Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services - Foster Family/Adoption Agency

Karen Cash, LCSW Director of Foster/Adoption Agency Cell (909) 342-0907 Karen_c@ettielee.org	As Director of Ettie Lee's Foster Family/Adoption Agency, Karen's goal is to expand the Foster/Adoption Program. She has been with Ettie Lee since 2008. She has worked with foster and adoption families since 1984 and her backgroung includes 10 years in supervisor/manager positions in agencies that provide social and mental health services to children, parents, and young adults. A member of the National Association of Social Workers, she also teaches sociology and psychology at the college and university level. In addition, she is the author of the Children's Program Manual for Shelters of Victims of Domestic Violence. Karen has completed additional training in the field of adoption and related subjects and she holds a Masters in Social Work from California State University, Fresno and a Bachelors in Social Work from Azusa Pacific University.

Claudia Cuevas Social Worker Cell (626) 383-6059 Claudia_c@ettielee.org	After working in the mortgage industry for years, Claudia decided to return to school and obtain a degree in social work. She always wanted to work with children and after a few years of being a stay at home mom she did not think she could start a new career. After completing her internship at Ettie Lee, Claudia worked as the Intake Coordinator for Foster Care. She recently started her new position as a Foster Family Social Worker.

Monica Moreira Recruiter/Trainer Cell (626) 383-6048 Monica_m2@ettielee.org	Monica started with Ettie Lee as an intern and through her experience she quickly realized her passion to work with children. As a recruiter/trainer, Monica qualifies interested individuals to become foster parents and helps find resource families for children in foster care. Monica obtained her degree in human services, and her experience comes from years of volunteer work in the human service profession. Prior to working at Ettie Lee, Monica worked in the real estate and marketing field for over seven years. Monica's work experience has allowed her the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and to think creatively.

Melissa Baker-Jones, MFTI Therapist Cell (626) 905-2667 Melissa_b@ettielee.org	Melissa has been working in the mental health field for five years. She received her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University and is currently working on her PsyD in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. Melissa enjoys working with children and teens to help them journey through life's daily challenges.

Sarah Liu, MFTI Therapist Cell (626) 257-1479 Sarah_l@ettielee.org	Sarah received her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Seminary and has been in the therapy field for three years. She has been with Ettie Lee for the past 2 years, working with both foster children and group home boys. Sarah hopes to bring hope and healing to children and the families that they're placed in so that they can reach their fullest potential in life.

Zeyda Linarez Newman, MSW Social Worker Cell (626) 841-2661 Zeyda_L@ettielee.org	Zeyda Linarez Newman earned both her M.S.W. and B.S.W. from the California State University of Long Beach. She has experience working with a variety of individuals including youth and adults who have mild to serious mental illnesses. Zeyda believes that the combination of her education in social work, experience in the field, and belief in cross-cultural sensitivity are important factors that will prove to make a difference in the lives of the children and families she serves.

Deborah Henderson, MA Intensive Treatment Team Leader Cell (626) 905-2528 Deborah_h@ettielee.org	Deborah Henderson returned to Ettie Lee after a 15 year absence! Deborah is our Intensive Treatment Foster Care Team Leader which is a program specially designed for children six to 17 years of age who have serious emotional challenges and who have often spent many years in many different group homes. Deborah attended West Los Angeles College, University of Southern California and California State University of Los Angeles where she earned her M.A. in Education. Deborah found her passion for working with vulnerable youth in 1987 when she worked with older boys as a social worker/administrator.

Ann Marie Valenzuela, M.S., M.A. Social Worker Cell (909) 455-7491 AnnMarie_v@ettielee.org	Ann Marie Valenzuela received her M.S. in Forensic Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles and her M.A. degree in Social Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She has an extensive background in research methods and design which encompassed parental marital family conflict and the outcomes of the offspring. It also encompassed the growth of self efficacy from adolescents to adulthood.

Angie Vernon Social Worker Cell (626) 383-6051 Angie_v@ettielee.org	Angie comes to Ettie Lee with a rich background in foster care. As a sociology major, Angie graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1983 and prior to working at Ettie Lee, she worked as a bilingual social worker at two foster family agencies; Ninos Unidos Latinos and Rosemary Children Services. Angie also worked for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) at the El Monte Office, McClaren Hall and the command post. She was promoted to supervisor and worked at the DCFS Administration Office in downtown Los Angeles.

Carol Tula Administrative Assistant Cell (626) 383-6045 Carol_t@ettielee.org	Carol's temporary employment at Ettie Lee landed her the position as administrative assistant in Foster Care. That was just over 10 years ago! As the administrative assistant, Carol's job duties not only include managing the office, coordinating special events, answering the phones, tracking training hours and completing reports, Carol also teaches CPR/First Aid, manages Title I funds. Carol says that the most rewarding part of this job is working with children, watching their frowns turn into smiles and their tragedies turn into success stories.