Melissa is the proud mother of many children through birth, adoption, and foster care.  With 3 biological children and 4 through public adoption, she continues to also provide foster care services as she has for the past 15 years.  Melissa has been an active member of the foster care community providing support for foster and adoptive parents through 1:1 support, trainings, social events, support groups, and advocacy. 

Through her variety of parenting experiences she has become knowledgeable about FASD, ADHD, ASD, PTSD, AFCCA, anxiety, depression, developmental trauma, and developmental delays as well as sibling adoption and openness.  With a BA in Social Development Studies she believes in empowerment through education and community and is passionate about helping families find hope and support.