The Kinship Care Navigator Program staff are dedicated to empowering kinship caregivers, promoting family preservation, and ensuring the safety and success of the children under their care. With a deep commitment to enhancing family well-being, the staff work tirelessly to help families navigate the challenges of kinship care, ensuring the safety, stability, and overall welfare of both caregivers and the children in their care.
Foster Care Supervisor
Hi, my name is Sherri Brothers and I am supervisor in the Child Welfare Bureau. I highly value children and families remaining connected and supported by one other, especially when they are involved with Child Welfare. I am grateful I have had the opportunity to live out this value in my work by finding family, supporting relatives, planning kinship symposiums, and creating policy and practices that support relative caregivers
Kinship Navigator and Outreach Coordinator
Hi, my name is Michelle Sosa and I believe that all children deserve permanency and that the family unit is the best way to achieve that. I have been working with kinship families for several years and I began my career in Arlington with training, developing, and licensing foster families and kinship caregivers. I am currently the Kinship Navigator and Outreach Coordinator, and I am tasked with finding family and assessing potential caregivers, developing policy and practices that support kin families, and assisting informal caregivers in the community access resources.
Foster Family and Adoption Services Team Supervisor
Hi, my name is Jillian Thorp and my passion is working with families and being a part of their journey. I have been working with kinship families for several years, first as a support worker and now as a supervisor. I support a team of social workers who assess and support formal kinship caregivers from initial approval through permanency. I am excited that my role allows me to promote a kin-first culture through practice and policy.
Kinship Navigation and Family Development Specialist
Hi, my name is Jasmine Dukes and I am in a consultant role from my home agency called a Second Chance, which is based in Pittsburgh, PA. I have spent my child welfare career working to support formal and informal kinship caregivers. I support kinship families during the initial assessment, the licensing approval process, and provide ongoing support throughout the case. I also help families achieve permanency through either return home, custody, adoption, or Kin Gap. Additionally, I conduct kinship training and facilitate monthly support groups specific to kinship caregivers.
Family Development Specialist
Hi, my name is Adriana Rodriguez and I am a bilingual social worker who has a passion for working with families connected to the child welfare system. I work with kinship families during the foster care licensing approval process, and I specialize in supporting families connected with the Interstate Compact of Placement of Children. I also enjoy connecting with families during monthly support groups, in-service trainings and coordinating respite needs.
Hi, my name is Ruth Selassie and I started my career in child welfare working for Child Protective Services. I have a strong commitment to community-based practice. I work with kinship families during the foster care licensing approval process, and I specialize in supporting families connected with the Interstate Compact of Placement of Children. I enjoy connecting with families during monthly support groups, in-service trainings and respite needs.
Kinship Care - Inquiry Form