Presenters

Melissa W. Bernier, LCSW

Meet Melissa, a seasoned professional with over two decades of diverse experience that reads like a journey through the heartlands of human service and education. Her career spans the intricate landscapes of psychiatric adolescent care, child welfare, behavioral health, and academia, where she imparts knowledge as adjunct faculty at Idaho State University and Boise State University. Melissa’s academic voyage began at the University of North Dakota, where she earned her Bachelor's and Master of Social Work degrees, setting a sturdy foundation for her career. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Idaho State University, her focus on Instructional Design and Technology underscores her commitment to advancing educational practices.

Her professional accolades include licenses as a Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor, alongside certifications as a Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and Motivational Interviewing professional. These credentials mirror her dedication to applying cutting-edge therapeutic/clinical techniques in her practice.

Dianna Kujawski, M.Ed.

Dianna is a recent transplant to Washington as of December 2022. She was born in California and raised in Indiana. She has 4 adult children and 2 grandchildren (her reason for moving to Washington). Dianna works for Service Alternatives, LLC, as the Area Manager for the Service Alternatives Training Institute (SATI). She supports a team of Training Specialists in developing and facilitating curricula for Foster Parents, DSPs, and various caregivers with Service Alternatives.

Before working with Service Alternatives, Dianna spent many years managing customer service teams, managing accounts, training in the customer service arena, and training inside sales teams. She holds certificates as a Master Trainer, Blended Learning and Designing Learning from ATD, and an MA in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Dianna is also a certified CPR/First Aid/AED and BBP instructor.

Vener Azurin

Vener has over 20 years of experience as a leader, trainer, facilitator, and mentor. He has successfully facilitated hundreds of training sessions for diverse groups of individuals in a variety of industries, including social services, health care, and education. Vener has trained and consulted with organizations across the country to implement Service Alternatives Training Institute's de-escalation training program, RIGHT RESPONSE®, which focuses on individual empowerment, proactive environments, and effective, sustained interventions.

Vener is known as a highly engaging, flexible trainer and facilitator who is focused on each individual’s needs and learning goals. He mentors other trainers in the Service Alternatives Training Institute organization on how to create safe and inclusive learning spaces, both in face-to-face and virtual environments. Vener has been instrumental in ensuring that training materials are inclusive and accessible. One of Vener’s areas of professional expertise is cultural competence. He has served as a multicultural consultant within and outside of Service Alternatives for many years. His other areas of specialization include behavioral disorders and developmental disabilities. Vener’s educational credentials are in psychology.

Nora Gerber

Nora Joanne Gerber is an instructor for multiple Health and Human Services programs. The recipient of an Outstanding Service Award for Teaching from UC Davis Extension, Nora also received the first Distinguished Service in Training Award from the National Staff Development and Training Association, an American Public Human Services Association affiliate. Additionally, Nora was honored to receive the Lewis Hine Award presented by the National Child Labor Committee in recognition of her outstanding service on behalf of children and youth. Nora models being a life-long learner and shares her over 50 years of training expertise with passion, creativity, and humor.

Keynote: Kiantha Duncan

Kiantha is a soulful leader who blends deep emotional intelligence with strategic insight. As an author and columnist, distinguished speaker, facilitator of sensitive conversations, and executive consultant, Kiantha helps communities align around strategies that promote greater community good.

Kiantha is consistently tapped to support non-profit organizations, corporations, and higher education institutions in executive leadership coaching and development, program and project development, DEIB, and community affairs.

T. Andrew Stinson

Andrew started as a foster parent trainer at the Family Resource & Training Center. He continued to grow and display his leadership and advocacy for families and staff, and he took on more responsibility with the state's trainer team. From there, Andrew transitioned into the Director position.

Andrew's passion for everyone to be valued and for equanimity has led him to wear many hats. He wears the hat needed for the adventure he has been asked to take. He is punny, full of compassion, and a teacher of many things. He is patient and has lots of grace, knowing change is slow and evolutionary. He looks for ways he and we, as humanity, can do better. His reflection shows that he loves to educate and empower every child, person, and family to know, be, and share love.

Andrew and his wife, Dawn, have eight children (five born and three forever fosters). As pastors and foster parents, they have been active mentors to hundreds of children and their parents. They currently live in beautiful Coeur d'Alene.

Marty McGukin

Marty McGukin, a native Texan and lover of all things tacos, lives in Idaho Falls with her husband and three children. She is a published author, speaker, and graphic designer. Marty is an Online Training Coordinator for Fostering Idaho Training through the Family Resource and Training Center. She holds a BA from Howard Payne University and an MDivBL from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Texas.

