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Hosted by the Social Policy & Electoral Accountability Collaborative (SPEAC).
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Take four hours to rejuvenate your mindset and clear your mental clutter.
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Connect with other parents and caregivers to strengthen your family.
Join our mailing list to receive updates and other news from VCR and sign up to receive updates from a connected collaborative initiative: St. Louis Child Abuse & Neglect Network (STLCANN).
Shelnise joined the VCR family in 2020 and serves as the System of Care Intake Specialist. She works alongside organizations providing behavioral health services to children, families and caregivers, and the community to help encourage a smooth intake process.
Outside of VCR Shelnise is completing her Master’s in Social Work degree. She enjoys spending time with her family doing art projects, dancing, cooking, and swimming.
Isaac connected with VCR because of our prevention work with children and families. Having worked on the intervention side previously, he truly sees the importance and impact of prevention and early intervention. Isaac joined the team in 2020 as our Education Coordinator with Project LAUNCH. He collaborates with school and community partners to strengthen families, promote early childhood screening and education, and support educators in meeting the needs of families.
Outside of VCR Isaac enjoys being outside with his significant other and dog, jiu jitsu, reading, and playing games with his brother. Isaac also loves to cook and bake and has some pretty great skills thanks to his mother. He is notorious for modifying the recipe every time.
Sanaria became Executive Director of Vision for Children at Risk in 2018, leading VCR’s efforts to promote the well-being of children, youth, and families. She joined Vision for Children at Risk in 2013 as director of Project LAUNCH, a federally funded program to improve young child wellness in north St. Louis. The success of Project LAUNCH allowed VCR to secure three new federal grants, all aimed at supporting families. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of VCR and overseeing the federal grants, Sanaria also serves on the board of Kids Win Missouri.
Outside of work at VCR, Sanaria loves to travel around the world with her two beautiful children to learn about different cultures, learn different languages, and try new food.
Jawana first connected with VCR through the Project LAUNCH initiative as a council member and joined the staff team in 2020. As the Director of Family Support Services, she oversees our team of Family Support Partners walking alongside parents and families who are connecting to and navigating mental health services. Jawana also works to build and strengthen our collaborative partnerships to best support these families and strengthen the systems of support.
Outside of VCR Jawana enjoys listening to music and fashion design.
Kate joined VCR officially in 2020 after several years of being a strong partner in the work. She now oversees the work of Parents and Children Together St. Louis (PACT-STL), a federally funded initiative through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF). Kate is leading this initiative focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies that prevent child maltreatment, reduce entry into the public child welfare system, and enhance overall well-being outcomes of children and families.
Outside of VCR you might find Kate enjoying dance infused exercise such as Zumba and Buti Yoga, or you might find her cheering on her son playing hockey.
Anita first connected with VCR by utilizing the CMSL Data Book, finding the data impactful and helpful. Anita later joined the VCR team in 2018 to focus on improving access to and coordination of early childhood screenings. She now serves as VCR’s Compliance Coordinator, helping manage the applications, data, and reporting for our federal and local grants.
Outside of VCR Anita enjoys spending time with her husband and family. If she’s not doing that, you can find her watching reality TV and pretending she’s viewing it through an anthropological lens.
Ruth was a VCR Board member before fully joining the VCR family in 2013. She started out coordinating the Family and Community Partnership (now known as St. Louis Child Abuse and Neglect Network) and later shifted into her current role of Advocacy Coordinator. Ruth monitors policies to determine their impact on the children and families who are the focus of VCR’s work, provides education about their impact, and collaborates with local and statewide groups to advocate through an equity lens for increased investment in children and families.
Outside of VCR Ruth enjoys reading, playing the piano and flute, playing tennis, and spoiling her dog.
Alicia joined VCR’s team in 2020, already familiar with and connected to VCR’s collaborative efforts and MO Project LAUNCH (2012). As the Project LAUNCH Behavioral Health Coordinator, Alicia drives our work integrating behavioral health into primary care health and early care and education. She works to increase and integrate the use of screening tools and mental health consultation for children’s well-being.
Outside of VCR Alicia enjoys anything outdoors in the sun with a special appreciation for the Caribbean. She loves eating and trying new restaurants, travel, sand in her feet, water, and blue skies. Alicia also enjoys spending time with family and her grandchildren that keep her young.
Liz, a VCR team member since 2007, coordinates the overall data and research functions for the agency. This includes production of the Children of Metropolitan St. Louis Data Book (CMSL) as well as community assessments and special reports on key policy issues for community organizations and collaborative groups. She also provides customized child well-being focused data to various entities including local foundations, legislators, and numerous community initiatives and organizations. These data are used in everything from securing grants to informing funding and policy decisions.
Outside of VCR Liz enjoys exploring her neighborhood by foot and the city by bike.
