Amy Doolittle, Ph.D., MSSW, LCSW
UTC Child Welfare Initiative Director, Child Welfare Training Grant Principle Investigator
Assistant Professor, Social Work Department
(423) 425-5563
amy-doolittle@utc.edu
Amy Doolittle, PhD, LCSW is an Assistant Professor in the Social Work Department and the Principle Investigator for the Child Welfare Training Grant. Dr. Doolittle provides supervision and leadership for the Child Welfare Initiative team and coordinates with partners such the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and the Tennessee Center for Child Wefare. Amy's role is supported by a diverse foundation of social work training and experience from her background providing mental health treatment to her experiences as a social work administrator, researcher and passion for training new social work professionals to meet the needs of families and children across the state of Tennessee. Dr. Doolittle holds a Ph.D. from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville.
Holly Wilson, MSSW, LMSW
Child Welfare Professional Development Coach
(423) 425-5631
holly-wilson@utc.edu
Holly Wilson obtained an Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Human Services Specialist Program from Chattanooga State Technical Community College, a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2004, and a MSSW degree through the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2009. Holly has 7 years of child welfare experience. Her professional service includes in-home parent and child training for economically disadvantaged families through Early Head Start, as well as service coordination for families of young children with disabilities and/or developmental delays through Tennessee's Early Intervention System. She joined the UTC Social Work Department as a Child Welfare Trainer in September, 2007.
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." - Maya Angelou
Caroline Huffaker, BA
Program Coordinator
(423) 425-5628
caroline-huffaker@utc.edu
Caroline Huffaker joined the UTC Child Welfare Initiative in March 2011. Caroline earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor is Women's Studies from Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Before she joined the Child Welfare Initiative, Caroline served as the Victim Advocate and Volunteer Coordinator for the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia. Although Caroline is new to the state of Tennessee and the field of Child Welfare, she is excited to support the CWI trainers, DCS Staff, and Resource Parents as they continue to provide a strong network of care for the children of Tennessee.
"Empathy is the most radical of human emotions." -Gloria Steinem
Jason Ball, BA
Child Welfare Professional Development Specialist
(423) 425-5375
jason-ball@utc.edu
Mr. Ball joined the UTC Child Welfare Initiative in October 2010 as a Child Welfare Trainer. Mr. Ball completed his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Mr. Ball came to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with 5 years of child welfare experience after having worked for the Department of Children’s Services as a Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigator. Mr. Ball’s job duties as a CPS Investigator included interviewing individuals reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, gathering information regarding emotional and physical health of children, and working with families to develop plans outlining the objectives and action steps needed to achieve safety and permanency for children. Mr. Ball was also responsible for abiding by State established policies and laws and performing ethical and culturally sensitive job tasks. Mr. Ball enjoys engaging and educating people about the Child Welfare System.
“There’s nothing so rewarding as to make people realize they are worthwhile in this world.” - Bob Anderson
Jill Black, MSSW
Child Welfare Professional Development Coach
(423) 425-5375
jill-black@utc.edu
Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Jill's training experience is a result of spending several years as a community organizer for Tennesseans for Fair Taxation and the Tennessee Chapter of Stand for Children. Jill made the transition from non-profit work to public service when accepting a position with the City of Chattanooga's Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development as a Neighborhood Program Specialist. There she worked for 3 years with neighborhood organizations and community groups throughout the city developing trainings and programs to address the needs of the community. Jill is new to child welfare work, but brings with her experience in advocacy and passion for Foster Care and Adoption.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Johanna B. Jensen, MSSW, LMSW
Program Director
(423) 425-5294
johanna-jensen@utc.edu
Johanna joined the UTC Child Welfare Initiative in 2009 as the Child Welfare Team Leader. Johanna provides oversight of the training team and the delivery of training services to DCS professionals and resource parents across the state of Tennessee. Johanna partners closely with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and the Tennessee Center for Child Welfare in meeting the needs of the children, families, and child welfare professionals of Tennessee. Johanna came to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with extensive experience as a social work professional, including 5 years of child welfare experience. Johanna’s professional experience includes advocacy for children, families, human service agencies and communities regarding issues of social justice, effectively working with multicultural communities, and coordinating with the juvenile justice systems and meeting the needs of youth and families through her work as a legal advocate in New York. Johanna also is a licensed master social worker and has wealth of training and experience as a mental health professional working with children, adolescents and families. Johanna has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women's Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a Master of Science in Social Work with a Minor in Law from Columbia University.
“There are some things in our social system to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which I suggest that you too ought to be maladjusted.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Keshma Fontaine Odeny, MS
Child Welfare Professional Development Coach
(423) 425-5631
keshma-fontaine@utc.edu
Keshma completed her bachelors as well as a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology at Lee University. Keshma has at least five years of experience in Child Welfare. Her specialty is in the area of clinical pathology and mental health development. Keshma has served in two primary vocational positions. She has served as an In-Home Therapist; providing family systems counseling and individual therapy, conducting psychoeducational groups and case management for families placed in the system. Keshma has also served as a research professional; coordinating research on rural-minority families and on issues in adolescent development into adulthood. Keshma enjoys being in the classroom and has lectured /instructed several courses in Psychological Theory, Human Development, and Research in Social Sciences. Keshma enjoys working with people and engaging herself in challenges that foster professional growth.
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela
