Employees

Rosalind has a Master’s Degree in Early Intervention from the University of Oregon. She worked as a caseworker for the Department of Human Services Child Welfare department for seven years. She has also worked with homeless families and victims of domestic violence. She says, “I believe that taking care of children is the most important job in our society and children in foster care are among those needing the most care”. Rosalind was born in North Carolina, but grew up in Italy. She has worked in Africa helping girls to go to high school. She has three children, six grandchildren, one cat, and enjoys gardening and writing.

Nichole Brown has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Spanish from The University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. She worked as a Bilingual Child Protective Services caseworker for 12 years and has extensive experience working with foster families, interviewing child abuse victims and developing individualized case/safety plans. She currently serves as a legal assistant and child visitor for juvenile and family law attorneys currently serving local youth in foster care.

Heather is an adoption worker based out of the Eugene/Springfield area, however, she works with families all over the state.  She has been with the agency for several years now and absolutely loves being able to help families through their adoption journey.  She has a huge heart, and has made it her mission to find loving and stable homes for children in the foster care system. Heather has a background in education and taught elementary and middle school for 13 years in Florida, California and Oregon before stepping into the social work arena.  She spent time traveling around the United States in her camper before settling down in Oregon. She has worked with diverse populations and especially loves to work with non-traditional families. Heather connects well with children and goes the extra mile when it comes to providing service for her clients before, during and after adoptions.  Additionally, Heather facilitates a community adoption support group that meets in Eugene once a month and is in the process of creating a group in the Medford area.   

Staci is an adoptive parent who has a passion for assisting others grow their families through adoption.  Staci is a passionate advocate and has a strong knowledge of adoption and how the system works.  She lives in the Portland area with her children and husband.  They enjoy the outdoors, helping others, and doing things together as a family.  Staci is a dedicated worker who has many years of experience as a youth support counselor and as a teacher.  Staci loves assisting others through the adoption process.

Athenia (Tina) Childers……..was born in California to a single mother in crisis. She spent most of her formative years moving often from state to state, even at one point living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Much of these years were spent moving in and out of foster care, group care, receiving care and relative care.

Tina has 4 biological children and 7 grandchildren and 1 very cherished angel. Currently she has a teenager and her two sisters residing all in the same home.

Growing up in care Tina brings a unique perspective to the table. Always questioning and encouraging our youth to question. Bringing the “family value” of teaching our children to Dream……that is the one word that most us take for granted. Passion…….Drive……..Teach……..these are all very valuable qualities that Tina has had to learn along the way. One’s that she values above all else and shares with friends and family.

Tina has worked in Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program / Shelter (YWCA), Federal Probation & Parole, State of Washington Children’s Administration (Child Protective, Child Welfare, Division of Licensed Resources), Pioneer Human Resources, Auburn Youth Resources, Sea Mar Community Healthcare and Anthem Healthcare (Amerigroup.) Currently she holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Forensics, and a Master’s in Science Criminal Justice Administration. With numerous other trainings and certifications. It is also with great anticipation that Tina looks forward to collaborating with our community, state and agency partners to provide a better future and to teach our kids to Dream again.

I was born and raised in here in Eugene Oregon and have no plans on ever leaving this beautiful state. I got my B.A. at Northwest Christian University and studied English, History, and Early childhood Education. During that time, I interned as a teacher’s aide at a local elementary school and volunteered at our local Childs Advocacy Center KIDS FIRST. After Volunteering at KIDS FIRST, I knew I wanted help children in the foster care system find forever families. I am thrilled to be apart of the AFFEC family. During my free time, I like to take my daughter on mommy and daughter dates to Barnes and Noble and order warm drinks and read for hours.

Amy Trussell is a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years of social service experience. After spending nearly a decade working with foster children and adoption in Texas and Illinois, Amy and her family relocated to Florida where she worked as a Care Manager for a managed care company the past six years. In 2019, Amy and her family relocated to Washington. Amy is involved in NASW and won Social Worker of the Year in 2019. She spends a great deal of time volunteering and has previously led teams for Autism Speaks, the American Diabetes Association, March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society. Amy is an advocate for those in the community and also served as a Board Member for NAMI.

Amy enjoys spending time with her two teenage children and spouse of twenty two years. She also likes to volunteer in her community and most recently has volunteered at Meals on Wheels and the American Red Cross. She also is involved on the NASW Membership Committee in Washington.

She has her BA in English and Masters in Social Work and is a LCSW in Georgia, Florida and Idaho.

Hello my name is Stephanie Cummings and I am an Adoption Worker.

I have been working with families and children for over 30 years. I started out as a foster parent at 23 with a new baby myself. My household quickly grew with 2 bio children, 5 foster and a guardianship within a year. I fell in love with the children and began to look at the "why" and "how" we have children in foster care and the needs of families and communities. I became an advocate for my kids in court and providing resources for special needs. My heart grew bigger and I needed to know and research about this vulnerable population of little people. I decided to continue my education at received a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and in Women's Studies from Portland State University. I also have a 2-year degree in Interpersonal and Domestic Violence.

I have worked with families all over Oregon in many different roles. I have been an in home safety service provider, a foster parent, community trainer, family advocate, homeless families case manager in Portland and a child welfare social worker in Child Protective services and adoptions. I recently worked as an Education Manager for Head Start and Early Head Start and a Family Advocate. I have many years and training hours in attachment and bonding, special needs and education, RAD, oppositional and defiant behaviors and trauma and crisis.

I live in Prineville but travel to Eugene often as a second home base! I grew up in Springfield but have traveled and lived all over the state of Oregon plus a few other states! I have a blended family with 5 children and 6 grandchildren all under the age of 7! I love to travel, read, quilt and meet new people!

I feel strong and open communication, knowing your families and providing amazing family and child connections and matches are so important in what I do! I am so excited to begin this journey with A Family for Every Child