|
 |
ADDRESS:
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402
Saint Louis, MO 63101
PHONE:
314.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373)
800.FOSTER.3 (800.367.8373)
FAX:
314.241.0715
WEBSITE:
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition is a non-profit agency that strives to create permanency in foster children’s lives by recruiting and retaining foster/adoptive families.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Coalition Staff
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Melanie Scheetz - Executive Director
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x21
Melanie Scheetz and her husband are proud adoptive parents of two children, ages 13 and 11. Melanie has more than 22 years non-profit management experience in the areas of administration and development. She joined the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition as its Executive Director in 1999. During the past 11 years, the Coalition has recruited more than 1,150 new foster/adoptive families, and found adoptive homes for more than 300 hard-to-place children. Under her guidance, the agency developed the groundbreaking program, Extreme Recruitment™.
Melanie has been honored with the North American Council on Adoptable Children’s 2006 “National Adoption Advocate” award; the 2007 Congressional “Angels in Adoption” award; and the 2008 “Women of the Well” award. She has a B.S. from Miami University.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Dawn Belizaire - Director of Major Gifts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x34
c 314.973.9229
Dawn joined the Coalition in September of 2009 as the Director of Major Gifts. Most recently, she was the Director of Development for CASA of St. Louis County, and she has worked in development at the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and marketing and development at Lydia’s House in St. Louis and the Fort Bend County Women’s Center in Houston, TX. Her time at these organizations provided experience working with donors, volunteers, and Board members on a variety of tasks, including major gift solicitation, campaign planning and coordination, special events, grant writing and research, marketing, and print and web graphic design and production. Dawn completed her Bachelor’s degree in International Communications at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX, and her Master’s degree in Global Marketing Communications at Emerson College in Boston, MA. She is active in the community, serving as an active member of the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta and a past Board member of the Junior League of St. Louis. She and her husband, Roger, have lived in St. Louis since 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gayle Flavin - Extreme Recruiter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x28
c 314.614.2419
Gayle joined the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition to pursue her dream of helping children in foster care find permanency. After graduating from the Social Work department at University of Missouri-Columbia, she decided to come home to St. Louis to obtain a Master of Social Work degree from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. During her graduate program, Gayle completed a practicum with the Coalition. Gayle returned to the Coalition in 2009 to work in the Extreme Recruitment program. As an Extreme Recruiter, Gayle helps children in foster care reconnect with their biological family and pursues all avenues to ensure permanency.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ian Forber-Pratt - Extreme Recruiter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x32
c 314.614.2413
Ian is a former Coalition intern turned full time employee. His passions for international adoption and foster care have fueled his dedication to the Coalition. Ian graduated from Principia College in 2007 and received his masters in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work in 2009.
Ian was adopted from Kolkata, India, in 1980. He returned to Calcutta in 2006 and 2009 to trace his family history and help to build an orphanage for disabled girls. Ian spent three months during the summer of 2009, working for an NGO, Seva Mandir, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Ian prides himself on his work with adoption in India over the past 4 years.
