VALLEY - Key Persons

Alondra ORTega

Job Titles:

Family Educational Specialist

Over the past 16 years, Andrea has worked in child welfare to support children and families in the community. In 2007, Andrea obtained a Master's in Education with a concentration in Special Education from James Madison University. She began teaching in a full inclusion, public school setting; and supervised practicum students. To support children and families with healthy social and emotional learning, she was trained in the Center of Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) model through Vanderbilt University. She has held a teaching license in Virginia since 2007. Andrea worked with a local agency that focused on family reunification and stability. Providing Intensive In-home services for 10 years, it provided Andrea with an understanding that there was a significant mental health need in the community. Through these experiences, she began learning more about trauma, resilience, and healing. She is now an Advanced Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner through Starr Commonwealth. With the desire to serve children and families in the community, and support trauma learning, Andrea acquired a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Regent University in 2020. She currently is a Resident in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and serves on the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling member committee. In 2020, the agency she served under, closed suddenly due to COVID-19. To continue to meet a need within her community, she founded Valley Family Support Services. She is a court approved parent educator through the Supreme Court of Virginia. Andrea is passionate about supporting family preservation, stabilization, reunification, and positive change within the family system.