Bree joined VCR in 2015 as the Project LAUNCH Activities Coordinator. Since that time, Bree’s role has shifted, but she remains dedicated and motivated by the mission of VCR. She now serves as VCR’s Communication Coordinator and loves being able to help share the story of VCR (alongside all of our awesome partners and families) working toward child well-being.
Outside of VCR Bree and her family can be found playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, and learning and advocating alongside their church family.
April was first introduced to VCR as a parent engaging in Parent Cafés. She joined the VCR family in 2020, connecting and building relationships with parents and caregivers of children 0-8 years old in St. Louis City. April is a Family Support Partner with Project LAUNCH, walking alongside parents and caregivers, connecting them to helpful resources and supporting them as they strengthen their family.
Outside of VCR April enjoys being crafty, doing hair and nails, and having family time with her daughters.
Delois first connected with VCR by providing quality childcare during events which allowed more families to engage with the work, and fully joined the VCR family in 2020. Delois now serves as VCR’s Community Liaison through the Department of Health and Human Services, serving to reach out and connect with pregnant women, parents, and caregivers of young children. She helps improve the coordination of referrals and connects families to resources and evidence-based home visiting programs.
Outside of VCR Delois has earned a MKB degree (Mothers Know Best) in raising 10 children, and also enjoys writing songs.
Sam joined VCR in 2013 as a MO Project LAUNCH team member and is now serving as a Lead Family Support Partner with St. Louis Project LAUNCH. He helps connect families to resources and opportunities, and to think strategically about how they can strengthen their family. Sam leads the Parent Cafes and is a certified trainer.
Outside of VCR Sam enjoys being in nature, gardening, building connections with others, and spending time with his family.
LaShawn worked with youth prior to coming to VCR, both professionally and as a foster parent. She is known for providing a much-needed safe space for youth and serving as their teacher, mother, mentor, counselor, and advocate. She sees the work that VCR does with families as an often missing piece. LaShawn joined the team in 2020 as a Family Support Partner with the System of Care, providing peer support to families as they connect to supportive advocacy efforts and navigate mental health services.
Outside of VCR LaShawn enjoys sewing and playing with her grandson.
Mia was first introduced to VCR when a friend invited her to a Community Café. She had heard the cafés were impactful and looks back now to say that it truly was life changing! She sees a real opportunity for positive change by the way these cafés center the conversations of change around community voice.
At the end of 2019 Mia joined the VCR family. She now serves as a Family Support Partner for the System of Care, bringing life experience, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, energy, and passion to supporting families navigating behavioral health needs.
Outside of VCR you might find Mia and her daughter roller skating and also embracing all the wonderful and exciting events in the St. Louis area.
Gabriel joined VCR at the end of 2019 as a Family Support Partner with PACT-STL. He is passionate about connecting with families and ensuring they have access to the resources that support their wellness.
Outside of VCR Gabriel is known as a published author (he loves writing and performing poetry), enjoys cooking and photography, serves his community by teaching the older generation how to use technology, and is a huge music and movie buff.
Katina joined VCR in 2019 excited and motivated to help families, parents, and children by sharing her life experiences, prior work experience, and her education. She serves as a Family Mentor through PACT-STL, which involves connecting with families throughout the community to reduce entry into foster care. She helps connect families to the resources that can help families be their best version of themselves.
Outside of VCR Katina enjoys spending time with her four boys, expressing their spiritual beliefs, and networking and meeting new people from all walks of life.
Connie joined VCR in 2020 as a Family Support Partner for the System of Care (SOC). She brings professional training to her work, as well as personal experiences from raising her daughter. She walks alongside families in their journey navigating behavioral health and social emotional supports for their child(ren).
Outside of VCR Connie enjoys reading, planting flowers and herbs, and spending time with her family and friends.
Kayia was invited to join the very first Parent Café that Project LAUNCH hosted. She was so moved by what she saw and experienced that she began to volunteer with Project LAUNCH and became trained to serve as a café host.
Then in 2019, Kayia officially joined the VCR family. She now serves as a Family Support Partner to reach out and engage with parents and children in order to reduce entry into the foster care system. She works hard to ensure she can connect families to appropriate resources through warm handoffs.
Outside of VCR Kayia can be found enjoying time with her family!
Ronald first connected with VCR when he attended Parent Cafés and monthly parent meetings. He then formally joined the staff team in 2020 as a Family Support Partner with the System of Care.
Outside of VCR Ronald can be found cooking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Nathan joined the VCR team in 2020 to lead Project LAUNCH, a federal initiative that promotes the well-being of young children in St. Louis City. His connections to VCR started many years prior to this. Nathan first engaged with VCR back in the 90’s when he served as a Social Services Manager. The strategies he used with students and their parents were developed from the Kids Count Data Book. Nathan also had the unique opportunity to have VCR’s former Executive Director and founder, Richard Patton, as his mentor in Graduate School.
Outside of VCR Nathan enjoys dining out, giving back through mentorship opportunities, relaxing, and worshipping God.
