TONI BANKSTON, LCSW, BACS

Executive Director

Toni Bankston, LCSW, BACS currently serves as the Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. She is a Louisiana Master ACES trainer and serves on the Governor’s Advisory Board for Human Trafficking and the LA. Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board.

A native of Baton Rouge, she has been a child and family psychotherapist for 30 years in the area of trauma and resiliency. She is a co-author of professional journal articles focusing on work with children impacted by trauma and disaster. Toni serves as needed with the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, D.C. as a member of the U.S. Faculty and Global Trauma Relief Team in Haiti, Israel and Gaza, Sonoma(wildfire disaster), Houston(Gustav), and Broward County(Stoneman Douglas school shooting). In this capacity she has worked to develop programs and train other healthcare professionals in trauma recovery, with an emphasis on programs for youth and secondary stress in their caregivers and providers. Locally, her work in Louisiana has included bringing wellness programs to disadvantaged populations, including the street homeless in Baton Rouge, children in urban school-based settings, and working with Coastal residents in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Isaac and the Horizon BP Oil Spill. She has also served as Adjunct Faculty at the LSU School of Social Work. Toni is a wife and mother of four adult children.

KALIKO HARRIS

Family Advocate & Forensic Interviewer

Kaliko has worked with the BRCAC for over 8 years in various roles. She started as a forensic interviewer and is now working as the Family Advocate and group facilitator. Kaliko’s main job is to welcome and connect with families as they enter the Center during their crisis. She provides a thorough assessment and screening and links the child and family to important resources from food and shelter to resources available to victims of crime. She also works as a child sexual assault group facilitator at the Center and in West Baton Rouge. Kaliko received her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Phoenix with a major in Human Services and is currently working towards her master’s degree and licensure in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. She received child forensic interview training from the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Kaliko hails from Hawai’i and brings years of experience working primarily with women and children. She and her fur baby Makana are proud to call Baton Rouge their home.

JADA WOODS, LMSW

Child and Family Therapist

Jada received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University. During her time in the master’s program at LSU, she became specialized in child and youth with a focus on at-risk youth. Jada is trained in crisis intervention and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Jada has joined the BRCAC team as a trauma-focused therapist providing individual, group and family therapy at the Center and offsite.

Jessica Castillo, MS

Child and Family Therapist

JJ Biasucci

Forensic Interviewer and Substance Abuse Counselor

CHARLETTA MONTGOMERY LCSW-BACS, BCD

Contract Therapist

Charletta earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Louisiana State University. Charletta is highly skilled in working with at-risk families, individuals, couples, and she possesses extensive experience in program management. She is a firm believer in using evidence-based treatment approaches to effectively intervene and empower families coping with a myriad of dynamics often associated with trauma.

GINO J. BERTUCCI, LCSW-BACS

Contract Therapist

Gino graduated from Tulane University in 1994 with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. He also earned a MHA from the University of St. Francis. Presently, he is employed as the Program Director at The Secured Forensic Facility for the State of Louisiana. He also has maintained a private practice for the last 15 years and has been a contracted employee with the BRCAC for the past 5 years. He has extensive experience over the past 25 years working in the area of sexual trauma with both children and adults, including working with minors with problematic sexual behaviors.

ALLYSON PARDUE, LCSW-BACS

Contract Therapist

Allyson is a licensed clinical social worker at a local hospital where she provides psychotherapy to employees and conducts trainings and workshops for healthcare workers. Her background includes 3 years of social work experience in a psychiatric emergency room at another local hospital; as well as extensive experience in crisis intervention, including suicidal crises and traumatic loss and grief. Allyson has more than 14 years of experience training adults in effective interpersonal communication skills, including active listening and crisis assessment, intervention, and resolution

TIMEKA SENSLEY

Human Trafficking Coordinator

JANET DAIGLE

Forensic Interviewer

EMERALD RONEY

Program Coordinator

AKEISHA WILLIAMS

Family Advocate, Human Trafficking Coordinator

On June 4, 2017, I met with the Jennifer Madden the program coordinator of the CAC to inquire about becoming a volunteer to gain a feel of the social work field experience. I was granted an opportunity of honor on the spot to tour the non-profit facility and be introduced to its staff and administration. There were such warmth and adventure about this place that left me with a lasting impression. I must say I was extremely filled with gratitude when I received an email asking when I will like to start providing my services. Immediately, I contacted my husband and dad to let them know how awesome this opportunity I was granted.
Within the last two years, I decided to return to school with a career change and further my education in human services. I am currently a first-year student attending Walden University pursuing my Bachelor of Social Work degree. Being a blessing and nurturing individual to the surrounding communities for adult and youth services, is my main priority along with instilling them with knowledge. I am a proud volunteer of the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center also for this organization to allow me to utilize my education and skills to the test. I am thrilled to become an employee of this great organization!