Hi there! Thanks for clicking to learn a bit more about me. I teach four Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) courses each semester at Winthrop University (WU). I am the minor advisor to those students who minor in HDFS, and I am the faculty advisor for the WU Student Council on Family Relations (WUSCFR).
If you are curious about something mentioned here and want to know more, please click links to visit related websites. I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have!
Why am I qualified to teach courses in the HDFS program?
Good question. 🙂 My educational background, as well as my professional and personal experiences, have closely aligned with the foundation and goals of this dynamic, interdisciplinary field.
As far as formal education, I have earned the following:
Post-Master's Graduate Certificate in University and College Teaching from University of NC at Charlotte
M.Ed. in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University
M.A. in Human Services from Bellevue University
B.S. in Child and Family Studies from Western Carolina University
My professional experience prior to joining the faculty at Winthrop has included:
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services - I worked for this government agency for nearly two decades in a few different roles, all of which involved case management for people receiving help from a federal or state public assistance program, including Food and Nutrition Services (also known as SNAP, EBT, or "Food Stamps"), NC Family and Children's Medicaid, and then for the last seven years I was there, NC Adoption Assistance. That was my favorite role; it involved supporting and educating families who adopted children from foster care. Social workers supported families to the point of being ready to adopt, then I stepped in to facilitate the legal process, educate the family about their child's eligibility for adoption assistance benefits, and support them in the remainder of the process as they transitioned from foster parent to adoptive parent. Once adoptions finalized through the court, I served as the families' primary agency contact and support person at DSS for information, benefit management, and in many instances, moral support as they continued their family journey.
Family Partner Coordinator - I worked in this role for an NC Medicaid managed care organization (MCO), Alliance Health, for about two years. As an MCO, Alliance manages Medicaid for the population who have a mental health condition, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, and/or intellectual/developmental disability. As a Family Partner, I worked with families of children to support, educate, advocate for, and empower caregivers to achieve the respect, answers, and attention they deserve as they manage the systems, providers, and services available to their children. I also facilitated training for local professionals who routinely work with families to ensure they were familiar with and using System of Care strategies such as interagency collaboration, accountability to results, child and family partnership, strengths-based practices, cultural competence, and community-based services and supports.
What sets a Family Partner apart from a social worker, case manager, and other similar roles is that in addition to specialized training, Family Partners must also have relevant caregiving experience. My youngest child has autism, an intellectual disability, and ADHD. My oldest has challenges related to ADHD and anxiety disorder. My personal experiences navigating systems and services for my children have helped me relate with genuine empathy to the struggles and strong emotions that families encounter. While I am no longer employed as a Family Partner, I maintain national certification (Certified Family Peer Specialist) and frequently offer my knowledge, resource connections, and emotional support to families I meet who need that unique type of assistance.
I hold the following certifications:
Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) - National Council on Family Relations
Human Services Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) - Center for Credentialing and Education, in collaboration with National Organization for Human Services
Certified Family Peer Specialist (CFPS) - National Federation of Families
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Foundations - SC Infant Mental Health Association
North Carolina Notary Public
On a more personal note, I grew up in Charlotte, NC and now live in suburban Indian Trail, about 35 miles NE of Rock Hill. I have been with my spouse, John, for nearly 20 years and we have two children: Virgil is 19 and Zander is 12. We also have four cats (Bow, Lulu, Oscar, and Onion) and one dog (Zoey).
I am passionate about issues and support related to neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance. I am on the board of Union County Pride (2024 was our 3rd year!) and I volunteer with PFLAG Charlotte in both Mecklenburg and Union counties. I enjoy reading fantasy/sci-fi novels, listening to podcasts, and learning about/playing with technology.
To get in touch with me, please see the bottom of this or any other page on this website. I welcome emails, texts, calls, and office drop-ins, but your best bet is to send an email or text first to make sure I'm available. You can schedule an in-person or virtual meeting or if you're in the Withers building and the door to my office is open (232-D), feel free to stop by!
