Child Welfare Services: I have extensive experience conducting investigations into child abuse (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse), neglect, and exploitation, managing complex cases, working in adoption, guardianship, and permanency planning, and providing expert testimony in juvenile court for over two decades. I have testified in many contested hearings for detention hearings, jurisdictional/dispositional hearings, and termination of parental rights. I have expertise in motivational interviewing, forensic interviewing, adoptions, foster care/placement, licensing, dependency proceedings, Division 31 regulations, standards of care, the 300 Welfare and Institutions Code, preparing court reports, and the NASW Code of Ethics.

I have conducted thousands of investigations and interviews involving cases of neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, domestic violence exposure, parental substance abuse, and parental mental health issues. Throughout these investigations, I have collaborated extensively with clients, law enforcement, service providers, and other professionals to ensure a comprehensive approach to each case.

Adult Protective Services: With over 7+ years of direct experience in elder/dependent adult abuse investigations, crisis intervention, risk assessments, and case management, I possess specialized expertise in handling cases involving elder/dependent adult abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation. I have worked collaboratively with law enforcement, mental health professionals, medical providers, and service providers to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults. My comprehensive approach ensures thorough investigation and effective intervention in these complex and sensitive cases.

Adoptions: With 16 years of experience as an Adoptions Social Worker, I possess extensive knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the adoption process, including regulations, procedures, and best practices. I have worked closely with adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees, navigating the complexities of parent-child relationships, contested adoptions, and disputes over the best interests of the child. My experience includes home-finding and matching families to foster children needing permanent homes. I completed adoptability assessments, guardianship reports, 366.26 court proceedings/court reports/termination of parental rights, and testified in the juvenile court proceedings. In addition to my direct work in adoptions, I have trained MSW-level social workers to conduct comprehensive adoption home studies, complete adoptive placements, and finalize adoptions. I am also skilled in preparing detailed court reports that meet legal standards and provide critical insights into each case.

Trauma-Informed Care/Grief-Informed Care: I specialize in trauma-related and grief issues affecting children, families, adults, the elderly, disabled, and dependent adults. My approach emphasizes compassionate, client-centered care, thorough assessments, and case management.

Consulting, Training, and Supervision: As an experienced Adoption Program Director and Manager, I have supervised and trained social workers (MSWs) and staff.  I have taught mandated reporters training classes.  Furthermore, I have taught prelicensure classes to prospective foster and adoptive parents. My expertise in foster care, adoptions, program development, training, leadership, and supervision further enhances my ability to contribute to complex legal cases.