Event Details

For 6 years Anna served as a state officer on the Governor-appointed, Advisory Committee on Promoting Adoption of Minority Children (ACPAMC) through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a church/state partnership committed to providing a family for Texas children in need. Her personal mission is to live generously and inspires others to achieve their goals.

Tonya Fuller currently is part of the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. She has been employed with the State of Texas for 17 years. Tonya started her career with the State of Texas at Rusk State Hospital as an ABE aide. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas at Tyler in May 2008. She then went on to be a caseworker with Child Protective Services in August 2008. Tonya has worked as a Family-Based Safety Services caseworker, assisted with Smith County Conservatorship for over a year, Foster/Adoptive Home Development and Recruitment Caseworker. She has been in her current position as the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist since November 2016.

Christi Yackel is one of two Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialists with DFPS in Region 07 since 2020. This position works directly with faith partners and community members, in a 30-county radius, to inform them about CPS issues and initiatives. This position also helps implement numerous programs in the community that assist children and families the department is working with. Christi has been with Child Protective Services for 25 years, with most of her tenure as a Foster Care/ Adoption Development Worker.

Starla Abraham is a licensed master social worker with 17+ years of experience with the Department of Family and Protective Services. She is a licensed ordained clergy and has 25+ years of experience in program development, non-profit, and faith-based direct service. Starla Abraham has 17 years of corporate experience in management, quality analysis, customer service, and training. She combines advocacy, counseling, training, assessments, public education, and recruitment to increase positive outcomes for children and families.

Hope has worked for the Department of Family and Protective Services since 2006 and she has held a variety of positions with the agency. Her current position is the South-Central Texas Faith-Based Specialist. In this position, Hope engages the community at large and the faith-based community specifically in various partnership opportunities with both Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services. Hope engages partners throughout Bexar County and the 27 surrounding counties.

Teoahnna has worked for the Department of Family and Protective Services for 14 years. She started as a Conservatorship Caseworker, transitioned to supervising a Conservatorship unit, and finally took the position she currently holds as the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist. Teoahnna loves engaging the church and the community. She hopes to continue helping families and children by advocating in the community for them.

Ashley Smalls earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Houston – Downtown and a Master of Social Work from The University of Houston. Ashley is licensed by the State of Texas as a social worker (LMSW). Her education and career have always focused on her passion for working with children and families. Ashley has been working in child welfare for 10 years. Ashley has a strong background in working with biological, foster, and adoptive families, including home studies and providing support to families.

As a Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist, she enjoys communicating and building relationships with the Faith Community. Leonor received the Regional Excellence Award (2018) and Texans Caring for Texas (2014) from Region 1. Leonor serves as a board member of several organizations in her area. She is also a member/attendee with international child welfare organizations.

Alicia Jinkerson is the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist with the Department of Family and Protective Services for Region 5. She has been employed with the State of Texas for 20 years. Alicia started her career with the state at Lamar University as an Administrative Associate in the Athletic Department, after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2002. She then went on to be a caseworker with Child Protective Services in 2006. Alicia has worked in Investigations, Family-Based Safety Services, Foster/Adoptive Home Development, and Recruitment.

Rachel Naron has extensive experience managing volunteer programs in both the nonprofit and government sectors. In her current role, Rachel oversees the training development, recruitment, data collection, and reporting for the Department of Family and Protective Services’ 4,700 volunteers. Rachel also manages all Faith-based and Community Engagement policy updates and form revisions and provides volunteer management support, training, and technical assistance to a team of 65 staff.

Stephanie serves as a Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist. She headquarters is in Canton, TX, covering Northeast & East Texas of Region 4. She enjoys helping those in need by providing public awareness in the community of available resources for victims of abuse, neglect & exploitation. Stephanie proudly protects vulnerable children, families, and adults with Purpose, Passion & Persistence.

Maritza loves her job and she loves helping children, parents, and workers. When Maritza became a CVS worker, she was passionate about helping the parents get better. She genuinely wanted to return the children to their homes after seeing the parents get better. As a FAD worker, Maritza enjoyed providing PRIDE classes to people wanting to become Licensed Foster Parents. As a Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist, she has enjoyed the communication and the relationship she has maintained with the Faith Community in El Paso, TX.