ACRC’s International Direct Care Summit 2024

Dr. Kiaras Gharabaghi is Dean of the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Canada, where he leads undergraduate and graduate programs in Social Work, Nursing, Child and Youth Care Practice, Early Childhood Studies, Disability Studies as well as applied science programs in Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational and Public Health, Midwifery and Urban Planning. Kiaras has worked as child and youth care practitioner, family therapist, and administrative leader in residential settings for over 20 years, and continues to consult and coach residential teams, executive leaders and organizational change processes across the sector. He has also built a Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship academic program and facilitates student initiatives that help transition students from great ideas to community actions with impact. Kiaras has been involved in residential service discussions and activities across Canada and the United States, as well as Europe, South Africa, India, and Sri Lanka among other geographies.

Prof Ruth Emond works part time at the University of Stirling where she teaches on undergraduate and post graduate social work programmes. The other half of her week is spent in practice as a social worker and play therapist supporting children who have experienced complex trauma. Over the last 30 years Ruth’s research has focused on different aspects of everyday life in care. Her work has included studies on friendship and peer relationships, school and education, ‘therapeutic’ care experience and the use and role of food and food practices.

Chris Delap earned his B.S. degree in Psychology at the University of Kansas in 2002, a M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Pittsburg State University in 2006. As a teaching assistant in graduate school, he taught undergraduate Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) courses. While working at Lakemary Center as a program therapist he incorporated his passion of ABA in his therapeutic approach and went on to earn his certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst through the University of Western Florida in 2016. Currently, the Director of Behavioral Services at Lakemary Center, Chris oversees the training department along with the campus wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system while incorporating an Organizational Behavioral Management (OBM) focus in systems development for the organization.

Bradley Dickinson is the IGNITE Mentor Program Coordinator at Lakemary Center. Brad has worked at Lakemary Center, a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in Paola Kansas for 15 years. Starting out as a Behavior Health Technician, working his way up through supervisory positions to Lead behavior specialist. As Lead Behavior Specialist for 5 years he was working closely with Lakemary’s BCBA Chris Delap, Supervising Behavior Specialists, collecting data and implementing and modifying behavior support plans. Brad is a certified Safe Crisis Management instructor and American Heart Association CPR Instructor. As the IGNITE Mentor Program Coordinator Brad works directly with the program Creator Chris Delap along with Lakemary’s Residential Director and Campus Coaches to coordinate the IGNITE Mentor program. Brad is in the process of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology to sit for his Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst certification.

Brandon began his career at Lakemary Center in May, 2021. As a BHT in the IGNITE program, Brandon quickly found passion and purpose within the organization. Within the first year, he was named an IGNITE Mentor and continues to grow alongside the culture of positivity and support. Currently, he is an IGNITE Mentor II within the program. Brandon strives to continue his development and grow alongside Lakemary while supporting learners and staff.

Jessica Linick, PhD, SEP, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Co-Clinical Director at The Lionheart Foundation. She is the co-author of Power Source, Lionheart’s evidence-based youth program, and co-creator of EQ2, a self-regulation and support program for direct care staff. Prior to Lionheart, she served as the Senior Psychologist with the Bellevue/NYU Juvenile Justice Mental Health Service, Clinical Assistant Professor with NYU School of Medicine, and as a Clinical Supervisor at Rikers Island. She has written and presented nationally and internationally on topics related to attachment, trauma-informed care, systems reform, and the use of meditation and mindfulness within residential and forensic settings. Dr. Linick maintains a private practice in New York, where she specializes in the treatment of complex trauma and other chronic stress disorders. She is also a Somatic Experiencing® (SE) Practitioner and frequently assists in the training of new practitioners; SE is a resiliency based, body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma. In addition to her clinical training, she is a meditation, mindfulness, sound, and movement facilitator, and frequently co-leads retreats and workshops that blend improvisational movement with somatic and mindfulness practices.