Shana Burres

Shana is the Lead Mentor Coordinator for the Alliance CaRES program. CaRES is the Washington state caregiver education, retention, and support program serving foster parents and licensed and unlicensed kinship caregivers. In her role with CaRES, Shana oversees the CaRES Mentors and develops and maintains the Topic Support Groups. Her work focuses on connecting people in ways that encourage inclusive, mutual, and ongoing growth.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in health education and a Master’s of Education in educational leadership. Her career in adult learning began with a position as director of a small non-profit and instructor at a local college. These roles eventually transitioned into work as a learning development consultant. During that time, Shana became a licensed foster parent and joined the work of The Mockingbird Society as a HUB home, where she discovered a passion for connecting with and supporting foster parents. She joined Alliance CaRES when they launched in March of 2021 and loves the opportunity to continually adapt and improve how caregivers engage in support and education through the Topic Support Groups or with CaRES Mentors.

Dawn Carini

Dawn Carini, MSW, is a Public Education Specialist at the Northern Training Academy in California. She has served in child welfare, resource family agencies, and crisis family services as a social worker and in higher education as an instructor. She strongly believes in supporting and strengthening vulnerable families to become active participants in the changes needed for their families to push through challenges. Additionally, Carini has worked in higher education at California State University, Chico, teaching in the social work department, serving as an advisor with PATH Scholars, a program that supports students with foster care, adoption and guardianship experiences, and Basic Needs, serving students experiencing housing and food insecurity. She loves a good training activity and brings an upbeat energy to the training space, leading with passion, excitement, and a bit of playfulness to engage participants and create a fun space to learn collectively.

Eric Saupe

Eric Saupe is an accomplished senior software engineer with over a decade of experience creating innovative and effective software solutions. Holding a BS in Computer Science from the University of Utah, Eric has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead and execute complex projects that drive meaningful results. He lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with his wife, Carly, their two daughters, and their loyal dog, Patxi. Since 2021, Eric and Carly have been dedicated licensed foster parents, using their home as a place of refuge and care for children in need. Eric is deeply committed to applying his software engineering skills to transform the foster care system, developing impactful tools for foster parent training, recruitment, and child placement. His work reflects not only technical excellence but also a profound commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Jose Leon

José T. León is currently serving as Region 2's Service Array Consultant. With a wealth of experience in Child Welfare, Mr. León has dedicated his career to the well-being of families and children.

Professional Journey: Mr. León started as a CPS Investigator for the Yakima DCFS office. He swiftly became LIST Certified in 1996, enabling him to provide direct services to Spanish-speaking clients. He had various roles within the Toppenish office, including Family Services, Health Education, and Accreditation Coordination.

Training and Education: A respected trainer, Mr. León has provided valuable training on family engagement, Famlink, anger management, prejudice reduction, Emotional Intelligence, and supervision. His commitment to education extends to serving as an adjunct professor at Heritage University and teaching Psychology courses at Yakima Valley College. He has presented at several social work conferences, most recently at the children's justice conference.

Academic Achievements: Mr. León holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and a teaching certificate from the University of Washington. He earned a master’s degree in education with an emphasis on counseling and guidance and postgraduate studies in Clinical Family Psychology from Seattle Pacific University. He also obtained a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Washington.

Recognition and Awards: In 2016, Mr. León received the prestigious Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program scholar recognition. He was also honored by the Washington State Society of Clinical Social Workers for his research paper titled "Social Work Clinical Assessment: Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders vs. Person In Environment System."

Personal Life: 2000 Outstanding Employee. Currently residing in Zillah, WA. Mr. León enjoys spending time with his wife, six children, and seven grandchildren. Beyond his professional endeavors, he finds fulfillment in genealogical work, reading, and learning. José T. León brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a passion for the betterment of child welfare.

Jennifer Frick

Jennifer Fricke is an educational professional with over 20 years of experience in instructional design for higher education, healthcare, and social work. She specializes in developing eLearning courses and blended learning solutions. Currently, she works at the Alliance, University of Washington, where she creates eLearning courses for caregivers and the DCYF workforce.

Previously, Jennifer led the Train the Trainer on eLearning program at Providence Health & Services, managed the language and culture program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and pioneered online instruction at Boise State University. At WCCWTC, she will share her insights on using AI to enhance curriculum design and development in the new era.

Amanda Meyer

Amanda Meyer knew early in life that she wanted to help children’s voices be heard. That commitment and drive led her to work in social service positions over the last 31 years. She has specialized in Child Welfare for 22 years. For the last 15 years, Amanda has worked as a Coach, Facilitator, and Curriculum Developer initially with the Department of Child Youth and Families and now with the Alliance. She is passionate about supporting child welfare staff so that they may have and grow their knowledge, skills, and values enabling them to serve the children and families that need their assistance. Continuing her work of raising children’s voices on a larger scale. Amanda’s facilitation style is heartfelt and compelling. In her position, she mentors other trainers helping them to advance their skills.

Kim Davis

Kim is a professional in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is a skilled facilitator of difficult conversations. She currently is the EWU Senior Director for Diversity and Inclusion at Eastern Washington University. Kim is a proud first-generation, two-time graduate of EWU. Kim achieved her degrees at a non-traditional age, requiring her to balance education, a family, and full-time work. Kim admits it was not always easy, but definitely worth it. Kim’s maternal grandmother, Maria Muñoz, immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico with only a 9th-grade education to make a better life for her family. Her grandmother’s struggles inspired Kim’s educational goals, dedication to equity, and passion for helping others see their own potential. If you need to know YOU CAN DO IT, Kim will be your encourager and friend along the journey.

Summer Simpson

Summer Simpson is currently a training specialist at Service Alternatives, a human services organization contracted to supply training with the Washington Developmental Disabilities Administration and DCYF. She holds expertise in training Positive Behavior Support, Communication, Neurodiversity, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills, Community Inclusion, Suicide Prevention, and Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. She is a Master trainer and trainer mentor, supporting trainers to increase their professional confidence, self-reflection skills, and learner engagement. Her background also includes Child Protective Services in the state of Indiana and a preschool teacher in the city of Mill Creek, Washington. Her passion is interacting with people to not only provide knowledge but also validate the knowledge and lived experience of each learner.

Dr. Joycelyn Wormley

Dr. Joycelyn Wormley is a renowned social worker, educator, and advocate for social change. Specializing in Child Welfare Services, she has dedicated over a decade to working with children, youth, and families across diverse communities. Dr. Wormley is deeply committed to educating families and organizations on issues related to social justice, equality, and trauma-informed practices aimed at mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Her academic journey includes earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Merced, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from California State University, Sacramento, and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree from the University Of Southern California (USC). Throughout her doctoral studies, Dr. Wormley developed a strength-based practice to enhance the Child Welfare System and minimize the removal of children from their homes. Presently, Dr. Wormley remains actively engaged in advancing the field of social work through research and advocating for policy reforms to improve the child welfare system. Her overarching goal is to dismantle unjust systems while bolstering family structures.

Derrin Ford, M.Ed., BA

Derrin Ford, M.Ed., BA, earned his degrees from Azusa Pacific and his Master's from Northern Arizona. He has 10+ years of experience in training and coaching topics such as Career Development, SOP, and cultural responsiveness. Ford brings a unique perspective in solution-focused practices that drives consistency with the staff he supports.

Kendrick Dial

Kendrick Dial is a Navy veteran and dynamic professional whose multifaceted career blends consulting, artistic creativity, and a commitment to social transformation. He earned his BA in Africana Studies from SDSU and received his MSW with a concentration in Community Organization, Policy, and Administration from USC. Kendrick leverages his academic knowledge, creativity, and lived experiences to empower individuals, communities, and organizations. With a focus on promoting social equity and trauma-informed engagement, he fosters empathy and drives positive change. He currently works with the Academy of Professional Excellence and serves as a Practice and Leadership Coach and Trainer, amongst many other roles.

Anthony Proctor

Anthony was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and moved to Wyoming and Montana for college in 2008-09. After graduating from MT. State University-Billings, with a degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation, he started a career in child welfare. Throughout his career, Anthony has served in multiple roles in MT, CO, and WA. He was an investigator, family volunteer specialist, and child family welfare service worker. As of 2023, DCYF offered him a position as a social service specialist supervisor for a pilot program that was designed to train non-case-carrying workers to be case-carrying workers. Anthony continues to occupy this role and enjoys providing training and coaching to upcoming social workers.

Throughout his employment with DCYF, Anthony has volunteered in multiple development groups, such as the “Family Practice Model” and “Engaging Parents at Shelter Care.” Child welfare is Anthony's passion, and he enjoys engaging with families, peers, and external professionals to contribute to its evolution. His work in child welfare has compelled him to challenge social norms that are not conducive to the inclusion of the communities we serve.

Doug Lee

Currently, Doug is a CPS and FAR Supervisor for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. He is responsible for leading a team of seven CPS Investigators. Doug began his career with DCYF in March 2019 as a CPS Investigator. His responsibilities were to investigate child physical abuse, sexual abuse, and negligent treatment or maltreatment. Before working at DCYF, Doug was a Branch Manager for Dry Box. Dry Box is a private business that sells and rents shipping containers. Before Dry Box, he worked for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit as an investigator. Doug investigated provider fraud within the Medicaid system. Doug also has experience as a Police Officer/Sheriff Deputy. He worked 24 of 26 years at the Centralia Police Department. Two years were spent at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. As a Police Officer/Sheriff Deputy, he held positions as a Detective in the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, and Sex Crimes Division. Doug was also on the Centralia Police Department S. W. A. T. Team for 11 years. When Doug isn't working, he enjoys time with his family doing things like hunting, fishing, and camping. Doug is also an active member of my Lutheran Church Congregation.

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