Ashley Brown is President of KVC Nebraska where she ensures the organization is responsive and agile to the needs of Nebraska youth, families and individuals, focusing specifically on prevention and early intervention services. She also supports a diverse and compassionate team of 60 professionals who make a positive difference in Nebraska communities every day. She is particularly passionate about strengthening KVC Nebraska’s culture by building an exceptional employee experience.

Throughout her career in child welfare, Ashley has worked in a variety of fields, including foster care, in-home services and outpatient mental health services. Ashley earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of South Dakota. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Nebraska.

Gloria Christian is the Director of Clinical & Prevention Services at KVC Nebraska. In this role, she oversees the Intensive In-Home Services Team, the Outpatient Therapy Services team, the Substance Abuse Services Program, and the Fostering Educational Success Team. Gloria’s role is to ensure programming and services that follow fidelity to evidenced-based practices and a commitment to quality.

Gloria has worked as an agent of change with children, youth, individuals, and families for over 2 decades in child protective services, mental and behavioral health, and prevention services. Gloria began her career early in Iowa working with children in non-profit daycare where she served as a lead teacher and also volunteer Treasurer on the Board of Directors while she was obtaining her bachelor’s degree. After graduating from Iowa State University, Gloria began working as a Skill Builder, then Therapist, and Supervisor, with an Intensive In-Home Services team and developed preventive intensive in-home programs for youth ages 4-18 to preserve youth in their homes. After relocating to Lincoln in 2001, Gloria gained experience in prevention program development for adolescents and pregnant and parenting teens, mental health case management for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, child protective services rehabilitation, and recovery services in mental and behavioral health services including residential care. Gloria is trained in comprehensive DBT and DBT-PE. Gloria has extensive experience providing individual, group, and family therapy.

Gloria is licensed in Nebraska as an Independent Mental Health Practitioner. She holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Doane University and a bachelor’s degree in child and family services from Iowa State University.

Cassandra is the Director of Quality and Impact at KVC Nebraska. In this role, she collaborates with internal and external stakeholders and partners to ensure KVC is meeting internal expectations and achieving our mission: To enrich and enhance the lives of Nebraska families.

For more than a decade, Cassandra has helped vulnerable and at-risk populations because she believes safe, secure, and connected relationships within families and communities are key to optimizing human potential. Her KVC team of teachers (trainers) ensures that our affiliated homes and staff are not only in compliance but are also learning and practicing cutting-edge skills that promote safety, stability, and wellbeing.

Cassandra is licensed in Nebraska as an Independent Mental Health Practitioner and a Marriage and Family Therapist. She holds a master’s degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor’s degree in family studies from Central Michigan University. She is an Approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She is also a certified Gallup Engagement Champion and a Gallup Global Strengths Coach in Training.

Theresa Goley serves as Director of Permanency at KVC Nebraska where she oversees the foster care teams and ensures youth in foster care are safe in KVC-licensed and KVC-supported foster, kinship or adoptive homes.

From mental health to juvenile justice, Theresa has worked with youth for over 20 years. She began her career working in an acute mental health treatment unit in South Dakota before moving to Nebraska to provide therapy to adolescents receiving acute mental heath treatment. During her time as Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice, Theresa was involved with both the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative in Douglas and Sarpy Counties and the Crossover Youth Practice Model in Douglas County. While employed with State Probation, Theresa served as the statewide JDAI Coordinator and took the lead in working with the Georgetown Center for Juvenile Justice Reform on the expansion of Crossover from Douglas County to other counties across Nebraska. Prior to her current role, Theresa was a KVC Nebraska Service Area Director.

Theresa earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the North American Baptist Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Dakota. She is licensed in Nebraska as a licensed mental health practitioner.

Nicole Deere-Andersen serves as KVC Nebraska’s Director of Human Resources and has over 15 years of valuable human services experience. Beginning her career with KVC in 2010, Nicole gained experience as an Admissions Liaison, Foster Care Specialist, and Foster Care Supervisor before transitioning to her current role. As an Admissions Liaison, Nicole placed over 1,600 youth in need of a safe and loving home with KVC-licensed foster parents over a six-year period.

Nicole earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Doane University in 2019 and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2008.

Michaela Breault is Administrative Supervisor of Developmental Disability Services where she oversees a variety of different elements that make our Shared Living program successful.

