Experience

J.K. Elder & Associates, Inc.

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• COO Emeritus/Retired Child Welfare Executive

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  Leadership, Policy, and Professional Practice Consultation; Change Management; Systems of Care and Change Management Consultation; Leadership and Board Development; Public Child Welfare Financing; Grant Writing and Procurement; International Child Protection and Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program Management; Public Child Welfare and Family Reunification Practice and Program Consultation; Indian Child Welfare Act; Interstate and Intercountry Adoption (Hague) Leadership, Policy, and Professional Practice Consultation; Change Management; Systems of Care and Change Management Consultation; Leadership and Board Development; Public Child Welfare Financing; Grant Writing and Procurement; International Child Protection and Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program Management; Public Child Welfare and Family Reunification Practice and Program Consultation; Indian Child Welfare Act; Interstate and Intercountry Adoption (Hague)



JK Elder & Associates - www.jkelder.com

• Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

• Partner and Chief Operating Officer

  • May 2014 - Dec 2020

  Small woman-owned (SBA) consulting firm providing consulting services in policy development and implementation, privatization, organization and program-specific accreditation, performance management, social services practice improvement, program evaluation, systems change, strategic planning; state and federal social services funding strategies; leadership development and mentoring; extensive direct experience in delivery of private/public and domestic and international social services (particular emphasis in child welfare); statutory analysis; highly successful private, state, and federal grant procurement; human research certification; et cetera. Show less



Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director, Family Stabilization and Child and Family Safety Programs

  • Dec 2012 - Jul 2014



US Conference of Catholic Bishops - Migration and Refugee Services

• Washington, DC

• Director of Special Programs (refugee children, unaccompanied minors, trafficking victims)

  • Oct 2010 - Nov 2012

  Directed largest refugee resettlement program in the world for unaccompanied refugee children to include placement services contracted across the US and territories; directed largest program providing family reunification services for unaccompanied minors; directed national program serving foreign born victims of human trafficking found in the US and allied education and advocacy programs; Federal program office and Congressional advocacy; preparation of text for Congressional testimony and response to Congressional offices regarding potential legislation addressing migration and refugees, as well as child protection; on-the-ground assessment of conditions for children in refugee camps primarily located in conflict regions in multiple continents; national and international advocacy for the rights of migrating children. Traveled extensively abroad and worked directly with UNHCR, IOM, Caritas, IRC, CRS, Save the Children, UNICEF, ICMC, and MSF. Show less



State of Oregon Department of Human Services

• Salem, OR

• State of Oregon Adoption and Guardianship Program Manager

  • Feb 2009 - Oct 2010

  Directed policy and program for the State of Oregon in the areas of adoption, adoption assistance, guardianship, guardianship assistance, private agency licensing, final approval for adoptions prior to court approval, permanent planning, and transnational options. Extensive legislative experience. Federal program planning and reporting responsibility. Implemented new Fostering Connections federal law components for Oregon related to guardianship and adoptions. Drafted and implemented the first U.S. state statute, administrative rule, and practice policies for Oregon leading to implementation of the Hague Convention on Transnational Adoptions and the federal InterCountry Adoption Act. Provided leadership in the transnational adoption arena that led to Oregon receiving national recognition for adoptions across borders. Program representative to the LEAD organizational transformation process for Oregon DHS. Also served as a mentor for a participant in the federal Multi-Ethnic Adoption Leadership Institute until leaving due to retirement and a relocation. Show less



ICF

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• National Project Manager, Child Welfare Monitoring

  • Sep 2007 - Feb 2009

  Directed national program reviewing state public child welfare programs for US-HHS-ACF and a national team working virtually to provide child welfare policy, practice, and systems consultation to 6 of 10 federal region offices and associated state child welfare programs. Co-led Child and Family Services reviews and my team developed state CFSR reports. Directed national program reviewing state public child welfare programs for US-HHS-ACF and a national team working virtually to provide child welfare policy, practice, and systems consultation to 6 of 10 federal region offices and associated state child welfare programs. Co-led Child and Family Services reviews and my team developed state CFSR reports.



Florida Department of Children and Families

• Tallahassee, FL

• State Administrator, Child Welfare and Community-Based Care

  • Apr 2003 - Sep 2007

  Executive leader for the State of Florida child welfare program, to include all aspects of child welfare practice for protection, in-home services, kinship care, foster care, family reunification, guardianship, adoption, termination of parental rights, etc. Extensive state legislative experience and experience testifying before Congressional committees. While in this position, I had responsibility for continued privatization of the state's child welfare system, with the exception of protective services in all but five counties. Oversight included federal program planning and reporting; public policy development and management; staff and management training; practice development and implementation; fiscal administration of a budget in excess of $800 M; statewide contracting; IT system development and utilization; etc. LEAN/Six Sigma Certified. Show less



State of Oregon Department of Human Services

• Salem, OR

• State Child Welfare System of Care Manager and State Child Protective Services Manager

  • Jan 2000 - Feb 2003

  Program and policy manager for Oregon's System of Care initiative and for Oregon's Child Protective Services program. Extensive legislative duties and experience. Responsible for implementation of Strengths/Needs-Based practice in Oregon; management of the state's ongoing agreement for resolution of a lawsuit addressing best interests of children in foster care; comprehensive statewide systems change for policy and practice; and administration of the state's child welfare Family Sex Abuse Treatment Program and federal CAPTA and VOCA program planning and reporting. Show less



Oregon Department of Human Services

• Coos and Curry Counties, OR

• County Manager, Child Welfare, DHS Services to Children and Families

  • Nov 1985 - Jan 2000

  Responsible for end-to-end delivery of state child welfare program and services in Coos and Curry counties with all associated administrative, policy, practice, fiscal, and duties. Served as primary liaison for the Oregon Department of Human Services in a large, diverse two-county area of Oregon. Also supervised state juvenile justice community-based services on an interim basis. Legislative experience, budgeting, program, and policy development, known for practice and policy innovation, strong collaborative experience, and extensive courtroom testimony. Show less



Southwestern Oregon Community College

• Coos Bay, OR

• Student Services Administrator/Director of Recruitment

  • Nov 1981 - Nov 1985

  Administrator of the college Student Services program and office, director of institutional recruitment and marketing, journalism instructor, academic advising for foreign students Administrator of the college Student Services program and office, director of institutional recruitment and marketing, journalism instructor, academic advising for foreign students



Coos-Curry Manpower Consortium

• Coos Bay, OR

• Director, Coos and Curry YEPT and SYEP

  • Feb 1979 - Nov 1981

  Director for federal in-school and summer youth employment and training programs in Coos and Curry Counties Director for federal in-school and summer youth employment and training programs in Coos and Curry Counties