Ashley Fiore has worked with CACs throughout her professional career as a clinician, clinical director, program manager, trainer, and consultant. She has assessed and treated over 2,000 children and families using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT). Prior to joining NCA, Ashley served as clinical faculty for the North Carolina Child Treatment Program, where she trained TF-CBT and provided individual and group consultation to clinicians using a learning collaborative model. She has expertise in the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based, trauma focused, child/family interventions. Ashley is a certified trainer in TF-CBT and AF-CBT and has provided training/consultation on trauma-informed comprehensive clinical assessments, trauma-related problematic sexual behaviors in children, and implementation support of evidence-based treatment models. She received her MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill, and enjoys gardening, making pottery, and hiking in her free time. 

Erin Casey is the NCA Program Evaluation Manager and coordinates data and evaluation projects such as NCA's Outcome Measurement System (OMS), CAC and Chapter Census surveys, and data collection for some of the Institute's initiatives. Prior to joining NCA, Erin was a Professor of Social Work at the University of Washington, Tacoma, where she was involved in research and program evaluation projects related to interpersonal violence and violence prevention.

Amelia Siders, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked to support children’s advocacy centers for over 12 years. She gained experience providing direct service as well as being a clinical supervisor and program director at a children’s advocacy center in Traverse City, Michigan. Following her time at the CAC, she had the opportunity to serve as the clinical director at the state chapter level for Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan. Her role at the chapter included providing resources, training, and supports for clinicians and advocates who served CACs throughout the state. She has been trained in several evidenced-based trauma informed treatment practices including Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. She has provided consultation in the areas of trauma-informed assessment and substance use treatment as well as served as an expert witness related to trauma and sexual abuse. 

Carrie Epstein, LCSW-R is Co-Director of the Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery and Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center at the Yale University School of Medicine. For over 30 years, Ms. Epstein has been providing treatment, supervision, and consultation on providing mental health treatment and on developing new programs for children and families impacted by trauma and traumatic grief. She is recognized both nationally and internationally as an expert in the field of child trauma, child traumatic grief and disaster response. Ms. Epstein is co-developer of the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), which is currently the only evidence-based early, brief trauma-focused intervention for children and families that is designed specifically to be implemented in the acute phase of trauma response that reduces and interrupts the development of PTSD and related disorders. She has responded to multiple school shootings and other mass casualty disasters across the country. She served as a key coordinator of New York City’s mental health response to the attacks on 9/11 and was a principal investigator of a collaborative, multi-site study that was the largest youth trauma project associated with the September 11th terrorist attack in New York City which was established to deliver evidence-based trauma treatments for impacted children and adolescents. Ms. Epstein played a lead role in coordinating Yale’s response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, providing ongoing training and consultation to mental health professionals in the greater Newtown area. In addition, Ms. Epstein provided training and ongoing consultation to mental health providers after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Ms. Epstein and her colleagues also developed nationally disseminated materials that aimed to increase public awareness about both the behavioral health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as ways of coping with the pandemic. Ms. Epstein is also a National Trainer of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Ms. Epstein has been instrumental in developing and overseeing national training initiatives and national learning collaboratives focused on the dissemination of child trauma-focused evidence-based treatment models, and provides training and clinical supervision, locally, nationally, and internationally on child trauma-focused evidence-based practices. She has co-authored numerous publications in support of her trauma-focused activities. Ms. Epstein was the one of the original and organizing Principal Investigators of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and has continued to Co-Chair the NCTSN’s Child Traumatic Grief-Traumatic Separation Committee since its inception in 2001. She has served on the Steering Committee of the NCTSN, as well as act as a regular contributor to the NCTSN’s Terrorism and Disaster Response Committee.

Prior to her position at the Yale Child Study Center, Ms. Epstein was Senior Director of Child Trauma Programs at Safe Horizon in New York City, the largest victim assistance, victim advocacy organization in the country, where she oversaw clinical services for children and families impacted by trauma in the organization’s outpatient programs, domestic violence shelters, and Child Advocacy Centers. During her tenure at Safe Horizon, Ms. Epstein has served on the Scientific Advisory Board to the Evidence-based Treatment Dissemination Center of the New York State Office of Mental Health, as well as the HHS Region II Strategy Group on Mental Health and Trauma.

