Speakers

she oversaw the initial rollout of Results Based Accountability in the Central Service Area and then began supervising foster care licensing. In 2018 she stepped into the Child and Family Services Specialist Supervisor position as the first permanency unit supervisor for Central Services Area and continued this work until February 2024, when she began as the Department’s Permanency Administrator. She oversees programming for foster care, adoption/guardianship, missing youth, human trafficking, and a few other programs for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Nichole has served 3 years on the Buffalo County Community Partners Board, currently serving as Vice Chairman. She has a passion for community work and empowering the next generation.

she focused on individualized education programs, positive behavior supports, and strengthening home-school partnerships before becoming the Executive Director. She is grateful to be part of such a wonderful team that is passionate about empowering families to advocate for their children’s needs in school and teaching families how to navigate different systems and services.

Jenn serves on several statewide committees and local boards that focus on improving outcomes for people with disabilities. She has a Master’s in Human Resource Development and received her Bachelor’s in English with Minors in Speech and Mass Communications and an emphasis on Public Speaking from Doane University. She has three wonderful children, her oldest son has a rare genetic disorder that has led to global developmental delays in all areas and multiple disabilities, including Intellectual Disability, Epilepsy, and Autism. Jenn enjoys spending time and going on adventures with her children (even when that adventure is going to Scooters or Target), hanging out with her family and friends, laughing, playing volleyball, drinking coffee, and eating ice cream.

ongoing case management.

Cydney earned her BS in Social Work from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Originally from Nebraska, Cydney grew up in Humboldt, NE.

began studying and immersing herself in trauma-informed care.

Kara and her husband founded Imana Kids: Orphan Care Ministry, an educational sponsorship program in Rwanda with a focus on trauma-informed interventions, learning and care, setting it apart from other international orphan care programs.

Kara has over twenty-four years of experience as an international healthcare provider and orphan care advocate. She has been trained and certified in Cultivating Connection, a parent to parent program under the umbrella of Empowered to Connect. Kara also facilitates classes as well as provides one-on-one coaching for foster and adoptive families, social workers, counselors and medical students on applying trauma-informed care and TBRI (trust based relational interventions).

Health First Aid. Her greatest asset that positions her for disruption, is her lived experiences. Jody-Ann envisions a world where the grip of childhood trauma is loosened. She is committed to helping children, caregivers, and professionals build their resilience and ability to overcome the challenges of navigating trauma on their individual and collective journey to healing.