Libby Ralston, PhD was the founding director of the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, Inc (DNLCC) an accredited Children’s Advocacy Center located in Charleston, SC and now serves as the Director Emeritus. Dr. Ralston is on the clinical faculty of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the Medical University of South Carolina. She served on the NCA Board of Directors, on the NCA mental health standard revision committee and participated in the partnership between NCA and NCTSN to develop the CAC Director’s Guide to Mental Health services. Since 2007 Dr. Ralston has served as the co-director of Project BEST, a Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy dissemination and since 2013 has served as Co-Director of the South Carolina Trauma Practice Initiative, a collaboration between the South Carolina Department of Social Services, the SC Department of Mental Health and Project BEST. Both initiative have been funded by The Duke Endowment.

Jami Bolton is the Training Specialist for the National Children's Alliance's Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes, where she plays a key role in coordinating training programs designed to enhance mental health support for children and families. In this capacity, Jami collaborates closely with clinicians, Child Advocacy Centers, and Chapters to ensure that essential mental health resources are accessible and effective. Additionally, she co-trains AIMWell: Advocates Impacting Mental Well-Being, a specialized training initiative designed to equip victim advocates with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively engage children and families in mental health services. Jami has dedicated her entire professional career to this field, beginning as a Victim Advocate at her local Child Advocacy Center, followed by her role as the Director of Training and Education for the New York State Chapter. Her extensive experience reflects her commitment to improving mental health outcomes for children and families in need.

Michele Mullen, MSW, LCSW, is Senior Manager, Workforce Project at the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), where she oversees initiatives to support and innovate within the children’s advocacy center (CAC) workforce. With over 28 years in the child abuse field, Michele is a dedicated advocate for the CAC movement.  In her current role, Michele leads NCA’s Leadership and Workforce Development Project, facilitates the Working Groups, and advances key priorities outlined in the NCA Strategic Plan.  Her work focuses on leadership development and expanding career pathways for mental health clinicians and medical professionals working with CACs.  Michele also serves on the NCA CSEC Collaborative Workgroup, working to enhance best practice standards for youth who have experienced exploitation. 

Before joining NCA in March 2024, Michele served as a Training Specialist for the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC).  In that role, she developed and delivered training on topics such as victim advocacy, secondary traumatic stress, multidisciplinary team development, strategic planning, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, aiming to strengthen multidisciplinary teams and support CAC development. 

Prior to her work with NRCAC, Michele spent 17 years with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office/Norfolk Advocates for Children in Massachusetts. Michele began as a Victim Advocate on child abuse cases and later became the founding CAC Director, where she played a central role in establishing a fully accredited CAC. Earlier in her career, Michele worked with survivors of domestic violence.

Michele holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).  She can be contacted at MMullen@nca-online.org.

Christina Rouse, MSW, is a seasoned child advocacy professional with more than 18 years of experience in forensic interviewing, multidisciplinary team coordination, and trauma-informed practice. She has previously served in leadership and training roles supporting Child Advocacy Centers and statewide child protection initiatives. Her expertise includes MDT leadership, onboarding and retention strategies, secondary traumatic stress mitigation, forensic interviewer development, and Chapter-level capacity building. Christina is known for strengthening team systems, elevating best practices, and improving outcomes for children and families impacted by abuse. 

Michele Mullen, MSW, LCSW, is Senior Manager, Workforce Project at the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), where she oversees initiatives to support and innovate within the children’s advocacy center (CAC) workforce. With over 28 years in the child abuse field, Michele is a dedicated advocate for the CAC movement.  In her current role, Michele leads NCA’s Leadership and Workforce Development Project, facilitates the Working Groups, and advances key priorities outlined in the NCA Strategic Plan.  Her work focuses on leadership development and expanding career pathways for mental health clinicians and medical professionals working with CACs.  Michele also serves on the NCA CSEC Collaborative Workgroup, working to enhance best practice standards for youth who have experienced exploitation. 

Before joining NCA in March 2024, Michele served as a Training Specialist for the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC).  In that role, she developed and delivered training on topics such as victim advocacy, secondary traumatic stress, multidisciplinary team development, strategic planning, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, aiming to strengthen multidisciplinary teams and support CAC development. 

