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 Director of Quality & Impact at KVC Nebraska. In this role, she collaborates with internal and external stakeholders and partners to support families and protect children from abuse and neglect. She is currently focusing on preventing child maltreatment through prevention and early intervention programs.

For more than a decade, Cassandra has helped vulnerable and at-risk populations and believes safe, secure, and connected relationships within families and communities are key to child safety and optimizing human potential. Her KVC team has supported the preservation and reunification of hundreds of families.

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 University 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 and serves as a Marriage and Family Therapist representative on the Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice. She is also a certified Gallup Engagement Champion.

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.

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

Larissa Dowe is KVC Nebraska’s supervisor of the Fostering Educational Success (FES) program. In this role, she provides oversight to the Family Coaches who work with children and families to improve school connectedness, family cohesion, home-school relationships, and school success.

Larissa is licensed in Nebraska as an Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Clinical Social Worker. She holds her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She specializes in early childhood intervention and prevention and is trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Bounce Back and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in the Schools (CBITS). She is also a Certified Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Trainer.

Becca is the supervisor for the Child Placing Department at KVC Nebraska. Becca provides pre-service training to foster parents, supports team members who are providing direct support to youth and families, educates the community, and recruits those interested in exploring foster care, and our Admissions team. Becca graduated in 2006 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences. Becca has supported families in Child Welfare since 2006. Initially, providing In-Home Services and Community Services to youth and families. Becca started her career at KVC Nebraska, in July of 2010 as a Kinship Specialist and transitioned to a Foster Care Specialist. Becca began her role as a Foster Care Supervisor, in November of 2014. Becca is passionate about learning and advocating for others and helping others maintain quality support. Becca is committed to KVC Nebraska Mission and dedicated to providing innovative services for the community.

Nicole Deere-Andersen serves as KVC Nebraska’s Human Resources Manager 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.

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

Sarah Nixon is an Administrative Supervisor for the Developmental Disability Department where she oversees a variety of different elements that make our Shared Living program successful.

Prior to her current role, Sarah served as a Shared Living Specialist where she worked closely with individuals with disabilities, their families, and other team members. Before joining KVC, she worked as a Specialist Education Teacher Assistant and as a child welfare case manager.

Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Campbell University.

“I chose this field out of a deep desire to help others and that is how I came to be at KVC. I stay at KVC because the culture is one of continual growth with a focus to always do what is best for our community and clients.” – Sarah Nixon

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.

Kelsey Smith is a Foster Care Supervisor at KVC Nebraska where she ensures the success of foster homes and their placements. She supervises and supports a team of Foster Care Specialists to guide them in creating new strategies to maintain quality and dedicated foster homes.

With over eight years of social work experience, Kelsey has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience in case management, foster care, social work and mentoring. Prior to joining KVC Nebraska, she worked as a Case Manager Supervisor at PromiseShip/Saint Francis Ministries where she participated in Sarpy County Drug Court, De-Escalation Team, and was an impactful mentor.

Kelsey earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wayne State College. She is an Independent Living Advocate for youth aging out of foster care.

“I do what I do because I love hearing peoples’ stories and being a part of them. I enjoy networking and advocating for youth and families. I love a good challenge especially with a rewarding outcome! KVC has always been a place I have felt comfortable visiting and I always enjoyed the prompt collaboration and open communication. Now, I am enthused to be a part of this organization! Child welfare was never my intention when graduating college, but after working with youth in a group home and hearing their stories, I was immediately hooked and wanted to help. I can’t see myself in any other field.” – Kelsey Smith