Meet the Foster Care Staff

When you become a foster parent with Boys & Girls Aid, you’re surrounded by a team of staff who are there to support you 24/7. From your first contact with us, through the certification process, to your first placement, and every moment after, you never need to feel alone. 

Here are some of the friendly faces who you’ll meet when you start your foster care journey. 

Hallie (she/her)

Director of Outreach & Certification

How you’ll work with Hallie: Hallie will probably be the first person you have contact with at Boys & Girls Aid. Hallie and her team will teach you about Boys & Girls Aid’s foster care programs and help you get certified. They’ll work with you each year to keep your certification current. 

“I love being a part in helping youth have a better outcome in their lives. I don't work directly with the youth but knowing that I helped make a difference in a hopefully positive outcome makes it all worth it. This work can be really challenging, but knowing this makes it less so.” 

Taylor (she/her)

Director of Training & Compliance

How you’ll work with Taylor: As you begin the certification process, you’ll see a lot of Taylor, since she leads most of the training sessions. Taylor also leads monthly trainings for certified foster parents. She’s a great resource if you have any questions about how to support the youth in your care! 

“I love getting to support families in fostering meaningful relationships with children in their home. This work is difficult, but each time I see a family successfully navigate attachment, I see the beginning of the long-term impacts it has for this child. I get to see children realize they deserve love, and that’s pretty powerful.” 

Jandra (she/her)

Foster Care Coordinator

How you’ll work with Jandra: As a Foster Care Coordinator, Jandra or one of her colleagues will be your main point of contact. She’ll meet with you regularly to answer questions and make sure you have everything you need to properly care for the youth you’re fostering. 

“I fell in love with a foster toddler when I was 19. He was my best friend’s little foster brother. I wanted nothing more than to be in a place where I could parent him myself. I was not equipped to care for a toddler at that time, but it ignited my passion for becoming a foster parent in the future. Since that time, my focus has been on developing my life in such a way that lines me up for me to achieve my goal. I still have some financial barriers that prevent me from becoming a foster parent at this time, so until things line up for that, I choose to invest my skills in supporting foster parents in our community. I desire to help parents strengthen their trauma-informed parenting approaches until I am able to provide those approaches to foster kids of my own.” 

Mary (she/her)

Step & Neighborhood Program Support Specialist

How you’ll work with Mary: Mary works with foster parents, program staff, and youth to ensure all documentation, files, and programming are running smoothly. She communicates with the foster parents about how the youth are doing in their home and how we can support them. With the youth, Mary is in charge of their files and medical, dental, and vision appointments. She supports the program by purchasing their groceries, getting them fun activities and craft supplies, supporting the day-to-day functions, and assisting with training the youth care counselors.

“I enjoy assisting with the day-to-day functioning of the STEP and Neighborhood programs and I love that I get to interact with the kiddos!” 

Becky (she/her)

Nest Skills Trainer

How you’ll work with Becky: Becky and her colleagues work closely with youth and their foster parents to focus on any skills they may need according to their care plan. This may include emotional regulation skills, general life skills, communication skills, and more. 

“My favorite part of the job is that it doesn't feel like a job. I am so lucky I get to work with and develop connections with these children. I get to work with the most supportive, collaborative, and dedicated team. It has been inspiring and rewarding to see the growth and success made by these children during my time here.” 

If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, start the process today by signing up for an information session. These free, no-pressure sessions are held online weekly to meet your busy schedule.