Michaela began her career with KVC four years ago as a Shared Living Specialist where she worked closely with individuals with disabilities, their families, and other team members before transitioning to her current role in 2019. She came to KVC with over six years of extensive experience in the developmental and intellectual disabilities field. After working in a group home for individuals with disabilities, she realized her passion for community-based services. Michaela received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-8 and special education K-12 from Hastings College.

“I am extremely grateful to work with a dedicated team of Specialists who go above and beyond to advocate for those KVC supports.” – Michaela Breault

About Becca Crook

Becca Crook is a dedicated Foster Care Supervisor at KVC Nebraska with a Bachelor’s degree in Family Science. She empowers her team by providing guidance, support and opportunities for professional growth. Becca’s leadership ensures families provide safe and loving care for youth in foster care.

Professional Role and Leadership

As a Foster Care Supervisor at KVC Nebraska, Becca focuses on fostering autonomy while offering clear direction. She leads by setting clear expectations and prioritizing collaboration. Becca works closely with her team to navigate challenges together, emphasizing high-quality work and shared problem-solving.

Her leadership style reflects her top strengths: Includer, Restorative, Harmony, Arranger and Woo which help her create an environment where every team member feels heard, supported and motivated to contribute their best.

Learn more about leadership strengths at Gallup Strengths Center.

Key Credentials and Achievements

• Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician
• TIPS MAPP Trainer

These credentials highlight Becca’s commitment to safety and professional excellence in her role supporting foster families.

Favorite KVC Value

Becca values Unique Perspectives because she believes they are essential to progress. She fosters a culture of curiosity on her team, encouraging asking questions, listening actively and understanding each person’s unique story. This approach helps avoid assumptions and builds deeper respectful connections.

Life Outside Work

Outside of KVC Nebraska, Becca enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. They love outdoor adventures, socializing with friends and family and relaxing. Her favorite place to unwind is by the river in Colorado, a spot she treasures for peace and rejuvenation.

Recommended Read:

FAQs About Becoming a Foster Parent in Nebraska
Learn more about foster parenting and how you can make a difference.

Becca’s Message on Supporting Our Mission

“If I weren’t employed at KVC, I would advocate for greater awareness of the urgent need for foster parents in our community. Spreading the word is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to help. There are not enough foster homes to meet the needs of children who require safe supportive environments while working toward permanency.

Education is key. Understanding that every behavior a child shows is a form of communication and meeting youth where they are emotionally, developmentally and behaviorally can transform their journey. By raising awareness and fostering empathy, we can inspire more people to open their hearts and homes to children who need them most.”

Maggie Dworak is Administrative Supervisor at KVC Nebraska where she supervises a team of administrative assistants, leads office management for two locations, and provides quality assurance via file creation and file auditing for the In-Home and CPA departments. She regularly communicates agency updates to keep team members well informed and ensures employees have the office supplies and materials they need. She also led the Omaha office renovation, her biggest project to date. Maggie is a member of the Safety and Development Committees and co-chairs KVC Nebraska’s Annual Kids Classic Golf Tournament.

With over 13 years of office management and administrative experience at KVC Nebraska, Maggie brings a strong enthusiasm for design and organization to her role. She represents KVC with pride, empathy and efficiency.

Maggie earned a bachelor’s degree in english from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

“There are many reasons why I find my work satisfying, from the sheer variety of the tasks I perform, to the satisfaction that comes from helping my colleagues do their own jobs better.” – Maggie Dworak

Lauren Parks is a Foster Care Supervisor leading a team of skilled Foster Care Specialists who support youth in foster care, KVC-licensed foster parents and birth families.

Prior to her current role, Lauren was a Licensing Specialist, ensuring new and existing foster and adoptive parents meet licensing requirements. She has over 15 years of social work experience.

Lauren received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and bachelor’s degrees in social work and psychology from University of South Dakota.

Jessica serves as a Foster Care Supervisor where she oversees a compassionate team of Foster Care Specialists who provide training to foster families as well as direct support and ongoing services to foster parents licensed through KVC. She enjoys the daily challenges within her position and strongly supports the KVC mission.

Jessica began her career with KVC Nebraska in 2010. With over 17 years of human services experience, she has made a positive impact in group home settings, in-home services and foster care. Jessica earned her master’s degree in management from Doane University and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska.