Leadership

Rocky Hensarling is responsible for the oversight and management of all aspects of the Region 5 Single Source Continuum Contract (SSCC) as Texas continues to expand Community-Based Care across the state. Rocky will work with his leadership team to transform the child welfare system in Region 5 to create positive outcomes for children and families.

Rocky has over 13 years of history serving Texas children and families. His career with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services started in May 2010; while there, his tenure included roles such as Conservatorship Caseworker, Child Fatality Investigator, Master Conservatorship Caseworker and Supervisor, and Master Investigations Program Director.

Immediately prior to joining Texas Family Care Network, Rocky served as the CPS Director of Permanency and Family-Based Safety Services. In this role, Rocky oversaw the subject matter experts for Permanency, Kinship, Family Preservation, Domestic Violence, Education, Parent Partner, and Fatherhood. Rocky was also involved in coordinating CPS-led efforts related to current federal litigation.

Rocky is passionate about creating a kinship-first culture and building lasting, positive connections for children and youth involved in the child welfare system.

Rocky was born and raised in Deep East Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston.

Dr. Amy Strickler, Ph.D. is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the quality assurance plan, and contract monitoring of all outcomes. The Director of Quality Assurance and Contracts performs monitoring, trend analysis, technical assistance, and training to ensure outcomes for children and families are achieved.

Dr. Amy Strickler, Ph.D. has over 15 years of experience in research, evaluation, and quality improvement in the mental and behavioral health field. Prior to joining Texas Family Care Network, she was the Director of the Organizational Performance Department at Pressley Ridge where she oversaw outcomes management, research projects, and quality improvement initiatives for the organization. She emphasizes building partnerships and supporting leadership in leveraging data for decision making.

Her collaborative approach to project design and evaluation ensures activities are conducted using an equity lens and includes voices and input from providers, community partnerships, youth, and families. She presents research and evaluation findings at national conferences and publishes in peer-reviewed journals.

She is a board member and president-elect for the Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA), a CQI Community Mentor to new program evaluators, and a member of the American Evaluation Association.

Kelli is responsible for management and oversight of intake and placement, case management, and family engagement/permanency. In this role, Kelli will ensure the effective delivery of services to youth and their families, continuous compliance with all external regulatory and licensing agencies, and adherence to the SSCC Contract responsibilities.

Kelli has over 29 years’ experience in child welfare. She began her career with DFPS in May 1994 serving in the roles of Caseworker, Supervisor, and Program Director in Conservatorship, Adoptions, Foster Home Development, Family-Based Safety Services, Education and Disability Services. She spent her last 3 years with DFPS as a Supervisor in the State Office Placement Division.

Kelli has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Lamar University and Masters of Social Work from the University of Houston.

She was born and raised in Southeast Texas and has strong ties to her community. Kelli has a shared vision of success, and she works hard to cultivate team strength through support and leadership. She believes in a collaborative approach to problem solving that includes a partnership with families and communities to ensure positive outcomes for children.

Shari works with community members, partners, and other stakeholders to build and maintain relationships, increase awareness of the organization’s programs and services, foster engagement and participation in its initiatives and manage all communications/media activities.

Shari began her career with DFPS in 2001 in Orange, Texas. In 2003, Shari was promoted to Public Information Officer and took on the role of Community Engagement Specialist and Resource External Relations Specialist. During the next several years Shari worked closely developing relationships with local Child Welfare Boards and Community Partners Boards while also working to develop strong ties with Region 5 community stake holders. In 2006, Shari became the full time Media Specialist for Regions 4 and 5 encompassing 38 counties in South East Texas and East Texas.

Shari has spent the last 22 years promoting the mission of DFPS through all stages of service, but her passion and commitment has always been with the Foster Care Program. Through her community connections and relationships with local Child Welfare Boards, Shari has developed and implemented many important special projects and events for children living in the Foster Care System. Some of those include the Prom Project, Special Graduations Events, larger than life Christmas parties, School Supply events, Adoption Day events, Adoption Recruitment events and many more. Shari worked closely with the media to air the first “Hearts without Homes” TV segment in Region 5 and early in her career was a one woman show for the Heart Gallery, a traveling art exhibit featuring life size posters of children free for adoption and looking for their Forever Homes.

Shari has prided herself throughout her career with DFPS on building strong community ties and engaging with staff to promote a positive image of DFPS. She has high energy and that energy is contagious!

Shari is looking forward to being an important part of great outcomes for children in the foster care system and is looking forward to her new role as Director of Community Engagement with Texas Family Care Network.

Shari never meets a stranger and will continue to be the best advocate for children and families through Community Based Care.

Amber will oversee and manage the human resources operations within the organization. In this role, Amber will work to attract, retain, and develop a qualified work force, create a positive work environment, and ensure compliance with all applicable local, state and federal employment laws and regulations.
Amber has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from McNeese State University and 9 years of experience in human resources. After working in different industries, Amber has decided to begin the journey with Texas Care Family Network to help advance the positive and life changing initiatives for the children and families in Region 5.

She looks forward to partnering with the leadership team of Texas Care Family Network to advance the mission and vision of the organization.

Kecia Davis began her career with the Department of Family and Protective Services as an Investigator in November of 2014. As an Investigator, she served the children and families in Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine counties. It was in this role that Kecia developed her desire for protecting the most vulnerable in our community. 

In November of 2019, Kecia was promoted to Central Placement Unit of Region 5, working with all stages of service in 15 counties.  She utilized her knowledge of child safety to find each child a placement that was appropriate to meet their needs. She then became a part of the Child Placement Unit within State Office in November of 2022.  She has worked tirelessly to ensure that every child who comes into the Department’s care has a safe and positive placement within the foster care system.

Kecia is committed to every child’s permanency and overall wellbeing.

Kecia was born and raised in Kentucky, where she earned a Bachelors in Human Services and Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College.

Monica has served Texans through DADS and DFPS for 9 years. Her career with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services started in 2017 and has included roles as a Conservatorship Caseworker and Conservatorship Supervisor. In these roles, Monica developed relationships with local providers, external stakeholders and DFPS staff.

In 2021, Monica was awarded the Ramiro Hernandez Excellence in Mentoring Award in recognition of mentoring new caseworkers through the training process. As a Supervisor, Monica served on leadership teams and helped to develop new Supervisors. She also created systems and resources to assist other Supervisors across Region 5.

Throughout her career, Monica has focused on maintaining a positive outlook to achieve the best possible outcomes for the staff and families served by DFPS.

Monica is from the Deep East Texas area and is passionate about serving families, in the area, with a commitment to excellence.

Monica earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Colorado State University.

Bio to come

Tami Norrell will be responsible for overseeing and leading the development and implementation of permanency programs and services within Texas Family Care Network.  Her primary focus will be to ensure the well-being and long-term stability of children and families involved in the child welfare system by promoting and facilitating permanent placements, such as adoption or legal guardianship.

Tami started her career with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services over 19 years ago. She began as a Conservatorship Caseworker in Beaumont. After becoming a Trainer for Regions 4,5 and 7 and sharing her love for the families we serve, she returned to the field as a Master Conservatorship Caseworker and then Supervisor. Tami has traveled the state of Texas assisting Regions experiencing high caseloads and high turnover. She has most recently assisted with the continuity of care as other regions transition over to Community-Based Care.

Tami’s work-life prior to child welfare includes areas of HeadStart, Child Care Management Services and Substance Abuse Counseling. She grew up in the Air Force lifestyle of moving around and is not afraid of change new opportunities!