North East

Michelle Robertson, MSW, LGSW

Biography

I have been providing services to children, families, & communities for over 40 years, in child welfare, foster care, domestic abuse, tribal social services, recreational therapy, children's residential services, adolescent chemical dependency, & education. Currently, an Assistant Professor-BASW Practicum Director with the College of St Scholastica's Social Work Department, trainer with University of Minnesota in Permanency & Adoption Certificate Program (PACC) & as a QI (qualified individual) & trainer of new QI's.

Michelle Robertson

Patty Miller, LPCC

Biography

Patty Miller, LPCC is a one of the first therapists in Minnesota to work in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for children. She is employed at Northwood Children’s Services –PRTF in Duluth, MN. Patty has over 25 years of experience working with children and families. She also has a MA in Management and is a former CEO of a Children’s Advocacy Center. Patty has provided foster care to over 100 children and has advanced professional training in EMDR, Grief and Loss, Temperament Assessments and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Patty Miller

Amelia LeGarde, MSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

I was both a Child Welfare Scholar and a NCWWI scholar during the MSW program at UMD. I have been working in the front lines as a child protection case manager for the last 10 years, 6 of those being in tribal welfare. I have spent the majority of my professional career working with Indigenous families and communities while following and implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA). Additionally, I have been training with UMD’s Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP) since November 2021.

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Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC

Biography

Tarah Groettum holds a Master of Science in Education (MSEd), with a clinical counseling focus. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), Permanency and Adoption Competency Certified (PACC), and Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), Tarah brings a wealth of specialized training to her practice. She is also fully trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Tarah Groettum

Lisa Corradi, MSW, LICSW

Biography

I am a therapist who has worked in the human service field for 25 years who mainly works with children, teens or troubled youth. I have an extended background of working with tribal & county youth. Which includes providing DBT therapy for the past 10 years.

Address:
North Homes Children & Family Services
1880 River Road
Grand Rapids, MN 55744

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Anjaly Connors, BSW, LSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

Anjaly is a licensed social worker in the state of Minnesota who graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She joined Ampersand Families in January 2024 as a Youth Permanency Specialist, where she works to ensure older youth in foster care find lasting and supportive connections. In her role, Anjaly prioritizes relative and kinship placements, and strongly advocates for youth to have a voice in all permanency-related decisions. As a transracial adoptee herself, Anjaly brings a personal and informed perspective to her work.

Anjaly Connors

Mariah Cleppe, LSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

Mariah has her Bachelor's of Social Work degree from Southwest Minnesota State University and she is a licensed social worker. Mariah formerly worked as a child protection social worker and supervisor for Southwest Health and Human Services. Currently, Mariah is a Post-Permanency Navigator with Foster Adopt Minnesota. Her role is to provide resources and answer questions that arise for families after the finalization of an adoption or transfer of permanent legal and physical custody (TPLPC).

Mariah Cleppe

Ashley Chase, MSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

I am a permanency social worker for St. Louis County. My current caseload includes kinship, adoption, guardianship and extended foster care. I also am a back-up petition writer. Prior to switching to this role in August of 2023, I did ongoing case management in child protection for 6.5 years.

Address:
St. Louis County
1814 14th Ave E
Hibbing, MN 55746

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Hannah Burton, MSW, LISW, JD

She/Her/Hers
Biography

Child welfare policy reform, legal services for parents and relatives/kin in juvenile protection matters.

Hannah Burton

Miranda Barker, LICSW, LCSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

I’m a therapist who specializes in working with individuals going through life transitions (becoming parent, job changes, graduating college) and families touched by adoption, including birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees. I bring experience from both the clinical side and the child welfare world, and I love helping people of all ages feel seen and supported. I am an adoptive parent myself and with adoption in my family of origin.

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