Foster Care

Erin earned her Master’s of Social Work from the University of North Dakota in 2019, following her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Argosy University in 2006. She has been working with individuals impacted by trauma since 2006, bringing extensive experience from various settings, including residential chemical dependency treatment, community-based mental health, school-based, outpatient mental health and chemical dependency, and community social work consultation.

Julie is the executive director of Main Street Family Services, a social service agency whose focus is to support parents and their children with resources, solutions, and practical strategies they need to thrive. Julie is a social worker who has spent 20 years of her career supporting adoptive & foster care parents, and the biological parents of children who are in out-of-home placement. Julie is also a parent, adoptive parent, and grandparent.

Licensing Supervisor for child foster care agency.

Address:
Family Alternatives
1089 10th Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

I have worked in child protection (county agency) since 2006. My practice runs from the assignment of a child protection case, fresh from assessment/investigation, through to permanency. In 2024, I became Child Protection Team Lead for the ongoing case managers, which shifts the focus of my work to half-time leadership. This includes case assignment, frequent consultation, case audit, and court report/case plan reviews. The other half of my time, I am out doing a job I love just as much (case management), gathering stories and creating relationships.

Address:
Crow Wing County Social Services
204 Laurel Street
Brainerd, MN 56401

Joy works with children, teens, and adults at Heart to Heart, focusing on trauma, adoption, and attachment. She practices individual, group, and family therapy. Joy graduated with a Master of Arts from Bethel University in May 2022. She is pursuing an LPCC and is working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist.

Address:
Heart to Heart Child and Family Counseling
127 County Road C
Suite 6
Little Canada, MN 55117

I have had over 25 years of experience working therapeutically with children, adolescents and adults through therapeutic foster care, adoption (of bi-racial child with disabilities), grief, trauma and loss therapy individually, couples and families. Most significant training and expertise in grief and trauma. Trauma Studies certificate from U of Minn. and a certified thanatologist. Mother of seven adults, grandmother of ten above average grandchildren, married 40+ years.

As a marriage and family therapist, I am thrilled to be part of a field focused on people and relationships. I enjoy working with children and families, and I am passionate about creating healthy, vibrant and hopeful communities. Areas of specialty include working with trauma, attachment, adoption, foster care, kinship care and parent guidance.

I believe all families can create change with their own strengths and resources, and I look forward to helping individuals recognize their contributions to their families, workplaces and communities.

All people are striving for well-being in their life, with ideas, goals, and opportunities available for each unique person. It is my sincere belief that most people know the direction they aim towards in life. However, life often throws us curveballs, and it's okay to ask someone to come along for part of the journey. You may need help to reframe your perspective, build up coping skills and mindfulness, process trauma, or support your relationships in order to continue on your life's journey.

Elliott is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and holds a Master’s degree from Augsburg College and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Elliott has had the privilege of working with children, youth, individuals and families of diverse backgrounds who are experiencing behavioral and mental health needs, disruptions in attachment and family relationships, trauma, as well as those experiencing the negative impacts of systemic and structural bias and racism.