SHARON POL

Interim Executive Director

Sharon has been a part of the BRCAC since 2006, when she volunteered to help with the first Celebrity Waiter Event.  Sharon has been a BRCAC board member, contract provider, event coordinator, Executive Director, interim COO, and now interim Executive Director.

Sharon is a native and resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  She taught for twenty years in East Baton Rouge public schools as both an elementary school teacher and a librarian.  Her other careers included a Wyeth pharmaceutical representative and an educational consultant/program evaluator.  Sharon holds five degrees from LSU and is working on her sixth.

Sid Bowden

Director of Finance

TANYA HAASE, MPS

Director of Operations

Tanya Haase, MPS, was named Chief Operating Officer of the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center in November 2020.

A native of Louisiana, Tanya brings operational leadership, strategic planning, and process improvement experience to the center. Most recently, she was Director of Academic Affairs and Administrator for the Joy in Medicine program at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She was also Director of Graduate Medical Education at Our Lady of the Lake (May 2014 to July 2016).

As a certified grant writer, Tanya secured more than $1.7 million in grant funding for Our Lady of the Lake.

Additional professional experience includes roles with executive responsibilities in graduate medical education and student affairs at Baton Rouge Medical Center (October 2013 to May 2014) and Tulane University and Tulane University School of Medicine (February 2005 to October 2013). Tanya also has law enforcement experience as a probation and parole officer with the State of Louisiana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Office and administrative support for the Jefferson Parish 24th Judicial District Adult Drug Court

Tanya received both her Bachelor of Arts in paralegal studies and a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security from Tulane University. A proud veteran of the United States Army.

KALIKO HARRIS

Lead Family Advocate & Forensic Interviewer

Kaliko Harris holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from University of Phoenix and is currently working towards her master’s degree and licensure in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. Kaliko joined the team initially after obtaining training and certification as a Forensic Interview Specialist through the National Children’s Advocacy Center. She has since received training through the National Organization for Victim Assistance for her current position as Child and Family Advocate. Kaliko also works as the children’s sexual assault group facilitator at the Center. Kaliko, who is an Army veteran, hails from Hawai’i and brings more than ten years of experience working with children, families and military veterans who have experienced trauma. She is dedicated to providing coordinated services to best support children and families and is passionate about empowering people to find and use their voice.

Kaeli Egler, LMSW

Forensic Interviewer/Child and Family Therapist

Kaeli was born at the Offutt Airforce Base in Nebraska and raised in Baton Rouge, LA. Kaeli graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from LSU in December 2015, and a Masters of Social Work from LSU in December 2019.

Kaeli is also a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) and was certified as a Forensic Interview Specialist through the National Children’s Advocacy Center. She has also been trained in Victim Assistance and Advocacy through the Office of Victims of Crime and the National Criminal Justice Training Center and is a Trained Sexual Assault Victim Advocate from the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response Center.

Before joining the BRCAC team, Kaeli worked at STAR as a STAR Hotline and Hospital Advocate providing crisis support, resource counseling, and safety planning.  Kaeli was also employed as the Sex Crimes Victim Assistance Coordinator at EBRDA’s office from January 2016 until February 2021.

Kaeli decided to work at the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center for the opportunity to directly serve and facilitate healing for children and their families within an empowering community centered organization and her favorite part about working at the BRCAC is being able to make each child’s voice heard and a priority in the process.

Amburee Edwards

Forensic Interviewer/Family Advocate

Amburee Edwards was born and raised in Texas.

BA Psychology from Guilford College with concentrations in criminal justice and African and African American Studies.  While at Guilford, she spent the majority of the time volunteering with the Guilford College Branch of the Bonner Scholars Program – a service-based merit scholarship program working with families experiencing houseless-ness and immigrant and refugee families, and minor mothers.

Amburee was employed for three years with the Department of Children and Family Services as a Child Welfare Specialist working in Child Protection. Trained in The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Forensic Interview Protocol.

