Toni brings over 15 years of experience in child welfare, having served as both an investigator and a supervisor on an Extended Duty team. She has a thorough understanding of child protection, applying policies in practice, engaging families effectively, and integrating trauma-informed approaches into her work. With extensive experience collaborating with NC DHHS RAMS, Toni skillfully interprets and applies legal and policy frameworks to support youth, families, and their community safety networks.
In her practice, Toni excels in conducting assessments, co-developing service plans with families, and working alongside multidisciplinary teams, including educators, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement. Her approachable nature and strong skill set enable her to build trust with both families and colleagues, including coaching workers and supervisors on capacity building through A4O.
As an on-call supervisor, Toni handles urgent child welfare cases outside regular hours, showcasing expertise in intake processes, on-call protocols, complex forensic cases, and critical thinking. Her in-depth knowledge of federal and state laws, NC DHHS policies, and child welfare best practices allows her to mentor both new and seasoned professionals, ensuring all interventions are trauma-sensitive and geared toward positive outcomes for children and families. Toni’s dedication to professional development and her adaptability to evolving best practices in child welfare are evident in her extensive experience. Toni earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.