Tracey Brenneman

Tracey Brenneman

Consultant, Trainer, and Policy & Practice Subject Matter Expert

Tracey Brenneman

Tracey is a veteran child welfare professional with over 33 years of experience across federal, state (NC DHHS), and local county government social services. She began her career as a front-line social worker, focusing on assessments (including emergency on-call) and permanency planning, before advancing to leadership roles as a child welfare supervisor, overseeing assessments, foster care, adoption, and licensing. Tracey also served as a Program Manager for a mental health agency, where she played a crucial role in developing some of the first therapeutic foster homes in eastern North Carolina.

After her tenure in local government, Tracey transitioned to the NC Division of Social Services within the Department of Health & Human Services as a child welfare consultant. In this role, she oversaw state adoptions, crafted policies, conducted adoption training for social workers, county clerks, and adoption attorneys, and served as a consultant for the NC DHHS Child and Family Services Review. Her expertise led to her recruitment as a federal CFSR contractor for the Administration of Children and Families. Additionally, Tracy was part of the NC DHHS Staff Development team, providing training on a diverse array of child welfare topics, including Intake, Assessments, Permanency Planning, Adoptions, and Supervision. She holds certifications as a Train-the-Trainer for TIPS-MAPP and Deciding Together and has delivered numerous trainings for social workers and parents.

Beyond her child welfare experience, Tracey has also worked with the Administrative Office of the Courts as a District Administrator for the NC Guardian ad Litem Program, where she led efforts to recruit, assess, and train volunteers advocating for children’s best interests in court. She has significant management experience with foundational services such as NC TRACKS, where she served as Provider Relations and Communications Manager; NC Fast, where she was the Child Welfare Business Manager; and most recently, as the Child Welfare Deputy Director of Operations with the Division of Information Technology. In this role, she led initiatives to improve data sharing and efficiency for county child welfare workers by integrating the new child welfare system with other state agencies.

A passionate coach, Tracey has recently served as the CQI Intensive Technical Assistance Trainer for the NC Division of Social Services. In this capacity, she worked directly with management teams at local county DSS agencies, helping them complete Corrective Action Plans and develop staff skills through hands-on coaching and training. Additionally, Tracey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Gardner Webb University.  By far, though, the role she says was the most life-changing for her, both personally and professionally, was that of Adoptive Parent. She adopted her daughter from the foster care system when she was a teenager, describing the experience as mutual: “We adopted each other.” Tracey is also a mother to two sons by birth and a grandmother to three wonderful grandchildren. When she’s not deeply engaged in child welfare, Tracey enjoys touring with a national tribute band, relaxing on the beach, and baking cakes.

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