Ian’s past careers include Compensation Consulting, web development for the Christian Science Monitor and Director of Business and Marketing for a Cingular Wireless franchise. Ian is active with Saint Louis youth as a mentor and Sunday School teacher. Ian grew up outside of Boston, MA and now lives in Overland, MO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Debbie Genung - Director of Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x38
Debbie joined the Coalition in early 2006 with six years of professional development experience and decades of volunteer fundraising. She is the staff liaison for the Junior Board (launched in 2006), and is responsible for grant writing and reporting, special events, individual, foundation, and corporate giving, Annual Appeal, and Fostering Hope (newsletter for donors and volunteers.) Debbie is the proud mother of four children and two “adopted” Spanish sons – brothers who lived with the Genung family the year they were each 12 years old.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Jan Joeckel - Co-Director of General Recruitment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x27
Jan Joeckel has been with the Coalition since 2002. She recruits and supports foster and adoptive families in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, including southern Illinois . She works closely with the Missouri Children’s Division, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and their private agency partners, to stay current on specific child placement needs and the licensing process for foster/adoptive families. Prior to joining the Coalition, she served as a child welfare specialist for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and a social service worker for the Missouri Children’s Division. She has a Master of Social Work degree and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has 20 years of experience in child welfare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liz Johnson - Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x31
c 314.614.2428
As a Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiter, Liz finds adoptive families for children who are typically more difficult to place...older children, teens and sibling groups. She conducts intensive, child specific searches to recruit appropriate families, and work with the families to prepare them for a child's placement with them. Liz establishes a trusting working relationship with the child to determine his or her adoptive needs, find the best match, and prepare him/her for adoption working closely with other members of the child's team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Barbara Kane - Outcomes Specialist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x26
c 314.614.2433
Barbara is a graduate from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Barbara has been with the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition since January 2007 when she began her practicum education. She enjoyed her experience so much that she continued her practicum there and is currently in charge of the Holiday Wishes program, a program that brings holiday gifts to foster and adoptive children in the Metro St. Louis Area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Denise Kelley - Director of Family Advocacy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x25
In 2001, the Coalition expanded services to foster and adoptive families through its Family Advocacy program. Since that time Denise has used a self-advocacy model to provide one-on-one case based advocacy to foster parents, adoptive parents, relative caregivers, biological parents, and child welfare professionals. Typical inquiries include assistance in navigating the child welfare system, policy/procedure clarifications, and finding community resources. Denise also coordinates the Coalition's foster and adoptive parent training enrollment for Missouri residence living in the Metro Area. Denise, in partnership with other Coaliton staff, work closely with MO Children’s Division and its private agency partners to stay current on specific child placement needs, the licensing process for foster and adoptive families, and supportive services for foster and adoptive families.
Prior to joining the Coalition team, Denise worked in the child welfare field providing crisis intervention services through the Intensive In-Home Services program and later as a foster care case manger. Denise holds a Masters in Social Work from Saint Louis University.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Heather Kemper- Director of Public Relations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x36
Heather is a local St. Louisan, a proud mother of an amazing four year old, a licensed foster parent, and a graduate from the University of Missouri, Columbia with a degree in Public Relations. Her responsiblities include the content and design layout of newsletters: "Fostering Hope", "Family Connections" (statewide), "News You Can Use" (both MO and IL); e-newsletters: "e-News You Can Use", and "e-FosteringHope"; and the content and design of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition website. She is also in charge of developing, enhancing and maintaining a good relationship with the media and community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tom Kircher - Co-Director of General Recruitment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x27
Tom is a 30 year veteran of the IL Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and has been with the Coalition since his retirement in January, 2001. Jan and Tom work together recruiting foster families in IL and foster and adoptive families in MO. They work closely with DCFS and MO Children’s Division and their private agency partners to stay current on child placement needs, licensing requirements for foster and adoptive families, and supportive services available for foster and adoptive families.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Lopez - Director of Investigations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x40
c 314.614.2416
After serving 20 years in the St. Louis Police Department, Carlos Lopez joined the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition as the organization's first Family Connections Investigator. While with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Carlos served as a patrol officer (11-years) and as a Juvenile Detective (9-years). While a Juvenile Detective, Carlos worked one on one with at risk youth specifically regarding gang prevention, detection and intervention. He was also a part of the Truancy Initiative, which was a highly successful multi-agency program decreasing truancy in the St. Louis area. Carlos' investigation skills combined with his experience in serving children and families has helped facilitate successful reconnections of foster children with birth family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dawn Milburn - Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x41