Stephanie Midthun is Courage Worldwide’s East Africa Regional Director and has been working with Courage Worldwide since 2011 in the U.S., and in Tanzania since 2017. She oversees all programs and staff–over 65+ staff working at 3 safe houses and Courage Cafe in Moshi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She and her husband, Joel, oversee expansions in Tanzania and in the future, East Africa. They are active in the anti-trafficking community in Tanzania, bringing together people of all backgrounds to combat human trafficking and stand up for the rights of survivors.

Alicia Hoffman is an occupational therapist in Massachusetts and graduated with her MS in OT from Boston University in 2018. Alicia has worked as an occupational therapist in inpatient psychiatric hospitals with adolescents and adults, therapeutic group care settings for children and adolescents, and in intensive home-based settings with children and adolescents. She has worked extensively with LGBTQ youth and with youth who experience chronic self-harm and suicidal ideation. Alicia also oversees the Groups programming within therapeutic group care, supporting both social work and occupational therapy interns in providing relevant therapeutic groups to youth in out of home placements. Alicia has particular interests in integrating occupational therapy strategies and perspectives into trauma informed care and addressing the impacts of shame and guilt on both youth and their caregivers.

Carli DiMeo, OT, OTR, OTD (She/her/hers) is an occupational therapist and occupational therapy educator with 3 years of experience in community based mental health care. She has worked at the Home for Little Wanderers in group home and community based in-home pediatric mental health care for the last 2 years. Carli is passionate about restorative justice initiatives, collaboration with family therapy professionals, and family-centered care. Carli has conducted clinical research about program development using movement and sensory based modalities to enhance family attachment and cohesion, co-regulation, and child emotional regulation. Carli has presented on a range of pediatric OT topics including dyad based interventions, antipsychotic side effect management, and sensory tools to support family routines. She is excited to participate in ACRC this year!

Kat Rusnak is an occupational therapist licensed in Massachusetts and registered with the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapists since graduating with her MS in OT from Boston University in 2015. She has over 8 years of experience working in residential mental health settings with both children and teens at The Home for Little Wanderers, including specialty populations of youth with ASD or IDD diagnoses or members of the LGBTQ+ community. She was one of the first two OTs at The Home for Little Wanderer’s to build a successful and sustainable model for OT service delivery in the group homes. As of this past summer, she is stepping into a new role as the Congregate Care OT Coordinator, providing support to OTs and OT programming at all 4 of the agency’s group home programs funded by MA Department of Children and Families. Kat is also passionate about providing high quality fieldwork experiences for OT graduate students and has supervised ten Level II students at The Home’s Walpole campus. In her time away from work, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and camping with her partner as well as exploring new places with Pokémon Go.

My name is Charlotte Andrew, I use she/her pronouns and I am the co-founder and Director of LGBTQ+ Youth in Care. I am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, an adopter, previously a foster carer and work full time in children's social care. I am an experienced trainer, bringing lived experience into the spaces I facilitate. I aim to challenge biases, build strong allyship and cultivate curiosity among attendees as well as raise awareness and promote understanding about the experiences faced by LGBTQ+ service users.

Howard Glasser is the creator of the Nurtured Heart Approach®. He is a voice of greatness for children so that they can ultimately find their own voice of greatness. Howard’s background is in family treatment, clinical studies and educational leadership. His formal studies along with direct clinical experience with the most intense and challenging children form the basis of the approach he developed. He teaches Nurtured Heart Approach Training Intensives at the Nurtured Heart Institute. He has certified thousands of adults working with challenging children who in turn carry out this transformational work to their realms of influence…now having impacted millions of lives. He has been referred to as one of the most influential persons reducing children’s reliance on psychiatric medications. His work is inspiring a growing number of treatment and educational initiatives worldwide and has been featured on CNN, in Esquire Magazine and more. Howard is the author of 16 books, including Transforming the Difficult Child, a longstanding bestseller on intense and challenging children. The Nurtured Heart Approach has been researched by Rutgers University, the University of Arizona's School of Public Health, and New Mexico State University. He currently teaches at University of Arizona’s School of Public Health and their Integrative Medicine Program. The Nurtured Heart Approach is the subject of an upcoming documentary by the filmmaker Keving Miller.

Elizabeth Manley is nationally recognized for her expertise in children’s behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability and substance use systems design, policy and financing.  Elizabeth has a specific focus on innovation and evidence-based practice implementation with states and communities. Her 30 years of executive leadership at the national, state, and provider levels in both the public and private sectors have given her a unique understanding of the complexity of systems in these areas. 

Elizabeth is a Senior Advisor for the Innovations Institute at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.  In this capacity she is a thought partner for leaders in service systems design.

Juletta was born and raised in Montana, and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. After completing her course work she began at YBGR as an intern during the summer of 2018. She later signed on as a therapist in September of 2018 and enjoys helping the youth and families she works with. She is currently the Director of PRTF at YBGR.

Taylor Mayer is currently the Executive Director of Psychiatric Operations at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) in Billings MT. He began his career at YBGR in 1993 as a Mental Health Worker and has held positions of Clinical Program Therapist, Psychological Assistant, and Regional Area Clinical Supervisor prior to his current role. He has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and holds an active LCPC (MT # 660). He is a strong advocate of Therapeutic Foster Care and Adoption.

Executive and board member who has developed strong business and financial judgement which has led to proven success in change management, leading and executing transformation and growth-focused strategies. Expertise in turning around negative financial trends, rejuvenating operations, and opening new revenue streams through fixing leaking funnels, seizing opportunities, focusing on adding value, and listening to customers. Adept at building teams and recruiting cross-functional team members at all levels, fostering a culture of collaboration with a focus on achieving shared goals.

Tone brings over 28 years of direct care and leadership experience working in community programs, mental health, and substance abuse services systems in both the non-profit and private sectors. and community programs. His work includes training and development and has held roles at the supervisory and director-level in group homes and Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs.

He brings substantial experience in the leadership and administration of treatment services in both campus and community care-site models, including program development, supervision and training, staffing and scheduling, milieu management, therapeutic recreation, and integration of direct care and treatment providers.

Throughout Tone’s professional journey, his compassion towards young people and their families, has allowed for a relational care approach and trauma informed delivery of services. These beliefs are unmistakable in his work as a leader, trainer, mentor.

James Freeman has a master’s degree in organizational leadership and has 30+ years of experience working with staff, youth, and families in trauma-informed settings. He has served as a board member for ACRC and works with human service and nonprofit leaders to ignite the potential in their organizations.

Jedaia Rose Doñoz is the Therapeutic Aftercare and Advocacy Manager of My Refuge House, a non-government organization that provides aftercare services to survivors of trafficking and abuse. A graduate of BA Psychology from the University of the Philippines Cebu, she currently leads MRH’s Clinical program in giving trauma-informed interventions to survivor-participants, and spearheads its advocacy program, iSpeak, in providing free seminars on violence-related issues.

Jedaia is a registered psychometrician with experience in field research, community consultation and decision-making, and community awareness-raising. Under iSpeak, she has spent the past nine years providing training sessions and seminars to schools, churches, companies, and local government units, among other institutions on violence-related issues such as human trafficking and abuse. This WEDU Rising Star also served as one of the Philippines’ representatives during the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) Advancing Gender Equality Conference in Brunei last 2019. In February of 2024, she was also selected by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Along with 22 other leaders from across the globe, she spent 3 weeks in the United States to learn more about how the country is combating human trafficking.

Rose Ann Obenque-Ababa earned her Social Work degree from Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines, in 2009. She is the Director of Program Operations at My Refuge House (MRH) in Cebu, where she has dedicated over 13 years to helping survivors of trafficking and abuse. Her leadership at MRH encompasses program development, staff growth, community partnerships, and resource transparency. Starting as a Social Worker in 2011, she advanced to Residential Program Supervisor in 2012, and has been the Director of Program Operations since 2014.

