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Can you share a bit about your career path and how you arrived at your current role? 

I feel like my work in state government is a culmination of my service in the military coupled with my career path in early care and education, as well as prevention of child abuse and neglect. I had been actively serving part-time in the Air Force Reserve as the senior noncommissioned officer (NCO) when I first applied for a state employee position. Serving part-time allowed me the opportunity to care my young children and attend college full-time. I also worked in various early childhood settings, including ECEAP and child care, while completing courses to earn my bachelor’s degree in Children’s Studies. I joined the Early Achievers team and became a Washington State employee in 2015, after the Early Start Act was passed, and when it was housed at the former Department of Early Learning. My role as the Early Achievers Integration Specialist called for experience in public relations, as well as early care and education. A couple years later, I transitioned to the Strengthening Families Washington team (still at former DEL) as a home visiting program specialist. I learned a ton about the Parents as Teachers model. Most importantly, I learned how early childhood home visiting can play a pivotal role in supporting parent-child relationships so abuse and neglect are less likely, and children are better prepared for school. DEL eventually became DCYF, and we began to pilot the Child Welfare Early Learning Navigator, or CWELN program. In pursuit of deepening my understanding of child abuse prevention, I joined the CWELN team as the project facilitator. In 2021, I retired from the military after serving for over 20 years. Transitioning away from military service, however, is also a journey so I took a short break away from DCYF and briefly worked for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. I came back to DCYF when I learned of the opportunity to become a governmental liaison for Help Me Grow. 

What initially drew you to this work?

I had the privilege of working closely with the CWELNs, who focus their efforts on supporting families involved in child welfare and do similar work of HMG resource navigators. I’ve witnessed the impact of early childhood services navigation from the perspective of program implementation. I also have lived experience as a teen parent, and I have a close family members who is navigating early intervention services with their 4-year-old. The struggle is real, to say the least, for parents, families and caregivers who simply want to meet the needs of their young children and could benefit from the support of a navigator. I saw this role as an opportunity to influence a broader system of navigational supports while also uplifting primary prevention efforts related to the Strengthening Families Protective Factors. 

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you? 

People are often surprised to learn that I worked as a surgical technologist in the hospital prior to enlisting in the Regular (or active duty) Air Force. I also arrived at basic training on Sept. 5, 2001—just days before the terrorist attacks on 9/11. I served over 8 years on active duty before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve. People are also often surprised to learn that I am a grandmother of two  

How do you recharge outside of work? 

My kids keep me recharged! I have an adult daughter, two sons and two granddaughters. They all have different personalities and interests; and learning of their passions and staying involved in their lives fills my heart, to say the least. I also love traveling—sadly, this can be expensive so I don’t get to travel as often as I’d like. When I do travel, however, I travel to the fullest extent possible so unless you’re travelling with me, you may not be able to reach me when I’m out of town!  

What are you most excited about in the coming year, personally and/or professionally? 

I’m exciting to see Help Me Grow continue to blossom in our state! I am still in “learning mode” and I returned from attending my first in-person HMG National Forum just a few days ago; I learned so much about the richness of HMG networks and how they are leveraged in different ways—traversing state and local systems—across the country. I am also excited to share what I am learning—not just with my colleagues, but also with my family members and friends—so children, families and communities can thrive.