Lolita Allen is the Director, Military Community Advocacy (MCA) programs for the Office of Force Resiliency. As Director, she is responsible for the leadership, management and oversight of congressionally mandated programs and policies focused on preventing, intervening and responding to domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, as well as problematic and harmful behaviors in military children and youth.

Career:

 Prior to joining MCA, she served as the Counseling, Advocacy and Prevention Program Manager (CAP) for Headquarters Navy, Commander Navy Installation Command (CNIC). In that position she served as the technical expert and principal advisor to CNIC and was directly responsible for the execution of policy for CAP programs across 81 Navy installations. Within this program’s portfolio was the Family Advocacy Program, Deployed Resiliency Counselors, Sailor Assistance Intercept for Life, New Parent Support Program and the Non-medical Clinical Counseling program.

Ms. Allen’s career encompasses more than 27 years of supporting military families. She started her career as an Intern at the then, Navy Base Anacostia while in graduate school in 1996. Her work experience in direct services with the Family Advocacy Program have been fulfilled with the Army, Navy and Air Force. Lolita is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Virginia and Georgia.

Education:

Ms. Allen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University, her Master of Social Work degree from the Howard University School of Social Work, and her Doctor in Social Work from University of Southern California.

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Erin Casey is the NCA Program Evaluation Manager and coordinates data and evaluation projects such as NCA's Outcome Measurement System (OMS), CAC and Chapter Census surveys, and data collection for some of the Institute's initiatives. Prior to joining NCA, Erin was a Professor of Social Work at the University of Washington, Tacoma, where she was involved in research and program evaluation projects related to interpersonal violence and violence prevention.

Erin Casey is the NCA Program Evaluation Manager and coordinates data and evaluation projects such as NCA's Outcome Measurement System (OMS), CAC and Chapter Census surveys, and data collection for some of the Institute's initiatives. Prior to joining NCA, Erin was a Professor of Social Work at the University of Washington, Tacoma, where she was involved in research and program evaluation projects related to interpersonal violence and violence prevention.

Rhonda Wurgler is the NCAtrak Specialist for National Children’s Alliance (NCA). Prior to joining NCA Rhonda was an Executive Director of a Child Advocacy Center and a Deputy Sheriff in Medina County, Ohio. In addition to her twenty plus years of serving her community in those capacities she has also served on many task forces, councils, not-for-profit boards and is currently a member of her local school board. Her experience and knowledge of CACs, Multidisciplinary Teams, and of the technology needed to assist them daily in their work provides CACs across the country valuable technical assistance. In addition to providing technical assistance with NCAtrak Rhonda also develops and delivers NCAtrak training programs to assist CACs with their important work of helping children.

Maggie Sweeney is a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interview Specialist for the FBI.  She joined the Bureau in 2020.  In her role as a Forensic Interviewer, she serves as a subject matter expert in forensic interviewing and child abuse for the Bureau.  She conducts forensic interviews following the FBI’s protocol for presenting evidence on cases involving juvenile and sometimes adult victims of CSEC and trafficking cases.  She assists agents in preparing for interviews to make them as successful as possible, ensuring a victim-centered approach.  Sweeney has received extensive training in child abuse, interviewing techniques, facilitation training and utilizing a trauma-informed approach over the past 13 years of her career in forensic interviewing and has conducted nearly 2,500 forensic interviews.

Maggie has conducted numerous trainings locally and nationally throughout her career.

Prior to working at the Child Advocacy Center, she worked in the child welfare field, at the Department of Human Services in Philadelphia and the Office of Children and Youth in Montgomery County.  In this role, Maggie investigated allegations of child abuse and neglect as a Caseworker and Supervisor of an investigative unit.

Maggie received her Undergraduate Degree in Social Work from West Chester University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Widener University and is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Pennsylvania.

Ashleigh Shea is a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interview (CAFI) Specialist with the FBI. In her role as a Forensic Interviewer, Ashleigh serves as a subject matter expert in forensic interviewing, trauma, and child abuse for the Bureau. In addition to conducting forensic interviews, Ashleigh provides expert testimony, case assistance, and training to FBI personnel, United States Attorneys, and other federal, state, and local agencies.

