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 one of our adoption workers in the Eugene/Springfield area.  She also serves families in Douglas county.  Heather has dedicated her life to working with children and families in one way or another.  She continually focuses on how to make the world a better place, and what we can do to ensure the well-being of children.  She holds a degree in Elementary Education from The University of South Florida in Tampa.  She taught in Tampa for over a decade.  She took a sabbatical from teaching to volunteer with a donation based traveling kitchen that feeds homeless people across the country.  This brought her to Northern California where she spent several more years teaching before relocating to Springfield, and becoming an Adoption Worker. Becoming an Adoption Worker has made her really happy, and her background in education gives her a unique perspective of children.

When she has the opportunity she can also be found substitute teaching in Bethel and 4J school districts in Eugene.  When she has free time she enjoys making upcycled and useful crafts, embroidering, sewing, and spending time with her animals. Heather’s friends would describe her as fiercely loyal, creative, and a problem solver.  Her students’ have said that she makes learning fun, and her clients have said that she goes the extra mile.

My name is Jammie Trimble and I am a 41 year old proud mother of 6 (one step-daughter who is 26 years old, three biological children-a daughter who is 24, a son who is 21 and another daughter who is 14-and I am in the process of fostering to adopt my great nephew and niece who are 7 and 3 years old). I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and I have been married to my significant other for more than eleven years. My family is very active and we are always on the go. We love to travel and we enjoy spending time together as a family. We also love to watch my daughter Tyra (14 years old) play basketball and we are eager to watch how far it will take her.

I elected to get into the adoption field due to my current situation with being a relative foster/ adoptive parent. I enjoy getting to know new families and supporting them in adding to their family. I have found adoption to be hard, but very rewarding work. It has been one of my greatest challenges navigating the DHS system and providing adequate support to young children who have experienced severe trauma. I also enjoy learning new ways to support my children through all of the training that is available to adoption workers and it also helps me to offer support to my assigned families. I previously worked in the mental health/addictions/ criminal justice field, so I am no stranger to dealing with difficult issues. I pride myself in being a good listener, an advocate and good at following through. I look forward to all this year has to offer.

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.

Jamie Knust is a Wife and Mother to 2 wonderful boys, ages 7 and 2. Jamie has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Corban University, specializing in Youth and Family Studies. Her previous social work was with Family Building Blocks in Salem, OR supporting at-risk families with children from 0-5 years old with educational tools, social services and resources to help provide basic needs for their families. Her Husband's job took her overseas for 2 years to Indonesia, where she was able to work with a local orphange, which began an even greater passion for adoption. She loves being able to unite children with their forever families and is excited to begin her career here with AFFEC.

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.