Council Member - Current

Michael Teresa Mellifera is an undergraduate junior currently studying at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She is majoring in Philosophy and double minoring in Theology and Islamic World Studies. Ms. Mellifera’s studies so far have largely focused on the languages, literatures, philosophies, and intellectual histories of Christianity... Read more

Katarina Kabick is a former foster youth who is dedicated to building a better future for kids still in the system. In 2016, she graduated from Mills College with a double major in History and Urban Education. At Mills, she worked to develop a foster youth community on campus. She... Read more

Yakama Nation Jade Tillequots was placed in Tribal foster care under the Yakama Nation, a tribe whose reservation is in Washington State. She entered foster care at 4 years old and exited at age 18. Luckily, she only had 2 placements her entire time in care. She was also placed... Read more

Antoinette Rucker serves as one of the Education Youth and Family Coordinators with the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children out of Atlanta. A proud graduate of Albany State University, Antoinette studied generalist Social Work and founded a comprehensive support program for foster youth called Fostering through College (FTC). In addition to... Read more

Ms. Fuller spent the first seven years of her life in kinship cares, At age 8 she entered foster care and was subsequently adopted. Currently, Latasha is the Resident Manager with LIFE Skills Foundation. She has been working with Foster Youth, and as an Advocate for Children, for the past... Read more

Mr. Baughman was involved in the system at a young age, eventually he would reunify with his mother. He was inspired to help others through his personal story to create change in the system and give youth a chance to be heard. He strives to effectively impact practice and policies... Read more

Years in care: 4 Angela is currently a Junior at North Carolina Central University majoring in social work. Her home state is the golden state of California. She is a focused, determined, and resilient. While being in the substitute care system, she experienced and witnessed a plethora of injustice. She... Read more

Years in care: 6 Danno Mannino is a 23-yr-old white, low-income, genderfluid, bisexual, and polyamorous-identified social justice advocate with a mental illness. Danno uses the gender-neutral pronouns they/them/theirs. They reside in Southern Oregon, where as a child they experienced foster care, temporary legal guardianship, and two unsuccessful attempts at reunification... Read more

Eric Warner, age 24 Eric Warner grew up in Arkansas. He entered care when he was 8 years old and experienced 6 different placement settings and 11 different moves by the time he aged out of care at 18. During his time in care, he was placed in 3 separate... Read more

Melissa's experience in foster care sparked her determination to improve the child welfare system. She graduated from San Diego State University in 2014 on the Dean's List, earning a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Social Work. Her first speaking engagement was at the age of... Read more