TONI BANKSTON, LCSW, BACS

Chief Executive Officer

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.

Sid Bowden

Chief Financial Officer

TANYA HAASE, MPS

Chief Operations Officer

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.

Jessica Castillo, Psy.D.

Clinical Director

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.

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.

Dianna Lowrance

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.

Heather Alfano, LCSW

Therapist

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, LMSW

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.

Andrea Hernandez

Program Coordinator

Andrea Hernandez is a currently finishing up her Master’s in Public Administration from Louisiana State University. Born in Virginia, but raised in Monroe, Louisiana, she decided to stay close to home for her undergraduate degree. While receiving her Bachelor’s of Political Science from the University of Louisiana Monroe, she was involved in several campus activities that allowed her to refine her approachable personality. Andrea’s passion for nonprofits began in high school while serving as an AmeriCorps member for the first time. She spent her summer working with at-risk elementary school students planting seeds of hope for them to see what they can achieve. Believing every child deserves a champion, she was led to serve another term as an AmeriCorps member to then become the assistant to the director of the program. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she learned what drives policy and how it affects the public. Understanding how government works gave her the knowledge on how it also affects the nonprofit sector.

Throughout her internship at the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, she was able to be part of the development team where she learned how important it is for a CAC to have community support. By assisting victim advocates, gathering volunteers, thanking donors, and observing MDT meetings, she saw firsthand how the structure of a nonprofit makes positive impacts on their communities. Being part of such a compassionate team only solidified her aspirations of working in the nonprofit sector to help those in need. This passion is ultimately what brought Andrea to our Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. Being already familiar with CAC work gave Andrea the confidence to take a chance in seeking our CAC out for an opportunity to be part of our team. Being surrounded by a group of compassionate individuals doing their part in helping children in our communities is what made Andrea want to work with us. Taking on the role of Program Coordinator is so fulfilling for her because she gets to directly contribute to the lives of the resilient children the CAC sees. Seeing the empathy and drive to help children find their voice again makes Andera feel blessed to be part of a team that is doing what they can for future generations.

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!

JENNIFER LEIGH, MS

Prevention Education Specialist and Consultant

Jennifer (Jenny) currently serves as a Prevention Education Specialist and Consultant for the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center.  She earned her Master of Science Degree from Louisiana State University, and is a Veteran of the United States Air Force where she served as a Military Police Officer (Security Forces).

A native of Baton Rouge and a survivor of child abuse, Jennifer has a vested interest in the well-being and mental health of the Baton Rouge community, with a special devotion to protecting and educating our children.

She is a certified middle and high school educator with five years of teaching experience in local private and public schools.  She also served as a public and private lands and wildlife biologist & management consultant, advocating for threatened & endangered wildlife and resources in Louisiana.

She is a certified facilitator of the following:

• Darkness to Light: Steward’s of Children (adult education program: child sexual abuse awareness & prevention);
• Love 146 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention;
• Child Help: Speak Up Be Safe (child abuse prevention education curriculum) where she currently teaches adults & children in local private and public schools on how to recognize the signs of abuse & unsafe situations, how to build resistance skills, how to build a responsive safety network with safe peers and adults, and how to report abuse.

Jennifer is a dedicated Christian, wife, and mother of two beautiful children.

Matt Miyagi

Celebrity Waiter Administrative Coordinator

Matt Miyagi is a Baton Rouge native and a recent graduate from American University in Washington, DC with a degree in Business and Entertainment.  During his college career, he served as the Vice President of Sexual Violence Prevention and Awareness on American University’s Greek Wellness Coalition along with being the Financial Director for the American University Rude Mechanicals, a student-run classical theatre troupe.  Matt was also worked as a Marketing Intern for IMP at the 9:30 Club in DC.  Prior to joining the BRCAC, Matt was volunteering in the box office at Theatre Baton Rouge.

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.