Staff

Michelle Francois

Senior Director of Compassionate Education Systems

Michelle François leads National Center for Youth Law’s Compassionate Education Systems Initiative to ensure that all young people experience compassion, love and respect in their day to day lives at school, feel welcome in their school communities, are supported to thrive in school, and are afforded respect and opportunity to express their values, perspectives and preferences in educational decision making.

Michelle has more than 20 years experience working at the intersection of child welfare, education, higher education and community building and previously leading a California based initiative called Education Equals, to improve education outcomes for young people in foster care, at the Stuart Foundation.

Michelle is a people loving introvert, her superpower is finding out what is uniquely awesome about others. She loves spending time outdoors in all of its majestic forms, playing board games with good friends, making frequent visits to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and laughing.

Program Support Team

Daniel Senter

Deputy Director & Counsel, Research & Program Support, Compassionate Education Systems

Daniel Senter provides legal and programmatic support for FosterEd primarily in the areas of juvenile rights, special education, and education technology legal issues such as privacy and IP rights. Prior to NCYL, Senter served as an intellectual property attorney at Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, founded and directed the Education Advocacy Project at the East Bay Children’s Law Offices, and was a special education teacher in OUSD. Senter is the recipient of the Irmas Fellowship and Jefferson Award. He was named Outstanding Young Lawyer by the National Association of Counsel for Children (2014). Senter is a graduate of Harvard College and USC Gould School of Law.

Crystal Garcia

Program Coordinator, Compassionate Education Systems

Crystal Garcia joined NCYL in June 2020 as the Compassionate Education Systems Program Coordinator. Through this role, she supports the work of Compassionate Systems (CS) team, provides project management for CS fundraising and operational efforts, contributes to CS Learning, Research and Evaluation projects, and manages the CS student data software program –EdTeamConnect (ETC). Prior to joining NCYL, Crystal provided targeted school-based mental health services at a Title 1 elementary school in San José, CA through Seneca Family of Agencies as a mental health clinician.  Prior to this role, Crystal worked on earning her Master of Social Work, during which time she served as a school social worker in Sunnyvale, CA and as a Learning & Evaluation Program Associate at PIVOTAL, a Bay Area non-profit that supports youth in foster care with their college and career aspirations. In addition to these experiences, Crystal brings 4 years of experience supporting research and evaluation projects aimed at improving policies and programs for children, youth, and families across the U.S. as an Education Research Analyst at SRI International.

Crystal is a Bay Area native and holds a Master of Social Work (MSW), and California Pupil Personnel Services Credentials in School Social Work and Child Welfare & Attendance from San José State University. Crystal also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley.

FosterEd Arizona

Ashely Dickerson

Senior Program Manager, Maricopa County

Ashely is the Maricopa County Senior Program Manager with FosterEd: Arizona, and a former FosterEd:Arizona Education Liaison. She is a proud Arizona native and attended the University of Arizona where she studied the Social and Cultural Foundations in Public Education while focusing on Adolescent Development, Ed Policy and Africana Studies. Ashely has extensive experience both in and out of the traditional education field and has worked with various nonprofits including serving as an elementary school teacher, completing four terms as an AmeriCorps member in her community, and launching her own leadership and empowerment program for girls of color. Education campaigns and civic engagement are at the core of her efforts. She is passionate about creating an equitable and just education system in Arizona, which has led her to FosterEd: Arizona.

Victoria Gonzales

Education Liaison II, Maricopa County

Victoria is an Education Liaison with FosterEd: Arizona. Victoria has worked in the education and behavior health fields for over 10 years. Previously, she worked for Valley of the Sun United Way as a Destination Graduation Coordinator where she case managed high school students and ensured that they were on track to graduate. She is an active advocate for youth, and as a licensed foster care provider she is experienced and passionate in delivering and supporting positive change to all children, families, and community members.

Jessica Montoya

Education Liaison II, Maricopa County

Jessica is an Education Liaison with FosterEd: Arizona. Jessica attended Northern Arizona University and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Prior to working as an Education Liaison, Jessica interned for the Department of Child Safety in Flagstaff and soon after began working permanently with the Department. Jessica understands from her own experience the difficulties of obtaining higher education and having the support to do so. Jessica’s goal is to see all children, especially those in foster care, succeed and she knows that it takes all of the systems involved in our foster youth’s lives, working together, to make that a reality.

Leticia Ruelas

Education Liaison, Maricopa County

Leticia is an Education Liaison with FosterEd: Arizona.