While working for the Department, Amburee was able to work closely with the CAC and admired the focus and goals of the agency. Seeing the interviewers able to gain the trust of children and develop an environment allowing investigators to get useful information in a trauma informed way changed Amburee’s thought process on speaking with alleged child victims.

Amburee’s favorite part of working at the BRCAC is being able to give a child the opportunity to speak in a manner that they are not used to.

Jenna LaFont

Human Trafficking Coordinator

Jenna LaFont has earned her Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from LSU in May of 2018, and a Master of Social Work from LSU in December 2020.

She first had the opportunity to intern with the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center in 2018 while working on her bachelor’s degree. After finding such a passion with the work the BRCAC does for the vulnerable populations of Baton Rouge, she decided to take a second internship in 2020 while working towards her master’s degree.

Jenna has always had dedication to working with children in need, helping give them an opportunity to let their voices be heard and bringing some light into what could be difficult and confusing situations for them. She loves being a part of the BRCAC as it gives her the privilege to work with vulnerable families and helps her learn ways to make a difference in the community

Dianna Singleton

Family Advocate

Dianna Lowrance was born and raised right here in the capital city.  She will graduate December 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Brescia University’s Marilyn Younger Conley School of Social Work.  While in school, Dianna has maintained a 4.0 GPA and will act as the sitting president for the Chi Psi Chapter of the Phi Alpha Social Work National Honor Society during her final semester.  Dianna spent a semester as an intern with the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center prior to joining the team full-time, and she couldn’t wait to become a member of the staff!  She spent four years advocating for youth in foster care with the Capital Area Court Appointed Special Advocate group, and is happy to continue advocating for children, families, and caregivers through the CAC.  Her strong desire to work with children and families makes the CAC the perfect agency for her.  Her favorite part about working at the CAC is the interdisciplinary nature of the work we do, and the fact that our work spans from the initial traumatic incident through the healing and judicial process.

Maria-Elena Allgood, LMSW

Child and Family Therapist

Maria Elena Allgood is currently a licensed master social worker. She received her master’s degree from Louisiana State University, as a Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training (BHWET) Scholar.

While working on her masters degree, Maria Elena gained valuable experience interning at Heritage Ranch and then at LSU Mental Health Services (MHS). She also served as president of LSU’s Social Work Student Association (SWSA) and worked with professors and student colleagues on multiple projects. All of this helped kindle her passion for helping others.

During her time at Heritage Ranch, Maria Elena developed vital skills, and she enjoyed rewarding opportunities to serve, while working with adolescents and families who were in crisis. Maria Elena particularly enjoyed caring for this population, as she has always enjoyed helping children and their families. She participated in behavioral and therapeutic interventions using evidence-based techniques. Maria Elena also served as a supportive member of an interdisciplinary team and frequently provided assistance in an academic environment.

Additionally, Maria Elena enjoyed participating with the interdisciplinary team at LSU MHS. At LSU’s Mental Health Services unit, Maria Elena provided individual and group therapy services to University students, whose ages ranged from 17-30 years old. She also provided therapy services as a member of the multi-disciplinary Eating Disorder Treatment Team (EDTT).

A Baton Rouge native, Maria Elena is passionate about serving the community and facilitating healing processes among its youth. Moreover, she believes in helping others through a strength-based approach, encouraging them to build on their strengths while striving to improve their mental health, emotional health, behavioral health, sense of empowerment, and overall wellness.