Rose Ann co-founded the iSpeak Initiative, MRH's advocacy program providing free community training on abuse and violence-related issues. Her work earned her the ""Changing the World Award"" from Leadership Worth Following in 2017. In 2016, she represented the Philippines at the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), later serving as the YSEALI WLA Country Lead in 2018 and Co-Chair in 2019. Known for her transformative leadership, Rose Ann is dedicated to fostering sustainable and impactful community and organizational programs.

Sheila, who graduated from Mindanao State University-Main Campus in Marawi City with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work in 2018, has accumulated valuable experience over the past five years as a social worker at My Refuge House. During this time, she has been actively involved in providing support and care to survivors of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. In her current role, she is deeply engaged in managing a range of diverse programs at MRH, including the senior high school program, mentorship program, spiritual program, peer leadership program, and junior high school program. She is also responsible for overseeing the intricate case management processes, ensuring each individual receives the necessary attention and guidance. Sheila’s primary focus lies in empowering program participants to discover and harness their innate potential through comprehensive training and support initiatives.

Geselle graduated from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation-Lahug Campus with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 2018. She also passed the Licensure Examination for Social Workers in the same year.

She then worked as a Drop-in Social Worker in Tubigon, Bohol for eight months, catering to children in conflict with the law and survivors of sexual abuse.

Geselle first served as a Family and Community Development Officer for three years at My Refuge House before transitioning to her role as a Residential Social Worker. Currently, she directly partners with youth survivors of human trafficking and sexual abuse, helping them in their journey toward healing and recovery.

With a background in family services, women's health, and sexuality and gender studies. Avery Schweitzer is a dedicated mental health professional who has held a variety of positions at Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids, IA since May 2022. Avery currently serves as a cottage counselor on our campus. Avery brings skills like empathy, flexibility, and resilience to the workplace to best serve our clients. Avery has a focus on supporting clients and their families through their mental health journey; however that journey may look.

I have been with Tanager as an agency for a bit over a year now and served as a assistant supervisor and now as a cottage coordinator. As an inpatient cottage coordinator, I spend my time working with staff making sure that we are working to provide an excellent work atmosphere and being supportive to our clients. Just a little snippet of what I work on is getting scheduling done for the months to come, making sure incident reports are completed and my most favorite part is working on Rec calendars that consume of what the clients get to do during the month.

Erik is an assistant professor of Special Education at PennWest – Edinboro in Pennsylvania, where he has worked in teacher education since 2013. Beyond Special Education teacher education, which is his passion, he is the director of the University’s Center for Faculty Excellence and serves as an officer on the executive committees of the PennWest Faculty Senate, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties union, and the Friends of Baron-Forness library as well as advisor to the student Council for Exceptional Children. His research interests include teacher compassion fatigue, effective classroom management practices (with an emphasis on restorative justice), and coaching neuro-divergent student-athletes. Prior to working in higher education, he worked as a counselor, teacher, and administrator in residential alternative education for over ten years.

Marianna Oganesyan began working at St. Anne’s in 2006 in the Residential Treatment Program. She worked as a Residential Counselor and later a Milieu Manager. After earning her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, Marianna worked as a therapist in the Mental Health Services Program. In 2011, Marianna was promoted to an Assistant Director where she managed multiple sectors of mental health services in the following programs: Transitional Housing Program, Residential Treatment Program, and Community Programs, including Prevention Early Intervention (PEI), New Village Charter High School, and Full Service Partnership (FSP). Marianna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, holds a Lanterman-Petris (LPS) certification for Los Angeles County, and is a Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP) Supervisor and Train-The-Trainer.