Sandra Preciado

Education Liaison II, Maricopa County

Sandra is an Education Liaison with FosterEd: Arizona. Her educational background in social work and experience in working with vulnerable populations allows her to identify and address a multitude of systemic barriers facing students in foster care. Sandra strives to make the public education system a more equitable one, a place in which all children have an opportunity to achieve their full potential. She received both her BSW and MSW with a concentration in Planning, Administration, and Community Practice from Arizona State University. Outside of her role as an Education Liaison, Sandra promotes social justice by increasing civic engagement within the social worker community.  She volunteers her time with a local non-profit organization in an effort to make the political landscape more diverse and inclusive. Sandra is fluent in Spanish.

Jennie Hedges

Senior Program Manager, Pima County

Jennie is the Pima County Senior Program Manager with FosterEd: Arizona, and a former FosterEd:Arizona Education Liaison. Originally from New Jersey, she moved to Tucson to study Psychology at the University of Arizona and graduated in 2013 with a B.A. in that field. Jennie has experience working with underprivileged youth within many rural communities of Arizona. She also has an extensive background working with local non-profits and behavioral health networks. As a foster parent herself, Jennie wants nothing more than to aid system-involved youth in their journey to success as each and every child is capable and deserving of such.

Julia Aros-Thornton

Education Liaison II, Pima County

Julia (Julee) is an Education Liaison with FosterEd Arizona. She holds an undergraduate degree in family studies from the University of Arizona. She began her career over two decades ago working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system and their families through the juvenile court, providing case management services to improve educational outcomes and reduce recidivism. She then moved on to provide in-home services to families who had been referred to Child Protective Services. Working with families in their homes gave her a real life understanding of the challenges disadvantaged families face day to day. Prior to joining NCYL, she worked in foster care, educating, licensing and supporting foster families to meet the needs of the foster children in their homes. Julee speaks Spanish, providing her the ability to work with Spanish-speaking families, and she also has knowledge of American Sign Language.

Jennifer Harris

Education Liaison II, Pima County

Jennifer is an Education Liaison with FosterEd Arizona. She graduated from The University of Arizona with a B.S. in Family Studies and Human Development. Her interest in child welfare began when she interned with Child Protective Services and continued to develop through her work at Casa de los Ninos children’s shelter. In 2003, Jennifer began her service in the United States Peace Corps in the Pacific country of Vanuatu as a Youth Development Volunteer, working with youth in rural communities to develop programs around gender advocacy, sexual and reproductive health, and education. She remained in Vanuatu after her service, working at a local NGO as Research Manager and Youth Center Manager for 8 years before returning to Tucson. Jennifer’s 18 years of experience in multi-cultural settings working with at-risk children and youth has given her insight in working with children in the foster care system and the unique challenges they face.

Jacki Lusher

Education Liaison II, Pima County

Jacki is an Education Liaison with FosterEd: Arizona. After completing her B.A. in Human Development at Sonoma State University in Northern California, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona to join Teach for America in 2013. In Phoenix, Jacki taught as a Special Education teacher and earned her Master of Special Education from Arizona State University. Since then, she has worked extensively with at-risk and unaccompanied young adults in Pima County with a focus on supporting students as they work towards high school graduation and their college and career goals. Jacki is driven by her passion to support young adults as they navigate their future, so they can be as successful as possible. She is committed to supporting system-involved students recognize and capitalize on their strengths and skills to overcome obstacles and reach their goals.

Shane Carr

Senior Education Liaison, Yavapai County

Shane is an Education Liaison with FosterEd: Arizona. After serving in the U.S. Army, Shane attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on an Athletic Scholarship for Cross Country and Track and graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.  Shane spent 5 years working in law enforcement before moving to Arizona where he worked for 6 years with the Arizona Department of Child Safety as an Investigator and then as a Case Manager for the Young Adult Program.  For the past 5 years, Shane has worked with students and families in the Tucson and Marana Unified School Districts as a Drop-Out Prevention Specialist and as a District Social Worker. Shane was a board member on a local non-profit where he worked on a charitable race. Proceeds went to the Title I school where he coached and to Youth On Their Own, a local non-profit helping homeless youth graduate high school. Working with foster youth and helping them to graduate and be successful members of the community has always been his passion.

FosterEd California

Margaret Olmos

Director, Compassionate Education Systems – California

Margaret Olmos joined NYCL in 2017, returning to her home state to serve as State Director for FosterEd California. Prior to joining NYCL, Margaret was the Assistant Superintendent of Student Programming for the Recovery School District in New Orleans, LA. In her role, Margaretexpanded career-pathways to bridge K-12, Community College, and industry partnerships aimed at serving at-risk youth. Prior to joining the RSD, Margaret served in the Obama Administration, first serving in the White House as the Deputy Director of Research, and then moving to the U.S. Department of Education as the Chief of Staff for the Office for Civil Rights. Margaret began her career as an AmeriCorps NCCC member. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Haverford University, with a minor in Special Education, and earned a Masters in Comparative Politics from Queens University in Northern Ireland, where she was trained as a mediator.