Prior to her work with NRCAC, Michele spent 17 years with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office/Norfolk Advocates for Children in Massachusetts. Michele began as a Victim Advocate on child abuse cases and later became the founding CAC Director, where she played a central role in establishing a fully accredited CAC. Earlier in her career, Michele worked with survivors of domestic violence.

Michele holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).  She can be contacted at MMullen@nca-online.org.

Salli Kerr is the founder of Trauma-Informed Learning Solutions LLC, where she provides consultation and training to children’s advocacy center multidisciplinary team (MDT) members and staff. With nearly a decade of experience training frontline professionals, Salli brings a practical, grounded approach to strengthening how MDT members navigate the demands of trauma-exposed work.

Her work focuses on equipping organizations and MDTs with tools that strengthen skill development, shared language, and compassionate response—while acknowledging the real impact of secondary traumatic stress on professionals. Salli is known for creating learning spaces that are accessible, reflective, and immediately applicable to day-to-day practice.

Michele Mullen, MSW, LCSW, is Senior Manager, Workforce Project at the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), where she oversees initiatives to support and innovate within the children’s advocacy center (CAC) workforce. With over 28 years in the child abuse field, Michele is a dedicated advocate for the CAC movement.  In her current role, Michele leads NCA’s Leadership and Workforce Development Project, facilitates the Working Groups, and advances key priorities outlined in the NCA Strategic Plan.  Her work focuses on leadership development and expanding career pathways for mental health clinicians and medical professionals working with CACs.  Michele also serves on the NCA CSEC Collaborative Workgroup, working to enhance best practice standards for youth who have experienced exploitation. 

Before joining NCA in March 2024, Michele served as a Training Specialist for the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC).  In that role, she developed and delivered training on topics such as victim advocacy, secondary traumatic stress, multidisciplinary team development, strategic planning, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, aiming to strengthen multidisciplinary teams and support CAC development. 

Prior to her work with NRCAC, Michele spent 17 years with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office/Norfolk Advocates for Children in Massachusetts. Michele began as a Victim Advocate on child abuse cases and later became the founding CAC Director, where she played a central role in establishing a fully accredited CAC. Earlier in her career, Michele worked with survivors of domestic violence.

Michele holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).  She can be contacted at MMullen@nca-online.org.

Salli Kerr is the founder of Trauma-Informed Learning Solutions LLC, where she provides consultation and training to children’s advocacy center multidisciplinary team (MDT) members and staff. With nearly a decade of experience training frontline professionals, Salli brings a practical, grounded approach to strengthening how MDT members navigate the demands of trauma-exposed work.

Her work focuses on equipping organizations and MDTs with tools that strengthen skill development, shared language, and compassionate response—while acknowledging the real impact of secondary traumatic stress on professionals. Salli is known for creating learning spaces that are accessible, reflective, and immediately applicable to day-to-day practice.

Michele Mullen, MSW, LCSW, is Senior Manager, Workforce Project at the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), where she oversees initiatives to support and innovate within the children’s advocacy center (CAC) workforce. With over 28 years in the child abuse field, Michele is a dedicated advocate for the CAC movement.  In her current role, Michele leads NCA’s Leadership and Workforce Development Project, facilitates the Working Groups, and advances key priorities outlined in the NCA Strategic Plan.  Her work focuses on leadership development and expanding career pathways for mental health clinicians and medical professionals working with CACs.  Michele also serves on the NCA CSEC Collaborative Workgroup, working to enhance best practice standards for youth who have experienced exploitation. 

Before joining NCA in March 2024, Michele served as a Training Specialist for the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC).  In that role, she developed and delivered training on topics such as victim advocacy, secondary traumatic stress, multidisciplinary team development, strategic planning, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, aiming to strengthen multidisciplinary teams and support CAC development. 

Prior to her work with NRCAC, Michele spent 17 years with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office/Norfolk Advocates for Children in Massachusetts. Michele began as a Victim Advocate on child abuse cases and later became the founding CAC Director, where she played a central role in establishing a fully accredited CAC. Earlier in her career, Michele worked with survivors of domestic violence.

Michele holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).  She can be contacted at MMullen@nca-online.org.