c 314.614.2342
Dawn, a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), has spent her career in social service supporting people of all ages and all abilities. Dawn values her own family and friend connections and believes that all people's lives are enriched by building and developing personal relationships and a circle of support. She also values individuality and firmly believes that in order to build a genuine and successful rapport with the individuals she supports is to "meet them where they are". Dawn has a diverse background of experience working with children and adults in the community and within a treatment setting. She has a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation and a M.Ed. in Community Counseling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nickie Steinhoff - Director of Training & Support
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x35
Nickie Steinhoff joined the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition as the Director of Training & Community Support in December 2009. She brings more than 10 years of experience in child welfare, including case assessment and management, crisis intervention and permanency planning. Most recently, she was the Director of Advocacy Services at CASA of St. Louis County, where she lead advocacy efforts, volunteer training and supervision, and program development. She has provided child advocacy training to national audiences, and served on the National CASA volunteer curriculum development committee. Nickie has a Bachelor’s degree in social work and a Master’s degree in professional counseling and is currently an adjunct professor of sociology at Fontbonne University. Nickie and her husband are the proud parents of two children, one of whom is adopted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sheila Suderwalla - Director of Specialized Recruitment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x30
c 314.614.2420
Sheila, MSW directed the Coalition’s first teen adoption program Project Teen Plus from 2003 to 2009 achieving great success in securing permanency for teenagers in foster care. As an Extreme Recruiter, she helps older children in foster care reconnect with their biological family and pursues all avenues to ensure permanency. Sheila also facilitates monthly teen support groups helping youth in foster care prepare for adoption. In addition, Sheila coordinates a weekly televised adoption recruitment segment, “A Place to Call Home.” In partnership with St. Louis’ NBC affiliate KSDK NewsChannel 5 over 55% of the hardest to place children who have been featured on this Emmy winning program have found forever families. Ms. Suderwalla’s work experience includes contracted case management for the State of Missouri, Family Development Specialist – training and licensing foster and adoptive parents and case management for abused and neglected children, including those born drug addicted and/or with HIV/AIDS. Ms. Suderwalla has extensive volunteer and advocacy experience, including mentoring at-risk teenagers. In addition to membership in professional organizations, Ms. Suderwalla serves as a board member for several local and national non-profit organizations. Sheila has a master in social work degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rossi Summers - Director of Operations/Little Wishes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x33
Reshelle “Rossi” Summers has fifteen years of child welfare experience. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and master's degrees in Human Service Agency Management and Human Resource Management. In her 10 year tenure at the Coalition, her duties have included workshop and support group facilitation, newsletter editor, business and personnel management. As the current Director of Operations, Rossi performs administrative duties and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations at the Coalition. She also administers the Little Wishes program. Rossi and her husband are the proud parents of two adopted children.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Shelley Thomas-Benke - Director of FosterServe Volunteers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x29
An active volunteer herself, Shelley is responsible for recruiting volunteers to make a difference in the lives of foster/adoptive children. She collaborates with 14 St. Louis metro area agencies that serve foster/adoptive children, making volunteer referrals to these agencies as well as recruiting Coalition volunteers. Shelley also works with companies and groups to organize events and drives that benefit foster/adoptive families. She works part-time.
Shelley worked as an attorney specializing in child abuse/neglect issues and appellate work for 10 years before transitioning into the non-profit sector to become Director of FosterServe Volunteers. Shelley has a B.S. in Business from the University of Minnesota and received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Delbrica Vinson - Dir. of Educational Advocacy in St. Louis City
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 North Seventh Street, Suite 402, Saint Louis, MO 63101
o 314.367.8373 x39
c 314-600-0305
Dell Vinson joined the Coalition in August 2009 as the second Education Advocate. Prior to joining our team, for the past five years, Dell served as a Special Education Teacher within the public schools system of St. Louis City. Dell's motto is: "A teacher must understand who they are in order to assist students on becoming who they need to be.” Dell also worked as a Children's Division Family Centered Out of Home Care Social Service Worker reuniting foster children and families to strong and realistic permanency plans. Dell's combined social service and education background makes her a strong advocatre to assist with all related educational needs and concerns. Dell has a B.S. in Sociology from SIU Edwardsville, and a Masters of Art and Teaching in Special Education from Webster University. Dell currently completing the Education Leadership program from Webster University in Administration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cindy Ysaguirre - KidStore Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tyler Presbyterian 2109 South Spring Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110
o 314.773.KIDS (314.773.5437)
Cindy, a proud mother of two and a a grandmother of four, is a part-time employee responsible for managing the daily operations and volunteer staff of the KidStore. She also performs internal audits for the Little Wishes program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|