Joanne Rodriguez

Program Manager, Antelope Valley

Joanne serves as the Program Manager for our Antelope Valley region.  Prior to taking on the Program Manager role, she served as an Education Liaison in the Antelope Valley region. She received her B.A. in Liberal Studies at California State University Northridge. She comes to NCYL with extensive experience in trauma informed practice and strength-based work. Prior to joining FosterEd, she was a Wraparound Facilitator and worked with high-risk, system-involved youth to develop family-centered, needs driven plans and provided 24/7 crisis intervention. Her ability to connect with youth and help them identify their strengths is a skill she utilized in her previous role and looks forward to using as an Education Liaison to help youth achieve their greatest potential. She is excited to continue to work with youth and hopes to inspire young individuals to set goals and be motivated for their future.

Kayla Antes

Senior Program Manager, Monterey County.

Kayla joined in November 2020 as a Senior Education Liaison in Monterey County, and as of June 2022 now serves as a Senior Program Manager. Through this role, she supports high school students and their families who are experiencing homelessness. Prior to joining NCYL, Antes provided targeted school-based mental health services at a high school and elementary school in San José CA through Seneca Family of Agencies. Prior to this, Antes supported middle school students at a charter school in downtown San José as a school-based social worker.

Antes is a Bay Area native and holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a California Pupil Personnel Service Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare Attendance Services from the University of Southern California. Antes also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from California State University, Fresno.

Joy Hernandez

Senior Program Manager, Santa Clara County.

Joy is the FosterEd Program Manager in Santa Clara County. Before joining NCYL, she worked with Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), a local community-based organization, as the Evaluation and Learning Manager, where she supported the advancement of their Theory of Change and evaluation efforts. Also with FLY, she served as a Case Manager in Santa Clara and Alameda counties, where she supported young people in navigating the justice system and achieving their goals. Prior to working with FLY, Joy worked with several local law enforcement agencies and community based organizations, supporting adults and youth engaged in the justice system. She holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from San Francisco State University. Motivated by the challenges she witnessed in her home town of Vallejo, CA, she comes to NCYL with a deep passion for supporting justice involved youth and reducing recidivism.

Valeria Esparza

Education Liaison, Santa Clara County.

Valeria Esparza is an Education Liaison in the JusticeEd program serving the students of Santa Clara County. Her passion is to advocate for young people and empower them and their families. She uses her lived experiences to make informed decisions that best serve her students in changing the trajectory of their lives and setting goals.

Esparza is from Oakland, CA and has extensive experience in working with youth from various ages and intersectional backgrounds. Most recently she worked as an Autism Technician with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and gained her Board Certified Autism Technician (BCAT) certification. It was in this role where she realized her passion to be direct-service work. She holds an A.A. in Communications, A.A. in Sociology, and A.A. in Social and Behavioral Science from Berkeley City College. She is currently enrolled at San José State University pursuing a B.A. in Social Work. She is excited to be a part of the NCYL staff and to continue helping young people!

Yvette Gomez

Education Liaison, Santa Clara County.

Yvette Gomez, previously an Education Liaison in Marina and Seaside High School within Monterey County, began serving as an Education Liaison in Santa Clara County in August 2022. Ms. Gomez earned her B.A. in Collaborate Health and Human Services from California State University of Monterey Bay in 2014. Ms. Gomez previously worked as a Case Manager for Downtown Streets Team. As a Case Manager, Ms. Gomez helped homeless people throughout Monterey County seek and utilize resources effectively to reach their goals and exit homelessness. Ms. Gomez also provided support to teen girls in a group home. She assisted people in practicing techniques to cope with mental illnesses, substance use relapse prevention, and independent living skills. Ms. Gomez is excited to continue to work in her community and advocate for students and families.

Erica Parker

Education Liaison, Monterey County.

Erica is an Education Liaison in Monterey County.

Aracele Salgado

Education Liaison, Monterey County.

Aracele is an Education Liaison in Monterey County.

Valente Avalos

Education Liaison, Santa Clara County.

Valente is an Education Liaison in Santa Clara County.

Carrie Rivera

Education Liaison, Santa Clara County.

Carrie is an Education Liaison in Santa Clara County.

Mariah Amaya

Education Liaison, Antelope Valley.

Mariah is an Education Liaison in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County.

Alejandro Ramos

Education Liaison, Antelope Valley.

Alejandro is an Education Liaison in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County.

Steven Sandoval

Education Liaison, Antelope Valley.

Steven is an Education Liaison in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County.

Tiffany Clophus

Education Liaison, Antelope Valley.

Tiffany is an Education Liaison in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County.

Alberto Maciel

Education Liaison, Antelope Valley.

Alberto is an Education Liaison in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County.

Table of Contents

Contact us

info@foster-ed.org

1212 Broadway, Suite 600

Oakland, CA 94612

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