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 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.

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

Jessica is from Puerto Rico and has been living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for almost 5 years. She started working at the CAC in April of 2019. She is an experienced mental health clinician with a background in Clinical Psychology. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Louisiana State University in 2009, later pursued her graduate degree in Puerto Rico where she completed her master’s and doctorate (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from an APA accredited program, Carlos Albizu University. Jessica has worked with children, teens and families with a diverse range of mental health problems, mostly stemming from traumatic experiences. She has a passion for promoting and valuing diversity. Jessica has a strong interest in improving the welfare of the Hispanic/Latino community in the United States and helping them overcome the multiple traumas they experience using evidence-based practices.

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

Timeka Sensley is a native of from Baton Rouge, LA and a graduate of Southern University A&M College. She is our newly staff member of the Children Advocacy appointed by the Governor office for the project of Human Trafficking in our region. This position holds a special place in Governor Edwards and first lady heart. I started working at the CAC on January 6, 2020.. I have a background in severe mental health with co- occurring disorders. Timeka has completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and later pursued her graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling at Southern University A&M Counseling Ed. Center. Timeka has worked with children, teens and adults with a range of mental health problems and addiction. She has a passion for healing and helping others work through life difficulties. Timeka has a strong interest in improving the livelihood of our communities who suffer from past experience of severe depression and trauma by using evidence-based practices and case management of resources provided by our community.

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!