Did you know that early engagement and communication with all those affected by an upcoming changing is crucial to achieving positive outcomes in human services?

Perspectives, attitudes, and success factors during big changes can be unpredictable. It’s important to equip yourself with the right tools to effectively and proactively manage change.

In this informative session, expert practitioners shared leading strategies for organizational change management in human services and child welfare. 

Rebekah Richmond, Quality Continuous Improvement Manager, Wake County Government

Rebekah Richmond began her career in child welfare 23 years ago as a state & regional direct service worker in West Virginia. Over the years, she has worked as a Program Consultant, a Permanency Services Subject Matter expert, and a supervising Continuous Quality Improvement for one of the largest large local social services agencies in Wake County, North Carolina. Most recently, Rebekah developed a team of Policy & Practice Coaches that support more than 300 child welfare staff and the implementation of a county case management system.

Leanne Lambert, In Home Practice Consultant, Virginia Department of Social Services

After gaining a B.S. in Psychology from Emory & Henry College in 2002, Leanne Lambert began her career in child welfare as a Lead Teacher at Bristol Head Start and then became Lead Teacher and Assistant Center Director at Radford Head Start. In 2004, Leanne began serving at the local level in Child Protective Services and In Home Services. Current, serves as a member of the Virginia Child Protective Services/Prevention Policy Advisory Committee and the Virginia Child Welfare Advisory Committee. Leanne joined the Virginia State Department of Social Services as the first In Home Practice Consultant for the Western Region in 2021.

Kymberly Cook, Chief Operating Officer, Children’s Home Society of Florida

With more than three decades of experience in child welfare and human services, Kymberly Cook is a recognized expert in areas of program design, implementation and evaluation, leadership development, organizational management, and advocacy and fundraising.   As a certified change practitioner, Kymberly leads her agency through change initiatives from service line level to large scale agency reorganization. Utilizing her love for people and ability to engage others, Kymberly helps empower others to see the vision for the future and embrace the journey along the way.