Ashleigh is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Michigan, where she provided trauma-focused clinical work, primarily with children and adolescents. She has worked within the Children’s Advocacy Center systems since 2015 and has conducted over 2000 forensic interviews. In addition to her forensic interviewing experience, she has provided individual and group therapy to survivors of child sexual abuse and their non-offending caregivers, coordinated and facilitated multidisciplinary meetings, and provided clinical supervision to undergraduate social work students and Children’s Advocacy Center staff.

Ashleigh has received extensive training in child abuse, trauma, interviewing techniques, and child development. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Health Studies from Michigan State University, and her Master of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University.

Teresa Huizar was appointed the Executive Director of National Children’s Alliance, February 26^th, 2008.  National Children’s Alliance, headquartered in Washington, DC, is the national association and accrediting body for nearly 900 Children’s Advocacy Centers in the US.  These centers provide comprehensive services to child victims of abuse including:  forensic interviews, victim advocacy, medical evaluations, and mental health treatment. Children’s Advocacy Centers coordinate the multidisciplinary team as it carries out its investigative, prosecutorial, and treatment functions.  In 2018, Children’s Advocacy Centers served over 367,000 child victims of abuse, and provided child abuse prevention education to more than 2 million individuals.

Prior to her tenure with NCA, Ms. Huizar served as the Executive Director of the Western Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, a technical assistance and training center for­­­ two hundred Children’s Advocacy Centers and multidisciplinary teams in twelve Western states.  And, has served as the Executive Director of two local Children’s Advocacy Centers.

Ms. Huizar has a special interest in public policy in the child welfare arena, especially, in reducing child abuse fatalities and in the provision of trauma-focused, evidence-supported mental health treatment to child victims of abuse.  She has testified before Congress on child abuse issues.  And, she has conducted and participated in numerous child abuse-related Congressional briefings.  Ms. Huizar has been interviewed by CNN, WSJ, USA Today, New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, NPR, and numerous other media outlets, on child welfare policy matters.

Ms. Huizar has served on numerous related Boards and Committees over the years.  She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the Steering Committee of the National Coalition to End Child Abuse Deaths.

Denise Edwards is director of government affairs for National Children’s Alliance (NCA), the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC). As director of government affairs, Denise develops, coordinates and leads all federal  and national legislative and public policy strategies for NCA and its members, including strategies to expand the use and awareness of CACs in the public policy arena.  Prior to her tenure with NCA, Denise served as manager of government affairs for Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., representing the company and its more than 16,000 small business franchises before Congress and State/Local governments.

Denise began her Washington career working in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving, among others, as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Rep. Bud Cramer; and on the legislative staff of Rep. Chet Edwards.  Denise is a graduate of Baylor University, with a master’s in Public Policy Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on financial planning.

dedwards@nca-online.org

Known for his strategic vision, aggressive tactics, and political hustle, Christian Morgan brings fifteen years of politics and public policy experience to Husch Blackwell Strategies as Principal.

After guiding the Kansas Republican Party as Executive Director from 2007-2008, Christian joined Axiom Strategies, the largest Republican political consulting firm in the United States. As Vice President of Axiom Strategies, Christian developed a winning focus, guiding his over fifty Congressional campaigns to major victories from Arizona to North Carolina and in between.

In 2013, Christian became Missouri Congresswoman Ann Wagner’s first Chief of Staff and was quickly identified by National Journal as one of five House freshman staffers to watch. For five years Christian directed Congresswoman Wagner’s staff in Washington, DC and in St. Louis, MO with a legislative portfolio focused on the Financial Services Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, fighting the regulatory burdens of an ever-increasing federal government, and helping Congresswoman Wagner become the voice in Congress fighting the online sex trafficking industry.

In a four-year span, Christian helped Congresswoman Wagner pass a total of ten pieces of legislation through the United States House of Representatives with five bills becoming law. Christian effectively formed and managed a coalition of groups across the political and regulatory spectrum in Missouri and Washington, D.C. to pass the Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act in 2015 – the first major piece of anti-sex trafficking legislation in thirteen years.

Christian joined Husch Blackwell Strategies in January 2018 and represents a broad range of HBS clients in broadband, higher education, energy, crime victims and child services, appropriations, water infrastructure and transportation.

Christian has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and second B.A. in Sociology from the University of Kansas and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2004.

Christian and his wife, Catherine, live in the St. Louis area and try to keep up with their six children – Madison, Lauren, Christian, Regan, Jack and Schaefer.