Dejion Hughes, MSW, CSW

Child and Family Therapist/Family Advocate

Dejion Hughes is currently a Certified Social Worker, he received his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Southern University and A&M College and a Master of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University with a specialization in Child and Family studies.
While working on his master’s degree he was an intern at the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center (BRCAC), learning the ins and outs of the agency which serves one of Baton Rouge’s most vulnerable populations. While interning he served in several roles, developing vital skills to serve children and families who are victims or witnesses to violence and/or abuse. Dejion prides himself on ensuring that the CAC’s values and mission is fulfilled by creating a safe place for all victims and families. Dejion served as a founding member of Southern University’s Phi Alpha Social Work Honors Society and assisted members and faculty with outreach projects throughout Louisiana.
Dejion has always had a heart for helping children and their families, through outreach and advocacy which sparked his interest in the career of Social Work. Due to his hard work and dedication to his roles while interning, he was later offered a Full-time position at the BRCAC as a child and family therapist and family advocate.
Dejion, a native of Baton Rouge, finds joy in knowing he can make a difference within his hometown. As the BRCAC’s motto say “Hope is here” he is honored to be a catalyst of hope.

Brooke Harper

Program Coordinator

Brooke Harper was born and raised in the Greater New Orleans area and moved to Baton Rouge to complete her studies as an undergraduate at Louisiana State University. In 2017, Brooke participated in the Disney College Program which sparked her interest in working with children. As a mother of a young child, Brooke possesses a caring heart for all the children served at the CAC.
Brooke has been a part of the Baton Rouge CAC since August 2021, when she began interning. In May 2022, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies, with concentrations in psychology and sociology, from Louisiana State University and is working to pursue a Master of Social Work from LSU. Since her internship concluded, she became a part of the CAC team as a program coordinator. She retains necessary knowledge to ensure children recover from difficult life events and reach their full potential. Brooke is passionate about having the opportunity to be a part of the process to assist and heal vulnerable children. Additionally, she plans to facilitate family life education prevention programs for the Baton Rouge metro area to help minimize occurrences of abuse against children. Her favorite part about working at the CAC is the ability to provide a safe, comforting space for children during traumatic times in their lives.

Suzanna Drewery

Program Coordinator

Suzanna Drewery was born in Tennessee, but was raised most of her life in Louisiana. She began volunteering at the Children’s Advocacy Center before being offered a full time position in July 2020. Prior to joining the team at BRCAC, she served on the board for Baton Rouge Area Victims Empowered, providing assistance to victims of violent crime in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Since being a survivor of child abuse herself and having two young children of her own, she has gained a passion for working with children and helping others during traumatic times in their lives. Suzanna has also been an active participant in our very own Celebrity Waiter Event here at the CAC since 2012!

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.

Lawana J. Mabry, DBH

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Lawana Jackson Mabry is a Doctor of Behavioral Health as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Board Approved Clinical Supervisor. She earned her doctorate degree from Arizona State University and earned her Master of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University in 2008. She has been practicing in many social work arenas since then.  Dr. Mabry is the clinical director of an outpatient behavioral health agency located in multiple cities throughout the state of Louisiana. Her extensive work history also includes inpatient psychiatric social work, school social work, trauma-focused therapy, medical social work as well as child protection.

Dr. Mabry has been grateful to receive invitations and requests to present to different audiences, including undergraduate social work students at Southern University, graduate level social work students at LSU, volunteers with Big Buddy, small church groups and schools throughout the parish. She takes pride in engaging in volunteer work that is centered around hands-on activities within the mental health/social work communities and looks forward to helping to strengthen and encourage upcoming mental health professionals in order to help members of the community normalize the talk about mental illness, mend the wounds of sexual abuse and secure needed resources.

Perhaps one of Dr. Mabry’s most treasured role was as a contract therapist with the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. Prior to her recent return to this agency, Dr. Mabry served as a counselor for trauma-exposed children with the CAC for approximately 3 years. She has since returned to this position to help fulfill her passion for direct service and while helping abused children heal.

Bridgette Webster, LCSW, BACS

Contract Therapist

Bridgette Webster, EdD, LCSW-BACS received her Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She earned her Master of Social Work and undergraduate degrees from Louisiana State University and has practiced social work for 29 years. Dr. Webster is currently serving as a contract therapist with the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center and is employed full-time with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System as Lead Social Worker. She has worked with children impacted by trauma, including students with disabilities. Her passion is equipping school aged children with resiliency skills when faced with obstacles.