Daisy Delgado is the Director of Residential Services at St. Anne’s in Los Angeles. She previously was the Director of Residential Treatment Programs for Sycamores Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) for youth and non-minor dependents in Southern California. Daisy has effectively presided over the implementation of trauma informed care principles in residential settings. As a Trauma Stress Institute certified trainer in Risking Connections, Daisy has not only been responsible for coaching staff and leadership but also leading an overall shift in organizational best practices toward client care, supervision, and crisis intervention.

Dana Wyss, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board certified clinical art therapist, and is coauthor of The Invisible String Workbook. Her doctorate in expressive therapies has led her to create programs integrating art, music, poetry, movement, and animal assisted therapy in the healing process for clients and the self-care of staff. For the last 25 years, Dr. Wyss has worked in psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and nonpublic school settings to manage crisis, conduct trainings, coach staff, and support children and families. Dr. Wyss is currently a Corporate Clinical Training Specialist and Clinical/Art Therapy supervisor at Stars Behavioral Health Group specializing in the treatment of complex developmental trauma.

Michele Boguslofski has worked in the field of human services since 1987. Her passion has its roots in six years of direct care as a practitioner and another 28 years in various leadership and administrative capacities. She is the Executive Director for the Teaching Family Association, a global network of providers around the world committed to effective, research-driven, and evidence-based practice for persons and families. Michele has, and continues to, witness first-hand the amazing impact and outcomes that children, teens, adults, families, and communities can experience when they work with talented, trained, dedicated, and accountable professionals.

Okpara Rice joined Tanager Place of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as executive director in July 2013, and assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer July 2015. Okpara is the first African American to hold executive office at Tanager Place in its more than 140 year history. He brings leadership experience to Tanager from his work at the Jewish Child Care Association in Pleasantville, New York, the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago, the Youth Campus in Park Ridge, Ill and Starr Columbus in Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Kiaras Gharabaghi is Dean of the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Canada, where he leads undergraduate and graduate programs in Social Work, Nursing, Child and Youth Care Practice, Early Childhood Studies, Disability Studies as well as applied science programs in Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational and Public Health, Midwifery and Urban Planning. Kiaras has worked as child and youth care practitioner, family therapist, and administrative leader in residential settings for over 20 years, and continues to consult and coach residential teams, executive leaders and organizational change processes across the sector. He has also built a Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship academic program and facilitates student initiatives that help transition students from great ideas to community actions with impact. Kiaras has been involved in residential service discussions and activities across Canada and the United States, as well as Europe, South Africa, India, and Sri Lanka among other geographies.

James Freeman has a master’s degree in organizational leadership and has 30+ years of experience working with staff, youth, and families in trauma-informed settings. He has served as a board member for ACRC and works with human service and nonprofit leaders to ignite the potential in their organizations.

Dr. Patrick Tyler is the Senior Director of the Child and Family Translational Research Center at Boys Town in Nebraska, U.S.A. He has almost 30 years of clinical, administrative, and research experience in residential, school, and family-based treatment services for children and families. He earned his doctorate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in Education with an emphasis in emotional and behavioral disorders and is an Independently Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Nebraska. As a researcher and clinician, his focus is on translating research into practice to improve the design, implementation, and dissemination of effective treatment interventions for children and families, with a specialization in trauma, violence, and resilience. Dr. Tyler is involved in several international collaborations dedicated to informing practices and policies for children and families around the world.​

Simon Walsh is CEO of Allambi Care, a not-for-profit organisation that operates in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. Simon leads a multi-disciplinary team of experts who hold extensive experience and knowledge in the out-of-home care, outreach, and disability industries. Allambi Care operate a suite of services which includes Early Intervention and Outreach Services, Foster Care, Intensive Therapeutic Care, Residential Care and Disability Services to children, young people, adults, and families. In addition, Simon leads several unique and innovative support teams who work closely with client-facing programs, and includes clinical, education, and sector training services. With over 800 staff, Allambi Care provide support and care for approximately 300 children, young people and adults living with disability.