is now a university program. This organization was the grassroots effort to establishing a program to meet the needs of foster care alumni at the university level. This student program is focused on being an educational support group for foster care Alumni on the UNT campus. Jackie has been invited to speak at several conferences and panels in Texas and other states to educate and train those who advocate and work with children in the foster care system. Jackie has received awards for his community service and advocacy. In 2014, Jackie was voted by his classmates and peers to receive the UNT Social Work Student award. In January 2015, he received the prestigious Fanny Bell Gaupp award and scholarship; a UNT Social Work award that recognized the community work of students. Jackie was also recognized by State Representative, Pat Fallon, receiving a resolution that was shared with the House of Representatives. After his much success at UNT, Jackie was selected to be the Commencement Speaker for his 2015 graduating class. While seeking his undergraduate degree, Jackie was offered to work directly with children in the foster care system at Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home as a Youth Care Worker. In 2015, Jackie worked for MHMR Tarrant County as a Youth Transition Specialist. He directly helped youth from the ages of 16 to 21 transition into adulthood. He continues to have strong relationships with the children he has served. Jackie strives to be a symbol of hope for youth in the foster care system with similar experiences he faced telling them that they matter. Today, Jackie is a Supervisor at Dallas CASA. He serves on a workgroup for the Texas Supreme Court, Children's Commission, a board member for Educate REACH for Texans, and various other committees in Texas. In August 2017, Jackie completed his Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Jackie's passion is mentoring, advocating and volunteering; he continues to be a voice that uplifts, encourages and educates youth across the state.

Job Titles:

• Assistant Director
• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Staff Attorney

Jamie Bernstein is a staff attorney at the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children's Commission). Ms. Bernstein has worked at the Children's Commission since May 2014 and her primary focus is on the improvement of educational outcomes for children and youth in foster care. In this capacity, Ms. Bernstein provides support for the Children's Commission Foster Care and Education Committee and its workgroups, including a Postsecondary Education Workgroup. Prior to joining the Children's Commission, Ms. Bernstein represented children and youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems in New York, New York. Ms. Bernstein has a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.

Job Titles:

• Founding Member
• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS

Keri Rogers, most recently served as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Lone Star College System. She served as the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Sam Houston State University from 2008-2012. In this position, she focused on success initiatives for various populations of students including former foster youth. She also served as an Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Director of the First-Year Experience, and Director of the Lowman Student Center and Student Activities at Sam Houston State University. Prior to working at SHSU, she served as the Director of the Jack B. Kelley Student Center and Director of Student Activities at West Texas A&M University and Coordinator of Leadership Development at the University of North Texas. She also has taught the first-year experience courses and graduate courses in higher education.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Research Committee

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Member of the Research Committee
• Research Associate Professor and the Director
• Research Associate Professor, Director / Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing
• Research Associate Professor, Director / Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing / Steve Hicks School of Social Work

Monica Faulkner is a research associate professor and the director of the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing at the School of Social Work. She oversees multiple projects relating to foster care, child care and teen pregnancy prevention funded by state agencies, private foundations and the federal government. Her primary research interest is teen pregnancy prevention for foster youth and the welfare of teen parents in foster care. She teaches policy, human behavior in the social environment and child welfare related electives. In terms of professional experience, she has worked in both direct practice and clinical settings. She has worked as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at the Houston Area Women's Center and as a case manager for children in foster care at the Austin Children's Shelter. Faulkner also worked as a legislative aide for State Representative Garnet Coleman and served as chief of staff for State Representative Jessica Farrar. ​Faulkner has served on several boards including Latinas on the Rise in Houston and Adoption Knowledge Affiliates in Austin. She received a doctorate in social work from The University of Texas at Austin in 2010. She received a master's degree in social work from The University of Houston, and a bachelor of liberal arts in government with a minor in Spanish and a bachelor of social work from The University of Texas at Austin.

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Director of Public Polcy
• Director of Public Policy at Texas CASA

Sarah Crockett is the Director of Public Policy at Texas CASA. Sarah grew up in Idaho and has a bachelor's degree in political science from Northwest Nazarene University. She obtained a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan in Social Policy and Program Evaluation in 2010 after gaining experience working on women's issues, domestic violence and with refugees. Sarah served as Associate Director of the Texas Association for Infant Mental Health prior to joining Texas CASA. Sarah has significant experience advocating for children and youth in foster care, both legislatively and in her role as a CASA volunteer for CASA of Travis County. Sarah lives in Austin with her husband, two adorable boys and their dog. ​

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Member of the Research Committee
• Director of Strategic Initiatives / Texas Alliance for Child and Family Services
• Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Texas Alliance for Child
• Founding Member, past President ) Strategy Development Principal

Sheila Bustillos is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Texas Alliance for Child and Family Services. She has a Ph.D. in Multicultural Women's and Gender Studies at Texas Woman's University. She earned a M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance with an Emphasis in Higher Education Administration from Texas State University-San Marcos and a BESS in Pre-Physical Therapy with a minor in Health and Wellness from Texas State University. Her dissertation, titled "Foster Care Parenthood: Exploring Multigenerational Involvement," is a qualitative investigation of cyclical removals in the Texas foster care system focused on former foster care parenthood experiences. ​In the past, Sheila has worked for The University of Texas at Austin as a Program Coordinator for a multi-million dollar National Science Foundation Grant and as a Program Coordinator for the Vice President for Student Affairs Office at Texas State University in Retention Management and Planning. Sheila was a co-collaborator of the first foster care support group at Texas State University while employed there and continues to research and support foster alumni in higher education as a supporter of the Texas Woman's University Frontiers Program.

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Member of the Research Committee
• Professor and Chair Elect of Sociology