Christina Rouse, MSW, is a seasoned child advocacy professional with more than 18 years of experience in forensic interviewing, multidisciplinary team coordination, and trauma-informed practice. She has previously served in leadership and training roles supporting Child Advocacy Centers and statewide child protection initiatives. Her expertise includes MDT leadership, onboarding and retention strategies, secondary traumatic stress mitigation, forensic interviewer development, and Chapter-level capacity building. Christina is known for strengthening team systems, elevating best practices, and improving outcomes for children and families impacted by abuse. 

Michele Mullen, MSW, LCSW, is Senior Manager, Workforce Project at the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), where she oversees initiatives to support and innovate within the children’s advocacy center (CAC) workforce. With over 28 years in the child abuse field, Michele is a dedicated advocate for the CAC movement.  In her current role, Michele leads NCA’s Leadership and Workforce Development Project, facilitates the Working Groups, and advances key priorities outlined in the NCA Strategic Plan.  Her work focuses on leadership development and expanding career pathways for mental health clinicians and medical professionals working with CACs.  Michele also serves on the NCA CSEC Collaborative Workgroup, working to enhance best practice standards for youth who have experienced exploitation. 

Before joining NCA in March 2024, Michele served as a Training Specialist for the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC).  In that role, she developed and delivered training on topics such as victim advocacy, secondary traumatic stress, multidisciplinary team development, strategic planning, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, aiming to strengthen multidisciplinary teams and support CAC development. 

Prior to her work with NRCAC, Michele spent 17 years with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office/Norfolk Advocates for Children in Massachusetts. Michele began as a Victim Advocate on child abuse cases and later became the founding CAC Director, where she played a central role in establishing a fully accredited CAC. Earlier in her career, Michele worked with survivors of domestic violence.

Michele holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).  She can be contacted at MMullen@nca-online.org.

Christina Rouse, MSW, is a seasoned child advocacy professional with more than 18 years of experience in forensic interviewing, multidisciplinary team coordination, and trauma-informed practice. She has previously served in leadership and training roles supporting Child Advocacy Centers and statewide child protection initiatives. Her expertise includes MDT leadership, onboarding and retention strategies, secondary traumatic stress mitigation, forensic interviewer development, and Chapter-level capacity building. Christina is known for strengthening team systems, elevating best practices, and improving outcomes for children and families impacted by abuse. 

Michele Mullen, MSW, LCSW, is Senior Manager, Workforce Project at the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), where she oversees initiatives to support and innovate within the children’s advocacy center (CAC) workforce. With over 28 years in the child abuse field, Michele is a dedicated advocate for the CAC movement.  In her current role, Michele leads NCA’s Leadership and Workforce Development Project, facilitates the Working Groups, and advances key priorities outlined in the NCA Strategic Plan.  Her work focuses on leadership development and expanding career pathways for mental health clinicians and medical professionals working with CACs.  Michele also serves on the NCA CSEC Collaborative Workgroup, working to enhance best practice standards for youth who have experienced exploitation. 

Before joining NCA in March 2024, Michele served as a Training Specialist for the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC).  In that role, she developed and delivered training on topics such as victim advocacy, secondary traumatic stress, multidisciplinary team development, strategic planning, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, aiming to strengthen multidisciplinary teams and support CAC development. 

Prior to her work with NRCAC, Michele spent 17 years with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office/Norfolk Advocates for Children in Massachusetts. Michele began as a Victim Advocate on child abuse cases and later became the founding CAC Director, where she played a central role in establishing a fully accredited CAC. Earlier in her career, Michele worked with survivors of domestic violence.

Michele holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).  She can be contacted at MMullen@nca-online.org.

Jami Bolton is the Training Specialist for the National Children's Alliance's Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes, where she plays a key role in coordinating training programs designed to enhance mental health support for children and families. In this capacity, Jami collaborates closely with clinicians, Child Advocacy Centers, and Chapters to ensure that essential mental health resources are accessible and effective. Additionally, she co-trains AIMWell: Advocates Impacting Mental Well-Being, a specialized training initiative designed to equip victim advocates with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively engage children and families in mental health services. Jami has dedicated her entire professional career to this field, beginning as a Victim Advocate at her local Child Advocacy Center, followed by her role as the Director of Training and Education for the New York State Chapter. Her extensive experience reflects her commitment to improving mental health outcomes for children and families in need.